NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro (PIA) — In an era of increasing digitalization, Filipinos’ demand for relevant information, particularly from the government, has surged, especially during the pandemic.
Recognizing this need, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is strengthening its programs to complete the Government Information Highway, extending its reach to the community level.
Currently, government communications often lack the prominence it deserves, with many provincial, city, and municipal information officer positions remaining unfilled or combined with other roles.
This has prompted the Davao de Oro Development Communicators (DDO DevComm), a group of information officers from local government units and national government agencies, to advocate for the establishment of dedicated municipal information offices with sufficient manpower.
During a recent DDO DevComm meeting, Rene Carbayas, regional director of PIA XI, urged government communicators to further expand their network by establishing a counterpart at the barangay level – the Barangay Information Officers (BIOs).
“With the BIOs in place, people will have easier access to government information,” Carbayas explained. “The BIOs will act as a central point of contact, coordinating information needs with other agencies.”
Carbayas highlighted the legal basis for this initiative, citing Republic Act 9160, the Local Government Code, which mandates that every barangay must have an Information and Reading Center.
This legal framework, along with a supportive memorandum from Regional Director Abdullah Matalam of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), provides a strong foundation for PIA’s information highway initiative.
The BIOs will play a crucial role in providing timely, accurate, and relevant information to the public, fulfilling the core functions of any government communicator.
“Their mission is to inform, inspire, and empower the people in their communities to be better Filipinos in the Bagong Pilipinas,” Carbayas emphasized.
PIA and local government unit information officers will provide guidance and support to the BIOs, ensuring their effectiveness in serving their constituents.
Meanwhile, PCO and PIA will assemble on November 18, 500 barangay functionaries of Davao de Oro to push for the creation of BIOs and to further concretize the Government Information Highway.
Deputy Director General Adolfo Ares Gutierrez of PIA is expected to attend the assembly and deliver the keynote speech.
Several topics like Proud to be a Bagong Pilipino in a Bagong Pilipinas, Inform Inspire Empower, Developing People-centered stories, and Information Saves Lives, will be discussed during the assembly. (RVC/MLU/PIA-Davao de Oro)
