Koronadal City, South Cotabato – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has taken a significant step in strengthening government communication at the grassroots level by holding the first-ever Barangay Information Officer (BIO) Network Assembly in the country.
The event, which gathered close to 500 BIOs from various areas in Soccsksargen on November 14, aimed to empower these information officers as key multipliers in disseminating accurate and timely government information to their communities.
Participants received training and guidance on effective communication strategies, equipping them with the skills needed to combat misinformation and promote public understanding of government programs and initiatives.
Assistant Secretary Adolfo Ares P. Gutierrez, Deputy Director General for Regional Operations of the PIA, emphasized the crucial role of BIOs as partners in building public immunity against fake news.
“We need to create an army of truth-tellers,” said Assistant Secretary Gutierrez. “At PIA, we believe that a well-informed individual contributes to the empowerment and development of our communities.”
He also highlighted the Marcos administration’s commitment to combating fake news through a series of Media, Information, and Literacy (MIL) campaigns spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the PIA.
He also said that the Marcos administration, through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the PIA, will be mounting a series of Media, Information and Literacy (MIL) campaigns to proactively combat fake news.
“Kami po sa PIA ay nakahandang tumulong para maging maayos ang pagdaloy ng tamang impormasyon papunta sa ating mga kababayan,” he stated.
(We at the PIA are ready to help ensure the smooth flow of accurate information to our fellow citizens.)
PCO Assistant Secretary for Cultural Affairs and International Engagement Rowena Hidalgo-Otida emphasized the crucial role of BIOs in verifying and disseminating accurate information and combating fake news.
“Bantayan po natin ‘yong tatlong klase ng misinformation, ‘yong misinformation, disinformation, at malinformation,” she said.
(Let’s closely monitor the three types of misinformation: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.)
Meanwhile, Christian Jay Laya, municipal information officer of Alabel, Sarangani, expressed gratitude to the PIA for organizing an event that he believes will enhance their BIO network.
“Malaking pasasalamat namin sa Philippine Information Agency Region 12 for inviting us dito kasi ang dami naming natutunan, learnings and insights mula sa ating mga resource persons. Itong mga natutunan namin nawa’y magamit namin ito sa pagpapaunlad sa aming Barangay Information Officers Network sa aming bayan,” he said.
(We greatly appreciate the invitation from the Philippine Information Agency Region 12, as it allowed us to gain valuable insights and knowledge from our resource persons. We hope to use these lessons in the development of our barangay information officer network in our town.)
The PIA is optimistic about training more barangay information officers nationwide through the BIO network to become effective government communicators in their communities. (PIA Region 12)
