WHY

POLICYMAKING
MATTERS?
Presented by Welfe Dupit
 “When policies fail,
the cost can be significant"
according to Michael Hallsworth of the
Institute of Government in England who sees
policymaking as an important ingredient in
the success of a public policy.
WHY POLICYMAKING MATTERS?
Policymaking matters because it's
how government institutions come
together to create rules and plans
that benefit everyone. It's crucial for
the strength of the government and
the country as a whole.
 If policies aren't well-made, they
can lead to bad services, not
helping people in the long run,
leaving some groups out, and
causing problems like environmental
damage and economic issues. Poor
policies also mean people won't be
happy with the government.
So, good policymaking is important
to make sure everyone gets what
they need and to avoid making
things worse.
 For Example:
A policy in
government could be
a law that says
everyone must wear
seat belts when
they're in a car.
 Who are making the Policy?

Policies in government are made by

elected officials like lawmakers and
government agencies who are experts in
different areas. Sometimes, they also get
ideas from experts, committees, and the
public.
POLICY MAKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
The process of how a bill becomes a law starts with a
legislative proposal, which can come from various
sources like senators, representatives, or interest
groups. These proposals are drafted with input from
constituents and special interest groups. Only
members of Congress can introduce a legislative
proposal.
POLICY MAKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
The type of bill introduced depends on the guidelines set
by the Constitution, with most bills introduced in the
House of Representatives.

Once introduced, debates focus on the substance of the

bills, with supporters and opponents drawing lines based
on party affiliations or personal interests.
In the House of Representatives, a bill
goes through three stages:

1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings.

First, it's introduced and referred to a

committee for discussion.

Then, it's debated and amended in the

plenary session.

Finally, it's voted on by all members.

 If passed, it moves to the
Senate for the same process.
After both houses agree, the
bill goes to the President,
who can approve, reject, or
ignore it. If there are
disagreements, a committee
works to resolve them before
it goes to the President.
 If the President signs a bill, it
becomes a law. If the President
rejects it, both houses can
reconsider it, and if they agree, it
still becomes a law. If the
President ignores it, it
automatically becomes a law.
Once it's a law, the government
agency in charge makes rules for
how to follow it.
EMERGING CONTEXT OF PUBLIC POLICY

In the past, public policies mainly focused on military needs

and economic growth, with less attention given to social
welfare, health, environment, and education. However, after
World War II, things changed. The destruction caused by the
war opened up opportunities for developing countries to
prioritize these areas. Social welfare policies, aimed at
creating jobs and reducing dependency, became popular.
EMERGING CONTEXT OF PUBLIC POLICY

