ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA)—The Philippine Information Agency’s initiative to set up a network of barangay information officers (BIOs) has been welcomed by a local chief, saying that the move will potentially address gaps in the delivery of reliable information to the grassroots level.
Jamindan town’s Barangay Agbun-od chief, Gene Guillermo, expects that PIA’s efforts at orientating and organizing a network of BIOs in the municipality would result in better-informed citizens.
“Mas manami nga pamaagi ang pagorganisa sang BIO sang PIA para maka disseminate man kita sang insakto nga impormasyon sa aton mga pumuluyo ilabi na gid sa aton komunidad,” Guillermo said.
(The organization of the BIOs by the PIA is a better way to improve the system of information dissemination to our community.)
Barangay Jaena Sur BIO Ann Christine B. Nicholas shared that after the orientation, she realized the importance of disseminating truthful information.
“Madako gid ang aton responsibilidad kag may ara resgo kung maghaboy kita sang information para sa aton mga pumuluyo. Dapat ang information is sakto kag matuod, kay kanaton nasandig ang ila pagpati kag pagtuman sang isa ka information,” Nicolas said.
(We have a great responsibility in disseminating truthful information in our community. The information we share must be accurate because people’s trust in the government’s initiatives depends on it.)
She also thanked PIA-Capiz for giving them more insights into effectively delivering information through social media.
During the orientation, some of the BIOs also expressed their desire to invite the agency to conduct a barangay forum, or “Hinun-anon sa barangay,” in their respective communities.
PIA-Capiz information center manager Alex Lumaque noted that the orientation and organization of the BIOs aim to further strengthen the network of the information officers at the community level.
PIA’s BIO orientation and training in the barangay were conducted with the support of the local government unit.
Lumaque also highlighted that the initiative will bring the government closer to the people as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his 2022 State of the Nation Address that government services must be
delivered, government agencies must be present and felt, and government efforts must be understood and need to be heard at the grassroots level.
Throughout the activity, the BIOs participated in a capacity-building session on their duties and responsibilities, basic photography, social media overview, and content development.
The orientation concluded with a positive response from the participants, as they were all willing to be the information multipliers in their respective communities. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)
