The 2023 CBILLS Middle Managers from the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for Governance – Policy Research Office (CFG-PRO), held this year’s last learning module on “Data-Driven Policymaking” for the Middle Managers’ Track of the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS) Program on 17-21 July 2023 at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City. This residential module aimed to provide the scholars with an appreciation of how data should be utilized in the policymaking process. It was also designed to equip scholars with a better understanding of how to identify and process the right datasets to come up with strategic policy insights, and pitch data-driven programs and policies effectively to their principals and stakeholders.

The module featured learning sessions and guided workshops that highlighted the basic skills, tools and techniques in identifying, evaluating, and presenting data for evidence-based policymaking through data scoping, data analysis, data visualization, and data storytelling. These sessions and workshops were handled and facilitated by the following resource persons: (1) Dr. Jose Ramon G. Albert, Senior Research Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS); and, (2) Mr. Christopher E. Mojica, Senior Statistical Specialist of the Training Division of the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI).

By the end of the module, the participants presented final outputs that reflected their integration of the methods and techniques in data analysis, data visualization, and data storytelling through policy notes on digitalization and digital transformation. Joining Mr. Mojica as panelists for the group presentations were(1) Dr. Aubrey Tabuga, Senior Research Fellow of PIDS; and (2) Director Pamela Manalo, Director for the Budget and Policy Research Office of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives.

The Middle Managers Track under the CBILLS program offers a customized set of learning interventions designed for the legislative staff and officers of the different offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines. This year, a total of 25 participants are enrolled in this track.

– Christopher Brian N. Caiga