ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga appeals to the leaders of the local government unit and the government agencies to designate an information officer to pave the way for information to reach the Filipino communities.
“Sa lahat ng mga leaders, we would like to make this appeal to designate an information officer para hindi maputol ang daloy ng information na ating ipaparating mula sa pamahalaan hanggang sa grassroots level, (To all the leaders, we would like to make this appeal to designate an information officer so that the flow of information that we will convey from the government to the grassroots level will be uninterrupted), ” she said.
Edaga made the call during the first-ever Champions of Information Optimization (CIO) Awards in Isabela de Basilan, which honors the barangay information officer network (BION) and other information multipliers for their remarkable dedication to empowering and enlightening communities.
She underscored the importance of having information officers to promote and disseminate information about the efforts of the government to address the needs of the Filipinos.
Top 1 City Finalist for Regional Best Barangay Information Officer Junaira L. Udjaman receives her award from Isabela City de Basilan Information Officer Mendry-Ann Lim, PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga, and Isabela City Administrator Pedrito A. Eisma.
“Kailangan natin i-advertise ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para malaman ng mga tao ano ang pwede nila ma-avail, lalo na pag ito ay libre, para sa kapakanan ng mga mahihirap (We need to advertise what the government is doing so that people will know what they can avail of [the programs and projects of the government], especially if it is free, for the benefit of the poor.)” Edaga emphasized.
She also commended the city government of Isabela de Basilan for welcoming and embracing the concept of an information highway blueprint and making the best out of it.
The city bested all other information implementers in the region by equipping the provincial information office and empowering the city information officer and support staff through the organization of functional and effective BION in the barangays of Isabela City.
Isabela City de Basilan Mayor Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman plans to institutionalize the BION to ensure the continuous service of empowered information officers and avoid it from being politicized.
“The LGU already invested sa kanila, natutukan sila, nacapacitate nila in the series of training, kaya kailangan mainstitutionlize natin ang BION. Ilalaunch din natin ang information revolution, dito itatap natin ang partnership with the BION para matulungan nila tayo na mag raise ng consciousness para sa good governance at para ma-sustain kung ano yung development na nangyayari sa Isabela City. (The LGU already invested in them, focused on them, and capacitated them in the series of training, so we need to institutionalize BION. We will also launch the information revolution, which we will tap the partnership with the BION so that they can help us raise consciousness on good governance and sustain the development that is happening in Isabela City.)” the mayor said.
In 2024, the local government units in Zamboanga Peninsula plan to adopt and learn from the successful implementation of BIONs in Isabela City, Basilan, making it a benchmark for best practices. (RVC/EDT/CCP/PIA9)
