KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 12 has reaffirmed its commitment to continue its collaborative efforts with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in improving local governance communication at the barangay level.
The DILG reiterated its support for professionalizing public information officers (PIOs) at all levels of government, including provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels, as outlined in DILG Memorandum Circular 2017-165 during the Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) Assembly, held recently in Koronadal City.
Nearly 500 participants from various barangays across Region 12 gathered for the event, which focused on supporting and empowering the BIOs in their vital roles as local communicators.
Cristy Jean A. Buenaflor, Local Government Operations Officer V of DILG-Region 12, served as one of the resource speakers during the event.
“I believe na ang ating mga LGUs sa provincial level and city level ay nagcoconduct po ng training programs na mai-capacitate po ang ating mga PIOs, not only that, ngayon syempre and ating PIA, so ito nga po ang ating assembly,” Buenaflor said, emphasizing the vital role of LGUs and PIA in empowering the BIOs.
(I believe that our LGUs at the provincial and city levels are conducting training programs to capacitate our PIOs. Now, we have our PIA as evidence of this assembly.)
She also expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Information Agency for its efforts in organizing various training programs, which she described as important for establishing strong local governance at the barangay level.
Buenaflor stressed the need for BIOs to develop their communication skills since part of their responsibility is to create transparent and effective communications between barangay governments and their constituents.
At the event, participants received orientation on their roles as barangay information officers, including lectures on the essence of Bagong Pilipino in a Bagong Pilipinas, the significance of development communication, how to create engaging content for various social media platforms, and how to combat misinformation and manage public panic.
“Ito ay isang paraan na mai-strengthen natin ang ating local governance at the barangay level na dapat ang ating mga BIOS ay maenhance ang ating communication skills,” Buenaflor added.
(This is a way to strengthen our local governance at the barangay level by enhancing the communication skills of the BIOs.) (CRM – PIA Region 12)
