CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) made its second stop in Mindanao at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in the city of Cagayan de Oro on March 20–21 to share awareness and help combat the spread of fake news and disinformation in the country through sharing informative lectures with USTP students. 

The two-day event gave the students the chance to explore how the government documents and publishes communication and information about its daily operations for public consumption.

"Ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang limitado sa silid-aralan kundi pati na rin sa malawakang pamayanan. Ito ay isang proseso ng pag-aaral at pagsusuri sa nagaganap hindi lamang sa loob sa silid-aralan kundi pati na rin sa ating buong komunidad. Kaya naman nais nating ipabatid ang kahalagahan ng government communications effort, at paano nakikipagtulungan ang PCO sa iba't ibang sektor upang mapalaganap ang tamang impormasyon at mensahe ng ating pamahalaan," said PCO Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.

[Education is not only limited to the classroom but also to the wider community. It is a process of learning and examining what is happening not only in the classroom but also in our entire community. That is why we want to inform people of the importance of the government communications effort and how the PCO cooperates with different sectors to spread the right information and message about our government.]

She added  that this first-ever CommUnity Campus Caravan aims to promote timely and relevant information regarding the government under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Booths from different communication channels and media advocates related to the government’s projects are located inside the university gym to respond to the prevalent rise of false information in the Philippines, taking into account that media literacy is a need for every individual. 

Simultaneously, senior high school students and Technology Communication Management majors attended a program in the Performing Art Theatre (PAT).

“It is crucial to take a proactive approach through cultivating media literacy skills now more than ever,” said USTP President, Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II.

In-depth discussions on government communications

Highlighting “Bagong Pilipinas Coverage and Using Modern Technology,” PCO Usec. Gerald B. Baria shared the technicalities behind covering a massive event such as the State of the Nation Address (SONA). This gave the students a glimpse of how meticulously covering situations in the government lens with the use of technological advancement. 

Meanwhile, Anjo C. Alimario, a journalism lecturer and former CNN Philippines senior correspondent, graced the audience with his lecture, “Covering the Government from a Private Media Perspective.” His presentation showed the students what it was like to be a reporter, covering different news stories. 

Addressing certain points in “Becoming a Responsible Digital Citizen,” Deputy Executive Director of Break the Fake Movement, Paolo Miguel Ordonio, said, "One must learn how to access data gathering, analyze media messages, reflect on or evaluate one’s experience, create or have the ability to create own materials, and act in applying social responsibilities as a responsible digital citizen."

The Radio Television of Malacañang (RTVM) summarized what they do in a short lecture about “Covering the President, the RTVM way,” while PCO Asst. Sec. Patricia Kayle S. Martin talked about media and information literacy, saying there is a need to talk about media and information literacy in the government because, in civil society organizations, there are not enough actions even after years of work. 

“It’s also a good thing to spread awareness about this fake news and misinformation, like deep fake or mga ibang AI na mga ginagamit ngayon. Para siyang virus na ginagamit ng iba para lang makakuha ng maling  impormasyon," said Ilizah Jez Tagaylo, a USTP student. 

[It’s also a good thing to spread awareness about fake news and misinformation, like deep fake or other AI (artificial intelligence)  that is used today. It is like a virus used by others to get false information.]

Meanne Mayelle Bermudo, also one of the student participants, said, “I’ve learned that we really need to learn how to fact-check before sharing information to avoid fake news.”

PCO “CommUnity Caravan” not only showcases what services they offer to the public but also gives the students the necessary actions they can take to fight against spreading false information and speak facts based on credible sources. (MGAB/PIA-10)