Central Visayas - To ensure continuity in the efficient and effective delivery of services, capacity development interventions will be continuously provided to agricultural extension workers (AEWs). Further, with the implementation of Mandanas Ruling, which will provide opportunities for improving service delivery through enhanced decentralization, the role of the local government unit in providing agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities, through the provincial, city and municipal agriculture offices, will be deepened. Hence, there is a need to capacitate AEWs in training management.

On 1 – 3 March 2022, the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 7 conducted a Training Management Skills Enhancement Course. The training was conducted through a blended approach – participants coming from Negros Oriental and Siquijor were gathered in one location while other participants joined online through Google Meet. In Negros Oriental, the venue was in Stella Maris Retreat House, Bacong, while venue in Siquijor was in Ocean View Farm and Cottages in Olang, Maria. A total of 29 individuals participated in the three-day training: 15 from Negros Oriental, 9 from Siquijor and 5 as online joiners.

In the course of the three-day training, participants learned about the code of ethics for government employees; agricultural extension management introduction; effective leadership in extension; and the whole training system components from pre, during and post training activities.

After all the discussions, the participants were grouped and did an actual demonstration on how they would facilitate a training. Each member of the group played their respective roles when they performed the demonstration.

Dir. Alice May S. Parcon from Civil Service Commission; and Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio, Dr. Gracia Arado, Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, Maryjane Flor S. Patulilic, and Lhea Glory Mae B. Araña from ATI-RTC Central Visayas shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons. Ryan Joshua Villena, Mary Daphny Tumala and Jonathan O. Sumagang of ATI RTC 7 supported the training as members of the training management team.

“On behalf of the Siquijor team, I am thankful enough and privileged to join this 3-day training. We are all able to participate during the activities. I am thankful also to our resource persons because they had presented full and rich information. I am hoping that the knowledge we have gained can be relayed to our co-workers and in our respective LGU's. It helps me a lot to become more effective AEW and from time to time we can enhance our ability to become an effective resource person someday. The 3-day training helps us to serve with manners towards our both external and internal clients. I would like to thank you ATI, to all the training management team and resource persons for being accommodating and as our training arm. Hoping someday, we can relay and apply everything we have gained from this training. Overall, I am impressed and once again, thank you,” said Ailyn P. Dalapo of LGU-Maria, Siquijor – one of the training participants.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Maryjane Flor Patulilic, Project Officer, through her email at mfpatulilic@gmail.com.