PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Office IX under the leadership of Director Noemi B. Edaga has received recognition from various government agencies and local government units for its efforts to empower communities through strategic communication initiatives.
PIA-9 has exemplified transparency and unwavering commitment to upholding and providing communication support to all institutional mandates that address the concerns of various sectors in society.
The agency has championed several advocacies, including the continued drug war under the Marcos administration through the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. It has also supported the call for healthy Pilipinas by the Department of Health and helps disseminate information on the National Health Insurance Program of PhilHealth.
Additionally, PIA-9 has been instrumental in anti-smuggling efforts in Western Mindanao by working with the Bureau of Corrections. The agency has actively supported disaster prevention and preparedness advocacies of the Office of Civil Defense, promoted employment opportunities with the Department of Labor and Employment and its attached agencies, and empowered the business sector with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Moreover, the agency has contributed to the advancement of digital transformation by collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, promoting good governance in the region, and contributing to the military’s peace-building initiatives.
All these efforts pave the way to advance local development and prioritize the social welfare of the citizenry in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Governor Victor J. Yu with PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga
With the five information centers covering the areas of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Isabela City de Basilan, Zamboanga City, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, PIA-9 has established strong links with the local government units.
This support from the LGUs has facilitated the implementation of various communication undertakings that brought to the ground the programs and aspirations of the national government.
Signifying support for the call for unified messaging and strengthening the information highway down to the grassroots, the local leaders have designated and provided support to their provincial, municipal, or city and barangay information officers. As a result, the whole of ZamPen has now over 1,904 barangay information officers.
The LGUs such as Isabela City, Basilan, Dapitan City, and the Province of Zamboanga del Sur have recognized Director Edaga’s exemplary leadership and partnership in the cause of public information in the interest of public service.
PIA-9 remains committed despite some limitations and challenges to ensuring that the region remains informed and empowered through timely, relevant, and accurate information, delivered through different online and offline platforms.
“PIA is grateful for the strong partnership and linkages forged with various government agencies, local government units, private institutions, and community stakeholders. They serve as stable pillars in the construction of the information highway in this Region. Proactively, they serve as force multipliers in the delivery of information that helps people make informed decisions and save lives, ” Director Edaga said.
The Philippine Information Agency, as communication arms of the government encourages Filipino citizens from Western Mindanao and beyond to #BeInformed and visit their official website www.pia.gov.ph, and like the Facebook page, Pia Western Mindanao for more truthful news and information. (NBE/CCP/PIA9)
