DOST council to launch S&T news/feature reporting award

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – A feature and news reporting award in both print and broadcast is set to be launched in 2017 to further popularize science and technology.

“PCAARRD Ulat SIPAG Award” is a project of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

PCAARRD is the government agency mandated to coordinate, evaluate, and monitor national R&D efforts in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sectors. It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its programs.

PCAARRD likewise supports the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Network and regional R&D consortia. The NAARRDN is composed of research agencies, state universities and colleges, and other S&T/R&D entities across the country.

To be given annually, the award aims to further boost PCAARRD’s initiative, which currently focuses on promoting the Strategic Industry Program for Agri-Aqua Growth (SIPAG).

The award’s print category will recognize the efforts of media practitioners in popularizing S&T articles in relation to PCAARRD’s priority concerns, primarily on the Industry Strategic Plans (ISPs).

It will be given to a professional media practitioner (PMP), or one who is employed, hired, or paid by a recognized newspaper and magazine, either in a part-time or permanent capacity. The PMP should be a practicing writer whose articles pertain to the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sectors and are published in national, regional, and local dailies, magazines and professional newsletters.

The broadcast category award is open to all broadcasters of radio programs in AM radio stations that have continually aired S&T-related information with AANR context, with emphasis on any of the PCAARRD ISPs.

The nominee must be a practicing radio broadcaster who has consistently broadcast S&T information relating to the AANR for at least two years immediately preceding the year of award.

Among other requirements, entries to the print media category must be accompanied by three feature and three news articles published with byline within the preceding two years (December 2015 to December 2016).

For broadcast media, among the main requirements are three sets of taped samples of broadcast programs of not less than 30-minute script.

The awards’ mechanics were presented to members of the national and Calabarzon media at a recent forum at PCAARRD in Los Baños. Those who briefed the journalists were PCAARRD acting executive director Reynaldo Ebora, communication director Marita Carlos, Ricardo Argana and Jocelyn Eusebio.

Details of the award will be finalized following the PCAARRD-media consultation.

The first prize winners in the print and broadcast categories will each receive a cash prize of P75,000 and a plaque; second prize in each category, P50,000 and a plaque; and the third prize, P25,000 and a plaque.

The first Ulap SIPAG award will be given during the 2017 PCAARRD anniversary celebration in June. 

Meanwhile, a cash prize of P200,000 and a trophy await the Hall of Fame awardee, or one who wins the first prize five times, not necessarily consecutive.