To strengthen its capacity in data-driven decision-making, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), through its Policy and Planning Division (PPD), wrapped up its piloting of the final basic training course under the Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPME) Training Curriculum with the Training on Basics of Data Collection and Management. This final course under the basic Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPME) Training Curriculum was attended by 19 ATI staff from the Central Office and the network of Training Centers who are involved in policy, planning, monitoring, and evaluation functions.
Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, Center Director of ATI CALABARZON, highlighted the municipality’s continued commitment to agro-industrial development as he welcomed the participants.
Assistant Director Antonieta J. Arceo marked the training as the culmination of the Basic PPME Training Curriculum and a gateway to more advanced learning, particularly in data handling, which is crucial for evaluating program delivery.
The training equipped the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a comprehensive data collection and management plan, utilizing methodologies tailored to the agriculture and fisheries extension context. Participants explored basic concepts of data collection, practical applications, data management principles and techniques, and ethical considerations in data management, as well as data privacy protocols.
Participants conducted fieldwork for their data collection, then presented group findings on key AFE themes, such as young farmers on digital agriculture, extension service fragmentation, LSA models, agricultural extension managers, and cacao farming.
One of the highlights of the activity is the pinning of the PPME Learner badge, which symbolizes the participants’ completion of the three courses under the basic PPME Training Curriculum and readiness to progress to the intermediate program. Known as the Talabugso, this pilot batch will bear the tagline, “Tala sa bawat bugso, dunong sa bawat kilos.”
Among those who completed the basic program are Brandy L. Banda-ay (ATI Cordillera Administrative Region), Shiela S. Corpuz (ATI Ilocos Region), Mayflor R. Macmac (ATI Cagayan Valley), Zarah Jane N. Sendrijas (ATI Central Luzon), Abegail L. Del Rosario (ATI CALABARZON), Juvelyn D. Retrita (ATI CALABARZON), Nida A. Hagos-Garcia (ATI Bicol Region), Camille G. Ramos (ATI International Training Center on Pig Husbandry), Dianne D. Rivera (ATI Western Visayas), Merigine C. Otara (ATI Central Visayas), Venus June J. Taghoy (ATI Eastern Visayas), Decelyn S. Cabang (ATI Zamboanga Peninsula), Samantha Jane M. Rodriguez (ATI Northern Mindanao), Chonna Vae A. Cañete (ATI Davao Region), Teofilo T. Jumawan, Jr. (ATI SOCCSKSARGEN), Caerian B. Muga (ATI Caraga).
The Training on Basics of Data Collection and Management was held from April 1 to 4, 2025, at Teofely Nature Farms in Silang, Cavite.
