TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 2 recently honored its partner government agencies, media practitioners, and correspondents for their outstanding contributions to crisis and development communications at the inaugural Gawad Pahayag Awards.
Among the individual awardees were Romeo Ganal, Jr. of PAGASA Northern Luzon Bureau, who was recognized for his efforts in providing daily weather updates, advisories, and bulletins, Joe Robert Arirao and Eric Nuñez of Calayan, Cagayan, along with Jeffrey Tactac of LGU Santa Teresita, for their timely updates and reports on local situations.
Also, Jesusa Leal, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) officer of Quirino, and King Webster Balaw-ing, the PDRRM officer of Nueva Vizcaya, were similarly recognized for their crucial contributions in updating the public on disaster and emergencies within their jurisdictions.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of Civil Defense, and PAGASA Northern Luzon Bureau were also honored for their roles in crisis communication.
On media contributions, the following outlets were recognized: Radyo Pilipinas, Bombo Radyo, RBC Cable Master, Northern Bulletin, FMR Tuguegarao, Magik FM, DZYT, DWET Santiago, Brigada News, RMN, XFM, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pilipino Mirror, NUVELCO Kidlat FM, PAIAD Nueva Vizcaya, DWRV, The Voice of Sierra Madre, Vizcaya Advocate, DWQP, and DWDY.
In her remarks, Regional Head Angely L. Mercado emphasized that the Gawad Pahayag aims to recognize the vital contributions of regional government agencies, local media, and community correspondents who have partnered with PIA in disseminating timely, accurate, and relevant information, particularly during disasters and emergencies.
She noted that the awardees played a pivotal role in communicating the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon during the summer season, as well as in helping achieve zero casualties in Cagayan Valley during a series of typhoons that struck the region in the fourth quarter of the year. (OTB/PIA Region 2)
