Public communication for the agri-fishery sector levels up in CALABARZON as the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office CALABARZON trained representatives of the DA Regional Field Office CALABARZON on writing and media production.

The training aims to review and refine the participants’ skills in data gathering, technical writing, basic photography, photojournalism, graphic design, IEC development, and branding which are useful tools to improve the DA’s operations and efforts in strengthening food security and developing the agri-fishery sector. Participants were immersed in the development of crucial technical documents such as memorandums and letters, and IEC materials like photo stories, briefers, and social media content. The activity also raised the importance of following branding guidelines to establish the DA’s identity and build trust among its stakeholders.

“We hope that the lessons here help us become more responsible in representing the DA through our documents and communication materials. Let’s always aim to produce high quality outputs as these reflect on the reputation of our agency,” DA-PRDP CALABARZON Deputy Project Director Editha Salvosa shared.

Meanwhile, DA-PRDP CALABARZON Project Director Engr. Redelliza Gruezo thanked the participants for joining the activity, which is among the DA-PRDP’s ongoing efforts to mainstream its tools, innovations, and good practices to the DA’s regular operations. She expressed hope that the participants will apply what they learned in their regular activities and share their knowledge with their fellow staff.

The activity was also attended by DA-PRDP CALABARZON I-SUPPORT Component Head Atty. Radel Llagas. DA-PRDP Project Support Office South Luzon Media Production Officer John Victor Millendez, DA-PRDP CALABARZON Writer Myrelle Joy Bejasa, and DA-PRDP CALABARZON Project Development Associate Von Samuel Panghulan served as the resource speakers of the activity. The participating DA – CALABARZON divisions were the Administrative and Finance Division, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Field Operations Division, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division, Research Division, Agricultural Research and Experiment Stations (Lipa, Quezon, and Cavite), Agricultural Project Coordinating Offices (Batangas and Cavite), Integrated Laboratory Division, and the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division. #

Engr. Raymarck Patricio, a participant from Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, presents his sample designed briefer and how he applied his learnings on IEC development on his output. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

InfoACE Writer Myrelle Joy Bejasa analyzed the writing of one of the photo stories submitted by the participants. She pointed out parts of the story that followed the principles she taught on writing and the structure of a photo story. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

InfoACE Media Production Officer John Victor Millendez discussed the fundamentals of graphic design and some good practices and tips he gained from his experiences as a graphic designer in the public and private sector. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

InfoACE Project Development Associate Von Samuel Panghulan discussed the basics of photography and the types of shots to use for documenting DA activities. He also provided tips and precautions in documenting activities with farmers and other external stakeholders. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Representatives of the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division write a sample memorandum and letter as part of the exercises on their training on technical writing. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)