PIA capacitates Caraga info officers on AI, cybersecurity, mobile journalism
By PIA Caraga
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga once again convened 150 provincial, municipal, and regional information officers (IOs) across the region for their annual Regional Information Officers Conference on June 4, in Butuan City.
Tripling the number of attendees from last year, the undertaking served as both an opportunity to develop their skills and expand their network with fellow government communicators.
Months of planning led the PIA Caraga team to focus on three timely topics: responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and data privacy, and mobile journalism. Subject-matter experts and seasoned public servants guided the knowledge sessions.
PIA Caraga Regional Head Venus L. Garcia, in her welcome remarks, acknowledged the challenges IOs face but underscored their vital role in shaping narratives: “As public communicators, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that our communities receive credible, relevant, and accessible information. The rise of AI, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the expanding role of mobile journalism present both opportunities and challenges that require continuous learning and collaboration.”
“This conference comes at a crucial time when information officers (IOs) are challenged not only to disseminate accurate and timely information, but also to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and communication platforms,” she said.
Doctor Jaymer M. Jayoma, dean of Caraga State University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences, discussed the ethical use of AI. He noted that while some remain hesitant, AI can be transformative when applied responsibly.
“AI tools help government communicators be more productive and efficient—whether in grammar checks, summarizing documents, or producing graphics and videos. These tools are made to assist us, not replace us,” Jayoma said.
Cybersecurity and data privacy were tackled by DICT Planning Officer II Reymar A. Estafia, who reminded IOs of their duty to safeguard sensitive information.
“Whenever media practitioners visit an office for an interview, the first person they would always look for is the information officer. And so, as the official communicator of our agency, we must always be cautious in determining which information may be shared and which data are protected under the law,” said Estafia.
The final session highlighted mobile journalism, covering the User Needs Model, MoJo 2.0, and photography basics. PIA Caraga personnel facilitated workshops to apply these concepts, followed by a short workshop to put the theories in action.
Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante, information officer I of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, shared with her fellow IOs the ‘User Needs Model’–a very helpful tool in analyzing audience behavior before creating purposeful, audience-centered content—ensuring that every post not only informs but also resonates, inspires, and strengthens public trust in their communication efforts.
“We cannot be effective communicators by crafting good information, education, and communication (IEC) materials alone. If we do not capture the attention of our audiences, then our efforts will just go to waste. Every IEC should be a balance between our ideas and the information needs of our audience,” said Diamante.
To further reinforce her presented theory, she also showed the participants sample contents of PIA Caraga, guided by the User Needs Model and its impact on increasing user engagement.
Media Production Specialist John Charles B. Malazarte also re-echoed what he learned from the renowned ABS-CBN news anchor Jeff Canoy, about mobile journalism and how he and the rest of the PIA Caraga team applied what they learned and the substantial change it brought on user engagement.
“We have always given our best in producing eye-catching and informative IEC materials. However, we kept wondering why only a few people viewed our contents. Then we realized there is no definite formula for making content. But it should always be natural and real, capturing moments as they happen,” said Malazarte.
Participants were also given a refresher course on the techniques of capturing captivating images and videos with the use of both cameras and smartphones, led by Edrian M. Iligan, media production assistant, also from PIA Caraga.
By the close of the conference, participants said they were leaving not only with stronger networks but also with practical knowledge of tools and strategies that will directly support their work in their respective offices. From AI applications that streamline content creation, to cybersecurity practices that safeguard sensitive data, and mobile journalism techniques that enhance audience engagement, attendees gained actionable insights to elevate their communication efforts.
Many IOs thanked PIA Caraga for organizing the event, noting that the sessions provided both inspiration and concrete skills they could immediately apply. With renewed confidence and enthusiasm, participants look forward to future conferences that will continue to equip them for the evolving demands of public communication. (NJDG, PIA Caraga)
