2011 is shaping up as another challenging year for the Council and the consortia as Regional Research and Development Coordinating Committee (RRDCC) chairpersons and consortium directors contemplate major developments in the national science and technology (S&T) milieu while reviewing their consortium’s performance in CY 2009.
At their 8th joint meeting held on October 21 and 21 in Tagaytay City, RRDCC chairpersons and consortium directors also threshed out critical issues on the implementation of consortia banner programs and governance.
Topping the roster of issues is the S&T Agenda (STA) for 2011─2016. In his opening remarks, PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon prompted the consortia to focus and prioritize their efforts so that they would become a force in regional development. He averred that a “strong and viable” regional STA considers the region’s needs; ensures the channeling of suitable resources; and boosts partners’ buy-in and investment in the agenda.
In increasing the buy-in of partners for the regional STA, PCARRD Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development (R&D) Danilo C. Cardenas advised the regional partners to gain the support of the Regional Development Council (RDC). With the composition of the RDC and its relative authority, its support would drive wider acceptance of and investment in the STA by other agencies, as well as attract additional funding support for regional programs.
Locally driven innovation, too, was on the discussion table. Voicing Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo, Dr. Faylon affirmed that local talent and technologies should underpin innovation in S&T. He further said that policies, technology transfer activities, R&D priority areas, and human resources development are on hand to support innovation.¬
As discussions intensified on the human resources needed to drive S&T in the regions, several issues surfaced and were discussed in depth. Regional representatives accepted the need to enhance the capacity of their human resources but admitted to being constrained by attrition policy, budgetary cuts, and a very shallow bench.
Dr. Faylon admitted that the policies needed to change the status quo may be long in coming but assured the body of PCARRD’s continued support for local capacity building initiatives. He furthered that any proposals for addressing the HR (human resources) challenges in the regions are welcome. PCARRD Deputy Executive Director for Institution Development and Resource Management Richard M. Juanillo then confirmed the Council’s funding for scholarship and training programs.
Much anticipated was the discussion on the performance of the regional consortia. Juanillo bared the strengths and weaknesses of each based on the evaluation of 2009 accomplishments using the Ugnay Award criteria. He concluded by exhorting all consortia to play to their strengths and work on their weaknesses.
In relation to consortium performance, the Council revealed the evident improvement in financial management at the region. Financial reports were increasingly more current while the release of funds was facilitated by submission of timely and relevant proposals; thus prompting Dr. Faylon to enthuse that “while more improvement is possible, this development shows that our systems are working”.
Finally, discussion revolved around the best practices of the Ugnay winner and how such practices may be emulated by the other consortia. Since 1995, PCARRD has been conferring the Ugnay to its outstanding regional consortium.
Confident that its collective voice was heard and braced by directions from DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, the Council and its partners agree on I-P-S-F. This means Innovation based on Priorities, Science-based interventions and Focus on specific high impact programs in the agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors.
Buoyed by the successes posted during the year and by assurance of continued support for their programs, the consortium leaders thus look forward to 2011 with renewed vigor.
Incidentally, the Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, based at the Cavite State University, hosted the joint meeting.