SANTA ROSA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) has emphasized the crucial role of media practitioners in promoting peace, given their ability to directly interact with the community and amplify government’s initiatives to maintain peace in the region.
Last September 19, the OPAPRU in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency, hosted an orientation for local media practitioners to raise awareness on the government’s efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace in the region.
MGen. Rhoderick Parayno (RET.), the Southern Tagalog Regional Adviser for Peace and Security of OPAPRU highlighted instances wherein media practitioners unknowingly encounter rebel groups and their recruits, who attempt to blend in and hide in plain sight.
Parayno noted that such instances can become an opportunity for media practitioners to share their perspectives on the government’s initiatives, encouraging understanding and support from the community.
“When you are in a locality or a barangay, there might be instances when you encounter members or those being recruited by these groups.”
Parayno added: “Your perspective becomes important, as you can serve as a mouthpiece, especially since you’re part of the government and can speak the truth.”
With their ability to reach grassroots communities through reporting, Parayno recognized the media’s critical role in raising awareness of the government’s community-based poverty reduction efforts.
“Communities do not really know [what the government does for them]. Barangays have their own budget allocation, but the barangay captain does not know how to tap it.”
In an effort to bridge the gap between the government and the community through development communication, Parayno expressed his confidence that the government is on the right direction by working with the media, who have witnessed the government’s efforts towards achieving sustainable peace and development
“I think we are in the right direction, and it’s just a matter of letting the people know that this is the status of the government, and this is what we are doing [for them].”
The media orientation in Laguna is the seventh iteration of the ongoing program by the OPAPRU, Presidential Communications Office, and PIA in tackling the local peace engagements of the government and the continuing adaption of the transformation program. (PB,CH/PIA-4A)
