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UP CIDS-UPV SPACE Project and DEPDev Region VI Convene Stakeholders for SDG Localization and Harmonization Workshop

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (July 15, 2026) — The research arm of the SDG Partnerships and Action for Collective Empowerment (SPACE) Project—a joint collaboration between the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) and UP Visayas (UPV)—successfully conducted a two-day SDG Localization and Harmonization Workshop on July 13–14, 2026, at the Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

The workshop is a pivotal milestone under the UPV research study, “Navigating the VUCAD World: Progress Tracking for Strategic Foresights for the SDGs in Western Visayas.” Co-hosted alongside the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region VI, the event addressed the region’s 15 regressing and 14 lagging SDG indicators by creating direct paths for local data integration into the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023–2028 and the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP).

Key Workshop Objectives

Building on initial findings from the May 18 progress-tracking forum, participants developed localized interventions to integrate into the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023–2028 and the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP):

  • Establish Proxy Indicators: Standardize subnational tracking where primary data is missing.
  • Build Gender-Responsive Roadmaps: Integrate sex-disaggregated data to promote equitable development.
  • Formulate Catch-Up Strategies: Employ the Delphi Technique to drive consensus-based regional planning.

Broad Subnational Representation

The workshop gathered planning coordinators, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) officers, statisticians, GAD focal points, and CBMS handlers from across Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Iloilo City.

Ms. Ma. Leah Letrero (Chief Economic Development Specialist, DEPDev VI) opened the event with the project imperative, followed by a regional SDG Situationer delivered by Ms. Jenelyn Hisuan (Statistical Specialist II, PSA VI).

The UPV SPACE Research & Facilitation Team

  • Rosalie Arcala-Hall (Project Convener & UP CIDS Executive Director)
  • Rhodella A. Ibabao (Overall Project Leader & Spatial Analysis Lead)
  • Juhn Chris Espia (Project Leader for Governance)
  • Brian Ventura (Project Leader for Public Policy)
  • Mary Rose Rebueno (Project Leader for Public Finance)
  • Prof. Mary Rose Bañares & Ms. Rowelle Serilo (Project Fellows)
  • Rosario R. Dizon (Junior Research Associate)
  • Maricar Gebucion & Ms. Michelle Magallenes (Administrative Assistants)

By linking academic rigor, regional policy, and localized data systems, Western Visayas is positioning itself to successfully navigate an increasingly volatile and complex world, ensuring that no community is left behind on the road to 2030.

Written by:

Rosario R. Dizon, Junior Research Associate, UP CIDS-UPV SPACE Project

Unified for regional progress: Participants and organizers of the Western Visayas SDG Localization and Harmonization Workshop at the Diversion 21 Hotel, July 13–14, 2026

 

UP CIDS Executive Director and Project Convener Dr. Rosalie Arcala-Hall presenting the project’s background and workshop overview.

 

Setting the direction: Ms. Ma. Leah Letrero, Chief Economic Development Specialist of DEPDev VI, presenting the subnational project imperative to the workshop delegates.

 

Ms. Jenelyn Hisuan, Statistical Specialist II of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region VI, presents the subnational SDG Situationer for Western Visayas.

 

The UP CIDS-UPV SPACE Project Team. Seated (L-R): Ms. Rosario R. Dizon, Dr. Rosalie Arcala-Hall, Dr. Rhodella A. Ibabao, and Dr. Mary Rose Rebueno. Standing (L-R): Ms. Michelle Magallenes, Ms. Maricar Gebucion, Dr. Juhn Chris Espia, Asst. Prof. Mary Rose Bañares, Ms. Rowelle Serilo, and Prof. Brian Ventura.

 

Driving regional consensus: Technical delegates from Western Visayas LGUs work together to co-design actionable catch-up strategies.

 

Technical representatives from the five provinces and highly urbanized city of Western Visayas during the workshop’s planning and diagnostic breakout sessions.

 

Local planners and technical officers engage in collaborative mapping and diagnostic exercises to align community-level data with regional SDG indicators.

 

Local planners and technical officers engage in collaborative mapping and diagnostic exercises to align community-level data with regional SDG indicators.