The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Centers (SERDAC) in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao conducted four batches of trainings on strengthening policy analysis and advocacy from May to July 2021.
The “Training-Workshop on Strengthening Policy Analysis in the Regions” aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the regional consortia and their various member agencies on policy analysis and to create a critical mass of R&D workers in the regions who will spearhead the analysis and advocacy of region-specific policy issues.
The resource persons for the trainings included Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, Dr. Merlyne M. Paunlagui, and support staff from the College of Public Affairs and Development of the University of the Philippines. The trainings were conducted through lecture discussions and workshops on policy analysis and development, focusing on analyzing and structuring policy problems, developing policy goals and alternatives, and assessment of policy alternatives. After the training, it is expected that regional priority policy concerns will be determined and from there policy analysis proposals can be developed for possible funding support by the Council.
SERDAC Luzon, which is hosted by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) kicked off the training on May 3 to 7 for consortia members in Regions 1-3. CLSU also coordinated the second batch of training on May 24 to 28 for participants from state universities and colleges and government institutions from Regions 4 and 5.
Meanwhile on June 29, 30, and July 2, Visayas SERDAC (ViSERDAC) through the Visayas State University led the third batch of training for consortia members and partners in the Visayas Region. Lastly, SERDAC Mindanao, managed by the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), hosted the last training batch on July 19 to 23. All trainings were conducted online.
A total of 150 participants from state universities and colleges, regional government agencies, research and development institutes, and local government units attended the said training.
The training series was organized as part of the DOST-PCAARRD’s initiative to enhance the Council and its network’s role in policy analysis and advocacy in AANR.