PIA strengthens grassroots engagement with Panagtigum, Kapihan in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga brought its platforms to the Province of Dinagat Islands, fulfilling its commitment to inclusive delivery of information and government programs to grassroots communities.
Held on June 29 at the Provincial Guest Center, Barangay Cuarinta in San Jose town, nearly 100 participants from the youth and employment sector and provincial employees were engaged during the ‘Panagtigum’ sa Probinsya sa Dinagat Islands, in partnership with the provincial government of Dinagat Islands through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga.
‘Panagtigum,’ a Visayan word for gathering or convergence, is PIA Caraga’s regional initiative that aims to amplify government services and programs down to the grassroots. It is also an avenue through which PIA can be visible in communities – near or far.
The activity, which finally reached the island province, highlighted DICT’s efforts ensuring the ‘Digital Bayanihan’ initiative reaches communities in the province, especially with the same-day launching of the program on Strengthening the Philippine Workforce through Adaptive and Responsive Digital Knowledge (SPARK).
According to Engineer Lawrence P. Salang, Technical Operations Division chief of DICT Caraga, SPARK is expected to equip Dinagatnons, especially the fresh graduates, with online global employment skills, allowing them to earn income in the comfort of their homes and without leaving their communities.
Dinagat Islands Provincial PESO Manager Lucia V. Galabo disclosed that the provincial government through PESO is looking into expanding the SPARK program to vulnerable sectors, especially teenage mothers so they can have a source of income to meet the needs of their children. “The program on SPARK offers income opportunities to persons with disabilities, women, out-of-school youth and others, helping the provincial government address poverty in the province.”
Also, Engineer Ricardo T. Bacolod Jr., Dinagat Islands provincial officer of DICT Caraga, shared the accomplishments of the agency in the province, including the establishment of free WIFI in significant public places such as in schools, health centers, municipal halls, ports, among others, strengthening the mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on inclusive digital connectivity.
“Currently, we are working on the implementation of the Bayanihan SIM program in Dinagat Islands, especially in unserved areas in the province. Through this program, more students will be connected to digital learning and the telecommunication companies will be motivated to put up towers in these unserved areas to address connectivity concerns of the increasing number of users,” Bacolod said.
DICT Caraga Planning Officer II Reymar A. Estafia of DICT, further shared that the agency is also mandated to strengthen cybersecurity campaigns so Filipinos are not only equipped with digital skills but also assured of their safety and protection online. “Cybersecurity is one of our programs where we implement cybersecurity awareness due to rampant cybercrime. We need to bring this advocacy to the communities.”
“For this year 2026, we implemented 11 cybersecurity awareness activities in the Caraga region. In the Dinagat Islands, it is already 100 percent in digital signature for the government workforce, making government services accessible and convenient for all,” Estafia said, as he also relayed the accomplishments of DICT on Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI), a digital certificate system that allows government employees to create legally recognized digital signatures, encrypt emails, and authenticate secure logins.
SPARK program beneficiaries were also allowed to share how it transformed their lives and made them productive in their endeavors and business ventures. Media Anchor Benjie Bula of Radyo Serbato – Dinagat Islands participated in the open forum for a dynamic discussion.
Meanwhile, the Kapihan sa PIA, another platform of the agency, also took center stage in the province with Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. as a guest of the first Kapihan in the Caraga region, conducted in the provincial level.
Gov. Demerey shared the notable accomplishments and ongoing programs of the province in tourism, environmental protection, peace and order, health and nutrition, modernization in transportation, among others.
With the outstanding economic growth of the province and its resilience from the global crisis, the local chief executive said, “Daghan nata ug naabot nga nag-uban kitang tanan para sa probinsya (Together, we have achieved a lot for the province).”
“This is our future – Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bali, Indonesia – rolled into one. Dinagat Islands will be as progressive as Hong Kong, economically strong like Singapore, and beautiful as Bali, Indonesia,” Demerey said.
The governor added, “We have the resources, so we prepare all Dinagatnons, especially the new generation, for this phenomenal future.” (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
