House of Representatives and Ateneo Research Collaboration Reaches Milestone
09 Oct 2023
The Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD) successfully conducted its Progress Report Workshop on the Evidence-Based Research Project, a collaboration with the House of Representatives to support the President’s 8-Point Agenda. The workshop held on 3 October 2023 at Ateneo de Manila University garnered significant interest from a various attendees, including other researchers, practitioners, partners from the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD), representatives from different House Committees, and distinguished members of the House of Representatives (HRep).
![Full Photo](/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_2.jpeg)
Hon Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District Representative and the prime mover of the research collaboration, opened the workshop by expressing her satisfaction with the project’s progress and emphasized the significance of each of the research studies in drafting sound legislation. Dr Ser Percival Peña-Reyes, ACERD Director, and Dr Majah-Leah Ravago, Project Leader, both reassured ACERD’s commitment in delivering quality research and pointed to the workshop as a demonstration to its dedication to enrich the project’s research studies.
![Photo: Rep. Stella Quimbo giving the Opening Message](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2-min_0.jpg)
The workshop allowed the research teams to share the developments under their respective studies and engage in peer validation, review, and knowledge sharing with subject matter experts and policymakers, cultivating a spirit of cooperation and collective effort in advancing the project's goals.
![Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago laying out the Workshop Objectives](/sites/default/files/inline-images/4-min_1.jpg)
Hon Mark Cojuangco, Pangasinan 2nd District Representative and Chair of the Committee on Nuclear Energy, was also in attendance and provided his insights on nuclear energy. Substantive inputs and constructive feedback were also gathered from representatives of different house committees including Committees on: Transportation; Energy; National Defense and Security; Science and Technology; Ways and Means; Government Organization; Committee Affairs Department; Labor and Employment; Information and Communications Technology; Social Services; Flagship Programs and Projects; Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources as well as the Reference and Research Bureau; Office of the Chief Policy Adviser to the Speaker of the House; and the Office of the Speaker.
![Ser Pena giving the opening remarks](/sites/default/files/inline-images/3-min.jpg)
At workshop’s end, Deputy Secretary General of the CPBRD, Dr Romulo Miral, Jr noted the sessions’ fruitful discussions and acknowledged the efforts of both HRep and ACERD in its pursuit to assist in the formulation of appropriate and timely policies.
![Photo: Dr. Romulo Miral, Jr closing the workshop](/sites/default/files/inline-images/5-min.jpeg)
Overall, the workshop displayed the participants’ shared goal in enhancing the project's relevance and its potential impact in shaping policy decisions that are rooted in data and evidence. Photos from the workshop can be found here.
Presentations in the Progress Report Workshop included:
Research Topic |
Research Teams |
1. Electricity Prices
|
Majah-Leah Ravago, PhD | Ateneo de Manila University Michael R M Abrigo, PhD | Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Patrizia Benedicto Nastasha Brigette Kuan J.Kathleen Magadia Charlotte Marjorie Relos Manuel Aquino | CPBRD Elsie Gutierrez | CPBRD Ricardo Mira | CPBRD Ulysis San Juan | CPBRD |
2. Food Prices
|
