The Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P), the country’s first and largest electronic repository of policy studies, celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 2 to 3, 2025.
Anchored on the theme “25 Years of Open Access: Advancing Policy Research for Transparent Governance,” this year’s celebration marked a significant milestone in its mission to advance open access, evidence-based policymaking, and transparent governance in the Philippines.
Since its establishment in 2000 under the òòò½´«Ã½ (òòò½´«Ã½), SERP-P now hosts nearly 11,000 publications, with more than 1,000 new studies uploaded in 2025 alone. Its database and active network of over 70 network institutions nationwide continue to strengthen the country’s culture of open access and evidence-informed governance.
"As we celebrate SERP-P’s 25th year, we honor not just the online platform, but a community—researchers, scholars, civil servants, and advocates who believe that open access is essential to transparency, accountability, and good governance," said òòò½´«Ã½ (òòò½´«Ã½) President Dr. Philip Arnold P. Tuaño.
Growing demand for accessible policy research
SERP-P Project Director and òòò½´«Ã½ Research Information Department Manager Melinda Quiñones reported notable growth in website visits and downloads in 2025, reflecting the public’s rising demand for accessible, research-based information.
“Our combined efforts have driven SERP-P’s continued growth and relevance. We are only steps away from reaching 11,000 publications by the end of 2025,” Quiñones shared.
She also highlighted stronger collaborations with network institutions, including the first-ever co-organized activities for the Development Policy Research Month, marking a new chapter in SERP-P’s engagement efforts.
New partnerships to widen knowledge access
A key highlight of the anniversary was the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SERP-P, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the WeSolve Foundation.
The agreement was signed by òòò½´«Ã½ President Dr. Tuaño, òòò½´«Ã½ Research Information Department Manager Melinda Quiñones, UNFPA Representative Ravina Madrid, and WeSolve Foundation Executive Director Paula Britta Apines.
The MOU formalizes a framework for cooperation to widen the dissemination of research and knowledge products through the SERP-P platform. Under the partnership, UNFPA and WeSolve will integrate their knowledge resources into SERP-P, expanding public access to development research that supports evidence-based policymaking, transparency, and inclusive growth.
Strengthening research-to-policy engagement
As part of the celebration, SERP-P also launched its first Policy Research Advocacy Workshop, reflecting its shift from being solely a repository to becoming a more active partner in strengthening the research-to-policy ecosystem.
òòò½´«Ã½ Senior Research Fellow Dr. JP Rivera discussed practical strategies for institutions to champion policy research within their own organizations.
Meanwhile, former òòò½´«Ã½ President Dr. Celia M. Reyes presented the compelling case of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS), illustrating how rigorous research can evolve into concrete local programs and national policy.
To deepen participants’ understanding of the policymaking environment, UP NCPAG Associate Professor Simeon Ilago provided an overview of the local development planning process and the policy cycle, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of how research findings can be integrated into governance and decision-making.
The pilot workshop is part of a longer-term effort to help its network members “turn research into practical insights that can guide governance and policymaking,” expanding the platform’s role beyond being a repository of studies.
Recognizing network contributions
The celebration concluded with the recognition of network members who made significant contributions throughout the year. The UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies emerged as the top contributor, followed by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department.
Other recognized contributors included regional offices of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development in Regions 5, 11, 1, and 9; the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning; the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture; and Davao Oriental State University.
SERP-P also honored the Development Academy of the Philippines and the UPLB Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies for outstanding collaboration and commitment to knowledge sharing. The National Tax Research Center received the Excellence in User Support and Responsiveness Award for consistently providing timely expert assistance to SERP-P users, particularly in responding to technical inquiries and facilitating access to specialized publications.
With new partnerships, an expanded network, and a sharper focus on research advocacy, SERP-P moves into its next 25 years ready to support a more informed, transparent, and accountable policy environment—ensuring that knowledge continues to serve the public good.
The platform remains accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public through its online portal at .—ERN
