The University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE) and the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED) successfully concluded the 2026 Impact Evaluation for Research, Projects, and Policies Training Program held from 22 June to 17 July 2026 at the E. Yu-Gokongwei Lecture Room. The program equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to apply impact evaluation frameworks in examining the effectiveness of research initiatives, development projects, and policy interventions to generate evidence for informed decision-making.
The month-long training brought together 22 participants, composed of 12 representatives from national government agencies (NGAs) and 10 representatives from state universities and colleges (SUCs). Through lectures, workshops, and practical exercises, participants strengthened their understanding of impact evaluation concepts and developed proposals addressing policy and development challenges within their respective sectors.
As part of the culminating activity, participants presented 11 impact evaluation proposals, with each team composed of one NGA representative and one SUC representative. The presentations showcased the application of impact evaluation frameworks to real-world policy questions and highlighted the value of evidence in improving public programs, strengthening accountability, and supporting more effective resource allocation.
The presentations were conducted in person and assessed by an expert panel composed of UPSE faculty members, including Dr. Aleli Kraft, Dr. Karl Robert Jandoc, Dr. Jan Carlo Punongbayan, and Dr. Florian Alburo, and esteemed resource persons from various institutions, such as Dr. Arthur Mead Over (Center for Global Development), Dr. Aniceto Orbeta Jr. (Philippine Institute for Development Studies), Ms. Marife Lou Bacate (Independent Consultant), Dr. Peter Julian Cayton (UP School of Statistics), Mr. Aubrey Jolex (Innovations for Poverty Action), and Mr. Rene Marlon Panti (Innovations for Poverty Action). The panel provided insights and recommendations on the research design, methodology, feasibility, and policy relevance of the proposed studies.
Following the proposal presentations, the program proceeded to its closing ceremony, where Dean Ma. Joy Abrenica, Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics and Executive Director of PCED, emphasized the importance of evidence-informed decision-making and the role of impact evaluation in strengthening policies, improving programs, and promoting the effective use of public resources.
As part of the closing ceremony, certificates of completion were awarded to participants who completed the program requirements, while outstanding achievements in project proposal development, presentation, and collaboration were also recognized. The program concluded with a video presentation, messages from participants, recognition of awardees, and a photo session celebrating the successful completion of the training.
The successful completion of the program highlights the continued commitment of UPSE and PCED to strengthening national capacity for evidence generation and impact evaluation. By bringing together government practitioners, researchers, and academic institutions, the program fostered collaboration and reinforced the role of impact evaluation in designing policies and programs that create meaningful and sustainable development outcomes.
Program Highlights
Special Recognition
- “Most Ha(RDD)working” Award – awarded to participants who demonstrated diligence and hard work during the training program through consistent and on-time completion of exercises and active and serious participation in the lectures
- Jeffrey Andrew L. Losloso
- Ma. Steffi V. Nucum
- Christine Jane B. Almira
- Ian Oliver Macatangay
- Mark James S. Saguimpa
- “Theory of (Character) Change” Award – the one whom the participants recognize as having the most personal growth in and out of the training
- Abdullah S. Ditual
- “Ecstatic(stics)” Award – the one whom the participants recognize as the most friendly, energetic, and thoughtful throughout the program
- Ryan R. Pecson
- “Most Instrumental (Variable)” Award – the one whom the participants recognize as most reliable and helpful—lending a hand, organizing group hangouts, and leading the cohort
- Erwin E. Torres
Training Modules and Resource Persons
| Module | Topic | Resource Person(s) |
| 1 | Bootcamp on Statistics and Programming
|
Ms. Marife Lou Bacate
(on Stata programming) Dr. Peter Julian Cayton (on statistics and econometrics) |
| 2 | Introduction and Preparing for Impact Evaluation | Dr. Arthur Mead Over and
Dr. Elizabeth M. King (on the role of impact evaluation, theory of change, constructing the counterfactual, and costs and cost-effectiveness) |
| 3 | How to Conduct an Impact Evaluation | Dr. Aleli Kraft
(on the overview of IE methods) Dr. Benjo Delarmente (on randomized controlled trials and difference-in-differences) Dr. Jan Carlo Punongbayan (on propensity score matching) Dr. Gabriel Angelo Domingo (on instrumental variables) Dr. Aniceto Orbeta Jr. (on regression discontinuity design) Dr. Karl Robert Jandoc (on the synthetic control method) |
| 4 | Managing an Impact Evaluation | Dr. Aleli Kraft
(on designing an IE study) Mr. Rene Marlon Panti (on implementing an IE study) Ms. Karisha Anne Cruz (on communicating IE results) |
Impact Evaluation Proposal Presentations
As part of the culminating activity, participants presented 11 impact evaluation proposals developed throughout the four-week training program. Each proposal applied impact evaluation approaches to examine relevant policy and development challenges within their respective sectors.
