MSU-General Santos--“I am very happy that I joined this workshop,” said Carol M. Nievares, the technology services specialist of Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) center in General Santos City.  “I have learned more about the basics of writings like making the first sentence a winner.  As for adobe photoshop, I have learned to make the pictures I took more focused and pleasing to the eye.”

Nievares was one of the 20 participants who attended the two-day workshop on IEC (information education campaign) development, adobe photoshop and adobe in-design, held at the Mindanao State University in General Santos City from September 22-23, 2009.

Three more participants came from the host city.  The other participants were from Maitum (5),  Sultan Kudarat (5, including one from Esperanza), and Surallah (2).  The following had one representative each: Kiamba, Santo Nino (South Cotabato), Sarangani, and Alabel.

Three speakers talk on various subject matters. Dr. Wilfred Bidad, the regional applied communication coordinator of Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CARRDEC), explained the communication concept (IEC needs analysis, pre- and post-testing, script preparation and testing readability.

Henrylito D. Tacio, the information officer of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc., and correspondent of various newspapers and magazines (including the Asian edition of Reader’s Digest), reviewed the basics of writing and how to write biographical sketches and success stories.

Renante Arellano, who is a professional photographer based in General Santos City, explained the basic composition of photography and tips on making the pictures clearer for layouting.  Eduard Salinas, who is with the information communication technology center of the Kabacan-based University of Southern Mindanao, helped in facilitating the participants in doing the photography workshop.

At the end of the workshop, the participants were able to come up with their own brochures and writing their Magsasaka Siyentista’s Practices. 

“We won’t be able to do all of these had we not join this workshop,” Nieves J. Comicho of the Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College.

The said workshop was the second done by CARRDEC.  The first one was held at the Southern Christian College in Midsayap, North Cotabato last September 2-3, 2009 with 29 particpants form North Cotabato area and nearby municipalities of Sultan Kudarat.

USM-Kabacan, North Cotabato--The Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development(CARRDEC) held a one-day training on Research and Development Management Information Service and Online Submission and Evaluation of Proposals at the Information Communication Technology Center, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato. September 4, 2009.

The training was participated by 21 Regional Management Information Service Experts from Southern Christian College, Mindanao State University-General Santos City Campus, Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College, University of Southern Mindanao and PHILRICE.

The training aimed to orient the participants on the protocol in submitting research and evaluation of proposals to PCARRD.

Midsayap,North Cotabato--The Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CARRDEC) held an IEC Development, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign Workshop at Southern Christian College Main Library, Midsayap, Cotabato on September 2-3, 2009.

The workshop trained FITS Centers' staff on basic photography, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.  Skills gained will help them develop IEC materials that are appropriate to their unique local conditions. 

The twenty nine (29) participants include Information Service Specialists (ISS) and Technology Service Specialists (TSS) from  OPAG North Cotabato, Moro National Liberation Front-Autonomous Mindanao Tri-people Region- Matalam, Magpet,  M’lang, Libungan, Aleosan, Columbio, Lebak and Kalamansig. Other participants were the Regional Management Information Service and Regional Applied Communication Experts from SSC and USM.

Resource persons include nationally recognized agriculture writer Henrylito Tacio (Basic Concepts of Writing),  Renante Arellano(Photography and Photoshop) and  Wilfred Bidad (Indesign).  Virgilio Oliva, Jr. (RMIS Coordinator) provided support during the hands on training on Photoshop, Photography, and Indesign.  The FITS centers produced IEC materials and flyers during the workshop.  A similar workshop will be held at MSU-General Santos on September 22-23, 2009.

The 32nd Farmer Information Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CARRDEC) opened at the E-center, LGU Compound, Magpet, North Cotabato last August 25, 2009.

The launching was attended by Mayor  Efren F. Piñol and Techno-Gabay Program Coordinator Cayetano C. Pomares.  The Magpet FITS Center team includes  Mr. Edgardo B. Linsag as the FITS Manager; Engr. Jupiter T. Rubino and Dr. Mylen M. Parcom as Technology Service Specialists (TSS);  Ms. Elma P. Malikse and Mr. Felipe P. Comano as  Information Service Specialists (ISS).  The  Magsasaka Siyentistas are Jinno Lamilongan(Abaca), Jover Amoroso( Coffee),and Eduardo Yunting(rubber).

 Under the Partner Member Agency (PMA) scheme, the Center will have Prof. Evelyn  Esteban  (USM) as focal person, Prof. Efren Magulama as  Technical Expert for Information Services , and  Prof. Moveta P. Balala as Applied Communication Expert .  The Center  aims at bringing science-based information and technology services to stakeholders and beneficiaries in agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR).