The Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) Policy Brief is a collection of concise, evidence-based documents designed to help the government address specific policy challenges. All submissions must be grounded in and capture the unique local governance context of the Philippines. Intended for policymakers and public administrators at both the national and local government levels and other government stakeholders (e.g., national agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders), the policy brief simplifies complex issues into a clear analysis and offers a research-based strategic perspective.
It provides practical, actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening local governance and promoting meaningful community participation through an integrated focus on enhancing governance and leadership, improving public service delivery, fostering community empowerment, and addressing vital cross-cutting issues critical to Philippine development. To guide contributors, submissions are encouraged to explore the following interconnected themes in the realm of local governance:
Editorial board
Editor | Reginald G. Ugaddan, Ph.D. |
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Managing Editor | Reinalyn M. Velasquez |
Editorial Staff | Sheryll Mae P. Pascobillo |
Florabelle G. Tanguilig |
Submission Guidelines
The policy briefs should be submitted via email to clrgpolicybrief.upd@up.edu.ph. Use the following subject line format for your submission: “PB Submission: <Title of the Policy Brief>.
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Author Guidelines
All submissions for the CLRG Policy Briefs will undergo a desk review by the editorial team, followed by a double-anonymized peer review process. Policy Briefs should adhere to the following guidelines: ◦ All accepted policy briefs will be published online, and the corresponding Volume and Issue numbers will be assigned. ◦ Contributing authors are solely responsible for addressing all copyright and ownership issues related to the text, figures, data, and any other information included in their brief. Authors must ensure they have obtained all necessary permissions for any copyrighted material used. ◦ The views and opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the CLRG or the University of the Philippines.General Format
Document Format | Submit manuscripts in MS Word (.doc or .docx) format only. |
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Text Format | The text should be 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced with a single margin. Use left alignment and indent the first line of each paragraph. Headings should be in bold and use proper capitalization. Maintain consistent heading levels throughout the document. |
Tables, figures, and equations (if any) |
◦ Tables must be created and formatted directly in MS Word (not as images). Position tables within the text near where they are first referenced.
◦ Figures (e.g., graphs, charts, illustrations) must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) and submitted in .jpg format. They should also be embedded within the text where appropriate.
◦ Each table or figure must have a short, descriptive title and appropriate labels and headings. It should also be numbered sequentially.
◦ Equations must be typed using the MS Word Equation Editor. Avoid using images or screenshots of equations. It should be displayed on a separate line when lengthy or complex.
◦ Figures (e.g., graphs, charts, illustrations) must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) and submitted in .jpg format. They should also be embedded within the text where appropriate.
◦ Each table or figure must have a short, descriptive title and appropriate labels and headings. It should also be numbered sequentially.
◦ Equations must be typed using the MS Word Equation Editor. Avoid using images or screenshots of equations. It should be displayed on a separate line when lengthy or complex.
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References |
◦ Footnotes should appear on the same page when necessary. Indicate them in the text using superscript numbers.
◦ Use APA 7th edition citation style for all in-text citations and reference entries. The reference list must be double-spaced and use hanging indents. |
Biosketch | Include a brief bio-sketch (2–3 sentences) on a separate page at the end of the manuscript, stating your full name, institutional affiliation, and email address or other contact information. |
Appendices | Place any supplementary materials (e.g., raw data, tools, detailed case examples) in the Appendices section. Label each appendix clearly (e.g., Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire) |
Others |
◦ Add page numbers at the bottom center or bottom right of each page.
◦ Use clear, concise, and professional language. Avoid unnecessary jargon. Define technical terms when first introduced.
◦ Spell out acronyms upon first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
◦ Use abbreviations consistently thereafter.
Ensure that all hyperlinks are active and working.
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Structural Elements
Title | A clear, concise, and informative title that reflects the focus of the policy review. The title should be both sticky and engaging to grab the reader’s attention and convey a core message, rather than using a more academic title from a comprehensive study. |
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Executive Summary | A succinct overview of the paper (200-300 words), covering a brief introductory sentence followed by bullet points about the core problem, the most important findings, and the main policy recommendations. |
Main Body |
Background:
This section provides the evidentiary basis for the brief by defining the policy problem. It presents a critical analysis of existing policy failures and their impacts, thereby substantiating the need for a new or revised policy approach.
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Proposed Policy Options:
This section focuses on the strategic choice of a solution, answering the key question, “What should be done?”. Its purpose is to present and evaluate high-level policy alternatives and provide a convincing argument for why one option is the most effective and appropriate path to address the problem.
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Policy Recommendations:
This section focuses on the practical application of the chosen policy option, answering the key question, “How to implement it?”. It details a feasible set of specific, actionable steps that various actors should take.
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References
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Basis of Analysis and Link to Research:
This section transparently states the foundation of the brief’s analysis. The content will vary depending on the status of the research:
◦ If based on a completed study, provide a precise reference and a hyperlink to the complete, in-depth policy study or research paper. ◦ If based on ongoing research, mention the title of the research project and its expected completion date. | |
Appendices |
