ASoG ExecEd successfully implements Public Offering Course on Understanding and Evaluating Policies and Interventions

The Ateneo School of Government through Executive Education Program successfully conducted a two-day intensive training on "Understanding and Evaluating Policies and Interventions" at the Pacifico Ortiz Hall on 18 and 19 September 2024. The course provided a comprehensive overview of policy development, implementation, and evaluation, empowering participants to critically assess and enhance their own initiatives. 

Participants included representatives from various National Government Agencies such as the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU); Local Government Units such as LGU Abra de Ilog and City Government of Ormoc; and Non-Profit Organizations including One Million Lights Philippines and FriendlyCare Foundation, Inc. The training was also joined by several participants from Novaliches Development Cooperative (NOVADECI), Organic Intelligence Consulting, Inc., and the Ateneo Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD). The course aimed to strengthen their capacity to formulate effective policies and interventions through a robust understanding of theories of change, process evaluation, impact evaluation, and mechanism mapping. 

The training featured the expertise of Mr. Veincent Christian F. Pepito, MSc, a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist and Assistant Professor at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, leading health policy research projects on the Universal Healthcare Act and mental health. He holds a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and has done both quantitative and qualitative studies on leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases, disasters, HIV, maternal and child health, patient safety, environmental and occupational health, e-health, and the Philippine National Health Research System.

The training began with an exploration of policy frameworks and the importance of well-defined theories of change. Participants engaged in interactive workshops to develop and present their own theories of change for selected policies and interventions, facilitating peer feedback and collaborative learning.

On the second day, the focus shifted to impact evaluation methodologies and mechanism mapping. Participants examined why certain policies succeed or fail in different contexts and created capsule evaluation proposals, demonstrating their understanding and ability to apply the learned methodologies to real-world scenarios.

The training concluded with a closing ceremony and awarding of certificates to the participants. In his closing remarks, Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, PhD, the Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, recognized the participants’ commitment to learning, and their dedication to making a difference through advancing their skills in policy evaluation and governance.

The two-day training course emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking in advancing good governance and equipped the participants with valuable skills to ensure that policies are effectively implemented, resources are efficiently allocated, and positive impacts are sustained over time. It reinforced the need for rigorous policy evaluation to uphold transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, ultimately contributing to more effective governance and improved community outcomes.

ASoG remains dedicated to empowering public service professionals and fostering effective governance through comprehensive training programs that emphasize transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.

For those interested in learning about our diverse range of short courses, please do not hesitate to contact us at execed.asog@ateneo.edu. We look forward to assisting you in your journey towards professional growth and development as we work together towards strengthening our public institutions.