The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, together with the Political Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University, conducted a capacity building workshop on evidence-informed education policymaking in the province of Samar last May 6-8.

Almost 30 participants from the Provincial Government of Samar, the municipalities of Calbiga, Motiong, and Pagsanghan, and the provincial office of the Department of Education attended the three-day workshop. Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Board Member Luzviminda Nacario, Mayor Melchor Nacario, Mayor Francisco Langi Sr., Mayor Edgar Tan, Vice-mayor Bienvenida Repol, and DepEd Division Supervisor Claire Menda also attended the said event.

The three-day workshop introduced the participants to the practice of using evidence and noting useful indicators for education-related policymaking. Local stakeholders were also taught principles and practices on data collection, analysis, and management to equip them as they make and implement policy plans in the next three months.

Mr. Ireneo G. Demecais Jr. of the Ayala Foundation and Dr. Francisco L. Villanueva Jr. of the Children’s Education First Coalition also shared how they used evidence and data on education to inform their respective programs and projects.

This event is part of the capacity building project, "Capacity Development for Evidence-Informed Education Policy Making in Sub-national Government Level in the Philippines”, with a grant support from the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP).