The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Mindanao State University in General Santos City are joining forces to conduct a policy research forum on September 10 as part of the celebration of the 17th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM). The forum will discuss the challenges of the New Globalization and its potential impacts on Mindanao.  

The theme of this year’s Fifth Mindanao Policy Research Forum (MPRF) is “Navigating the Challenges of the New Globalization: Local Actions for Mindanao” to highlight the various challenges of the New Globalization that can affect the region. Among the challenges of the New Globalization include trade wars, environmental degradation, cross-border public health threats, worsening poverty and inequality, erosion of social cohesion and trust, and proliferation of disinformation and fake news. Through this forum, the organizers hope to engage key development actors in Mindanao in a discussion of local actions to address these issues as well as harness the opportunities of the New Globalization. The MPRF theme is based on the theme of the 17th DPRM, which is, “Navigating the New Globalization: Local Actions for Global Challenges”.

To set the tone, two papers of PIDS will be presented, namely, "Understanding the New Globalization: Implications for the Philippines" by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Roehlano Briones and "Inequality of Opportunities among Ethnic Groups in Mindanao" by PIDS President Celia Reyes.

The succeeding presentations, meanwhile, will provide the local context. Among these are "Harnessing Innovations for Financial Inclusion: the Marawi Experience " by Maria Theresa Abogado, program manager of Oxfam, “Mindanao Cultural Design Preservation for Social Cohesion” by Arch. Gloryrose Dy Metilla, CEO/founder of Swito Architectural Design, and BIMP-EAGA International Cooperation: ASEAN’s Single Production Base” by Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of MinDA.

The forum will also have a panel discussion on ways forward wherein government officials in the region will share their insights on how Mindanaoans can face the challenges and take advantage of the New Globalization. Panelists include, among others, Department of Trade and Industry–Region 12 Director Dorecita Delima, National Economic and Development Authority–Region 12 Director Teresita Socorro Ramos, and former MinDA OIC-Chairman Atty. Neil Dalumpines.

A press conference will also be held as part of the forum. It will be led by Atty. Neil Dalumpines, Dr. Celia Reyes, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, and MSU-General Santos Chancellor Anshari Ali.

The MPRF is a regular event jointly undertaken by PIDS and MinDA. Launched in 2015, it is part of a series of activities organized every September to celebrate the DPRM.

The observance of the DPRM is intended to cultivate a strong culture of research and use of data and evidence in policy formulation among the country's national and local decisionmakers. ###