PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Over 800 Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) members from the province of Zamboanga del Sur convened for the inaugural BION Assembly in Zamboanga Peninsula, highlighting the transformative power of information.
Spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the assembly is dedicated to empowering Barangay Information Officers by enhancing their skills and knowledge in effective communication and information dissemination within their communities.
In her keynote address, Director General Katherine Chloe De Castro of the Philippine Information Agency, underscored the pivotal role of BION members. She articulated the significance of building a robust information network, beginning at the grassroots level, to ensure that accurate and timely information reaches all corners of society, including the most secluded areas.
“Sabi nila, ang impormasyon ay kapangyarihan. Pero kayo na kabilang sa ating network of information, mula sa pinakamaliit na yunit ng komunidad—ang barangay—ang siyang nagpapalakas at nagpapatibay sa ating komunikasyong pang-gobyerno upang ang lehitimo at napapanahong mga impormasyon ay makaabot kahit sa pinaka sulok at laylayan ng lipunan,” said De Castro.
De Castro also commended the enthusiastic participation of barangay representatives from remote municipalities.
“Lubos po akong nagagalak sa aktibong partisipasyon ng ating mga barangay dito sa Zamboanga del Sur, lalo na’t marami sa inyo ay nagmula pa sa malalayong munisipalidad. Ito po ay sumasalamin na ang pangangailangang pang-impormasyon ay tumataas at nararamdaman kahit sa malalayong parte ng inyong probinsya, at kahit na sa buong Pilipinas,” she emphasized.
Participants expressed gratitude for the event, sharing how it enriched their understanding of their roles and responsibilities as BION members.
Myrnalyn Gorgonio, Barangay Information Officer of Abong-Abong, remarked, “The assembly really helped us as BION members; it provided us with more information and broadened our knowledge, especially regarding our functions.”
She further voiced a desire for more seminars and activities to bolster BION initiatives in their municipality.
“We need to function for our own good,” she affirmed.
The BION representatives from Zamboanga del Sur were also inspired by the best practices implemented by Isabela City de Basilan, a Hall of Famer in BION implementation for Region 9, with its innovative strategies in establishing, sustaining, and monitoring BION efforts.
As they concluded the assembly, the BION members of Zamboanga del Sur look forward to ongoing collaboration and training opportunities to further enhance their capabilities. They recognized that empowering barangay information officers transcends organizational goals; it is a vital commitment to nurturing informed and engaged communities throughout their province and beyond. (EDT/NDR/PIA9)
