NAGA CITY (PIA)--  Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Raul Angelo “Jil” D. Bongalon officiated the swearing-in ceremony for the new officers of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Sur Communicators’ Network (CommNet) held Monday, March 25, at the Summit Hotel Naga.

Bongalon lauded the creation of the PIA CamSur CommNet highlighting its vital function in countering misinformation and its responsibility to disseminate information about government programs to the public.

“I extend my warm congratulations to the newly elected officers of the [PIA] Camarines Sur Communicators Network. Your willingness to serve and dedication to honing the values of communication in the media and our community is sincerely appreciated. I am confident that under your leadership, the network will continue to thrive and make significant contributions to keeping the public informed, holding those powers accountable, and fostering transparency and accountability in governance,” Bongalon added.

PIA Camarines Sur CommNet was created in March 2021 to provide the people with accurate, consistent, and fair information thereby empowering them to identify development opportunities. It also aims to recognize growth opportunities in the community and engage its people to participate in local governance actively.

After its inception, the CommNet has played an essential role in organizing numerous serbisyo and information activities dubbed “Serbisyo Caravans” in San Jose, Partido, and Calabanga, facilitating the delivery of diverse government services to the local populace.

“PIA CamSur CommNet was born to establish a cohesive body of Public Information Officers (PIOs) from government agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other stakeholders who will embody the aspirations of their agency, and to extend support and assistance to the information and advocacy programs of the national government,” PIA 5 Deputy Regional Head and concurrent PIA Camarines Sur Provincial Head Ana-Liza S. Macatangay stated. 

Bongalon also underscored the importance of accurate and reliable reports and stories amidst the widespread dissemination of fake news and misinformation.

“More importantly, in the age of digital media and social networking, we are confronted with the proliferation of fake news and misinformation, and that is why I appreciate this kind of network so that the public can be properly informed when it comes to the programs, policies, activities of the government through the Philippine Information Agency,” Bongalon said.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Supervising Statistical Specialist Raul P. Aspe Jr., the CommNet’s newly-elected president said one of the goals of the organization is to come up with a common and unified communication plan that will be established through a workable system of information exchange.

Other officers who took their oath include Land Transportation Office (LTO) Naga City District Office Chief Grace R. Rojas- vice president; National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Public Relations Officer A, Ma. Cleofe B. Baraero- Secretary; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camarines Sur Trade-Industry Development Specialist & Provincial Public Information Officer Madel A. Alacar- PIO;  and LGU San Fernando Municipal Agriculturist and designated Information Officer Allan P. Salvador- Auditor. 

The Board of Directors also includes the following Public Information Officers (PIOs): Allen Reodanga, Chief, LGU Naga City Events Protocol and Public Information Office (CEPPIO); Charly C. Rosari, Department Head and PIO Designate of LGU Milaor; Quennie Samalea-Agsao, Social Security System (SSS) Luzon Bicol Division Senior Communications Analyst/Regional Communication Officer; Lovella P. Guarin, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) Chief and Regional Information Officer at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office No. 5; Rosalyn T. Perida, Vocational School Superintendent I at Ragay Polytechnic Skills Institute; DOST Provincial Direcor Pat Felizmenio and Major Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Chief.  (PIA 5)