Marites Tiongco, PhD | De La Salle University (DLSU) Albert Lamberte, PhD | DLSU Eva Marie Aragones Emmanuel Barnedo Manuel Aquino | CPBRD Novel Bangsal | CPBRD Rosemarie Sawali | CPBRD John Paul Quieta | CPBRD Rommel Asuncion | CPBRD |
3. Health/Primary Care
|
Miharu Kimwell, MD, MA | University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Val Ulep, PhD | PIDS Denese de Guzman, MD, MPM, MSc | Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians Romelei Camiling-Alfonso, MD, MSc | Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians Arianna Amit Ida Marie Pantig Rommel Asuncion | CPBRD Elyzabeth Cureg | CPBRD Cynthia Lorenzo | CPBRD |
4. Education/Learning Losses
|
Geoffrey Ducanes, PhD | Ateneo Leonardo Lanzona, PhD | Ateneo Loriel Eleazar Katheryn Hidalgo Rommel Asuncion | CPBRD Elyzabeth Cureg | CPBRD Cynthia Lorenzo | CPBRD Coleen Abigail Villaluz | CPBRD |
5. Fiscal Management
|
Lawrence Dacuycuy, PhD | DLSU Renato Reside, PhD | UPD Lourdes Lacson Novel Bangsal | CPBRD Pamela Manalo | CPBRD Rutcher Lacaza | CPBRD Jhoanne Aquino | CPBRD Edrei Udaundo | CPBRD Jubels Santos | CPBRD Julius Dumangas | CPBRD Coleen Abigail Villaluz | CPBRD Florita Mamhot | CPBRD |
6. Monetary and Financial Stability
|
Alvin Ang, PhD | Ateneo Luis Dumlao, PhD | Ateneo Ser Percival Peña-Reyes, PhD | Ateneo Genesis Kelly Lontoc, MA, MBA, MS | Ateneo Satyabhama Andrea Gulapa Mark Maguera | CPBRD Richard Baldueza | CPBRD Elsie Gutierrez | CPBRD |
7. Jobs/Physical Connectivity
|
Kris Abrigo, PhD | PIDS Neil Irwin Moreno Philip Arnold Tuaño, PhD | Ateneo Joselito Secson, PhD | Ateneo Suzanne Zambrano Prezatia Moseska Maria Vicario Ariane Manlangit Brian Ponce Manuel Aquino | CPBRD Elsie Gutierrez | CPBRD Ricardo Mira | CPBRD Anna Mendoza | CPBRD |
8. Research, Development, and Digital Economy
|
Karl Robert Jandoc, PhD | UPD Benjamin Radoc, PhD | Ateneo Ludigil Garces Mae Hyacinth Kiocho John Faust Turla Elsie Gutierrez | CPBRD Mark Manguera | CPBRD Madrigal Macadato | CPBRD |
9. Blue and Green Economy
|
Asa Jose Sajise, PhD | University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo, PhD | UPD Jefferson A. Arapoc, PhD | UPLB Allyssa Mari Mercado Manuel Aquino | CPBRD Rosemarie Sawali | CPBRD John Paul Quieta | CPBRD |
10. Government Rightsizing Bureaucratic Efficiency/E-Governance
|
Ronald Mendoza, PhD | IDinsight Alex Brillantes, PhD | UPD Miguel Paje Ainna Comia Karl Emmanuel Ruiz Pamela Manalo | CPBRD Julius Dumangas | CPBRD Juan Gabrielle Ignacio | CPBRD Anthony Arvin Salazar | CPBRD Florita Mamhot | CPBRD |
11. Public Order and Safety
|
Robin Garcia, PhD | University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) Herman Kraft | UPD Pamela Hamoy Ronna Belaro Rodel Cabrido Dominador Gamboa | CPBRD Byron Bicenio | CPBRD |
The eleven research studies benefitted from the comments and suggestions from the Senior Advisers, Dr James Roumasset (U of Hawaii), Mr Senen Bacani (Bangsamoro Peace Panel Member and former DA Secretary), Dr Alex Herrin, Dr Aniceto Orbeta, Jr (PIDS), Dr Fernando Aldaba (Ateneo), Dr Christopher Monterola (AIM), and Edilberto de Jesus (AIM). Among the external reviewers who provided valuable feedback are Dr Justine Sicat, Dr Veronica Bayangos (BSP), Dr Margarita Gonzales (PIDS), Dr Sarah Daway-Ducanes (NEDA), Dr Carlo Panelo (UP Manila), Dr Rhea Molato (ADB), Mr Victor Dato, Dr Francis Quimba (PIDS), Dr Joseph Lim (Ateneo), Dr Emma Porio (Ateneo), Mr Julio Amador III (Fulbright Ph and FACTS ASIA), Dr Michael Pedrasa (UP Diliman), and Dr Ramon Clarete (UP Diliman).
The conduct of the workshop was made possible thru the coordinated efforts of the following from ACERD—Dr Majah-Leah Ravago, Dr Alvin Ang, Dr Ser Peña-Reyes, Ms J Kathleen Magadia, Ms Charlotte Relos, Ms Sairry Garcia, and Ms Rea Lora, Mr Rainier Mora, Ms Satyabhama Gulapa, Ms Danielle Andres, Mr Eugene Dela Cruz, and Ms Ricci Steffi Regis, and from CPBRD—Mr Dominador Gamboa, Ms Pamela Manalo, and Mr Noel Sempio.