Eighteen BS Development Communication students taking DEVC 145 or Distance Learning Systems in Development Communication Practice received a microgrant for the production of communication materials to support the protection and conservation of Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) on the western coast of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

The microgrant was awarded by Earth Journalism Network, through Lyf Solutions, Inc., to the  DEVC 145 class to contribute to strengthening environmental health reporting in the country.

This came about after the students who are taking the course under the supervision of Mark Lester del Mundo Chico, assistant professor at the College of Development Communication and director of public relations at UPLB, successfully launched the “Apo Reef Talks on Science Communication (ApoRTS)” project.

The class conceptualized ApoRTS, an internet-based distance learning system, to support the protection and conservation efforts of ARNP through science communication.

It is a production project of the DEVC 145 class in partnership with ARNP’s Protected Area Management Office (PAMO).  

It was developed in response to the learning needs of the project’s stakeholders, the park rangers, and ARNP-PAMO staff to effectively communicate sustainable biodiversity conservation and management of ARNP to the public.

The project, comprising six electronic modules and a 20-part series of short-form videos, tackles various science communication methods including popularization and storytelling techniques, data visualization techniques, basic mobile photography, videography, editing skills, and performing basic evaluation methods on produced communication materials.

These e-modules and short-form videos were disseminated within a dedicated Facebook group comprising ARNP-PAMO staff and park rangers. ApoRTS content has been shared on the social media pages of Fyt, a community-oriented independent media outfit. (Christian Dave Caraggayan)