ILOILO CITY — Researchers and policy specialists convened for the inaugural Visayas Policy Research Forum (VPRF) on September 22 to present evidence-backed studies designed to fortify local institutions and enhance human resources across the region.
Organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as part of the 2026 Development Policy Research Month, the forum centered on the theme “Building Strong Institutions, Unlocking Human Capital Potential.”
“We are not only focusing on deepening the capacity of individuals and communities, but also strengthening institutions for sustainability,” said PIDS President Philip Arnold Tuaño.
PIDS Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Paolo Rivera emphasized the importance of data in shaping civic discussions, stating, “We actually make public discourse evidence-based and not just based on opinion.”
The event was organized in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UP Visayas), the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev-6), and the Philippine Information Agency-6 (PIA-6).
According to UP CIDS Executive Director Rosalie Arcala Hall, the featured studies were derived from close collaboration with local government units, national agencies, and community stakeholders, primarily in Western Visayas.
The presented studies serve as tools to evaluate regional progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and economic growth.
Key presentations included preliminary findings from the SDG Partnerships and Actions for Collective Empowerment (SPACE) Project, “which identified implementation and policy gaps, and explores interventions that can help accelerate progress toward the 2030 targets.”
Additionally, findings from the “Impact Evaluation Study of Yolanda Permanent Housing Projects” were shared, advocating for a shift from a “unit-delivery” model to a “housing-plus” strategy in future disaster resettlement plans.
During the panel session, which included DepDev-6 Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr., UP Visayas College of Graduate School Dean Dr. Rodelio Subalde encouraged citizens to actively monitor public policies to ensure they are properly implemented for community welfare.