| Team No. | Participants and Affiliated Institutions | Impact Evaluation Proposal Title |
| 1 | Jenny Beb F. Espineli
(Department of Agriculture) Christine Jane B. Almira (National Nutrition Council) |
Impact Evaluation of the Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized
Nutrition (LHEARN) Project |
| 2 | Analou D. Piquero
(Caraga State University) Kathleen Lorraine R. Sabaldan (Department of Agriculture – CARAGA) |
Impact Evaluation of Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) in Caraga Region |
| 3 | John Robert C. Medina
(National Institutes of Health-University of the Philippines Manila) Belinda B. Cayapan (Veterans Memorial Medical Center) |
Impact Evaluation of the Doctors‐to‐the‐Barrios (DTTB) Program under the Human Resource for Health Deployment Program (HRHDP) |
| 4 | Jhon Dave E. Llanto
(University of Southern Mindanao) Abdulwahid M. Sendad (Ministry of Science and Technology – BARMM) |
Impact Evaluation of the Capacity Development for STEM Schools in the BARMM Project (CDSS-BARMM) of the Ministry of Science and Technology in BARMM |
| 5 | Arcelyn B. Llevado
(Davao del Norte State College) Abdullah S. Ditual (Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office – Lanao Del Sur) |
Impact Evaluation of the Extension Project: Enhancing Business, Financial, and People Management Skills for the Department of Social Welfare and Development Sustainable Livelihood Program Grantees in Davao del Norte |
| 6 | Ryan R. Pecson
(Bataan Peninsula State University) Liezl P. Mique (Department of Education – Regional Office I) |
Impact Evaluation of the Senior High School Voucher Program on Learners’ Transition to Exit Pathways in DepEd Region I |
| 7 | Jeffrey Andrew L. Losloso
(UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management) Mikaela G. Espanto (Department of Agriculture) |
Impact Evaluation of the Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program |
| 8 | Erwin E. Torres
(Bicol University) Gina G. Reyes (Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) |
Impact Evaluation of the Innovation Fund Program under Section 21 of the Philippine Innovation Act |
| 9 | Aileen Camille B. Dimatatac
(Polytechnic University of the Philippines) Jann-Marie Mizpa G. Cocamas (Department of Agriculture) |
Impact Evaluation of the Rice Processing Systems under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) |
| 10 | Ian Oliver Macatangay
(Department of Health) Ma. Steffi V. Nucum (National Research Council of the Philippines) |
Impact Evaluation of the DOH Universal Health Care (UHC) Fund for Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) in Local Government Unit (LGU) Hospitals |
| 11 | Mark James S. Saguimpa
(UP Mindanao – Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory) Maria Liza Sandina David (Department of Trade & Industry) |
Impact Evaluation of the DTI Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project |
#UPSE #PCED
#ImpactEvaluationTraining
#PolicyInnovation
#DevelopmentResearch
#StrengtheningPublicPolicy
#DataDrivenDecisionMaking
#FromEvidenceToAction
