The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said is strengthening its commitment to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to ensure government policies and programs directly improve the lives of Filipinos.
Speaking at the 12th M&E Network Forum, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that progress should be measured not just by economic growth figures, but by whether government action “ease the burdens of ordinary Filipinos.”
“Impactful growth means better public services, more secure and sustainable livelihoods, and stronger public trust in government. M&E plays a central role here,” Balisacan said.
“It helps us see whether commitments are being met, whether resources are used wisely, and, most importantly, whether programs are delivering real benefits to our people,” he said.
The forum, which brought together nearly 300 participants from government, civil society, the academe and development partners, underscored the need to integrate M&E into the government’s planning, budgeting and implementation processes.
The recent passage of Republic Act No. 12145, or the Economy, Planning and Development Act, strengthens DEPDev’s mandate for evidence-based policymaking. Discussions at the forum focused on how M&E can guide budget and planning under the new law, bridge data gaps, and ensure evaluation findings are used to improve government programs.
Balisacan said the forum was important to “turn the President’s mandate into action—to ensure that growth and public expenditure are translated into measurable outcomes and tangible benefits for every citizen.”
DEPDev is conducting several M&E initiatives in collaboration with partners across critical sectors such as agriculture, labor, health and social protection. The agency is also expanding its nationwide pool of evaluators through capacity-building efforts, including in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Attendees also cited the urgency of prioritizing limited resources to maximize impact as the country reaches the midpoint of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and works toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Let us make M&E in the Philippines not just a compliance tool, but a genuine driver of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development,” Balisacan said.
