Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of government policies and programs, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized this during the 11th M&E Forum held in Pasay City, which brought together over 300 representatives from government, civil society, academia and development partners.
Organized by NEDA in collaboration with the Australian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event aimed to bolster local M&E capacity, showcase recent initiatives, and promote evidence-based decision-making.
The forum, themed “Closing the Loop: Towards M&E Evidence-based PDP Midterm Updating,” highlighted the role of M&E in the midterm review and updating of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.
Balisacan cited the need to strengthen M&E systems to empower the public sector to conduct evaluations competently and use evidence to drive decisions. He also emphasized the importance of embedding a culture of evaluation within the bureaucracy and engaging with all stakeholders.
“M&E is most effective when it reflects diverse perspectives, draws from collaborative efforts, and is grounded by the realities at the grassroots,” Balisacan said.
UNDP Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran said M&E is not just about accountability but about creating a world where every decision is grounded in evidence.
Australian Ambassador HK Yu echoed the importance of partnerships and collaboration in fostering a robust evaluation culture and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting the Philippines.
The forum featured sessions showcasing national M&E studies with direct policy implications for the PDP midterm review and updating. Other sessions focused on strengthening and institutionalizing M&E systems across sectors.
Launched in 2011, the annual gathering has been instrumental in cultivating a vibrant M&E community of practice.
