By Halyn Lunel Gamboa

The Los Baños Science Community Foundation (LBSCFI) conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop at the RD Guerrero III Hall, DPITC, DOST PCAARRD last 18-19 January to develop the direction-setting, Five-Year Strategic Plan of the Foundation. A Pre-Workshop Meeting was conducted last 12 January 2024 via Zoom.

The workshop aims to gather LBSCFI member-agencies’ heads and representatives to help develop a comprehensive strategic plan that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals for the years 2024-2028.

Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria, President of the LBSCFI and the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) emphasized the crucial role of the foundation in offering S&T solutions to the Los Baños community and its nearby areas.

“We believe that Science and Technology are essential for solving the challenges of our time and creating a better future for all, kaya nga tayo ay Science Foundation,” she said, “Very timely itong pagpupursigi nila Director Emy na magkaroon talaga tayo ng Strategic Planning because it’s also time for us to review ano na ang nagawa natin vis-a-vis our vision and what we hope to accomplish because this is our 40th year.”

The LBSCFI was formed in 1984 and was officially registered as a science foundation at the Securities Exchange Commission in 2001. Currently, the foundation has 25 active member-agencies.

Meanwhile, Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, echoed Dr. Bandalaria’s sentiments. She mentioned, “It is imperative that we recognize the significance of having a better harmonized vision, mission, and goals for our foundation. After all, the strategic planning process serves as the compass that guides science foundations or any other organization towards success and impact.”

During the two-day workshop, faculty and staff of the UPLB Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning (UPLB DCERP) facilitated the discussion.

Representatives and heads from the LBSCFI’s eight committees (i.e. Education, Membership, Environment, R&D Awards, Information, Tourism, Livelihood, and the Ways and Means) identified the Foundation’s mission, vision, and core values; SWOC Strategies and its Roadmapping; and examined the responsibilities of each committee. The new LBSCFI strategic plan aims to align the Foundation’s Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) with the Los Baños community’s needs and concerns to make a more meaningful impact to its citizens. For more information about the Foundation, visit https://lbs cfi.org/.