The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program - Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (ViCARP-RRDCC) and Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Research and Extension for Development Network-Regional Agriculture Council (AFRREDN-RAC) jointly meet for the first time with the new leaders on June 13, 2024 at the OP Board Room, Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte.
Prior to the meeting proper, Ms. Elmera Y. Banoc, the Science Communication Coordinator, formally introduced the heads and representatives of the consortium member institutions. In addition, she introduced to the body the new leaders, namely; Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, ViCARP-RRDCC Chairperson and VSU President, Dr. Santiago T. Peña, Jr., ViCARP Director and VP for Research, Extension, and Innovation, and Dr. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, AFRREDN-RAC Chairperson and Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 8.
The meeting started with a Chairperson’s time of which, Dr. Yepes expressed gratitude for the consortium’s confidence in her leadership. She also spoke highly of ViCARP’s achievements, mentioning numerous awards and accolades (on a personal note). Subsequently, Dr. Yepes requested Dr. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais to preside over the meeting.
Dr. Orais called to order at 9:43 in the morning. An array of agenda was presented and approved by the group.
Dr. Marita A. Carlos, Director of PCAARRD-Applied Communication Division and the focal person for ViCARP, delivered an updates on the opportunities that PCAARRD has to offer to regional consortia. She discussed the endorsement of proposals, noting that funding is solicited, directed, and commissioned, with regular monitoring and evaluation of PCAARRD-funded projects and activities. Everyone is encouraged to submit proposals. Moreover, she provided updates on the upcoming trainings organized by ACD such as training on Information Education Communication (IEC) Management Production to be held on July 16-20, 2024 at Tagaytay City. All Science Communication Coordinators and Technology Transfer Coordinators are invited to this training. She also addressed some issues concerning unliquidated funds.
Dr. Elvira Torres, Regional Technical Director for Research of DA-RFO 8, provided an updates on the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and Regional Research and Development, Extension network (RRDEN). She began by informing everyone that RRDEN has undergone a renaming and was change to Agriculture, Fisheries Regional Research Extension and Development Network (AFRREDN). She also updated on the joint meetings they have attended in collaboration with ViCARP and shared the recent awards and recognitions they have received.
Dr. Pauline S. Caintic, the Research and Development Coordinator of ViCARP, presented the proposed revision of the RDE Review Guidelines and Plans for the level 2/Cluster RDE Reviews for Calendar Year 2024. The body approved these revisions and made further amendments as well.
Dr. Peña delivered a presentation on the updates of the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement for Region 8 (RAISE8) and presented the proposal for (Phase 2) implementation. On the other hand, the composition of the reconstituted RAISE Advisory Council was presented and approved by the body. Dr. Orais suggested that after the approval of the composition, the RAISE team will set a meeting to orient them on their duties and responsibilities.
The plans for the Strategic and Operational Planning were also laid out, though the dates are subject to adjustments. Ms. Maria Edna P. Labenia of DA-RFO8 presented the approved AFRREDN Guidelines. It was also agreed that another meeting would be conducted to forge the AFRREDN Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will happen before the year ends.
The meeting ended with a piece of good news when Dr. Peña announced that ViCARP qualifies for the second stage of evaluation for the search for the Ugnay awards as one of the top 6 consortia.