USM Concludes Four-Day Training on Policy Analysis, Research Proposal Development

The University of Southern Mindanao conducted a four-day training on Policy Analysis and Research Proposal Development from September 1 to 4, 2025, at University Skyroom, Admin Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

USM Satellite Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC), organized the training in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Public Affairs and Development, the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory, the and the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC).

The sessions, aiming to  strengthen the skills of researchers in policy analysis and proposal development for the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector, gathered participants from Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), Mindanao State University–Maguindanao, Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST), Mindanao State University–General Santos City (MSU-GSC), and USM.

Meanwhile, experts from UPLB and the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory served as resource persons. Among them were Dr. Aileen Lapitan, Dr. Maria Luz Malabayabas, Ms. Karen Janiya, Ms. Ciara Sophia Roxas, and Ms. Therese Marie Quilnat. They handled modules and workshops on problem structuring, policy alternatives, monitoring and evaluation, and crafting policy research proposals. In addition, Ms. Charmaine Trillana of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) provided input on policy analysis and advocacy, as well as guidance on proposal requirements.

Furthermore, USM Extension Services Office Director Dr. Glyn Magbanua and Dr. Josephine Migalbin also shared valuable inputs in reviewing the outputs of the participants, ensuring that proposals aligned with practical and community-based needs.

For participants, the training was especially valuable in bridging the gap between research and policymaking. “The highlight of the event is how to translate the research results into policy,” said Mr. Rodolfo Valdez Jr., representative from the Philippine Carabao Center at USM. “Because what’s happening here is that the research results are just put into shelves. In order for the results of those researches to be effective, policy research is needed so that it can be implemented at the level of our constituents.” He added that the program would be helpful in developing and implementing policies that can enhance operating services and milk production in their institution.

Similarly, Ms. Jill Villanueva of CFCST emphasized how the training helped participants shape research concepts into policy-related proposals. “One of the highlights of our event is that all teams were able to come up with a concept note for policy-related researches,” she said. “From a narrow problem, we learned how to target what specific need we should address. This is very helpful in our institution because so far, we do not have any policy-research-related proposal. Upon attending this training, I realized how timely and relevant policy research is since it transforms research outputs into policies that are useful for our communities.”

The program spearheaded by Prof. Romiel John Basan of USM Satellite SERDAC stressed that the four-day training marked only the initial phase of the Mentoring Program on Policy Analysis and Research Proposal Development in SOCCSKSARGEN, which runs until December 2025. The program will continue with online mentoring sessions, a midterm review in October, and a final presentation of research proposals during the graduation ceremony in December.