The responsibility of a facilitator requires the ability to engage participants in creating, discovering, and applying learning insights. Not everyone is born with the skills of a facilitator, nevertheless, anyone can learn to improve their abilities and eventually become one.

The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) through Learning & Development of the Human Resources Division (HRD), conducted a 2-day workshop on improving facilitation skills. The training was held last March 17-18, 2021 at the MNWD multi-purpose hall and was participated in by MNWD employees from different departments. Said participants in one way or another have manifested notable skills in communication and event organizing to name a few. The workshop aims to train a pool of potential facilitators to become more competent in handling activities and conducting interactive learning, them being subject-matter experts (SME) in their respective field.

Lecturers include Remedios Josephine A. Cuyo, the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs of the University of Nueva Caceres, who talked about Levelling of Expectations; Dr. Randy P. Bacares, a Professor in Universidad de Santa Isabel, MT I, DepEd Naga Division, tackled on Communication Process and also discussed Demonstration and Critiquing with Dr. Sherry T. Peñas, Division Manager A – HRD who likewise shared inputs on Management of Learning. Several other activities were focused on developing social skills.

Through facilitation, individual performance as well as team output will be improved. Facilitation skills enable people to arrive at a satisfactory outcome despite being involved by different participants, different agendas, and varied preferred outcomes. MNWD envisions its employees to become driven facilitators and speakers for trainings that will cater not only to the needs of Bicol water districts, but of the community as a whole. (YMMSavilla)

MNWD facilitation trainees with lecturers Dr. Sherry T. Peñas (1st row, wearing beige jacket) and Remedios Josephine A. Cuyo (1st row, wearing black dress).

Dr. Randy P. Bacares, during his discussion on Communication Process as a tool in becoming an effective facilitator.

Social development and interactive activities were also conducted as a way for MNWD facilitation trainees to enjoy while undergoing training.

Trainees were encouraged to speak their ideas during the Levelling of Expectations lecture by Ms. Remedios Josephine Cuyo.