The Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and various state universities and colleges (SUCs) and research and development institutes (RDIs) in different regions of the country. The program aims to enhance the agri-aqua innovation ecosystem and promote technology commercialization through four project components: Regional Intellectual Property Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) Office, Regional Agri-business Hub, Regional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator, and Regional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Accelerator.

The RAISE Program proposal improvement writeshop was held on March 20, 2023 at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), one of the participating SUCs of the RAISE program. The writeshop was organized by the WMSU-ATBI, which serves as one of the regional coordinating body for RAISE in Region IX. 2 representatives from each of the 4 CMIs were invited to participate the activity in which are from Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), Josefina H. Cerilles State University (JHCSU), Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), and Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology University (ZSCMST).

The objectives of the writeshop were to review the progress and accomplishments of each project component in Region IX, identify gaps and challenges encountered during implementation, revise and update the work plans and budget allocation for two years , and harmonize the activities and outputs with other regions.

The Writeshop was devoted to revising each project component’s work plan and budget allocation for two years based on their revised targets and deliverables. The revisions were guided by DOST-PCAARRD’s feedback and suggestions from the En banc Evaluation held March 8, 2023. Some adjustments were made to ensure alignment and coherence among different project components and regions.

The Improvement Writeshop was a productive activity that enabled each project component to assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, update their plans, harmonize their activities, and strengthen their collaboration. It also provided an opportunity for learning, sharing, networking, feedbacking, and problem-solving among different stakeholders involved in RAISE. The output of this activity will serve as a basis for implementing year two activities more effectively and efficiently.