ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA, September 27, 2023 – Promoting rural farmers’ real-life stories, development workers from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Zamboanga Peninsula underwent a two-day workshop on writing and photography.

Twenty-three (23) participants composed of area coordinators (AC) and staff from Food and Production Livelihood (FPL), Marketing Enterprise and Development (MAED), Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM), Admin and Procurement (A&P), and Information Technology and Database Development (ITDD) units of SAAD Region 9 took the training in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on August 9-10, 2023. 

Lectures and activities are aimed at enhancing their skills in relation to press release crafting and proper documentation to promote, communicate, and solicit support for the welfare and development of the farming communities. After the workshop, stories and photographs were processed by the SAAD Region 9 Public Relations and Development Communication (PRDC) Unit.

DA-Region 9 Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Research and Regulatory and former Regional Information Officer Maria Melba Wee served as the resource speaker, sharing her expertise on basic narrative composition, correspondences, reports, and straight news. Information Officer Marnette Luzon of Region 9 trained the participants in the basic principles of photography. 

RTD Wee emphasized the importance of the accuracy of data and how this information is used as the foundation of a good narrative. Further, participants also engaged in outdoor photography, undergoing group workshops later on.

Ms. Catherine Aranton, Sominot and Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur AC, shared, “Natun-an nako nga ang AC dapat pud kabalo dili lang sa pag-assist sa paghatag og intervention, apil pud sa pag sulat ug pag picture kay kami ang naa sa ground, ug kami ang unang makabalo sa mahitabo sa field,” said Aranton.

(I learned that the area coordinators should be knowledgeable not just in facilitating interventions but also in writing and taking photos because it is us who are on the ground who witness what happens in the field.)

With the newly acquired skills and knowledge in photography and writing, SAAD Zamboanga Peninsula hopes to deliver, properly represent, and share SAAD farmers’ journey for the development of communities in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces. ###

Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, DA-SAAD Zamboanga Peninsula Information Officer