Almost 500 information officers in Agusan Sur commit to join in Caraga’s first BION
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY -- The information officers (IOs) from the different barangays in the 14 city and municipalities of Agusan del Sur, along with the department IOs of the provincial government have committed to take part in the first Barangay Information Officers Network (BIO-N) Assembly in the Caraga region, which is the last leg in the country.
This will be held on December 1, 2024 at the covered court, D.O. Plaza government center in Patin-ay, municipality of Prosperidad.
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will take the lead along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga in coordination with the respective municipal/city and provincial information officers of the different local government units in mobilizing, training, and facilitating engagements with other government agencies.
PIA Caraga Regional Head Venus Lim-Garcia emphasized that PIA recognizes the vital role of communication in the promotion and implementation of government programs/projects, policies, and activities (PPAs) in reaching the grassroots communities, proposes to mobilize and capacitate members of the communities as communicators of vital information-dissemination efforts.
“These Barangay Information Officers especially in the province of Agusan del Sur forming into a network, as communicators of timely, accurate, and relevant information, pandemic or not, will be the mouthpiece as well as sources of information from the national level to the barangays and from their respective barangays to the national through the various traditional and online platforms,” she said.
“This PIA grassroots communication effort for the BIO-N aims to create awareness and deeper understanding of message development and communication using the available online platforms; to acquire the basic techniques and skills in data gathering and develop the competence as well as confidence in gathering and disseminating information; to enable them to produce outputs for utilization and consumption of the community; and to gain access to the benefits and assistance from other government agencies through the Information-Education Communication materials available,” explained Garcia.
As the host province, Governor Santiago Cane Jr. expressed his commitment to supporting the information officers in the province in this endeavor. “Our Provincial Public Information Office will continue to work closely with you to ensure full participation of our BIOs,” he said.
During the BION, Gov. Cane will also share the provincial government’s directions in the implementation of its significant programs and projects.
PPIO chief PJ Dela PeΓ±a lauded the PIA for this initiative and for choosing the province as the first recipient of BION.
Also, the two congressional representatives from Districts 1 and 2 – Hon. Alfelito “Alfel” Bascug and Hon. Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza, respectively, vowed to provide support to the information officers in the province who play a very vital role in making their constituents well-informed citizens. Both have also committed to give prizes through the PIA.
Meanwhile, PIA directorates and support staff from the central office will also be attending this first BION in the region, right before Christmas holidays.
Guests and participants will also witness performances of local artists/Agsurnon talents, as well as local products of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
