The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) solidified the government’s commitment to evidence-informed decision-making and good governance by signing a joint memorandum circular (JMC) on Monday, April 14th. The JMC formally adopts the revised National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF) for evaluating priority government programs and projects.
The ceremonial signing, held at the NEDA main office in Mandaluyong City, was led by NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman.
The NEPF, initially established in 2015, provides a systematic methodology for assessing the effectiveness and impact of government initiatives. Recognizing the evolving landscape of governance priorities and national development goals, an Evaluation Task Force comprising NEDA, DBM, and the Office of the President–Presidential Management Staff (OP-PMS) undertook a comprehensive review and update of the framework.
The revised NEPF introduces several key enhancements designed to strengthen the evaluation process:
The Evaluation Task Force has been reorganized and elevated to the NEPF Steering Committee, aiming to improve inter-agency coordination and oversight.
The framework institutionalizes both a National Evaluation Agenda and an Agency-Based Evaluation Agendas. This ensures that evaluation efforts are strategically aligned with the Philippine Development Plan and public investment priorities.
A strong emphasis is placed on the utilization of high-quality, ethical, and transparent evaluation methodologies, promoting rigor and credibility in the assessment process.
In his address, Secretary Balisacan underscored the significance of the revised NEPF as a crucial governance reform. He stated that it promotes “a whole-of-government approach to evaluation that supports better policy and budget decisions, drives continuous improvement, and fosters a culture of accountability and learning across agencies.”
Furthermore, Secretary Balisacan emphasized that the signing of the JMC demonstrates the Philippine government’s firm determination to embed evaluation as a fundamental element of governance.
“Today’s ceremonial signing marks a significant milestone in advancing evidence-informed policymaking. It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability, enhance transparency, and improve the government’s capacity to generate actionable insights that elevate public service delivery. Let us unite in ensuring that this framework extends beyond mere paperwork and transforms into a living policy—actively implemented, monitored, and continuously improved,” urged Secretary Balisacan.
As NEDA transitions into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the enhanced Policy Framework will bolster monitoring and evaluation capabilities, equipping government institutions to make more evidence-based improvements. Crucially, this framework provides essential guidance for formulating a national evaluation agenda, overseeing rigorous studies, and ensuring that evaluation findings are actively utilized to refine policies and programs, ultimately maximizing their impact and effectiveness for the Filipino people.
