Policy research, writing, and communication took center stage at POLITEIA: A Policy Research and Advocacy Seminar-Workshop, held on September 28 at the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT). Political Science majors of Saint Mary’s University took part and brought home the top three places in the Best Policy Proposal category and the Best Presenter award.

Organized by the Political Science Society of USLT, the seminar-workshop included sessions on conducting policy research, understanding government policymaking processes, and communicating policies to stakeholders. Resource speakers came from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the Development Academy of the Philippines, and the Tuguegarao City Mayor’s Office.

The day ended with the Policy Research Proposal Workshop and Challenge, where participants worked in groups to develop policy proposals and presented them in a five-minute pitch to a panel of judges. Working with their groupmates, Marian participants formulated proposals that earned the group awards for first, second, and third place.

The group of Josel Noej Sopongco, a BA Political Science 4 student, won first place for From Waste to Wealth: Evaluating the Feasibility of Waste-to-Energy Technology Adoption in Strengthening the Implementation of RA 9003 in Nueva Vizcaya. The proposal examines whether waste-to-energy technology can strengthen local implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Sopongco also received the individual Best Presenter award.

Second place went to the group of Avril Christine Rombaoa, a BA Political Science 3 student, for H.U.S.A.Y. (Holistic Understanding, Statutory Authority, and Yield): Assessing Legal-Procedural Knowledge and Dispute Resolution in Katarungang Pambarangay in the Philippines. The proposal assesses how well the barangay justice system is understood and used in settling community disputes.

Third place went to the group of Atasi Almazan, a BA Political Science 4 student, for Mind the Map: Assessing Systems-based Approaches to Gig Workers’ Legal and Social Protection in the Philippines. The proposal examines how systems-based approaches can improve legal and social protections for gig workers.

The results show the strength of SMU’s Political Science program in preparing students to analyze public problems, support their recommendations with evidence, and communicate them effectively. The winning proposals address concerns in environmental governance, community justice, and labor protection.