THE Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recently entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on research collaboration.

The MoU was signed by NEDA Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua and PIDS President Celia Reyes.

Under the MoU, both parties agreed to share data and expertise in the conduct of joint research projects.

PIDS and NEDA shall also coordinate in the publication of the outputs as research papers.

According to PIDS, the outputs may also be presented in research conferences with the consent of both agencies.

Upon the request of NEDA, PIDS shall likewise provide peer review services on areas where it has in-house experts.

PIDS, an attached agency of NEDA, serves as the government’s primary socioeconomic policy think tank engaged in policy oriented research to assist policymakers in crafting evidence-based development policies, plans, and programs.

NEDA is the country’s socioeconomic planning body that provides high-level advice to policymakers in the executive and legislative branches of government.

The agency’s key responsibilities include the “formulation of policies, plans, and programs; review, evaluation, and monitoring of infrastructure projects; and undertaking of short-term policy reviews to decision-makers.”