By University Research Center

Dr. Evelyn Grace D. Ayson, Director of the University Research Center, and Ms. Ligaya Villarias-Caniel, URC staff member, join representatives from 38 partner institutions and participants for a commemorative group photo during the 11th SERP-P Knowledge Sharing Session.

Central Philippine University (CPU) participated in the 11th Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P) Knowledge Sharing Session held on December 2–3, 2025, at the Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay in Parañaque City. CPU was represented by Dr. Evelyn Grace D. Ayson, Director of the University Research Center, and Ms. Ligaya Villarias-Caniel, URC staff member and SERP-P portal uploader.

The event, part of the SERP-P Network’s 25th Anniversary Celebration themed “25 Years of Open Access: Advancing Policy Research for Transparent Governance,” featured insights from the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Senate Economic Planning Office, and WeSolve Foundation. Discussions emphasized the importance of transparent public spending, accessible research, and active citizen participation.

A notable roundtable on public budget accountability included former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, DepEd Undersecretary Dr. Ronald Mendoza, and AIM Professor Emeritus Dr. Edilberto De Jesus, with former PIDS President Dr. Gilberto Llanto serving as moderator. PIDS President Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño and Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Paolo Rivera also underscored the critical role of research in promoting good governance.

As an active SERP-P partner institution, CPU continues to contribute research publications to the national portal through the efforts of Ms. Caniel, ensuring wider access to CPU-generated studies for policymakers and the public.

PIDS expressed its gratitude to all 38 partner institutions and participants for strengthening the shared commitment to transparent, accountable, and research-driven governance.