MARAWI CITY (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, through its Provincial Information Office, convened on October 30, a gathering of municipal information officers, barangay communicators, and media practitioners from two-way radio groups to equip them with the essential tools and knowledge to enhance information dissemination and foster positive social change.
The 1st Lanao del Sur Information and Communications Summit, themed “Advocating Gender Issues, GAD Concepts, and Mandates through Community Communication,” seeks to empower local communicators to address critical challenges and promote gender sensitivity.
Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong stated that the summit equips media practitioners, information officers, and barangay communicators with the knowledge to inform the public accurately.
“This platform helps people learn how to verify information from authorities before sharing it. Our ultimate goal is to improve the province’s well-being,” he said.
The event, which drew over 1,100 participants, featured a session focused on the significance of communication in governance and nation-building. This session highlighted the importance of proactive communication strategies, emphasizing relevance, clarity, and consistency in messaging. Another session dedicated to gender-sensitive reporting encouraged participants to integrate gender perspectives into their work.
The event received support from the Bangsamoro Government through its Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO).
Media Relations Unit Head Alirahman Pangandaman, representing BIO Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto, stressed the crucial role of accurate and truthful information exchange in addressing gender issues and achieving collective goals. He emphasized the responsibility of local communicators to ensure that information is clear, accessible, and impactful.
“This summit marks a significant milestone for the province of Lanao del Sur. The barangay is the basic political unit and the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies. With this essential role to fulfill, the barangay communicators and information officers’ commitment to utilize a peaceful means of communication is the key to successfully executing these functions,” he said.
Provincial Information Officer Salma Jayne Alonto Tamano said the summit was conducted to promote transparency and reassure the public that the government is committed to improving their lives, emphasizing that information sharing and communication are vital components of governance. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
