To increase awareness of Filipinos about the concept of the New Globalization and deepen their understanding on issues and opportunities that come with it, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) chose this topic as the theme of this year’s 17th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) celebration.
The DPRM is a PIDS-led event held every September to promote awareness on the importance of policy research in the formulation of evidence-based policies, programs, and projects. The month-long celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 247 and aims to cultivate a strong culture of research and use of data and evidence in policymaking and program planning among the country's national and local decisionmakers.
Every year, a theme is selected from an array of current or prospective development issues in the national and global scene. For 2019, the DPRM theme is “Navigating the New Globalization: Local Actions for Global Challenges” or in Filipino, “Paglalayag sa Bagong Globalisasyon: Lokal na Pagkilos sa mga Pandaigdigang Hamon”.
PIDS President Celia M. Reyes explained that there is a need to stimulate awareness of the new wave of globalization as it is “characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity given the complex, interrelated challenges it brings”.
These challenges, she said, include “trade wars, environmental degradation, cross-border public health threats, worsening poverty and inequality, erosion of social cohesion and trust, and proliferation of disinformation”.
“If these challenges are not managed well, they can undermine the ability of the Philippines to sustain its rapid economic growth and attain its long-term development vision of a Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay Para sa Lahat (AmBisyon 2040) as well as its targets under the Sustainable Development Goals,” explained Reyes.
Hence, she encouraged all sectors to get involved and support the government in addressing the challenges posed by the New Globalization. “The government cannot do it alone. We need the full support and cooperation of our partners from the private sector, academe, and civil society. Each of us can do something to mitigate the risks and, at the same time, harness the opportunities that come along with the New Globalization,” she said.
The PIDS, together with other members of the DPRM steering committee, will organize several activities to ensure that people will know more of the DPRM and its theme. These activities include a kickoff press conference on September 4 to herald the start of the DPRM celebration, the Fifth Mindanao Policy Research Forum on September 10 in General Santos City in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Mindanao State University (MSU), a press conference during the PIDS-MinDA-MSU forum, a regional forum in Iloilo City in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6, and the Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) on September 19 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila. A one-day exhibit will run alongside the APPC that will feature the knowledge products of the event’s sponsors, namely, the Philippine Competition Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), NEDA, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Asian Development Bank, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations (DFA-OUIER), and the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In support of the DPRM, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the DILG have issued memorandum circulars enjoining government agencies and local government units, respectively, to participate in the DPRM celebration by displaying the DPRM banner within their office premises; to post and share DPRM infographics, videos, and other related announcements in their respective websites and social media accounts; and to organize activities or events related to the DPRM. A similar memorandum circular will also be issued by the DILG for local government units.
Chaired by PIDS, the DPRM Steering Committee consists of various government agencies. Its permanent members include NEDA, CSC, Philippine Information Agency, BSP, DILG, and Presidential Management Staff. This has been expanded this year to include the Senate Economic Planning Office, Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, and the Department of Budget and Management. The additional members, on the other hand, include the Department of Health, DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations, Department of Labor and Employment, DFA-OUIER, Department of Health, and Climate Change Commission.
Details of this year’s theme and activities are available on the DPRM website at https://dprm.pids.gov.ph/. The public may also check PIDS’ social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/PIDS.PH/ and https://twitter.com/PIDS_PH for more information and updates. Everyone is also encouraged to use the hashtags #DPRM2019 and #ActLocalThinkGlobal to propagate the DPRM theme. ###