Agusan Sur strengthens network of information officers, media through dialogue
By Kelvin Kent R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — Municipal information officers (MIOs) and media partners indulged in a productive dialogue with the Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in a joint meeting held at the PDRRMO Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on September 30.
Participants openly shared their strengths and weaknesses in carrying out effective information dissemination across their respective municipalities as MIOs and to the viewers and listeners of media practitioners.
“This gathering is more than just a coordination meeting. It is an opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, enhance our communication systems, and ensure that accurate and timely information reaches every Agsurnon, bolstering disaster preparedness, response, and recovery,” said Jennifer P. Gaitano, division chief of the Public Affairs and Media Relations (PAMRE) of PPIO Agusan del Sur as she welcomed the participants.
“We acknowledge the vital role of media and MIOs as frontliners in information dissemination. Your dedication and collaboration with the provincial offices help bridge the gap between the government’s initiatives and the communities we serve,” she added
The dialogue served as an avenue to foster collaboration, mutual understanding, and stronger partnerships among communication frontliners–both public and private.
“We hope to extend our support in disseminating information about your activities. We do not need a budget or any monetary payment to cover these events, because our primary responsibility is to inform the public. What matters most is your cooperation and shared commitment. By helping each other, we can ensure that accurate, timely, and relevant information reaches the people we serve,” expressed Rey Alinton, media personnel from XFM 91.3 San Francisco – Agusan del Sur.
“Through this dialogue, we are pleased to learn that the services offered by the media in Agusan del Sur are provided free of charge. With this, we are able to invite all media practitioners who are part of this core group, knowing that their commitment does not require any monetary payment,” said Myra H. Samoramos, MIO of the municipality of Talacogon.
The dialogue also highlighted the vital role of MIOs and the media, especially during threats of natural and human-induced hazards and other public emergencies particularly in the province.
The active involvement of these communicators down to the grassroots level ensures that critical messages are quickly and effectively disseminated to the public.
By providing timely updates on essential details such as what, where, when, why, and how of disaster preparedness and response, they are able to help communities become more aware, resilient, and better equipped to prevent or lessen the impact of disasters.
As a result of the meeting, PPIO and PDRRMO Agusan del Sur recommended to all MIOs and media practitioners to undergo training on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) to enhance their basic skills in crafting information, education, and communication (IEC) materials related to disaster management. The said training is set to be conducted during the last quarter of this year.
“It is essential for every MIO and media practitioner to be well-equipped with the proper knowledge and skills in disseminating information during disaster situations,” said David M. Suyao, editorial consultant and DRRM focal of PPIO Agusan del Sur.
“This will ensure that Agsurnons will not panic in emergency situations and will instead receive timely, accurate, and necessary updates that can guide them in making informed decisions for their safety,” he added.
Through this effort, both MIOs and members of the media were able to identify ways on how they can complement together toward the collective goal of a well-informed and disaster-resilient Agusan del Sur. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur)