Governments also emphasized education to strengthen

human capital and improve development prospects. Health
policies were important due to wartime hardships, and
environmental policies gained attention to ensure
development without harming the environment. This shift in
focus coincided with the rise of policy studies in government.
 DIFFERENT
POLICY AREAS
 Public policies cover different areas like the
environment, education, health, social welfare,
defense, and economy. In the Philippines,
environmental policies focus on protecting
resources, while education policies aim to invest in
the future. Health policies address access to
services, and social welfare policies help the poor.
 Defense policies deal with internal and external
security, and economic policies tackle issues like
housing and unemployment. Policy analysis helps
governments determine if their policies are
working and involves evaluating their
effectiveness. Scholars like William Dunn and Carl
V. Patton offer methods for analyzing policies.
UNDERSTANDING
POLICY ANALYSIS
Policy analysis is important for governments to see if
their policies work. It helps them understand what's
effective and what needs improvement. Scholars like
William Dunn and Carl V. Patton provide methods for
analyzing policies, which are widely used.
 WHAT IS POLICY
ANALYSIS?
Policy analysis is a process used to identify problems, develop
solutions, and evaluate their feasibility and impact. According to
experts like Carl V. Patton and David S. Sawicki, it starts with
defining the problem and generating alternative solutions,
which are then evaluated based on technical, economic, and
political feasibility. This involves analyzing both quantitative and
qualitative information from different perspectives to find the
best option.
TYPES OF POLICY
ANALYSIS
According to Carl V. Patton and David S. Sawicki, policy analysis can be
done before or after a policy is implemented.
Pre-implementation analysis helps predict outcomes and adjust
policies, while post-implementation analysis evaluates success and
identifies reasons for any shortcomings. There are two main types of
policy analysis: descriptive, which looks at past or ongoing policies,
and prospective, which assesses future policy outcomes. Prospective
analysis can be predictive, projecting future outcomes, or prescriptive,
recommending actions to achieve desired results.
POLICY ANALYSIS FOR
BEGINNERS
Policy analysis is a skill that requires practice and thinking like an
analyst and planner. Beginners can start by reflecting on government
problems and possible solutions found in editorials. With repeated
practice, they can gain confidence and skills in understanding societal
issues. Carl V. Patton and David S. Sawicki offer tips for beginners,
including focusing on key decision criteria, considering policy actions,
and dealing with uncertainty. Their suggestions provide valuable
guidance for novice policy analysts as they learn to analyze public
policies.
THE POLICY ANALYSIS
PROCESS
The policy analysis process involves several perspectives and
approaches. Quade emphasizes five key elements: problem
formulation, searching for alternatives, forecasting future
environments, modeling impacts, and evaluating alternatives. Stokey
and Zeckhauser suggest five steps: identifying problems and
objectives, laying out alternative actions, predicting consequences,
determining criteria, and indicating preferred choices.
 Patton and Sawicki outline six major steps: problem definition,
evaluation criteria determination, alternative identification,
alternative evaluation, comparison, and outcome assessment. Each
perspective offers a structured approach, but Patton and Sawicki's
model is considered the most comprehensive. While there's flexibility
in how analysts navigate these steps based on factors like training,
time, and resources, beginner analysts are advised to follow Patton
and Sawicki's basic steps before introducing their own innovations.
1. Verify, Define, and Detail the Problem

The first step in policy analysis is to verify,

define, and detail the problem. This involves
thoroughly investigating the issue,
understanding its scope, and considering
different perspectives. It's crucial to determine if
enough information is available to approach the
problem effectively.
2. Establish Evaluation Criteria

The second stage of analyzing public policy is to establish

evaluation criteria. This involves identifying standards
against which possible alternatives will be assessed. These
criteria help in comparing and selecting the best policy
options. Common evaluation criteria include cost,
effectiveness, efficiency, equity, legality, and political
acceptability. Clients may sometimes provide specific criteria
for the analysis.
3. Identify Alternative Policies

The third stage of policy analysis is to identify alternative

policies. This involves exploring different options to address
the problem at hand. One way to do this is through literature
review, which exposes various dimensions of the problem and
potential solutions. Brainstorming with stakeholders affected
by the problem can also yield additional policy alternatives.
It's important to compare these options with an ideal
alternative and consider a "no-action" alternative to assess
the feasibility of each option.
4. Evaluate Alternative Policies

The fourth stage of policy analysis is evaluating alternative

policies, which is crucial in the analysis process. The methods
used for evaluation depend on the problem and evaluation
criteria. Simple methods like prediction or quick decision
analysis may be used when time is limited, while comprehensive
criteria covering technical, economic, administrative, and
political feasibility are applied for thorough evaluation.
Satisfaction of these criteria is key for an alternative to be
considered feasible, though sometimes fulfilling three out of four
criteria may suffice.
5. Display and Distinguish Among
Alternative Policies
The fifth stage involves displaying and distinguishing among
alternative policies. This stage requires the analyst to present
the results of the analysis in a convincing manner to the client
and the public. Results can be displayed by listing alternatives,
enumerating criteria, and reporting how well each alternative
meets the criteria. Alternatively, some clients may prefer
emphasizing the superior option or making a special case for a
particular alternative. The goal is to present the best option in a
compelling way that convinces stakeholders of its merits.
6. Monitor and Evaluate the
Implemented Policy
The final stage involves monitoring and evaluating the
implemented policy. Policy analysts typically aren't directly
involved in implementation but may monitor policy for
deviations. After implementation, they evaluate whether
objectives were met. Evaluation, as Dunn (1994) notes, is complex
and may fail due to unpreparedness or policy implementation
issues. Evaluation methods include before-and-after
comparisons, with-and-without comparisons, actual versus
planned performance, and experimental approaches.