BULACAN - Recognizing the crucial role of results-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in planning, programming, budgeting, and implementation of government programs and projects, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) gathered the designated M&E officers from its network of training centers for a technical guidance session on the National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF). The session aimed at institutionalizing the NEPF guidelines and instilling an evaluative culture within the organization.
The NEPF is based on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-01 issued by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in July 2015. To foster transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in government programs and projects, the joint memorandum circular provided a concise statement of the institutional responsibilities, rationale, processes, and methods for implementing evaluation across the entire public service.
With this, the ATI, through the Policy and Planning Division, conducted the technical guidance session to equip the participants with the necessary technical skills and understanding of the process, concepts, criteria, and rules for conducting evaluations based on the standards set in the NEPF. In addition, key institutional arrangements for evaluation as well as the roles and responsibilities were clearly defined in the session.
ATI Assistant Director Antonieta J. Arceo, , emphasized in her opening remarks the three guiding principles in planning for the Institute’s programs and activities which are 1) “We should have data-driven activities'', 2) “It is not business as usual”, and 3) “There should be a change in mindset.”
“With the concept of change comes opportunities, thus, we should learn how to adapt to the changes in the present times to welcome more opportunities for the Institute,” Arceo added. Moreover, she hoped that the participants would be able to absorb and apply the learnings they would gain from the activity, and these should be reflected in their plans and implementation strategies in the ATI Training Centers.
Further, Dr. Roehlano M. Briones, Senior Research Fellow from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, served as one of the activity’s resource persons. He provided his input and discussed the program logic, evaluability assessment, and content of the terms of reference. At the end of the activity, the participants were expected to develop a draft Terms of Reference based on the submitted ATI’s Evaluation Agenda for FY 2025-2028.
The technical guidance session was held last March 19-21, 2024 at the Hacienda Angelita Nature Farm Training and Assessment Center Inc. in San Rafael, Bulacan.
