DR. ULDERICO ALVIOLA, president of the Association of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (ADCEP) Philippines, has been designated as a member of the research advisory panel of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Landscape Analysis and Capacity Assessment in the country.
As a member of the Research Advisory Group (RAG), Alviola will provide high-level technical guidance, review key research outputs to ensure ethical and academic rigor, and advise on strategies for disseminating and applying the findings within national development frameworks.
“Dr. Alviola’s inclusion in this high-level body reflects the growing recognition of development communication as a core discipline in the implementation of SBC initiatives in the country,” ADCEP said in a statement to SunStar Philippines on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Alviola, who currently serves as chairperson of the Department of Development Communication (DDC) at Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, represents ADCEP Philippines alongside Prof. Ramon R. Tuazon, Secretary General of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC).
Also joining the research advisory body is Dr. Elizabeth Enriquez of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication. She is the newly appointed chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education Technical Panel for Broadcasting, Communication, and Journalism (CHED-TPBCJ), and represents the government sector along with Social Development Staff Director Girlie Grace Casimero-Igtiben of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Representing the academe are two faculty members from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication—Dr. Benjamina Paula Flor and Dr. Rosa Pilipinas Francisco. They are joined by former Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and current Dean of the UP Manila College of Public Health, Dr. Vicente Belisario.
UNICEF Philippines staff members Kathleen Solis, Katrina Ebora-Villafranca, Dr. Madonna Anabieza, Kamille Ruiz, Faye Balanon, Nicolas Tenazas, Mark Spencer Barcena, and Lemuel Fyodor Villamar complete the advisory panel.
Commissioned by UNICEF Philippines in 2024 and led by ThinkPlace Philippines, the initiative aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of SBC interventions, strategies, systems, and capacities across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on immunization.
“The findings of this study will shape national strategies to strengthen SBC systems within the government, enabling the development and implementation of high-quality, evidence-based SBC programs,” ADCEP added.
The research advisory body held its inaugural meeting on May 15, 2025, in Manila, marking the formal launch of the advisory process that will guide the future of SBC programming in the country.
UNICEF Philippines is an active partner of ADCEP Philippines. Their most recent collaborative effort took place during the 12th National Conference on Development Communication, held at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in December 2024. (Ronald Reyes/SunStar Philippines)