HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project concludes with ceremonial turnover of outputs

A ceremonial turnover of project outputs was held on 18 March 2022 at the Batasan Pambasa Complex to mark the conclusion of the HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research Project.

Fr. Roberto Yap, President of Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo), presented the project outputs to Hon Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The first of the three outputs featured the presentations from the Roundtable Discussion series conducted by the project. The Roundtable Series served as a platform for discourse among policymakers, academics, and industry leaders on critical national issues. The second output featured the 13 research studies packaged as Special Working Paper Series under the Ateneo Department of Economics and Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD). The studies covered wide-ranging topics that aim to support the Marcos Jr administration’s 8-point agenda including: protecting the purchasing power of families; reducing vulnerability and mitigating the effects of the pandemic; ensuring sound macroeconomic fundamentals; creating more quality and green jobs; facilitating government right-sizing; and establishing peace and order.  The final output was the Compendium of Policy Briefs, which are the popular version of the research studies highlighting the actionable recommendations to the House of Representatives. 

The prime mover of the project, Hon Stella Luz Quimbo, emphasized the project’s feat in bridging the different worlds of academics and policymakers—"There is a clear need for Congress and the academe to engage with each other and learning about each other’s differences will certainly add on to the value of each other’s work and in my view that has been the most important achievement of this project.” This was echoed by Secretary General Reginald Velasco in his message delivered by Deputy Secretary General Roberto Maling, reminding the importance of engagement—"[The project] sought to, in its own way, bring together the seemingly separate worlds occupied by our policymakers and the members of the academic community…based on a journal article by Hill, what may be considered by our academics is to commit to the scholarship of engagement, an approach which encourages scholars to find creative ways to communicate to the public and public representatives and work together towards public good.”

The ceremony also included a presentation from Project Leader, Dr Majah-Leah Ravago, which highlighted the Project’s accomplishments during its year-long run as well as provided an overview on the research teams’ recommendations to the Congress. 

In his message, Congressman Gonzales have high hopes that the project’s outputs will effectively inform policy formulation—" The final reports and policy briefs can be expected to serve as valuable resources for everyone here at the House as well as the Senate. They can guide our lawmakers in crafting the policies that can positively impact the lives of millions of our countrymen.” 

Fr. Yap expressed the same sentiments and emphasized the importance of research and collaboration—" We have witnessed the decisive impact and power of academia in bridging policy gaps in the government, through data and evidence, allowing for timely, relevant, and actionable policy recommendations. This collaboration is a testament of both dedication and excellence, showcasing what academic rigor combined with real-world policymaking can yield to.”

The turnover ceremony was also attended by House Members, Hon Bonifacio Busita and Hon Jernie Jett Nisay; Deputy Secretary General of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Dr. Romulo Miral, Jr; Dean of Ateneo’s School of Social Sciences, Dr Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu; representatives of different House Committees; Congressional Research Fellows, senior advisers, and members of the research teams, CPBRD, and ACERD. 

The HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research was launched on 07 February 2023 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. 

Watch the Closing Ceremony here.

See more photos from the event here.

The Special Working Paper Series produced by the project can be accessed here.

To learn more about the HRep-Ateneo Evidence-Based Research 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

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

• HRep-Ateneo Project 5th Roundtable Discussion: Jobs/Connectivity and Blue & Green Economy

• HRep-Ateneo Project 6th Roundtable Discussion: Government Rightsizing and Peace and Security