HRep-Ateneo Project 4th Roundtable Discussion: Education and Research & Development

The fourth roundtable discussion of the HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project was held on 31 January 2024 at the House of Representatives. It tackled pressing issues in the education and research and development sectors, encouraging insightful discourse among experts coming from the government, academe, and the private sector.  

The HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project conduct research studies, which aim to support the current administration’s 8-point agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 towards achieving the Filipino aspirations of maginhawa, matatag, at panatag na buhay, or the Ambisyon Natin 2040. The HRep-Ateneo Roundtable Discussion is a limited series where studies from the Hrep-Ateneo project is presented and is envisioned to be a platform for discourse on critical national issues.

What Ails Philippine Basic Education: Digging into the PISA 2022 Results

Dr Romulo Miral, Jr., Deputy Secretary General of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) opened the morning session, emphasizing the timeliness of the topic given the ongoing discussions in Congress. Dr Leonardo Lanzona of the Ateneo de Manila University and Congressional Research Fellow of the HRep-Ateneo Project, on behalf of the Education research team, presented their study conducted under the HRep-Ateneo Project, focusing on the theme on “What Ails Philippine Education? Insights from the 2022 PISA Assessments.” Also present at the roundtable are Dr Geoffrey Ducanes, Associate Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University and Congressional Research Fellow of the HRep-Ateneo Project, Dr Aniceoto Orbeta, PIDS President and Senior Advisor of HRep-Ateneo, and the rest of the research team from CPBRD. During his presentation, Dr Lanzona explained that the current education crisis in the Philippines emanates from a centralized education structure, lack of funding, poor appreciation to foundational learning, among others.  In light of this crisis, the study proposed for greater foundational education and discussed its complementarity with Problem Based Learning (PBL) in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. He also emphasized the importance of tailoring the curriculum to the specific needs and according to the local and regional context.  

The open discussion, moderated by Hon Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina City 2nd District Representative, brought out valuable insights from House Members and the panel reactors alike. The concept of decentralized education was dissected with many House Members agreeing it may lead to inequity and in some cases even a politicized educational system. Various solutions were counter-proposed to improve the state of education including listening to the plight of the teachers which includes limiting their scope of work to actual teaching (e.g. no admin responsibilities) and reducing the class size they are handling; building the capacity of the teachers; providing teacher resources; among others. It was likewise highlighted the need for suitable and reliable leaders whether at the department level or school level to effectively execute education policies. 

The distinguished education panelists included Usec Gina Gonong of the Department of Education, Dr Karol Mark Yee of Second Congressional Committee on Education; Ms Justine Raagas of Philippine Business for Education; and Ms Rhodora Angela Ferrer of the Private Education Assistance Committee.

The session was attended by Hon Roman Romulo, Hon Francisco Benitez, Hon Christopher De Venecia, Hon Jernie Nisay, Hon Bernadette Escudero, Hon Mark Go, Hon France Castro, and Hon Joey Salceda. Dr Lanzona’s presentation is based on the study with Dr Geoffrey Ducanes conducted
under the HRep-Ateneo Project.

Productivity-Enhancing Research & Development Public Spending and Institutions

The afternoon session centered on the theme “Productivity-Enhancing Research & Development Public Spending and Institutions.” Mr Manuel Aquino, Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Research Bureau at the CPBRD, opened the session highlighting the relevance of the afternoon’s discourse in connection to the economy and the administration’s goals. Dr Karl Jandoc of the University of the Philippines Diliman and Congressional Research Fellow of the HRep-Ateneo Project, provided insights from their study on how the Philippines is lagging behind its neighboring countries in terms of R&D and how there is lack of dynamism in R&D spending, which is currently shouldered mostly by the government. Dr Benjamin Radoc of Ateneo de Manila University and Congressional Research Fellow of the HRep-Ateneo Project and the rest of the research team from CPBRD were also present. The study also touched on the challenges that beset the R&D sphere including: lack of plantilla positions for R&D; budget inflexibility; mismatch of timing between R&D PAPs and industry needs; issues on procurement, budgeting and accounting rules; and missing markets and weak innovation system. In response to such challenges, the study proposed  to relax the Republic Act No 9184 in order to modify the competitive bidding processes for research-specific equipment, consultants, and international service providers; strengthen local R&D culture and innovation ecosystem; and rationalize research centers based on clear parameters. 

The presentation sparked a lively discourse among attending House Members, including Hon Christopher De Venecia, Hon Joey Salceda, Hon Mario Vittorio “Marvey” Mariño, and Hon Stella Quimbo, who once again served as the session moderator. Esteemed panelists which included Usec Leah Buendia of the Department of Science and Technology; Usec Rosemarie G Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority; and Dr Christopher Monterola of the Asian Institute of Management also weighed in on the discussion.

The discussion brought to the fore the need to develop a culture of innovation; a pool of researchers and scientists especially in STEM; knowledge management or inventory of research outputs and collaborations; and connection of innovators with investors. Determining priority areas, such as food security, traffic, housing, and jobs, was proposed to effectively manage the limited R&D budget.   

See more photos from the event here.

Watch the 4th Roundtable Discussion above or on Facebook.

To know more about the project, please visit:

• Ateneo inks partnership on conduct of evidence-based research with House of Representatives

• HRep-Ateneo Project’s Inception Workshop: In March to Meet the Objectives

• House of Representatives and Ateneo research collaboration reaches milestone

• Ateneo holds first round table discussion for Evidence-Based Research Project at the House of Representatives

• HRep-Ateneo Project 2nd Roundtable Discussion: Food Prices and Fiscal Management

• HRep-Ateneo Project 3rd Roundtable Discussion: Primary Health Care and Financial Inclusion