WESVARRDEC envisions a progressive, viable and sustainable AFNR

By Deodith Grace Honrado-Baticbatic &
Sally R. Villasis

“A dynamic R&D consortium as the driving force in the attainment of a progressive, viable and sustainable agriculture, fishery and natural resources (AFNR) sectors in Western Visayas.”

This is the new vision crafted as an output of a 2-day Strategic Planning Workshop (2013 – 2017) hosted by Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) held at Iloilo Grand Hotel on November 20 – 21, 2012.

This 2-day workshop aimed to introduce a framework that allows the cascading and alignment of all the banner programs to the vision and mission of WESVARRDEC. Likewise to formulate strategies to achieve the mission scorecards, goals and objectives and address gaps between the current resource capabilities demanded by the vision and mission.

According to West Visayas State University president and chairman of WESVARRDEC’s Capability Building Committee Dr. Pablo S. Subong Jr., this strategic planning workshop for Capability building in research will pave the way for a new beginning, for new directions towards growth and developments of every research and how research can contribute towards poverty alleviation of the community and of the country through Agriculture, Fishery, Forestry and Natural Resources researches. 


The activity was attended by the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) representatives of every Partner Member Agencies of WESVARRDEC to include State Colleges and Universities and other government agencies like Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). 

Topics discussed on the workshop include the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Industry Strategic Plan presented by Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, Deputy Executive Director  for Agriculture and Research,  S&T Agenda presented by Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, DOST Regional Director, Regional Research Agenda presented by Atty. Raul S. Anlocotan, NEDA Assistant Regional Director and Aquatic and Marine R&D Agenda of presented by Remia A. Aparri, OIC-RFRDC - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

“The challenges are great; every great achievement begins with a mission impossible and with everyone’s help, WESVARRDEC can truly be the driving force in the attainment of a progressive, viable and sustainable AFNR sector in Western Visayas, ” disclosed by Dr. Lulu Loyola, WVSU Vice President for Research and Extension during the closing program.