ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Fifty-three individuals from National Government Agencies (NGAs), Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Western Visayas participated in the Second General Assembly of the Association of Regional Information Officers in Western Visayas (ARIO-WV Inc.) and Crisis Communication lecture on August 9, 2024.
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Deputy Director-General Adolfo Ares P. Gutierrez served as the resource person for the said lecture.
“In case of a crisis, it is important to know how to communicate. That is why it is important that our agencies have crisis communication plans in place,” said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez further left some key takeaways, such as not allowing a small incident to escalate into a crisis, staying on top of the information cycle by becoming the source of accurate information and practicing empathy and accountability, among others.
The information officers were also briefed on the critical role of integrating climate and weather data into farming and fishing practices to enhance resilience and productivity amid changing climate conditions.
With this, Project Development Officer I of the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas (DA-WV) Chrystal Jane Almendralejo discussed climate- and weather-informed farming and fishing advisories, viewing a strengthened partnership in disseminating information to address climate challenges in the region.
An election of new ARIO officers was also held. It was followed by the presentation and oathtaking of the new set of officers and Board of Directors (BOD) before PIA Regional Head Cheryl B. Amor.
“We are working for one government, and we are working for one people, and that is the Filipino people, though we are serving in different ways. Here, this is the time to open up information with each other. This association is composed of information officers who work closely together, sometimes on certain programs and projects,” said newly-elected ARIO-WV Inc. President John P. Mandario. (PIA 6)
