The òòò½ÊÓƵ (PCAF), through its Partnership Development Division – Capacity Development Section (PDD-CDS), has launched a series of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) Trainings designed to build the capacity of Consultative Body (CB) members in effectively tracking and assessing agriculture and fisheries programs nationwide.
The inaugural batch of the PM&E Training Series was successfully conducted from May 25 to 29, 2026 in Batangas City, gathering participants from the MIMAROPA Region. Attendees included Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) officers and members, AFC secretariat-coordinators, and staff from the Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division – Monitoring and Evaluation Section (PMKMD-MES) who have yet to undergo the training.
The five-day residential training immersed participants in key principles and methodologies of participatory monitoring and evaluation, with sessions balancing theoretical grounding and hands-on application.
The curriculum was designed to equip Participatory Monitoring and Tracking Team (PMT) members with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively carry out their monitoring and evaluation responsibilities. Key topics include:
- Participatory development concepts and principles
- Participatory monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- M&E tools, data collection methods, and analysis
- Interpretation and use of results for policy improvement
- Monitoring market linkage initiatives and supply chains
- Assessing market access outcomes and procurement engagements
- Evaluating enterprise performance under Sagip Saka
- Developing monitoring plans and analyzing gathered data
Participants also engaged in hands-on case study workshops, specifically designed to strengthen their capacity to develop monitoring plans, conduct monitoring activities, and translate data into actionable insights for improving programs and policies in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. The skills gained from the training are expected to support the monitoring of farm machinery projects, market linkage initiatives, Sagip Saka implementation, and other DA-supported agriculture and fisheries interventions in their respective areas.
To ensure the quality and practical relevance of the training, the PDD-CDS engaged four learning partners from the University of the Philippines Diliman, drawing on their expertise in participatory processes and government program evaluation. Their prior engagements with PCAF and its Consultative Bodies contributed to the development of a comprehensive and responsive training module, ensuring alignment with the key principles and methodologies of PM&E and the practical realities of CB work in the field.
Following the successful completion of the first batch, three more training sessions are scheduled throughout 2026, reaching participants from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Western Visayas, and CALABARZON.
Each batch accommodates approximately 35 participants, prioritizing members of the Participatory Monitoring and Tracking Teams as designated through Special Orders issued by the PMKMD-MES, or as identified by the concerned Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils (RAFCs).
The PM&E training series reflects PCAF’s commitment to fostering a culture of participatory governance within the agriculture and fisheries sectors. By equipping CBs with practical M&E skills, the program seeks to support more effective implementation of DA programs, improved resource allocation, and stronger linkages between farmers, fisherfolk, and institutional buyers.
Ultimately, the initiative is expected to contribute to the development of more responsive policies, strengthened market-oriented interventions, and more accountable programs — all anchored on the voices and participation of stakeholders at the grassroots level. | Bernard Masa
