Policy Formulation

and Case Study

Jeremiah V. Pacer
MA Public Administration
Department of Political Science
Rizal Technological University
Policy
a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a
government, party, business or individual.

defined as the process by which governments translate their

political vision into programs and actions to deliver 'outcomes'
– desired change in the real world.

can take a range of different forms, including non-

intervention; regulation, for instance by licensing; or the
encouragement of voluntary change, including by grant aid; as
well as direct public service provision.
 
 Classification of Policies
1. Substantive -what government is going to do, such as the
construction of highways, payment of benefits. It directly
distributes advantages and disadvantages, benefits and cost to the
people.

2. Procedural -pertain to how something is going to be done or who is

going to take action, how: it includes organizational matters.

3. Distributive - involve in the distribution of services or benefits to

particular segments of the population-individual, groups,
organizations and communities involve in the use of public funds
to assist particular groups-social reform agenda.
 Classification of Policies
4. Regulatory-involve the imposition of restrictions or limitations on
the behavior of individuals and group, it reduces the freedom or
discretion to act of those who are regulated.

5. Self regulatory- involve restriction or control of some matter or

group, police your own rank, are usually sought and supported by
the regulated group as a means of protecting and promoting the
interests of its members.

6. Material-provide tangible resources and substantial power to their

beneficiaries or impose real advantages on those who are adversely
affected.
 Classification of Policies
7. Redistributive- deliberate efforts of the government to shift the
allocation of wealth, income, property or rights among broad
classes- are difficult because they involve the reallocation of money,
power and rights.

8. Symbolic-they appeal to the cherished values of people, such as

peace, patriotism and social justice.
Stages of the Policy Process
 Problem identification
 Agenda setting
 Policy formulation
 Decision
 Implementation
 Evaluation
Problem Identification
 Outcomes affecting the lives of people and the
condition of the nation are described
 Typical examples: unemployment, national security,
poverty, crime
 Not all problems are matters of public concern
 Who identifies problems? Media, government,
citizens
 Globalization expands the problems facing society,
and makes existing issues more complicated
Agenda Setting
 Problems are selected for official
consideration
 Agenda setters: Media, government officials,
interest groups, think tanks, political parties,
citizens
 Globalization gives many outsiders a role in
agenda setting
Policy Formulation
 Specification of problem: define terms and
identify relevant population
 Explanation of problem
 Alternatives for addressing problem
 Costs and benefits assessed
 Globalization makes explaining problems
more contentious
Decision
 Policy makers choose one or more solutions to
the problem
 Political battles of previous stages are partly
geared toward affecting this stage
 Combinations of options can be chosen
 Non-action is a choice
 Globalization changes the incentives and
challenges democracy
Implementation
 Taking action
 Allocate resources (money, personnel,
equipment), establish rules and standard
operating procedures,
 determine lines of authority
 In general, the domain of the executive branch
 Globalization has recently meant greater
reliance on markets and market-like structures,
more privatization
Evaluation
 In political debate, evaluation is pervasive
 Systematic evaluation tools are highly developed, but
often not used
 Good evaluation focuses on measuring outcomes
 Instead, evaluation may be political or oriented
toward activities rather than outcomes
 Globalization means it is harder to identify relevant
population or the reasons things happen
An Example: Iraq
 What was the problem in 2002?
 How did Iraq get on the agenda?
 What policy options were available to solve
the problem?
 Why was war chosen?
 How was the war implemented?
 How are things working out?
Political Power
 Who controls the agenda? Who decides?
 A central concern of Political Science
 Many theories have been developed to answer
such questions
 System-centered
 Society-centered: groups, classes, social
movements
 State-centered: Government officials and
structure
Society-centered
 Groups, classes, and individuals in society
hold power
 Elite theory
 Class analysis
 Social movements theory
 Group theory
 Pluralism
State-centered
 Government officials take the initiative
 Structure of government determines in part
what happens
 Bureaucratic actors dominate policy process
System-centered
 Relationship of country to the rest of the world
determines its policy preferences
 Distribution of power (powerful countries
prefer open world economy)
 World system (unequal distribution of wealth)
 Globalization (US turns to world market to
solve economic problems at home)
 Case Studies

Filipino First Policy

-Embodied in the advocacy of President Carlos Garcia.
-Reflected in the 60-40 pro-filipino ownership requirement in the
1987 Constitution.
-Ensured the welfare and dominance of local businessmen and
entrepreneurs.
-Encouraged the subsistence of dummies.
-Deprived PHISIX and entire local economy of necessary capital
outpour from foreign conglomerates and multinational
companies.
 Case Studies

COMELEC Modernization and Computerization

-Conceptualized to fast-track the results of the triennial polls and
other mandated elections provided by law.
-Programmed to minimize electoral frauds like Dagdag Bawas.
-Instituted to streamline and limit the number of personnel
rendering service during elections.
-The initial undertaking of computerization was stalled due to the
decree issued by Supreme Court.
-The current cost of the computerization has taken a great toll on
the budget of the commission.
 Case Studies

Bases Conversion of Camp Crame and Aguinaldo

-Patterned after the development of Fort Andres Bonifacio into a
bustling commercial hub.
-Government is envisioning large income from these transactions
that will sustain the modernization of military and police
personnel.
-Relocation, however, proves to be difficult and a risk on the part
of national security.
- Monetary gains from the conversion may not serve its raison
d’etre.
 Case Studies

Cheaper Medicines Act

-The purpose of the measure is to lower the cost of health care
maintenance and medication.
-The authors specifically pointed out to the exponential gains and
profits of pharmaceutical firms.
-Along the way, the government wavered in the full
implementation of the act because of the political pressure
coming from medication drug manufacturers and distributors.
- Government made a compromise in classifying certain family
of medications subject to Cheaper Medicines Act.
 Case Studies

Reproductive Health Bill

-Piece of legislation made to address the growing concern of
population in the Philippines.
-The bill is made to encourage and support the people in using
contraceptives and family-planning schemes.
-The bill does not compel nor coerce the community to adopt
family planning schemes.
-Leaders of the Catholic Church fervently opposed the bill as it is
against the teachings and dogma of the christian faith.
-Implementation systems are still on the verge of uncertainty and
dilemma.