KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) urged barangay information officers (BIO) to embody the values of a “Bagong Pilipino” during the Philippine Information Agency-led BIO Network, or BION Assembly in Region 12 at The Farm in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
Assistant Secretary for Cultural Affairs and International Engagement Rowena Hidalgo-Otida, representing PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez, emphasized the role of barangay communicators as effective catalysts of transformation in their respective communities.
“Mga barangay officers, kayo po ‘yong magbubuklod sa ating mga kababayan para sa nation-building,” Hidalgo-Otida stated.
(It is you—our barangay officers—who will unite our fellow citizens for nation-building.)
In her speech, she stressed the need for transformation in Philippine governance and society, emphasizing the importance of BIOs embodying positive Filipino values and collaboratively working together for the betterment of their communities.
“What we need is to be self-affirming, self-loving, and mutually encouraging people. Kailangan nating suportahan ang bawat isa (We need to support each other),” she added.
Incorporating the “Bagong Pilipino” values into their communities, the BIOs are expected to be advocates of unity, cooperation, and positive change, Hidalgo-Otida conveyed.
This means, according to her, BIOs should be role models who actively promote values like bayanihan (communal solidarity and cooperation), malasakit (compassion), and pagkakaisa (unity), fostering a sense of community, and working together to address local challenges.
For Aliah Baito, a participant from Koronadal City, to be a “Bagong Pilipino sa Bagong Pilipinas,” change must start within oneself.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, and as a Bagong Pilipino, I hope we can start the change within ourselves; it can start from fixing the bed in the morning, from washing dishes to small things, and hopefully we can share good change in our community,” she said.
Meanwhile, PIA Soccsksargen Regional Head Fryan Abkilan said nearly 500 barangay information officers from various parts of Region 12 attended the BION assembly, the first in the country.
The event, he explained, aimed not only to activate the BIO as a communication network for PIA and PCO but also to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective government communicators in their respective communities. (SZT – PIA Region 12)
