“Regional Economic Integration and Inclusive Growth: Engaging Nations, Embracing People”

OPENING REMARKS

by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan

“Regional Economic Integration and Inclusive Growth: Engaging Nations, Embracing People”

Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) Research Fair 2012

September 24, 2012, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

G/F Lobby NEDA sa Makati Building, Makati City

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura Q. del Rosario, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) President Dr. Josef T. Yap, the new National Statistical Coordination Board Secretary-General Jose Ramon G. Albert, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Dr. Erlinda M. Medalla, PIDS Fellows, DPRM partners, ladies and gentlemen. 

I would like to congratulate the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) on the double celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) and PIDS’s 35^th founding anniversary.

The theme “Regional Economic Integration and Inclusive Growth: Engaging Nations, Embracing People” for this year’s DPRM is timely with the surge in the number of free trade agreements being negotiated and concluded all over the world in recent years. The Philippines as an active player in the world economy needs to assess the impact of these trade agreements — particularly those where it is a signatory — on its efforts to achieve inclusive growth and reduce poverty.

I encourage the PIDS and the research institutions participating in this Research Fair and in the celebration of the DPRM to look closely at how regional economic integration may be taken advantage of to provide high- quality jobs even for the unskilled workers. The need for the revival of the manufacturing sector, which has been stagnant for three decades, cannot be overemphasized. The manufacturing sector could generate high productivity jobs, leading to higher employment and lower poverty incidence, which is the essence of inclusive growth. 

We also celebrate this year the 35^th founding anniversary of the Institute. The establishment of PIDS three decades ago recognizes the important role that science and analysis play in the formulation of policies that ultimately impact on the lives of our people. In the world of policy where diverse political, economic, and social interests converge and, many times, conflict, science and research provide a framework under which rational decisions can be formulated. Through the years, PIDS and the other research and development institutes taking part in this research fair have upheld evidence-based policymaking for the country. In particular, and related to this year’s theme, PIDS has produced a number of key studies addressing issues, and offering evidence-based policy recommendations, on regional economic integration, competition policy, and poverty reduction issues. The evidence from the experiences of other countries in our region have also been  useful in this regard.

As we move towards future DPRM celebrations coordinated by PIDS, the need for science and analysis in the formulation of development policies remains important as ever, and will continue to highlight the significance of think tanks such as PIDS. May this Research Fair contribute towards the goal of attaining inclusive growth for the Philippines through the conduct of rigorous, evidence-based studies by your respective organizations.

Thank you and Mabuhay!

M.R. No. 2012-065

24 September 2012