The CPAf Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS) was recently tapped by the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) of DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) to conduct a series of training workshops on policy analysis and advocacy. Hosted by the regional Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Centers of PCAARRD, the training workshops were conducted remotely via Zoom in four batches – from May 3 to 7 and May 24 to 28 for the Luzon batches, June 29 to 30 and July 2 for the Visayas batch, and July 19 to 23, 2021 for the Mindanao batch.
The science and technology sector needs to play an active role in advocating policies. This was the focus of the training workshops, which were attended by researchers and staff from the various consortia member institutions of PCAARRD such as state universities and colleges, regional government agencies, research development institutions, local government units, and others. At the end of the sessions, the target participants were equipped with appreciation, knowledge, and skills to spearhead analysis and advocacy of various policy issues specific to their regions. Furthermore, with the understanding of the concepts, theories, and tools of policy analysis and advocacy, the participants were also expected to generate policy capsule proposals on priority policy concerns. To complement this, PCAARRD is planning to open a funding mechanism for these kinds of proposals that could close the gap and bridge science with policymaking. According to SERD Director, Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, this funding program that will be launched this year is intended to support the development of more science-informed policies in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources sector.
The training team from CSPPS was headed by its Director, Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan. Dr. Lapitan and Dr. Merlyne M. Paunlagui, former director of CSPPS, served as the resource persons for the lecture discussions. They were joined by CSPPS research staff, namely Macrina G. Umali, Karen S. Janiya, and Chrislyn Joanne P. Faulmino, who served as facilitators for the complementary workshops.
The CSPPS, will soon be offering a Training Course on Policy Analysis as part of the Center’s regular extension programs. To know more about this, you could contact the office through the following numbers: (049) 536-3637/(049) 536-3455, or email at cpafcspps.uplb@up.edu.ph.
