KAPALONG, Davao del Norte – “Think before you click,” Kapalong Municipal Mayor Maria Theresa R. Timbol reminded barangay functionaries sent to attend the Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) Orientation and L&D (learning and development) conducted on April 04 for barangays of Kapalong.
“Dapat responsible ta kung unsa ang gibuhian nga mga information kaya madungog nato kanunay nga ‘think before you click.” Huna-huna jud sa makadaghan, sakto ba ni? dapat ba ni?,” she said during the activity organized by PIA XI in cooperation with the Municipal Information Office of Kapalong.
[We should be responsible for whatever information we release as we often have heard ‘think before your click.” Think several times: is this right? is this proper?]
Timbol also emphasized mindfulness about “truth in information” in the midst of new sets of information technology that she said, were oftentimes used to spread disinformation.
“We in the government, dili jud ta mosabay sa mga nagahatag ug fake news, labi na karon kay kampanya baya, kamo mismo nakabalo kung unsa ang tinuod diha sa inyong barangay (…should not align with those spreading fake news (fake info) especially during this campaign period. You know what’s the truth in your barangays),” she said.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (DILG MLGOO) Marc Voltaire F. Daquigan during the same forum made it clear to the participants that providing “good information” is among the mandated functions of barangays based on Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code he referred to as the Bible in governance.
“You have to go back to RA 7160, the Bible in governance nakabutang didto unsa ang inyong role, and this is one of your roles: good information that will lead to development , good sustainable programs, and peace or order …,” he said.
He encouraged participants to continuously learn, to re-learn and to unlearn as he emphasized the need to adapt with the changing times fueled by new communication technologies.
Backed by staff of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI Davao del Norte Government Information Center (GIC), the event generated the presence of PIA regional head Rene V. Carbayas who explained the need to bring down PIA information and communication services to the barangays.
Carbayas revealed the intent of PIA Davao to forge a vital network of barangay information officers (BIOs) in Davao Region. Among which was aimed at “empowering communities with verified timely information combatting the scourge of fake news and disinformation.”
“The BIOs will serve as frontline truth-tellers to combat misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, ensuring accurate dissemination of government programs and local updates especially on areas on peace and security, environment, disaster resilience; and to promote a culture of truth vital for regional development,” he said.
Carbayas made it clear that the local government units (LGUs) should be the ones taking the lead to institutionalize the BIOs with the help of DILG Davao from which PIA Davao had drawn a memorandum tasking field office units to facilitate the designation of barangay information officers regionwide. (JMDA, PIA XI)
