Social science experts from three universities participated in a consultation-workshop held on July 25 at the national headquarters of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The workshop focused on possible research collaboration regarding the social aspect of the PCC’s carabao-based enterprise development (CBED) program.
The participating experts came from the University of the Philippines-Clark, University of the East, and University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Also present were Dr. Arnel N. del Barrio, acting executive director of PCC; Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, former PCC head; and the agency’s top officers and researchers.
According to Dr. Liza G. Battad, PCC planning officer, the workshop sought to generate stronger participation among the agency’s partners in the academe in the conduct of social researches.
She said the envisioned collaborative studies will provide “a better understanding of persistent social issues and program level requirements that will hasten the up-scaling of the CBED component of the Carabao Development Program (CDP) of the agency.”
During the consultation, Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, PCC acting executive director, presented the agency’s Carabao Development Program (CDP), particularly how the program is being implemented.
On the other hand, Dr. Eric Palacpac, PCC Research for Development (R4D) national coordinator, discussed the R4D framework of the agency, specifically the research priority areas.
Following the presentations, an open forum ensued where issues concerning the different aspects of CBED that may be addressed by social research were raised.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Battad presented a list of research topics based on the R4D priority agenda that were deliberated upon for possible collaboration.
