CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Philippines Manila Office:

Tel. No. (6344) 456-7210; Fax (6344) 456-7210 125 Narra St., Executive Town Homes
E-mail Address: ced@clsu.edu.ph, clsu@clsu.edu.ph UN Avenue, Manila, Philippines
ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED URL: http://clsu.edu.ph TeleFax No. (632) 523-75-16

College of Education Graduate Program

NAME: CESARIO MARTIN LABAJO, JR.

Program: Doctor of Philosophy, Development Education
EMAIL: cmlabajo@dotclsu.edu.ph

1. Suppose you were given a two-hour face-to-face interview and talked to the President of the
Republic of the Philippines. What would you tell the President as a Rural Development and
Development Communication practitioner?

If given a two-hour face-to-face interview with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, I

would share my insights and recommendations on the following key areas related to rural development and

development communication:

Prioritizing agriculture and rural development: I emphasize prioritizing agriculture and rural

development as key drivers of the country's economy. I highlight the importance of investing in infrastructure,

improving market access, and providing education and training opportunities to rural communities. I suggest

exploring opportunities for agro-tourism, which could help attract more investment to rural areas.

Promoting inclusive and participatory development: I stress the importance of promoting inclusive and

participatory development by engaging rural communities in the development process. This can be done by

creating platforms for community participation, strengthening local governance structures, and adopting a

bottom-up approach to development planning.

Harnessing the power of technology: I highlight the potential of technology in improving rural

development outcomes. This can include using mobile technology to improve access to information, deploying

drones for precision agriculture, and leveraging data analytics to improve decision-making.

Enhancing communication and information dissemination: I emphasize the importance of effective

communication and information dissemination for rural development. This can include establishing community

radio stations, leveraging social media, and using innovative communication strategies to engage rural

communities.

Strengthening partnerships and collaboration: I stress the importance of collaboration in achieving

sustainable rural development outcomes. This can include working closely with civil society organizations, the

private sector, and other development partners to leverage resources and expertise.

Furthermore, education is a key driver of economic and social development, and investing in education

can positively impact the country's growth and development. Here are some recommendations that could be

shared with any leader, including Ferdinand Marcos, related to education in the Philippines:

“Excellent service to humanity is our commitment.”

ACA. ACA.CED.YYY.S.001 (Revision No. 0; January 6, 2016)
 CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Philippines Manila Office:
Tel. No. (6344) 456-7210; Fax (6344) 456-7210 125 Narra St., Executive Town Homes
E-mail Address: ced@clsu.edu.ph, clsu@clsu.edu.ph UN Avenue, Manila, Philippines
ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED URL: http://clsu.edu.ph TeleFax No. (632) 523-75-16

College of Education Graduate Program

Increase access to education: The government should focus on increasing access to education,

especially for marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, girls, and children living in remote areas. This

can be done by providing scholarships, improving transport infrastructure, and building more schools in remote

areas.

Improve the quality of education: Quality education is crucial to equip students with the skills and

knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. To improve the quality of education, the government can invest

in teacher training, curriculum development, and the use of technology in education.

Promote inclusive education: The government can work to promote inclusive education by providing

support for children with disabilities and promoting diversity and tolerance in schools. This can help ensure that

all students can access education and succeed.

Foster entrepreneurship and innovation: Education can also play a role in fostering entrepreneurship

and innovation. By promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education and providing

support for entrepreneurship programs, the government can help prepare students for future jobs.

Encourage lifelong learning: Learning should not end after formal education. Encouraging lifelong

learning can help individuals stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market. The government can promote

lifelong learning through adult education and skills training programs.

In addition to these areas, I would also discuss specific challenges and opportunities related to rural

development in the Philippines, such as addressing poverty and inequality, strengthening resilience to climate

change, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

In summary, improving education is crucial for the Philippines' development. By increasing access to

education, improving the quality of education, promoting inclusive education, fostering entrepreneurship and

innovation, and encouraging lifelong learning, the government can help equip the Philippines' citizens with the

skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the 21st century.

“Excellent service to humanity is our commitment.”

ACA. ACA.CED.YYY.S.001 (Revision No. 0; January 6, 2016)