MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — A total of 39 information officers from various local government units and national government agencies in Misamis Oriental participated in a virtual meeting hosted by the Philippine Information Agency-Misamis Oriental on June 26.
The virtual gathering provided a platform to showcase their respective information campaigns and foster networking opportunities, paving the way for future collaboration on joint initiatives in the province.
“It is truly an honor to see many dedicated information officers gathered virtually here today, representing their respective local government units and agencies. This meeting is a testament to our shared commitment to effective information dissemination and public service excellence. Today, we have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to serve our communities better,” said Philippine Information Agency-10 Director Franklin Gumapon.
He urged participants to instill the importance of collaboration and synergy throughout the discussion.
“Together, we can leverage our collective expertise to address challenges, seize opportunities, and ultimately, make a positive impact on the lives of the Misamisnons we serve,” he said.
PIA continuously partners with various local and national government offices to broaden the reach of government efforts at the local level. These LGUs and NGAs also help amplify the impact of PIA’s communication campaigns and outreach initiatives.
During the virtual meeting, the information officers engaged in discussions and shared their respective offices’ efforts to disseminate information.
Rejiann Ammor Maygay, representing the Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office, shared that their platforms include audio-video reports on their official Facebook page and regular radio programs.
Villanueva Municipal Information Officer Cyril Cambalon Jr. also shared their strong information campaign on their Facebook page. Most of their posts focus on their town’s celebrations and activities.
Similarly, Gingoog City Information Office representative Farah A. Abucay shared that they use their Facebook page to update their diverse followers on the city’s activities.
Moreover, Karen Chayne Sanchez, President of the CDO Bloggers Network, provided valuable insights on maximizing Facebook as a social media promotion platform. She emphasized the importance of knowing your audience, being consistent in posting, and utilizing advanced tools like AI. She highlighted the significance of government information officers establishing a strong social media presence.
“Social media is amazing. It gives value to information and the necessity to send it to a diverse audience. For families, social media can forge connections and foster relationships. For business owners, social media helps bring their services closer to the target market. For government information officers, social media amplifies messages and extends government services to more beneficiaries. Campaigning on social media is powerful. Social media managers have to be creative, updated with trends, and equipped with proper knowledge to maximize social media,” she said.
Provincial Information Office consultant Roy Waga, through information officer Maygay, expressed his appreciation for the activity. He emphasized that the discussion focused significantly on Gov. Peter Unabia’s Single Digit Poverty Incidence Program.
The initiative, he said, is a beacon of hope for Misamis Oriental, demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of Misamisnons.
He added that by effectively leveraging Facebook, information officers can enhance outreach, engage more meaningfully with the respective communities, and rally the support needed to make government programs a resounding success.
“Our mission in the Provincial Information Office is to empower communities through transparent communication. Inclusive governance remains at the core of our efforts. This dialogue has reinforced the importance of our goal of ensuring that our communication strategies are not just informative but also empowering and inclusive. As we move forward, let us remember the impact of our collective efforts. Each post, each share, and each piece of content holds the potential to create a positive change,” he said.
Waga ended his message by encouraging information officers to commit to using Facebook not merely as a platform for information dissemination, but as a powerful medium for community engagement and development. (IJBD/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
