By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Project staff of the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program and representatives of the regional science communication cluster of the member-institutions of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) were further capacitated on planning and executing communication initiatives in a training-workshop hosted by the Mariano Marcos State University. 

Held on May 3-5 at the MMSU Board Review Center, the activity trained 39 researchers on crafting a doable communication plan for their research and development (R&D) projects, and in conducting their knowledge inventories. 

The participants come from MMSU, University of Northern Philippines, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, North Luzon Philippines State College, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, and Urdaneta City University. Others are from the Philippine Rice Research Institute, National Tobacco Administration, Philippine Fiber Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Agricultural Training Institute, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region I. 

Dr. Lily Ann Lando, a freelance training professional, served as resource person in the three-day training organized by the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program based in MMSU, under Project 4: Championing Agri-aqua Knowledge Products and Technologies via New Media. 

“Communication planning is important in the operations in any organization. By developing an effective communication plan, agencies can successfully implement their projects and forge better relationships with their stakeholders,” said Prof. Love Grace Campano, RAISE project leader. 

Dr. Dionisio Bucao, RAISE program leader, said equipping R&D personnel on communication planning forms significant part in promoting agri-aqua knowledge products and technologies in the Ilocos region. 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, chair of the consortium's Regional R&D Coordinating Council, commended the RAISE program and ILAARRDEC for the training-workshop, and encouraged the research personnel to help their respective institutions implement their R&D more systematically through communication planning. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)