KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — The first Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) network in Western Visayas was institutionalized and officially launched in Nabas, Aklan.
Through the Philippine Information Agency- Aklan, the BIOs network was launched in partnership with the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA) at the Mayor’s Office Conference Room of the Municipal Hall in Poblacion, Nabas.
A total of 20 employees and officials from several barangays were mobilized as BIOs in support of the PIA’s aim to expand the network of development communication at the grassroots level that would help in amplifying government services, programs, and projects.
The designation of the 20 barangay secretaries and kagawads in Nabas as BIOs was supported by an executive order issued by their respective barangay captains.
Information Officer II Sheila Q. Patoza of PIA-Aklan provided the overview of the BIOs’ roles and functions, as well as the rationale for its establishment.
She noted that there is an information gap between the people and the national government and in bridging this gap, hence, the mobilization of the grassroots information frontliners or BIOs is necessary.
“There is really a need to pool a network of barangay information officers to ensure the dissemination of the government projects, programs, and services in a wide linkage of media platforms. These BIOs will become the official mouthpieces and sources of truthful information, in terms of dissemination to its immediate community from the barangay level to the municipal, province or city, and the national level, and vice versa,” Patoza said.
On behalf of Nabas Mayor Maria Fe Lasaleta, Sangguniang Bayan Member Godofredo B. Sadiasa graced the event and congratulated the newly-installed BIOs.
“I’m very happy to hear that it is the first time in the whole province of Aklan na magkakaroon tayo ng barangay information officers. Based on the past experiences I have had in the local government, usually creations of this kind are sometimes we are so excited at first, pero kalimitan sa mga ginagawa natin nakakalimutan. Naging excited lang tayo. Don’t forget you are the chosen few. Being the chosen few, prove your worth, exercise the best you can to inform the public,” Sadiasa said.
(I’m very happy to hear that it is the first time in the whole province of Aklan to have barangay information officers. Based on past experiences I have had in the local government, usually creations of this kind sometimes, we are so excited at first, but oftentimes we tend to forget our work. We are just excited.. So don’t forget that you are the chosen few. Being the chosen few, prove your worth, exercise the best you can to inform the public.)
He added that nowadays, information could be easily distorted especially with the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, hence, the importance of BIOs in the community and reminding the information officers that for them not to fail, they should always side with the truth, as history tells that the truth will always come out.
Meanwhile, the grassroots communication frontliners took their pledge of commitment before LGU-Nabas information officer Reynard M. Dela Cruz.
He challenged the BIOs to accept the role despite the many designations already attached to them.
“Please accept that role because your punong barangay trusted you, para makadeliver kita it timely, accurate, and truthful information. Hopefully maging baba kamo ag maging mata it inyong kabarangayan, not on politics but on the proper way of serving the people,” he said.
(Please accept that role because your punong barangay trusted you, for us to deliver timely, accurate, and truthful information. Hopefully, you will be the voice and eyes of your respective barangays, not on politics but on the proper way of serving the people.)
In the same event, the induction/oathtaking of the newly elected APIOA officials was conducted. (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan)
