TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA)--- Davao del Norte pioneers the observance of the National Press Freedom Day as declared through Republic Act 11699 or An Act Declaring August 30 Every Year as the National Press Freedom Day”, signed on April 13, 2022.
The City Information Office of Panabo made history in marking the first National Press Freedom Day by rolling out a series of activities that kicked off on August 24, 2022 with the opening of the Lamdag (Enlightenment) Exhibit of Government Services participated by 18 local government offices and some national line agencies based in Panabo.
There was on-the-spot Photo Contest during the city’s National Press Freedom Day opening rites held at the Gaisano Mall of Panabo, during which contenders captured the exciting moments of the event.
It was also on the Aug. 24 Press Freedom Day celebration opening rites that the guidelines and mechanics of holding the Quiz Bee for Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and College levels was read.
Aside from the Lamdag information exhibit, the photo contest, and the quiz bee, CIO Panabo City also organized a recognition ceremony honoring its information and communication partners, among which was the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI.
Plaques of appreciation were accorded to recognized partners on Aug 30, National Press Freedom Day celebration done at the Panabo Tourism Gymnasium, during which news broadcasting contest was conducted bringing in students from senior high schools and colleges based in Panabo and Davao.
Meanwhile, as guest speaker during the National Press Freedom Day opening rites, Dr. Mervin Jay Z. Suaybaguio of the Provincial Information Communication and Knowledge Management Office (PICKMO) expressed his preference for journalists to take on the role as “development communicators” as he emphasized "access to development communication is everyone's right".
Dr. Suaybaguio also acknowledged the power of the press to influence, using their wide access to communication platforms to inform the people.
In line with the theme, “Journalism under Digital Siege,” Panabo City Vice Mayor Gregorio U. Dujali noted the evolution of the mass media while recognizing the contributions of the late Marcelo H. del Pilar as the "Father of Journalism".
In rolling out the series of activities related to Journalism, CIO Panabo got the full support of City’s Local Media Board chaired by City Mayor Jose Relampagos.
On the other hand, Davao del Norte’s marking of the National Press Freedom Day went on the succeeding day as PIA Davao del Norte Information Center and PICKMO staged on August 31 a special edition of Kapihan sa DavNor that brought into the panel of guests three media personalities who gave insights on press freedom.
Bannering the theme, “Kalayaan sa Pamamahayag at Proteksyon ng Mamamahayag,” the Press Freedom Day edition of Kapihan sa DavNor brought into the panel DavNor and Davao de Oro Press Club President Pamela Gay Perales, DXDN consultant and multi-awarded private media practitioner Aurora A. Lozada, and Abante Davao del Norte Radio Anchor former Provincial Board Member Roger Laguna.
Aside from giving their respective insights on Press Freedom, they also discussed ways of protecting the media by exercising consciousness to abide by the ethics in broadcasting and journalism. Having gained long years of experience in private media practice, they also extended guidance and advice to neophyte and student journalists.
Davao del Norte will again be marking press freedom in October this year as the Province is set to observe “The Media Month” based on a provincial ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in late 2010 through the SP Committee on Media and Information. (PIA XI/ Jean Duron Abangan)
