MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — A total of 75 participants, consisting of information officers from the different municipalities of the province, departments of the provincial government, and national government agencies (NGAs) based in the province, turned up in a two-day communications workshop conducted by a team of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-10 in Tangub and Clarin town here on June 27–28.
Topics included newswriting, feature writing, basic photography, and social media management.
“We are fighting disinformation, misinformation, and fake news because of the advent of social media. Mao nang dako kaayo og role ang mga (that is why there is a big role of) information officers so that the facts will be properly presented to the public,” Franklin Gumapon, regional head of PIA-10, said.
The workshop emphasized that information officers, as government communicators, should concentrate on the developmental stories and programs the government is implementing, ensuring they only supply and amplify the facts.
Meanwhile, there are many ways and platforms to disseminate information, not only through traditional media like print, radio, or TV but, more importantly, through social media. This can be done through Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
“With so many people, especially Filipinos, using social media on a daily basis, the government should take the opportunity to use these platforms as they are free and can reach so many people,” Lou Ellen Antonio, PIA Iligan and Lanao del Norte InfoCen manager, said.
Participants were encouraged to write stories and take photos that depict messages that would help improve the lives of Misamisnons. They were grouped to do the writing and photography workshop and had some sharing of insights.
“Despite our diverse voices, we will be as one in communicating the vision, the direction, sa mga damgo sa probinsya sa (all the dreams of the province of) Misamis Occidental. We are as one in fulfilling the Asenso vision, Misamisnong Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon og Malipayon,” said Lorelei U. Cagas, provincial management staff and Gender and Development (GAD) focal officer.
Shaniah R. Mangandang, information officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Misamis Occidental, shared that the seminar-workshop was helpful, saying, “It was successful and very informative.”
The group elected a set of officers to lead the Asenso Misamis Occidental Information Network in various activities, such as capability building and learning events, and facilitate smooth information dissemination in the province. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
