Policy research supports development, says PIDS

September of every year is devoted to the observance of Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) in the country. This is by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 247 which was issued on September 2, 2002 in order to underscore "the need for promoting, enhancing, instilling, and drawing awareness and appreciation of the importance and necessity of policy research”.The utmost importance of policy research lies in its being a tool for national development, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which was designated as the overall coordinator of all the programs and activities of DPRM. To be always on line with this aim, the annual DPRM observance since 2003 focuses on areas that the PIDS considers of national importance and in need of utmost attention and support. In last year’s observance, for example, DPRM focused on "Regional Economic Integration and Inclusive Growth” to underscore the impact of greater regional economic integration and globalization. Specifically, this has reference to the upcoming establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.