SUMILAO, Bukidnon – To improve how success stories from the field are shared with the public, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, through its Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO), conducted a four-day training on news writing, photojournalism, and video editing.

Held from July 8 to 11, 2025 at the Kisolon Freshwater Fish Production and Regional Training Center (KFPRRTC) in Sumilao, Bukidnon, Report Officers and Area Coordinators assigned to the Provincial Program Management Support Offices (PPMSOs) in Region 10 convened to equip themselves with essential skills in development communication standards.

According to Rollin Dave M. Elloren, SAAD Information Officer, the workshop aims to strengthen participants’ skill to create professional and engaging communication materials that align with the program’s objective of giving greater visibility to fisherfolk beneficiaries and showcasing the wider impact of SAAD’s interventions in their communities.

“I hope that through this training, we will be able to produce more meaningful and impactful stories that highlight the realities and successes of our fisherfolk beneficiaries here in the region,” he said.

The activity featured a combination of lectures and hands-on sessions covering the fundamentals of news writing, key principles of photojournalism, and the basics of videography and video editing. To reinforce learning, participants applied these skills using actual project implementations as reference, allowing their outputs to reflect real-life experiences and community engagement on the ground.

Meanwhile, Marlou N. Fernandez, SAAD Assistant Focal Person, emphasized the importance of the training in effectively conveying ideas and emotions through non-verbal, written, and visual communication.

“Developing these skills is crucial in showcasing the tangible impacts of the program at the grassroots level. This not only enhances transparency and accountability but also builds public awareness and support for government-led poverty alleviation initiatives in the fisheries sector,” he noted.

During the four-day training, participants revisited the Public Relations and Development Communications (PRDC) guidelines to enhance information dissemination platforms, ensure accessible and readily available materials, and support the Community-Based Enterprise (CBE) campaign through print distribution and direct engagement with fisherfolk associations. 

The activity ended with a recognition ceremony honoring participants who stood out in news writing, photojournalism, and video production, with Bukidnon claiming the overall top spot in all categories. SAAD Region 10 affirms its commitment to sustaining capacity-building efforts that equip field workers with the skills to effectively share stories from the ground. By enhancing their ability to communicate the program’s impact, SAAD aims to highlight the meaningful changes in beneficiary communities and encourage continued support for rural and fisheries development in Northern Mindanao