SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The municipality of Bacnotan in La Union demonstrated its excellence in public communication, emerging as the lone national nominee among local government units (LGUs) in the Ilocos Region in the “Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko” of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The LGU was recognized during an awarding ceremony that took place on Dec. 16, 2024, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Recognition for effective communication practices
The “Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko” aims to recognize outstanding LGUs and public information offices across the country that excel in transparent and effective communication, fostering informed and engaged communities.
The awarding also serves as a platform to highlight best practices in public information campaigns and encourage innovation in government communication strategies.
Notable distinction
Bacnotan stood out as one of only six national nominees in the Public Service Campaign Award – Municipal Level category, securing second place and emerging from a pool of contenders from 1,493 municipalities nationwide.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally conferred the awards to the winners and nominees during the ceremony, recognizing their significant contributions to advancing public communication standards in local governance.
Highlighting culture, showcasing local industries
Bacnotan earned its nomination for its campaign in promoting the “Diro Festival: The Most BEEautiful Festival of the North,” which ran month-long last May 2024.
Spearheading the campaign was the Municipal Office on Public Information (MOPI), in collaboration with the Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office (MTCAO), the Local Youth Development Office, and its locally produced Bacnotan Channel.
The festival highlighted Bacnotan’s rich cultural heritage, serving as a platform to showcase its local industries, particularly honey production, which plays a significant role in the town’s identity and economy.
Throughout the four-week festivities, the festival brought together residents and visitors through parades, cultural performances, trade fairs, sports competitions, and community activities.
Each week featured thematic highlights, emphasizing Bacnotan’s dedication to preserving tradition while fostering innovation.
Strengthening public communication
During an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-La Union on Jan. 2, Mayor Divine Fontanilla underscored Bacnotan’s commitment to strengthening its public information and communication efforts, ensuring that every story is shared and celebrated.
“This award affirms our unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and effective communication as we strive to make every Bacnotanean informed and empowered across all sectors and industries,” Fontanilla said.
Fontanilla emphasized the importance of accessible information, highlighting that it should reach not just the privileged but also the grassroots, where real transformation begins.
She also underscored the role of social media in amplifying the reach of their programs and expressed gratitude for the recognition, pledging to continue fostering an informed and united Bacnotan committed to progress and inclusivity.
During the same interview, Marc Teomar Bautista, Bacnotan’s information officer, said that the recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the community and local offices in ensuring that every initiative and festival is communicated effectively to the public.
“As the information officer of Bacnotan, it is a great honor to have our efforts recognized by the PCO in strengthening our campaign for more effective information dissemination,” Bautista said.
He emphasized that the Diro Festival is not just a celebration of culture but also a platform to tell the unique stories of Bacnotan and its people.
Bautista also shared their ongoing efforts to empower the youth in creating meaningful content and expanding the Bacnotan Channel, the first youth-driven community network in La Union, with the goal of showcasing their town not only locally but globally.
With the recognition, Bacnotan sets an example for other municipalities in the Ilocos Region to leverage communication as a tool for community development and pride. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
