The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) kicked off its information caravan in Western Visayas, leveraging its Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P) and PIDS Corners networks. This initiative underscores PIDS’ commitment to broadening policy research information dissemination beyond Metro Manila.
In a bid to enhance information dissemination and touch base with stakeholders in Region 6, the Research Information Department conducted a series of in-person engagements. Through these interactions, stakeholders became aware of the Institute’s open-access initiatives through SERP-P and showcased the institute’s wealth of publications as invaluable resources for research endeavors.
SERP-P (https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph), the Philippines' first electronic repository of policy research and information, houses socioeconomic studies and materials from PIDS and various research institutions and universities in the Philippines. It fulfills PIDS' mandate of facilitating collaboration between the government and research bodies while serving as a centralized hub for socioeconomic research data. As of April 30, 2024, it has 9,194 publications. The network has grown to over 60 members.
Meanwhile, the PIDS Corners strategically place PIDS publications across the country to reach communities with limited access to development and policy-oriented materials. In 2023, 11,875 publications were used across 25 PIDS Corners nationwide by students, faculty members, and other library patrons.
Led by PIDS Senior Research Specialist and SERP-P coordinator Ezekiel Nicomedes and PIDS Librarian Jasmine James Cortez, the caravan commenced with a visit to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6 office in Iloilo City. NEDA Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. commended the SERP-P project, affirming the agency's commitment to enriching the portal’s content by contributing publications.
The information caravan also included an orientation at the Central Philippine University (CPU). Over 30 CPU students participated in this event jointly organized by the CPU Library and the University Research Center. Dr. Evelyn Grace Ayson, CPU University Research Center director, expressed strong support for promoting SERP-P among students and researchers. She also vowed to revitalize the university’s research journal and ensure its inclusion in the SERP-P database.
Further, to foster greater participation in the SERP-P network and promote the use of PIDS knowledge products, the PIDS team collaborated with Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) in Estancia. They organized an orientation and exploratory meeting attended by college deans, academic chairs, faculty members, and graduate school chairs.
Dr. Bobby Gerardo, NISU president, expressed support for SERP-P together with their intention to formalize the partnership with PIDS. Through this collaboration, faculty members and students in the undergraduate and graduate school programs, especially those taking public administration and economics courses, will have access to PIDS publications as well as those in the SERP-P database.
Additional visits were made to the Iloilo City Library and the Iloilo Provincial Library and Archives. Representatives from both libraries expressed interest in receiving printed materials, recognizing the increasing demand for additional PIDS print resources in public libraries.
View photos of the caravan here bit.ly/PIDSinfocaravan. ###
