THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed a joint memorandum circular (JMC) yesterday that reaffirms the government’s commitment to evidence-informed decision-making and good governance in the evaluation of priority programs and projects.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman led the ceremonial signing of the circular on the Revised National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF) at the NEDA main office in Mandaluyong City.
Established in 2015, the NEPF provides a systematic approach to evaluating government programs and projects. Recognizing the need to align evaluation practices with current governance priorities and development goals, the Evaluation Task Force, composed of NEDA, DBM, and the Office of the President–Presidential Management Staff (OP-PMS), initiated a comprehensive review and update of the framework.
Key enhancements in the revised NEPF include:
- Reorganizing the Evaluation Task Force into the NEPF Steering Committee to enhance coordination and oversight;
- Institutionalizing the National Evaluation Agenda and Agency-Based Evaluation Agendas to ensure alignment with the Philippine Development Plan and public investment priorities; and
- Strong emphasis on the use of high-quality, ethical, and transparent evaluation methodologies.
Balisacan emphasized that the revised NEPF represents a significant governance reform promoting “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, the NEDA chief highlighted that the signing of the JMC reflects the Philippine government’s strong resolve to institutionalize evaluation as a core component 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,” Balisacan urged.
As NEDA transitions into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the revised Policy Framework strengthens monitoring and evaluation functions to better equip government institutions with evidence-based improvements. Particularly, this framework provides the essential guidance for formulating a national evaluation agenda, overseeing rigorous studies, and, most critically, ensuring that evaluation findings are actively used to refine policies and programs, ultimately helping to maximize their impact and effectiveness.