RCE Bohol-2013
a) Criteria/ indicators used to assess aspects of RCE work/ project: Character count 300 words:
The implementation of SD through transformative education is a long and continuous process. Objective evaluation of what we have done so far is still premature and the impact of implemented SD measures could not yet be holistically and integrally painted.
However, evaluation of specific activities after they have been implemented is done. Forms that contain variables and questions to test these variables are distributed to participants of the activity for them to fill out. These forms are them collected for data collation.
As an active RCE-Bohol member, Bohol Island State University (BISU) has scheduled a Strategic Planning Workshop in the month of October. Extension directors and RCE focal persons from each of the six campuses of the University will meet to identify strategic directions and from it generate new programs, projects and activities for the university to realize. It is during this workshop that evaluation data collated will be presented and be used as bases of the planning workshop. Moreover, before the year ends, BISU, being the seat of RCE-Bohol secretariat, has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting of RCE-Bohol. Within the meeting will be an assessment and evaluation of what has so far been done based on the objectives of the network.
Assessment/evaluation during the RCE-Bohol Stakeholders’ meeting will be based on the objectives of the network. Moreover, specific evaluation variables to assess how far has RCE-Bohol gone will include governance, collaboration, research and development and ESD.
However, evaluation of specific activities after they have been implemented is done. Forms that contain variables and questions to test these variables are distributed to participants of the activity for them to fill out. These forms are them collected for data collation.
As an active RCE-Bohol member, Bohol Island State University (BISU) has scheduled a Strategic Planning Workshop in the month of October. Extension directors and RCE focal persons from each of the six campuses of the University will meet to identify strategic directions and from it generate new programs, projects and activities for the university to realize. It is during this workshop that evaluation data collated will be presented and be used as bases of the planning workshop. Moreover, before the year ends, BISU, being the seat of RCE-Bohol secretariat, has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting of RCE-Bohol. Within the meeting will be an assessment and evaluation of what has so far been done based on the objectives of the network.
Assessment/evaluation during the RCE-Bohol Stakeholders’ meeting will be based on the objectives of the network. Moreover, specific evaluation variables to assess how far has RCE-Bohol gone will include governance, collaboration, research and development and ESD.
b) Successes of the RCE and lessons learned: Character count 300 words:
RCE-Bohol has the following program, projects and activities implemented:
1. Launching of RCE-Bohol. This was done for the wider public and other cause-oriented organizations to know of RCE-Bohol’s existence for greater participation and collaboration. The launching was well attended by representatives of stakeholders, local government units and UNU-IAS.
2. Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool District Tagbilaran City. These are two of the component projects of the Productivity and Environmental Awareness for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Program which was launched in Bool District, Tagbilaran City on September 13, 2012. There are presently 9000 live mangroves thriving in a 3-hectare area in Bool shores while the local residents are enjoying financial benefits from the sale of fattened mudcrabs.
3. Sustaining Socio-Economic and Environmental Awareness Education (SEA) for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Management Project in Banacon Island. The local government officials of the Municipality of Jetafe committed to support the SEA program for Banacon Island after they were presented the results of the participatory research and program of action.
4. Launching of Green Village in Lagiwliw Community in Central Bohol. RCE-Bohol Green Village Project was launched on August 27, 2013 with the MOA signing as the highlight of the activity. The activity was well participated by representatives of the stakeholders and the local residents of the project site.
Our lessons learned include the following:
1. For universities and colleges, since the implementation of SD is a long and continuous process, there is a need to sustain the momentum of participants. It doesn’t start and end-up with information campaign. Actual and community outreach SD activities should supplement learning in classrooms and in conference halls;
2. Community-based development intervention programs and projects should always involve the local residents from the initializing until the final implementation. This will enable the locals to have an actual feel of the program/project eliciting in them ownership and therefore commitment to it.
But community-based programs and projects should be regularly monitored by the RCE as partner organization of the community. While this would imply pressure on the part of the local residents, they would also realize that development interventions are not dole outs and that they have to perform their role to realize the objectives of the program/project for the improvement of their environment and their well-being.
1. Launching of RCE-Bohol. This was done for the wider public and other cause-oriented organizations to know of RCE-Bohol’s existence for greater participation and collaboration. The launching was well attended by representatives of stakeholders, local government units and UNU-IAS.
2. Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool District Tagbilaran City. These are two of the component projects of the Productivity and Environmental Awareness for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Program which was launched in Bool District, Tagbilaran City on September 13, 2012. There are presently 9000 live mangroves thriving in a 3-hectare area in Bool shores while the local residents are enjoying financial benefits from the sale of fattened mudcrabs.
3. Sustaining Socio-Economic and Environmental Awareness Education (SEA) for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Management Project in Banacon Island. The local government officials of the Municipality of Jetafe committed to support the SEA program for Banacon Island after they were presented the results of the participatory research and program of action.
4. Launching of Green Village in Lagiwliw Community in Central Bohol. RCE-Bohol Green Village Project was launched on August 27, 2013 with the MOA signing as the highlight of the activity. The activity was well participated by representatives of the stakeholders and the local residents of the project site.
Our lessons learned include the following:
1. For universities and colleges, since the implementation of SD is a long and continuous process, there is a need to sustain the momentum of participants. It doesn’t start and end-up with information campaign. Actual and community outreach SD activities should supplement learning in classrooms and in conference halls;
2. Community-based development intervention programs and projects should always involve the local residents from the initializing until the final implementation. This will enable the locals to have an actual feel of the program/project eliciting in them ownership and therefore commitment to it.
But community-based programs and projects should be regularly monitored by the RCE as partner organization of the community. While this would imply pressure on the part of the local residents, they would also realize that development interventions are not dole outs and that they have to perform their role to realize the objectives of the program/project for the improvement of their environment and their well-being.
c) Challenges experiences: Character count 300 words:
In the case of Bohol Island State University, we find it a challenge to sustain awareness, conviction and commitment of students and personnel to Sustainable Development. It is indeed a challenge to introduce SD issues and concerns to these students and personnel whose time and attention are more focused on academic subjects. For us then, a need to device a curriculum that infuses SD would be a necessary measure. There is also a need to do intensive periodic information drive campaign through symposia and fora with methodologies and materials that are more attractive to the students. Well planned and coordinated community outreach undertakings involving both students and faculty should also be implemented for them to do actual SD activities thereby supplementing in-campus learning with community-based experience.
Moreover, while there is a strong collaboration among the stakeholders of RCE-Bohol, it is still a challenge that most of these members should initiate their own SD activities based on their resources and expertise for areas that they are more familiar with. There is then a need to re-emphasize each member’s role for the implementation of SD in the region.
Moreover, while there is a strong collaboration among the stakeholders of RCE-Bohol, it is still a challenge that most of these members should initiate their own SD activities based on their resources and expertise for areas that they are more familiar with. There is then a need to re-emphasize each member’s role for the implementation of SD in the region.
