ILOILO CITY -- Barangay secretaries from the town of San Enrique were recently organized and inducted as Barangay Information Officers (BIO) with the aim to expand the network of development communication at the grassroots level.

The Philippine Information Agency-Iloilo Information Center recently spearheaded this event which is the first BIO launching and orientation in the province.

PIA-6 deputy regional head Easter Anne Doza led the discussion on the roles of BIO for local government units, citing the need to “pool network of information officers/volunteers from the barangays to amplify government projects, programs and services in a wide linkage of media platforms”.  

PIA-Iloilo also tapped the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) –Iloilo to tackle the provisions of the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2017-165 which provides the framework for and enjoins Punong Barangays in designating BIOs.

For her part, PIA-Iloilo InfoCen manager Lilibeth French conveyed her gratitude to the municipality for supporting the program, which guarantees that the government projects, activities, and services are being cascaded down to the grassroots level while, concerns and issues from them are being channeled up the national government for appropriate actions.

“We really expect that you will help us bring the government closer sa inyo nga mga kasimanwa. You will be our link to quality information nga inyo nga iga-provide sa ila nga inyo mabaton halin sa amon and other agencies of the government,” French said. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo)