Mentors, mentees, and organizers of the 2024 PA Mentoring during its orientation session. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) officially launched the second installment of the “Strengthening Policy Analysis in the Regions: Mentoring on the Development of Policy Research Proposals (PA Mentoring Program)” on October 8, 2024.
Building on the success of its first iteration in 2023, this year's PA Mentoring Program aims to further enhance the capability of regional researchers in developing and implementing policy research projects. In partnership with the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIP Lab) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Public Affairs and Development (UPLB-CPAf), DOST-PCAARRD’s initiative provides a unique blend of mentorship and training.
The program opened with an orientation that included remarks from Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, Director of DOST-PCAARRD’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD), who welcomed participants and underscored the program’s value in shaping effective policy research.
Dr. Brown highlighted the program’s impact noting, “Through this program and with the indispensable guidance from our esteemed mentors, I am confident that you will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop policy research proposals.”
The orientation featured two key lectures aimed at equipping participants with foundational knowledge. Ms. Monica B. Castillo, head of the Policy Analysis and Information Management Unit of SERD, gave an overview of DOST-PCAARRD’s policy advocacy initiatives and the essentials of proposal development. This was followed by a training refresher discussed by Dr. Maria Luz L. Malabayabas, DIP Lab project leader.
This year's program will capacitate 26 mentees from six institutions, including Ifugao State University, University of the Philippines Tacloban College, Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office III and Cordillera Administrative Region, and Bohol Island State University's Main and Bilar campuses. They will be guided by distinguished mentors from the academe, namely, Dean Aileen V. Lapitan, Dr. Hadji Jalotjot, Dr. Agustin Arcenas, Dr. Agnes Rola, Dr. Ma. Luz Malabayabas, and Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent Querijero of CPAf, and Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada II of the UPLB-College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR).
The PA Mentoring Program represents DOST-PCAARRD's continued commitment to strengthening policy analysis capabilities in regional research and development. Through one-on-one mentoring sessions and comprehensive guidance, the program aims to advance the Philippines' agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector through evidence-based policy recommendations and reforms. The second plenary session (Midterm Review) is scheduled in November, followed by the final presentation in December.