MANILA: The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) recently signed an agreement to strengthen impact evaluation for programs and projects in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In a statement on Thursday, the NEDA said the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and BPDA Bangsamoro Director Mohajirin Ali at the NEDA Central Office in Pasig City last May 20. The capacity development program on impact evaluation, a key component of the MOA, aims to augment the BPDA's ability to assess local service delivery within BARMM. The capacity development program is slated to run for 15 months. The program will focus on attribution in project or program evaluation, ensuring that interventions significantly contribute to the region's developmental goals. 'The agreement we are signing today transcends a mere document. It paves the way for learning, sharing, and collaboration among M an d E [monitoring and evaluation] practitioners. It equips our institutions with the necessary skills and experience to conduct rigorous impact evaluation studies that will directly benefit our community,' Balisacan said. As part of the agreement, the NEDA provided technical training to BPDA personnel to help them gain a comprehensive understanding of impact evaluation principles, theories, designs, tools, and methodologies. "The robust evidence generated through this program will inform strategies and plans, embed impact evaluation principles into development planning, and facilitate effective communication of policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders," Balisacan said. The NEDA and BPDA will also jointly design and execute impact evaluation studies on selected BARMM programs and projects to provide practical learning experience in the design, conduct, and management of impact evaluation studies. 'The insights from these studies will shape policies and programs within the BARMM, promoting transparency and accountability in government efforts,' Balisacan said. Ali, meanwhile, said the agreement will assist the BARMM government to make well-informed decisions based on empirical evidence. 'The capacity development program we are undertaking goes beyond simply enhancing our internal skills and knowledge but will also empower us to co-create solutions. It is a commitment to nurturing a culture of accountability and transparency within our institutions, strengthening the foundations of trust upon which effective governance rests,' he said. Source: Philippines News Agency