ViCARP Holds Strategic Planning Workshop and Capability-building in Palawan
The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP) held its Strategic Planning Workshop and Capability Building activity in Coron, Palawan, Philippines, on 18-20 February 2025. The main agenda of the workshop was to define ViCARP’s vision, mission, and goals and formulate strategies for the next four years, ensuring a clear path for its future endeavors.
The workshop is an excellent milestone of efforts initiated in March 2024 at a similar meeting held in the VSU RDE Hall. The activity is consistent with ViCARP‘s shared objective of becoming a leading RDEI consortium dedicated to transforming the AANR industry towards a sustainable Eastern Visayas. The workshop concluded in a holistic and productive output, which gathered a diversity of experts from several ViCARP member institutions (CMIs) with expertise in research and development, specifically in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR).
The activity began with a roll call of participants by the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation of Visayas State University (VSU) and Director for ViCARP, Dr. Santiago T. Peña Jr. The said activity was represented by member institutions of ViCARP, to wit: VSU, ATI-RTC 8, DOST-8, PCC-VSU, LNU, PLGU-Leyte, NwSSU, SLSU, SSU, NEDA-8, DAR-8, PCC-8, PIT, PhilFIDA, EVSU, DOST-PCAARRD, DA-RFO 8, DENR 8, BFAR 8, UP Tacloban, and UEP.
Dr. Ivy G. Yepes, Visayas State University President and ViCARP-Regional R&D Coordinating Committee (ViCARP-RRDCC) Chairperson, warmly greeted the visitors present and discussed with them the history and evolution of ViCARP. She gave an account of the success of the consortium over the years and underlined the importance of harmonizing its vision, mission, and core values as its guidelines towards future development and success.
The initial major session was facilitated by Dr. Antonio P. Abamo, the former Director of Extension of VSU, and it led to finalization of Vision, Mission, and Goals. Dr. Abamo facilitated the 3-day activity as the resource person. This session created a dynamic exchange of ideas among the participants, which was an epitome of the diversity of expertise of the team.
The second session was focused on the Alignment and Relevance of the Revised Vision and Mission to the ViCARP Goals. The members discussed in detail how the new statements would fortify the mission of the consortium and serve the regional requirements well.
On the second day, the participants were involved in completing a SWOT/TOWS Analysis, which would be in line with ViCARP‘s objectives and banner programs.
The final session was left open for the crafting of proposed programs, activities, and projects out of the SWOT/TOWS Analysis. The session was the time when the participants could craft feasible plans and projects that are in line with the newly crafted vision, mission, and goal. The discussions were vibrant, and a number of exciting new ideas were presented to ensure ViCARP‘s continued relevance and effectiveness.
Dr. Peña Jr., in his closing remarks, reflected on the success of the workshop, noting the importance of unity within ViCARP. “It was indeed an excellent workshop and an overwhelming session, as we needed to establish our ways forward,” he stated. “We must be united as one ViCARP to become the premier consortium in the region,” he stressed.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Peña Jr. reflected on the success of the workshop and the importance of unity for ViCARP. He declared, “It was indeed an excellent workshop and an overwhelming session as we needed to establish our ways forward.“ He also stated the importance of unity by declaring, “We must be united as one ViCARP to become the premier consortium in the region.“
Dr. Jenny Lyn R. Almeria, the Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation at the Department of Agriculture—Regional Field Office 8, expressed her gratitude to Dr. Yepes in her closing remarks for her commitment and attendance, as well as to Dr. Abamo for sharing his expertise. “This workshop has been a crucial step in fostering growth in agriculture, aquatic and natural resources research, and development. Together, we have the power to shape ViCARP as a leading force in the region,” she emphasized.
This event highlighted the consortium’s commitment to building an active RDEI community that properly promotes effective AANR initiatives designed to address regional needs through strategic leadership, innovation, people’s participation, and policy impact and fostering good leadership and governance. Using the motto “Innovate, collaborate, and transform Region 8,” ViCARP seeks to drive development in Region 8 through strategic partnerships and effective solutions in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources.
