State think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) marked a changing of the guards with a simultaneous testimonial dinner for outgoing Board of Trustees Chairman Arsenio Balisacan and a warm welcome for Emmanuel Esguerra as new PIDS Chairman of the Board and Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
In attendance were PIDS forefathers--former NEDA Director-General and the Institute's founding father Gerardo Sicat and former Prime Minister Cesar Virata. Former PIDS OIC-Vice President and Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry was also present, alongside the roster of PIDS research fellows, colleagues, and staff.
Balisacan is expected to assume leadership of the recently established Philippine Competition Commission. PIDS President Dr. Gilberto Llanto honored his former boss and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Institute for all of Balisacan's contribution to PIDS' profile.
"Under his policy direction and vision, the PIDS was able to explore new grounds in policy research and constitute itself as a pre-eminent research institution doing impact evaluation," said Llanto.
The core of PIDS work--to conduct process and impact evaluations, and to produce sound policy advice--relied on the substantial funding that Balisacan championed to secure. But more than that, Llanto said, Balisacan helped give PIDS the reputation it is due.
"He brought PIDS work to the attention of the President himself who became appreciative of the contribution of policy research to good decisionmaking," noted Llanto.
Llanto described Balisacan, who is a marathoner in his own time, as a man who represents all the qualities it takes to win a race: persistent, task-oriented, conscientious, demonstrative, sociable, and the human tendency to never be satisfied.
Llanto called Balisacan's service record "a life worth emulating", and thanked him for steering policy conversations and decisions for the greater good.
In Balisacan's place, Emmanuel Esguerra will assume the leadership roles for NEDA and PIDS. Esguerra has served as deputy director-general of NEDA since 2012. He championed the Asia-Pacific Economic Community Services Cooperation Framework at last year's summit, and the integration of inclusiveness through increased investments in infrastructure and human capital development.
As head of NEDA, Esguerra aims to steer the socioeconomic planning agency's focus toward further inclusiveness and resilience, and to incorporate sustainable development goals, the Medium-Term Plan, and the Philippine Development Plan into the country's socioeconomic activities.
PIDS Board Member Romeo Bernardo assured that the future of NEDA and PIDS is in goods under the leadership of Esguerra.
"NEDA and PIDS have been blessed with having a succession of such scholars and practitioners since the time of Dr. Sicat," said Bernardo, attributing the virtues of 'philosopher kings' to his lifelong friend.
"I know Secretary Manny will steer both NEDA and PIDS from strength to strength as Secretary Arsi and President Gilbert have done."
In his own words, Esguerra admitted that the work will certainly be challenging. "With your help and with a unified vision of what we aspire for as a nation in terms of inclusive development, I'm sure we shall be able to pull it through."###
In attendance were PIDS forefathers--former NEDA Director-General and the Institute's founding father Gerardo Sicat and former Prime Minister Cesar Virata. Former PIDS OIC-Vice President and Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry was also present, alongside the roster of PIDS research fellows, colleagues, and staff.
Balisacan is expected to assume leadership of the recently established Philippine Competition Commission. PIDS President Dr. Gilberto Llanto honored his former boss and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Institute for all of Balisacan's contribution to PIDS' profile.
"Under his policy direction and vision, the PIDS was able to explore new grounds in policy research and constitute itself as a pre-eminent research institution doing impact evaluation," said Llanto.
The core of PIDS work--to conduct process and impact evaluations, and to produce sound policy advice--relied on the substantial funding that Balisacan championed to secure. But more than that, Llanto said, Balisacan helped give PIDS the reputation it is due.
"He brought PIDS work to the attention of the President himself who became appreciative of the contribution of policy research to good decisionmaking," noted Llanto.
Llanto described Balisacan, who is a marathoner in his own time, as a man who represents all the qualities it takes to win a race: persistent, task-oriented, conscientious, demonstrative, sociable, and the human tendency to never be satisfied.
Llanto called Balisacan's service record "a life worth emulating", and thanked him for steering policy conversations and decisions for the greater good.
In Balisacan's place, Emmanuel Esguerra will assume the leadership roles for NEDA and PIDS. Esguerra has served as deputy director-general of NEDA since 2012. He championed the Asia-Pacific Economic Community Services Cooperation Framework at last year's summit, and the integration of inclusiveness through increased investments in infrastructure and human capital development.
As head of NEDA, Esguerra aims to steer the socioeconomic planning agency's focus toward further inclusiveness and resilience, and to incorporate sustainable development goals, the Medium-Term Plan, and the Philippine Development Plan into the country's socioeconomic activities.
PIDS Board Member Romeo Bernardo assured that the future of NEDA and PIDS is in goods under the leadership of Esguerra.
"NEDA and PIDS have been blessed with having a succession of such scholars and practitioners since the time of Dr. Sicat," said Bernardo, attributing the virtues of 'philosopher kings' to his lifelong friend.
"I know Secretary Manny will steer both NEDA and PIDS from strength to strength as Secretary Arsi and President Gilbert have done."
In his own words, Esguerra admitted that the work will certainly be challenging. "With your help and with a unified vision of what we aspire for as a nation in terms of inclusive development, I'm sure we shall be able to pull it through."###
