Pursuant to Proclamation 247 issued by Malacañang in September 2002, the Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) is celebrated every September to encourage Philippine policymakers, government leaders, and the public to appreciate the importance of policy research in crafting evidence-based policies and programs.

The DPRM aims to cultivate a strong culture of research and research use among decisionmakers and the general public, and improve the public’s research and information literacy of socioeconomic issues.

Specifically, the month-long celebration seeks to:

• Promote the importance of policy research for evidence-based policymaking. Policy research is essential for effective planning and policymaking. Policies should be evidence-based, and the DPRM highlights this fact.
• Increase public awareness of the importance of policy research.  Data and research evidence in crafting programs and policies ensures that they are created and implemented in a way that best serves the public.
• Promote existing knowledge resources for policymaking and planning. By promoting policy research and success stories of evidence-based policymaking, policymakers will learn about existing policy studies and other similar resources within their reach, which they can use in crafting policies and making policy decisions.

Proclamation 247 identified the PIDS, the primary socioeconomic think tank of the Philippine government, as the lead coordinator of the yearly DPRM celebration.

Together with the members of the interagency DPRM Steering Committee, the PIDS crafts the DPRM theme for the year to showcase a critical, current, or emerging development issue, and organizes various activities to demonstrate the importance of policy research and explain the theme. These activities include policy seminars and dialogues, press conferences, media appearances, and roundtable discussions.

The permanent members of the Steering Committee include the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), and Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD).

Every year, other agencies relevant to the theme are invited as members.

This year, the additional members include the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Everyone is welcome to join the DPRM celebration. You can choose to do any of the following:

• Display the physical banner of DPRM 2023 on your office premises or the electronic banner on your official website and social media pages. Go to bit.ly/2023dprmbanner to access the banner template and specifications. The banner is available in Filipino, English, Bikol, Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Sebwano, and Waray. You may also translate the slogan into your local dialect. For inquiries regarding the banner specifications, please contact Ms. Maria Alyssa L. Esguerra (Sassa) at mesguerra@pids.gov.ph or (02) 8877-4028. If you will print the banner for display in your offices, we encourage you to use sustainable materials.
• Repost and share DPRM promotional videos, infographics, and related announcements on your website and social media pages. Note: You may download these from the DPRM website (http://dprm.pids.gov.ph)and PIDS social media pages (fb.com/PIDS.PH, twitter.com/PIDS_PH, and youtube.com/PIDSPHL).
• Browse and share our online content. Visit the DPRM website (http://dprm.pids.gov.ph) and the Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) subsite and follow PIDS on its social media pages on Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube. Please use the following hashtags in your social media posts: #DPRM2023GreenDigitalPH #DPRM2023GoGreenAndDigital #DPRM2023TwinTransitionPHJourney
• Join the DPRM events in September.

o   9th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC)

Date: September 19, 2023 (Tuesday)

Venue/platform: Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, and via Zoom and Facebook live

Register: https://bit.ly/APPC2023reg

o   9th Mindanao Policy Research Forum (MPRF)

Date: September 28, 2023 (Thursday)

Platforms: Via Zoom and Facebook Live

Register: https://bit.ly/MPRF2023reg

You may attend the APPC and MPRF via Zoom or watch the live stream of these events on the PIDS and SERP-P Facebook pages. We will announce these events on our social media pages and provide the registration links.

• Organize activities relevant to the theme or policy research. Let us know if you are planning a DPRM-related event. Please send us the details by emailing pids-inquiries@pids.gov.ph so we can help you promote it. You may also send us photos of your DPRM banner and events.

The 21st DPRM celebration carries the theme “Going Green and Digital for a More Sustainable, Inclusive, and Prosperous Future for All”, or in Filipino, “Maging Makakalikasan at Digital para sa Higit na Matatag, Ingklusibo, at Masaganang Kinabukasan para sa Lahat” to highlight the importance of simultaneously pursuing digital transformation and green transition to have a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future.

Going green and digital is the way to build back better and stronger after COVID-19 and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Through the various activities during the DPRM, we will discuss how developing countries like the Philippines can pursue this twin transition strategically and in a just and equitable way for everyone, leaving no one behind.

