Judy Gulane , IA communications specialist, presenting the findings

The International Alert (IA), in coordination with the Philippine Center for Economic Development and Human Development Network, presented a study entitled “Informal Land Markets and Inequality in Maguindanao” at the Deutsche Bank Seminar Room, University of the Philippines – School of Economics last November 6, 2015.

This seminar also presented the salient highlights of the roundtable discussion with representatives of government agencies and local communities that occurred last September 10 at Cotabato City. The roundtable discussion and seminar talked examined the effects of informal land market transactions can impact on human development outcomes.

Ms. Judy T. Gulane, IA Communication Specialist and Land Markets Researcher, presented the findings to different practitioners and academics in order to receive feedback, comments, and suggestions for the future direction of the paper.

The presentation may be viewed and downloaded here.

The International Alert (IA), an international non-government organization working to end violence, and TASBIKKA Inc., a Mindanao-based community-based dedicated to strengthening sustainable development in the island region, with the support of the Human Development Network, organized a round table discussion on informal land markets and inequality in the Bangsamoro Region. This was undertaken last September 10 at the Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant, Cotabato City.

During the forum, the initial findings of a survey on informal land market transactions in several communities in the Maguindanao province were presented. This forum served to provide an update to the 2005 Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) on human security on the socio-economic costs of conflict. It also seeks to provide inputs to the next PHDR which will examine the issue of land, inequality and socio-economic mobility.

Judy Gulane , IA communications specialist, providing an overview of the findings

Ces Rodriguez, TASBIKKA research consultant, identifying the areas where the study was conducted

Photo courtesy of Judy Gulane, International Alert communications specialist

Real score on funds for Bangsamoro
by Toby C. Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer – Talk of the Town
July 19th, 2015

The Human Development Network, in coordination with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, organized the Mindanao leg of the “Planning Exercises for Provinces” last June 18, 2015, at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex Clubhouse, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

This workshop, which provided an orientation on the key results of the 7^th Philippine Human Development Report, was attended by representatives of the various government units, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in Davao del Norte, led by the provincial vice-governor, Hon. Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., and Atty. Jennifer Namoc-Yasol, executive assistant to the governor.

During the workshop, participants discussed key concerns, including the possibilities and constraints for integration of development efforts in the province, especially in the areas of informal settlements and transport linkages, and key actions that need to be undertaken to improve the planning capacity of the provincial government and other stakeholders.

Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio delivering his opening  remarks

Mr. Nelson Plada of the Davao del Norte Provincial Planning  Office providing the closing remarks

8th PHDR Inception Workshop

As part of the development of the upcoming Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR), the Human Development Network organized an inception workshop which was held last April 28, 2015, at the Mercedes Concepcion Seminar Room, Philippine Social Sciences Center, Diliman, Quezon City.

The workshop was undertaken in order to gather insights and recommendations from leading thinkers in the academe, government and civil society on the proposed PHDR theme, “Wealth, Inequality and Human Development in the Philippines.” National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Sec. Joel Rocamora provided key reflections on the issue of inequality in the country, while HDN President Dr. Emmanuel de Dios facilitated the discussions during the workshop.

Dr. Lawrence Dacuycuy of DLSU noting how essential cognitive skills are to reduce inequality 

Dr. Terrence Jones, UN Resident Coordinator, giving his thoughts on Wealth and Inequality

The Human Development Network, in coordination with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, organized the Luzon leg of the “Planning Exercises for Provinces” workshop last February 5, 2015, at the Filipiniana Hotel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The workshop disseminated the results of the 7^th Philippine Human Development Report, which highlighted the role of provincial governments in leading efforts in integrating development programs within their geographical jurisdiction.

This workshop was attended by Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr., Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan, and forty other representatives from the provincial and city governments, and various municipal governments, non-government organizations, educational institutions and the media in the province.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Umali stressing a point during   the Calapan workshop

Governor Alfonso Umali giving his thoughts on Planning Exercises for Mindoro

Scrap pork, empower provinces
by Toby C. Monsod and Emmanuel S. de Dios
Philippine Daily Inquirer–Talk of the Town
September 7th, 2013

Notebooks galore
by Juan Mercado
Philippine Daily Inquirer–Viewpoint
September 6, 2013

Ilang mambabatas, naglaan ng pork barrel para sa pagtatayo ng airport kahit ‘di kailangan
24 Oras, GMA News (video)
Posted August 27, 2013

Yet another reason to abolish pork barrel?
by Lala Ordenes
Vera Files
August 18, 2013

Govt’ urged: Rethink distribution of resources
ANC interview
by ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 08/16/2013

Pork barrel and agriculture
by Solita Collas-Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer–Get Real
August 2, 2013

The 2012/2013 Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) with the theme Geography and Human Development, was launched on July 29, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Pasig City by the Human Development Network in partnership with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Report may be viewed and downloaded here.

The Launch proceedings and presentations may be downloaded here.

Dr. Emmanuel de Dios, HDN President, giving welcome remarks.

Open Forum moderated by Prof. Solita Collas-Monsod, HDN Founding President (L-R: Dr. de Dios, Prof. Monsod, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Dr. Toby Melissa Monsod, DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero)

The NSCB and HDN with the UNDP held a forum to release the 2009 Human Development Index (HDI) on December 20, 2012 at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel. Governor Miguel Dominguez of the province of Sarangani served as discussant.

The 2009 index may be accessed from the NSCB website:

2009 Human Development Index [86 KB]

The opening remarks, presentations, and technical notes may be found
at the NSCB website.

Or you may download them directly from the links below:

Technical Notes [892 KB]

NSCB-HDN Dissemination Forum on the 2009 Subnational HDI held on December 10, 2012
Opening Remarks [152 KB]

Dr. Jose Ramon Albert
Secretary General, NSCB

Presentation on Some Perspectives from the Official Statistical Community on the Refinement of the Global HDI [216 KB]

Ms. Jessamyn Encarnacion
Director, NSCB

Presentation on the Refined HDI [1.11 MB]

Dr. Toby Melissa Monsod
Coordinator, HDN

Presentation on the 2009 HDI [3.41 MB]

Dr. Ma. Cynthia Rose Banzon-Bautista
Commissioner, CHED and Vice President, HDN

The Human Development Network and the National Statistical Coordination Board met on September 15 to revive the collaboration on estimating the Human Development Index (HDI). This is to realize the institutions’ shared goal of mainstreaming the HDI by coming up with only one HDI estimate every three years and institutionalizing the HDI methodology for the succeeding PHDRs. An HDI Task Force was formed during the meeting to evaluate and recommend an interim HDI methodology for the 2012 Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR). The HDI Task Force held a workshop on October 10, 2011 and after a subsequent referendum, the Task Force came up with its recommended HDI methodology.

On November 4, the NSCB and HDN met again and finally agreed on the the HDI methodology for the 2012 PHDR.