Caraga gov’t IOs enhance public messaging through communication planning training
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Caraga, secretariat of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC), organized a communication planning training for information officers (IOs) and IO designates of national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), and state colleges and universities (SUCs) across the Caraga region.
The training, held on April 14-16 in Butuan City. aims to enhance the skills of government communicators in crafting effective public communication through strategic planning. To help realize such a goal, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, a seasoned communicator and strategist shared her expertise as the resource person of the said workshop.
“As communicators, our primary goal is behavioral change. Through our strategic communication plans, we will be able to effectively tell stories and influence the choices that our audience—the Filipino citizens—make,” said Rodriguez.
She added that the mandate of all government communicators should be aligned with that of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which is to deliver timely, accurate, and relevant information thereby contributing to the public’s capability to make informed decisions based on transparency and truth.
The participants of the communication planning training were not limited to information officers but included personnel holding varied positions and assignments. All were designated to support their respective organizations in strengthening public messaging by applying the theories and techniques gained during the workshop.
Krizza Mae Orejas, planning officer and IO designate of the Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) shared to her co-participants how the training has helped her appreciate the interconnectedness of the roles among IOs and planning officers in providing vital information to their clientele.
“This training has brought me clarity especially with regards to my functions as a newly designated planning and information officer of our university. The duties of both positions, though they are usually handled by different personnel, are directly related as both of them go through the process of strategizing and planning to help realize the endeavors of the agency or institution,” she explained.
DEPDev Caraga, with the support of the Caraga RDC, continues to build the capacity of government communicators by designing more trainings focused on meeting the demand for timely and effective communication. This sustained effort reflects the region’s commitment to empowering public servants with the skills needed to deliver clear, responsive, and impactful messaging down to the grassroots. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
