by Zarina Isla-Villadolid
Dr. Maria Cecilia M. Ferolin and Dr. Liwayway S. Viloria of the Sociology Department of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) won first place for their paper presentations at the 5th Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementors, Inc. (PAEPI) Biennial Convention and 1st International Conference held on October 26-28, 2016 at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City.
Dr. Ferolin’s paper, Developing Successor Generator Thru University’s Extension Program, was declared as the best paper under the Education and Culture Category. It discusses how the Volunteerism for Community Engagement Program (VoCEP) of the Department of Extension develops a successor generation of development workers from college workers by providing opportunities for students and young alumni to engage in community work. The paper was a collaborative effort between Dr. Ferolin and Dr. Nimfa L. Bracamonte, retired faculty member of the Sociology Department and former Extension Director of the Institute.
Placing second in the aforementioned category was Traditional Embroidery and Beads Training Program for the Higaonon which was presented by Dr. Rebecca M. Alcuizar of the Physical Education Department of the College of Education (CED). The paper was co-authored by Dr. Corazon T. Biong, Prof. Cherlita C. Cudal, Prof. Rovie Gretchel P. Bucad, Prof. Ramon C. Ferraris, and Ms. Vanessa S. Maghanoy of the P.E. Department of CED and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Dr. David N. Almarez of the Political Science Department of CASS.
In the Environmental Concerns Category, Dr. Liwayway S. Viloria’s paper, Adaptive Strategies of Flood-Prone Communities in Iligan City, garnered the top spot. It tackles the extension component of Disaster Management towards Climate Change Adaptation in Two River Systems, a research project conducted by the Department of Sociology and funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). Dr. Sulpecia L. Ponce, Dr. Myrma Jean A. Mendoza, Dr. Nimfa L. Bracamonte, and Ms. Amabelle A. Embornas of the Department of Sociology co-wrote the paper with Dr. Viloria.
PAEPI is a professional organization of extensionists and managers which seeks to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth by empowering local communities.
This year’s convention, which had PAEPI: Responding to ASEAN Integration through Relevant Community Engagements as its theme, gathered over 500 extensionists who shared their best practices through paper and poster presentations, networking and collaboration, field exposure, and organizational development.
It was hosted by the University of San Carlos in collaboration with higher educational institutions in the Visayas region.
A total of 143 papers on the thematic areas of Food Production and Security, Health and Nutrition, Engineering Innovation and Smart Analytic, Environmental Concerns, Education and Culture, and Socioeconomics were accepted for presentation at the said event. Nine of these were submissions from CASS and CED.