Training-Workshop Empowers Staff with Communication Knowledge And Skills
Knowing is empowering. This was the premise of the recently held national Participatory Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Training-Workshop held in Hotel Dominique, Tagaytay City, Cavite. The training was held to provide the participants with knowledge and skills in planning and producing IEC materials for the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP). This training-workshop was coordinated by the management and staff of the National Project Coordinating Office (NPCO) of INREMP.
INREMP is under the wings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB). Specifically, participants were DENR staff from the Upper River Basin (URB) Project sites of INREMP: Upper Chico, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); Wahig-Inabanga, Region 7; and Upper Bukidnon, Region 10. Another URB is being considered for implementation, soon. These areas are being strengthened by INREMP in terms of integrated watershed management planning; developing and implementing proposals for subproject investments in forest conservation, protection, and infrastructure development supportive to natural resources management; among others. At the end of the Project, the following should have been achieved: reduced and reversed degradation of watersheds and associated environmental services caused by forest denudation and unsustainable farming practices and provided incentives to local communities and local government units for improving natural resources management by generating sufficient and tangible economic benefits.
Given emphasis during the IEC training-workshop was the involvement of stakeholders from the planning, implementing, up to the monitoring and evaluation stages of the IEC project life cycle. Stakeholders refer to indigenous peoples, people’s organizations, women, and youth who passed the requirements of the Project and are willing to participate in the attainment of the objectives.
After this training, we are looking forward to have well-crafted IEC Plans based on the Needs Assessment Studies that will be conducted by implementers in each Project site. Planning makes IEC efforts more effective and efficient, promoting focus and reducing wasteful IEC activities and investments. From now on, we can expect to know more about integrated natural resources and environmental management in the different URBs through pre-tested IEC materials. (Tricia J. Yambao, INREMP Development Communication Specialist)
Source: IEC Training (denr.gov.ph)