In research and development (R&D), policy analysis and advocacy is crucial to ensure the translation of scientific findings into actionable frameworks, guidelines, and regulations. Effective policies can bridge the gap between research outcomes and societal impact. In the government sector, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has been at the forefront of delivering policy-centric outputs in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) as one of its key performance areas.
With this, four science-based policy briefs from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), supported by DOST-PCAARRD, were accepted by the United Nations (UN) as part of the 9th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (9th STI Forum) on May 9-10, 2024. The policy briefs were peer-reviewed and published on the UN's webpage under the subsection on Case Studies.
The STI Forum is an annual activity of the UN Interagency Task Team on STI for the SDGs (IATT) and the 10-member Group of High-Level Representatives. IATT is convened by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The UN Secretary-General appoints the members of the High-Level Representatives.
The forum’s theme was, “Science, technology and innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.” Below are the PCAARRD-UPLB policy brief titles that contributed to the invaluable success of the forum.
- Institutionalizing Integrated Crop Monitoring and Forecasting (ICMF) towards a Smarter Philippine Agriculture
- Procurement Practices and Policies in the Philippines and the Implications to Public Research and Development
- The Price is Not Right: The Case of Almaciga Resin in the Philippines
- Seeking an Alternative Natural All-around Oil: Prospects of Tamanu Oil Production in the Philippines
The first policy brief, “Institutionalizing Integrated Crop Monitoring and Forecasting (ICMF) towards a Smarter Philippine Agriculture” advocated institutionalizing SARAI ICMF, a system offering near real-time and site-specific information (crop advisories, planting periods and locations, and more efficient pest and disease detection) beneficial to the agriculture sector. Authored by Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, Dr. Christine Marie V. Casal, Mr. Robert Patrick M. Cabangbang, Mr. Justine Angelo M. Lacson, and Ms. Mabel G. Vallena, the policy was developed through the project, “Project 3.3. Integrating Research Results, Communication Planning, and Linking Science to Policy.” The said project was under the program “Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry (SARAI) in the Philippines–Phase 2,” implemented by the School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM).
The second policy brief, “Procurement Practices and Policies in the Philippines and the Implications to Public Research and Development,” discussed and provided recommendations on several issues related to the Philippine Procurement Law (Republic Act No. 9184), limited management capacity, and constrictive institutional policies and guidelines. It was authored by Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent B. Querijero, Dr. Rhea L. Gumasing, Ms. Arlene C. Gutierrez, Ms. Ruth Anne T. Ruelos, Ms. Charina Krissel DC. Tingson, Ms. Mia Barbara D.V. Aranas, and Ms. Monica B. Castillo. This brief was developed under the project, “Assessment of Policy Constraints to the Effective and Efficient Conduct of Public R&D in the Philippines,” implemented by the College of Public Affairs and Development (UPLB-CPAf).
The third policy brief, “The Price is Not Right: The Case of Almaciga Resin in the Philippines,” was authored by Dr. Margaret M. Calderon, Dr. Canesio D. Predo, Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada II, Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Asst. Prof. Vanessa M. Palma-Torres, Asst. Prof. Kharmina Paola A. Evangelista, For. Lawrence Adolph M. Amada, and Dr. Ramon A. Razal. On the other hand, the policy brief, “Seeking an Alternative Natural All-around Oil: Prospects of Tamanu Oil Production in the Philippines,” was authored by Asst. Prof. Vanessa M. Palma-Torres, Dr. Margaret M. Calderon, Asst. Prof. Kharmina Paola A. Evangelista, Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada II, For. Lawrence Adolph M. Amada, and Dr. Canesio D. Predo.
The fourth and last policy brief focused on improving the production, market, and utilization of resin from Almaciga trees and Tamanu oil from Bitaog trees through policy interventions. These were developed under the project, “Market Assessment and Financial Feasibility of the Production of Chemical Non-Timber Forest Products,'' implemented by the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR).
Heeding the policy recommendations of DOST-PCAARRD policy research projects, the Council supports off-shoot policy advocacy projects to continue the efforts of the completed research projects and usher the formulated policies into adoption and implementation. To access other policy briefs developed by DOST-PCAARRD-supported projects, please visit the Council’s website: https://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/services/policy-analysis-advocacy.