The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) joins the “Enhancing Interagency Harmony and Integration in Philippine Sectoral Development Planning” Summit on March 11, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The Summit served as a national platform for government agencies and stakeholders to address longstanding challenges related to fragmented planning and policy coordination. It builds on the outcomes of the Pre-Watershed Summit held in August 2025, where stakeholders contributed to the formulation of a 10-Point Action Agenda to strengthen coherence, collaboration, and integration in sectoral development planning across government institutions.
The event was organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños - College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR). The event was also made possible in partnership with the DOST-PCAARRD and other collaborating institutions.
Dr. Leah J. Buendia, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, emphasized the crucial role of science, technology, and innovation in strengthening collaborative governance and enabling evidence-based policy decisions in her opening message. She highlighted that DOST remains committed to supporting integrated planning by providing scientific knowledge, geospatial technologies, and decision-support systems that help agencies align their development strategies.
Watershed management and climate change adaptation expert, Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, underscored the importance of partnerships towards national goals, highlighting Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Dr. Cruz outlined the proposed ten priority actions designed to enhance policy harmonization and interagency coordination. Among these are leveraging the Philippine Development Plan as the overarching framework for national and local plans, strengthening local government planning mandates, advancing key land and natural resource legislation, establishing centralized geospatial monitoring systems, and developing a national zoning framework for all watersheds.
Participating agencies agree to address “silo mentality” between government agencies and promote knowledge sharing. Stakeholders emphasized that many development challenges are systemic and require equally systemic governance solutions, marked by stronger coordination, shared data, and integrated planning frameworks.
The discussions highlighted the importance of both vertical and horizontal integration across sectoral agencies to ensure coherent development strategies. Participants also stressed the value of establishing a common planning “language” to harmonize mandates and facilitate collaboration across agencies.
Among the agencies who provided their positions during the Summit included the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Climate Change Commission (CCC), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), and League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).
Through DOST-PCAARRD, DOST has long championed integrated watershed and landscape management, particularly through the Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. The Council has supported research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives such as the Watershed Integrated Land Use Planning (WILUP) projects, which assist local government units in incorporating watershed and ecosystem considerations into their Comprehensive Land Use Plans and development strategies.
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services, highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration to translate the Summit’s discussions into concrete actions. He noted that the proposed Action Agenda outlines a comprehensive pathway toward a Philippines where national and local development plans are fully harmonized. He is hopeful that this would enable sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth. He emphasized that science-informed policies, collaborative governance, and shared accountability among institutions are essential to achieving this vision.
Following the Summit, the UPLB project team will consolidate the positions and recommendations of participating agencies. These inputs will be integrated into the final Action Agenda and subsequently endorsed to relevant government institutions to facilitate stronger interagency collaboration and the implementation of integrated sectoral planning initiatives.