The twin transition, also known as dual transformation, refers to the simultaneous and interconnected processes of digitalization and adoption of sustainable, green processes across countries. Digital transformation and the shift to sustainable processes and a circular economy are viewed as closely intertwined and interconnected.

The PDP 2023-2028 recognizes the impact of environmental forces and digital trends in shaping the future of the Philippines. It emphasizes the theme of “transformation” and outlines strategies for digitalization and green transition in various sectors, including agriculture, industries, and communities.

The government plays a crucial role in perceiving the dual transformation, not as isolated events but as interconnected opportunities for progress. As a facilitator and catalyst, it is responsible for setting up appropriate policies and initiatives that cultivate a conducive atmosphere for both digital and green transformation. The government should vigilantly oversee the enforcement of environmental laws, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, the Green Jobs Act, and the Renewable Energy Act, along with the Philippines' commitments to reducing and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The thorough execution of the Philippine Innovation Act through the collaborative effort between the government and the private sector is a big push in the right direction, as both eco-friendly and digital innovations can hasten the dual transformation.

AI presents both opportunities and challenges in the dual transformation. AI technologies enable efficiency gains, new business models, and enhanced sustainability efforts. However, AI also raises concerns about job displacement, environmental impact, and ethical considerations.

The government, academe, and the private sector should work together in exploring and assessing the challenges and opportunities of AI, how to mitigate its negative impacts, and how to harness it for socioeconomic inclusive development. The Philippines should formulate clear goals for AI implementation, invest in data and analytics, build IT architecture, and integrate AI into government workflows. The ethical and social implications of AI should also be addressed, and readiness for AI utilization should be evaluated.

The APPC is the highlight of the DPRM. Launched in 2015, the APPC convenes policy experts and researchers to analyze critical issues relevant to development planning and policymaking. It serves as a platform to cultivate a strong culture of research and use of data and evidence among the country's national and local decisionmakers in policymaking and program planning. It provides the venue for an in-depth discussion of the DPRM theme.

This year’s APPC is organized by PIDS with support from the Asia Institute of Management (AIM) – Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The event consists of four plenary sessions featuring experts and champions in digital transformation and green transition. The conference will explore how developing countries like the Philippines can effectively implement this year’s DPRM theme by offering evidence-based insights and perspectives.

The first session, titled “Twin Transition: Concept, Challenges, and Prospects”, will delve into the interplay of digital technologies and green transition, defining the concept of twin transition and exploring its global economic impact.

The second session, “Human Capital Development in the Dual Transition”, will explore how combining digital technology and environmental sustainability can reshape areas such as education, training, social protection, and employment. It will also address the challenges related to human capital growth in the Philippines.

The third session, “Reducing the Disruptions to Trade and Industry”, will assess how the twin transition affects trade and industrial policies. It will propose strategies to enhance industrial performance considering the challenges posed by the convergence of digital and green transitions.

The fourth session, “Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in a World of Dual Transformation”, will examine artificial intelligence’s role in green and digital transformation. It will cover topics such as ethical considerations, social impacts, and the adoption of AI by governments.

The APPC will be conducted in a hybrid setup on September 19, 2023, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City and via Zoom. Onsite attendees are pre-selected, but other interested participants may join via Zoom through this link https://bit.ly/APPC2023reg.

The MPRF is a regional event held in support of the DPRM. It is organized by PIDS, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and a partner university in Mindanao. Started in 2015, the MPRF provides a venue for development actors and stakeholders in Mindanao to discuss the DRPM theme and share their insights and recommendations based on their studies and learnings from programs/projects.

The 9th MPRF, which PIDS and MinDA are coorganizing with the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan as partners for this year, centers on the theme, “Going Green and Digital for Mindanao’s Sustainable and Inclusive Future”. It will be held on September 28 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm via Zoom and Facebook Live. The discussions will highlight regional perspectives and actionable recommendations on how Mindanao can pursue the twin transition. The MPRF theme is aligned with the 21st PRM theme, “Going Green and Digital for a More Sustainable, Inclusive, and Prosperous Future for All”. 

Interested participants may register at https://bit.ly/MPRF2023reg. The forum will also be streamed live on the PIDS and SERP-P Facebook pages.