Taguig City, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization – STI4SDGs Project Management Team, successfully conducted the fourth and final installment of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Workshop Series on May 25, 2026, at the DOST-STII Mini-Theatre in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Centered on the “Finalization for the MEAL Indicator Matrix and Selection of the MEAL Platform,” the workshop served as a major milestone in the development of the STI4SDGs project’s monitoring and evaluation system. The workshop series aims to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and institutional learning and adaptive management in support of science, technology, and innovation-driven sustainable development.
The activity brought together Technical Working Group members and representatives from various DOST offices, councils, attached agencies, and regional offices, together with the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant, Dr. Ivy P. Mejia. Participants worked collaboratively to consolidate, validate, and refine the outputs developed throughout the MEAL Workshop Series.
During the final workshop, participants reviewed and finalized the MEAL indicator matrix covering the project’s five priority Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The sessions focused on validating indicators, completing metadata requirements, identifying short-, medium-, and long-term indicators, and refining the learning agenda for the project’s five-year implementation period. Participants also assess the proposed MEAL platform based on usability, functionality, and alignment with the project’s monitoring and reporting requirements.
The platform is envisioned to support the systemic tracking of STI contributions to SDG outcomes, while helping strengthen organizational learning and evidence-based program improvement across the DOST system.
The final workshop built on earlier sessions of the MEAL Workshop series, which began with the development of the project’s Theory of Change, followed by workshops on the MEAL Plan and MEAL Framework. Together, these outputs provide the foundation for a more operational, responsive, and learning-oriented monitoring and evaluation system for the STI4SDGs project.
The initiative forms part of DOST’s broader efforts to strengthen the integration of science, technology, and innovation into national development planning and SDG implementation.
In his closing message, Assistant Secretary Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional monitoring approaches and ensuring that data and evidence directly inform policy, planning, and development action.
“Monitoring alone is not enough, and data itself does not create change. What is required is a system that deliberately links data to decision-making, evidence to strategy, and learning to adaptive action,” Asec. Juanillo said.
He further highlighted that the STI4SDGs initiative positions science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable national development.
As the workshop series concluded, DOST recognized the contributions of the participating Technical Working Group members and representatives for their active engagement and continued commitment to building an evidence-driven and learning-oriented framework for the STI4SDGs project.
The finalized MEAL framework, indicator matrix, and selected platform are expected to support the strategic monitoring of STI investments and provide clearer pathways for translating research, innovation, and technology initiatives into measurable and inclusive development outcomes for the country.
