SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Provincial Government of La Union’s Provincial Information Office (PIO) convened communication practitioners throughout the province at the Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center in this city on November 13, specifically to strengthen citizen engagement and feedback as part of the provincial government’s strategic roadmap.
The convention entitled CommUNITY: PROBINSYAnihan in La Union through Communication endeavors to create a provincial government that actively attends to and answers issues and concerns, acknowledging the importance of dialogues between the government and citizens for better understanding and support.
With the media’s significant role in sharing information and public opinion, the provincial government’s PIO has tapped social media platforms such as Facebook to keep the public informed on developments, issues, and current events.
The one-day event pooled together communication practitioners from line agencies as well as high school students based in La Union.
Specifically, the provincial government’s visibility using digital platforms has helped provincial efforts on disaster preparedness and response, with effective communication helping citizens through early warnings and updates as well as the coordination of emergency responses that eventually leads to the saving of lives and properties.
On a broader note, the use of communication in digital platforms has resulted in maintaining cooperation between the provincial government and its people, creating social harmony that enables the convergence work of both through the successful implementation of various programs and services.
By creating transparency through information dissemination and other communication endeavors, the provincial government helps citizens get to know and understand how various processes of decision-making, initiatives, and policies, empowering the people to participate in matters that directly affect their lives.
The convention was attended by around 400 communication practitioners from partner national government agencies, senior high school students, and different government information officers’ association based in La Union.
Topics discussed in the said activity include Innovating the Reel: The Modern Content Creator by Ramon Bautista; Communicating Your Passion by Licensed Health Physician and Online Content Creator, Dr. Kilimanguru; Story Telling through Visual Arts by Model and Designer, Selina Woo Bhang; and Entertainment in the Modern Estate: Tiktok, Streaming, and Reels by Coach Abby, Mary Clarence Reyes, and Hans Galendez of Tier One Entertainment.
In a speech, La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” David-Ortega emphasized the importance of adding a touch of relevance and vibrancy in doing communication work and in being developmental in the content that is made and shared.
“This is our way of showing our appreciation for the work that you do. This is our way of empowering you to be part of our nation-building,” Governor Ortega-David added to the participants.
Provincial Information Officer, Mr. Rowan Joshua E. Dimaculangan meanwhile said the activity was designed to bring together communicators from all over La Union in order to upscale their skills on the field.
“Nag-isip po kami ng paraan para mapagsama-sama lahat ng mga communicators dito sa probinsya para ma-upscale yung skills natin and for us to enjoy, which is the primary objective of this activity,” Dimaculangan said. (JCR/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
