Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday said Congress is committed to pursue programs and project monitoring and evaluation as an aspect of good governance, and to helping achieve the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), principally to reduce poverty.
Romualdez made the statement in a speech keynoting the 4th Asia-Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA) conference hosted by House of Representatives.
Asian parliamentarians, including several House members, are participating in the event.
“The House leadership is fully committed to the aspirations of the 4th APEA Conference to institutionalize evidence-based decision-making for national development and the SDGs,” Romualdez told the participants.
He said the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for the first time included the enactment of a National Evaluation Policy (NEP) as a priority.
“This policy is a testament to our commitment to improving governance quality and promoting efficiency in our bureaucratic processes,” the Speaker said.
He added that the House has proposed to include NEP as a “key legislative measure” to be prioritized by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
“The enactment of this policy will strengthen our legal and institutional framework for conducting regular evaluations of government interventions, fostering a culture of evaluation in the public sector,” Romualdez said.
The strategy, according to him, is in line with the country’s international commitments to the United Nations on strengthening national evaluation capacity, serving as a key strategy to achieve the SDGs.
“Effective monitoring and evaluation are at the heart of good governance. They allow us to gauge the impact of our policies, learn from our successes and failures, and make informed decisions. In the Philippines, we are integrating monitoring and evaluation into our governance processes, ensuring that our interventions are not just well-intentioned but well-informed and effective,” he stressed.
Romualdez said the pursuit of the UN SDGs “is fraught with complexities.”
“The 2023 United Nations SDG Report paints a sobering picture of our global community grappling with poverty, hunger, and climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic, in tandem with on-going armed conflicts and climate crises, has not only stalled but in many cases reversed our progress. As we witness learning losses, rising poverty, and growing inequality, it is a clarion call to reinvigorate our efforts,” he said.
He said 2030 “is not just a date but a deadline – a that challenges us to act swiftly and strategically, despite the fiscal constraints shadowing many nations, including ours.”
“This urgency demands innovative solutions, leveraging every resource available to ensure that our progress is not only regained but accelerated. In this global endeavor, the role of national parliaments is paramount. Our responsibilities extend beyond legislation and budget adoption; we are the custodians of accountability and progress,” he emphasized.
He pointed out that parliaments around the world have successfully influenced policy and implementation of the SDGs – from legislating on environmental protection in the European Union to budgeting for education reforms in African nations.
“The path to achieving the SDGs is one we must walk together. Governments, civil societies, international agencies – we all have a role to play. In the Philippines, we seek to foster a synergistic relationship with all stakeholders, leveraging each other’s strengths for the greater good,” the Speaker told 4th APEA conference participants.
He called on global partners to “join us in this endeavor.”
“Your expertise, your experiences, and your support are invaluable in this journey. Together, we can create a future where sustainable development is not a goal but a reality,” he said.
“Today, as we convene for the 4th APEA Conference, I am humbled by the collective expertise and commitment in this room, united in our pursuit of sustainable development and equitable growth in Asia. The Philippines is proud to host this significant event, reflecting our commitment to being at the forefront of progressive and meaningful change,” Romualdez said.
“Let us remind ourselves of the weight of responsibility we carry and the impact of the work we do. The path ahead is challenging, but with our united efforts, it is a path that leads to hope, progress, and a better world for future generations,” he said.