Ateneo Policy Center, Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation host forum on understanding and evaluating government policy

The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) through the Ateneo Policy Center (APC), in partnership with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH)  through the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), hosted a hybrid forum titled “Understanding and Evaluating Government Policy” last March 14, 2024. The discussion was led by Mr. Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Adjunct Research Faculty of ACRI. The event was attended by participants from the academe, public and private sector, and healthcare practitioners and professionals.

In his presentation, Mr. Pepito explained the significance of understanding and evaluating government policy to ensure transparency and accountability. He also raised the importance of developing a clear and logical theory of change in understanding government policy, such as in determining whether short-term outcomes and long-term impacts are being met.

Mr. Pepito introduced two approaches to evaluating government policy, namely process and impact evaluation, demonstrating the specific applications of each approach. Furthermore, he offered an explanation as to why some policies do not work, stating that the policy’s theory of change may have assumptions that are incompatible with on-ground realities. Mr. Pepito concluded by underscoring the importance of mechanism mapping in explaining and ultimately resolving these implementation issues.

Attendees from the academe include representatives from Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Technology and Applied Sciences - Muscat, and University of the Philippines Diliman. The public sector included participants from the Department of Migrant Workers, Commission of Elections, House of Representatives, Department of Health, Philippine Sports Commission, and Civil Service Commission. Also in attendance were representatives from the private sector, namely Zuellig Family Foundation, Compass Consulting, Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO), Pfizer, and Converge ICT Solutions, and healthcare professionals from the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), Optum Global Solutions (Philippines) Inc., and Angono Medics Hospital. 

The forum is part of the collective endeavor by ASOG and ASMPH to strengthen government capacity and evidence-based decision making, supporting the University’s thrust in advancing universal health care.