Per Malacañang Proclamation No. 247 dated September 2, 2002, the month of September of every year is declared as Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) to provide a means for promoting and drawing nationwide awareness on the importance of policy reasearch in national development.

On its seventh year, the Steering Committee for the celebration of the DPRM chose the theme "Coping with climate variability and change."

The choice of this theme stems from the fact that the Philippines is a country that is very prone to climate-related risks and disasters.  For instance, climate variability caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and its two phases – El Niño and La Niña – greatly affects agriculture in the Philippines and leaves rainfed agricultural producers, in particular, exposed to high levels of risk in terms of decisions regarding choice of inputs and timing. At the same time, recent changes felt in the overall climatic patterns and conditions bring about greater possibilities for more intense climatic events with disastrous effects on our people’s lives, properties and livelihood.

All these therefore underscore the need for strategic risk-mitigation programs and measures based on careful study and active interaction and collaboration among different sectors of society.  The various studies and activities to be presented and organized during the month-long celebration of the DPRM will hopefully provide the appropriate base and support in developing such programs/measures.

In this regard, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), as the agency designated to lead and coordinate the activities for the annual observance of the DPRM, is putting together various activities and initiatives being organized by participating institutions in this DPRM website for the annual observance of the DPRM.

On its part, the PIDS will be organizing a half-day seminar-discussion on September 22, 2009 on the topic of seasonal climate forecast and its use for better management of climate variability.  More details on this will be posted in this website in the coming weeks.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Chairperson:
Dr. Josef T. Yap ( Philippine Institute for Development Studies)

Members:
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Soils and Water Management
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department of Interior and Local Government   
Department of National Defense
National Economic and Development Authority  
National Food Authority (NFA)             
National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development
Philippine Information Agency   
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
Visayas State University (VSU)