The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) recognized three outstanding research posters by undergraduate and graduate students at the first-ever Emerging Policy Research Poster Showcase, held during the 2026 Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC).
The inaugural showcase featured eight studies covering policy issues ranging from economic transformation and education to health, agriculture, gender, and environmental sustainability.
The APPC Scientific Committee and supervising researchers selected the top three presentations based on the quality of the research and its presentation.
Shierland Garcia of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines won first place for “Challenges Experienced in Implementing Teaching Internship Program: Insights Across the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers.”
The study examines the challenges of implementing teaching internships and their implications for strengthening teacher preparation and equipping future educators to meet the profession's demands.
Second place went to Danielle Francesca Marie Sanchez and TJ Robinson Moncatar of the University of the Philippines-Manila for “Experiences and Barriers to Healthcare Access Among People with Hemophilia Aged 18 Years and Older in Metro Manila, Philippines: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study.”
The study examines the lived experiences of people with hemophilia and the barriers they face in accessing healthcare in Metro Manila.
Dianna Alba, Samantha Caseñas, Mark Rogelio, Raphael Winpeco, and Marites Tiongco of De La Salle University - Manila won third place for “Beyond Stabilization: Philippine Structural Breaks, Output Scarring, and Sovereignty Constraints.” The study examines structural breaks in the Philippine economy and their implications for output scarring, sovereignty, and economic resilience.
The top three winners received cash prizes of PHP 15,000, PHP 10,000, and PHP 5,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively.
The other shortlisted studies were:
The eight posters were selected following PIDS’ call for research posters, held from June to August, among selected institutions in the Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P) Network and the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN).
PIDS President Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño and Vice President Dr. Marife Ballesteros presented the awards, with APPC Scientific Committee members Dr. John Paolo Rivera, Dr. Michael Ralph Abrigo, and Dr. Valerie Gilbert Ulep assisting.
The Emerging Policy Research Poster Showcase is part of the Institute’s efforts to promote policy research and give emerging researchers opportunities to engage with the broader policy community. ### — MTQ
