PGB, DILG hold Barangay Journalism Training Program

CITY OF MALOLOS – In a bid to recognize the fundamental role of free and open exchange of information in democracy, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Bulacan conducted the Barangay Journalism Training Program for Barangay Public Information Officers (BPIOs) held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium last Wednesday and Thursday in this city.

The said training program aims to teach the 569 BPIOs in the province of responsible journalism or reporting so that they will be able to share the information on public concerns from local government units using various avenues like social media.
In his speech, Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado explained that the right to inform is probably the strongest pillar of democracy.

“Ang karapatang mamahayag marahil ang pinakamatibay na haligi ng demokrasya na hindi lamang tumitiyak sa patuloy na pananahan ng kapangyarihan sa kamay ng sambayanan, bagkus ay pati na rin sa pangingibabaw ng kalayaan at ng mga pagpapalang niluwal nito upang tamasahin ng sambayanan ang kaganapan ng ating mga pinagbuklod na layunin,” Alvarado said.

Moreover, DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño told the BPIOs that they will be the ones who will help the province of Bulacan to progress more.

“Isa kayo sa magpapaunlad ng probinsya ng Bulacan. Kaya kayo ay pinag-aaral ngayon ng proper reporting system, lahat ng plano para sa mga mamamayan, lahat ng plano para sa kapakinabangan ng higit na nakararami, kayo po ang makakatulong namin para ipahayag at ipamalita ang mga ito,” Diño said.

Jenibeth Perez of Doña Remedios Trinidad, one of the attendees, said she learned the importance of public information and how it can be beneficial to every barangay.
“Hindi lahat ng balita tungkol sa barangay namin ay nalalaman ng lahat at hindi ito naging madali. Ngayon, dahil natutunan na namin ang tamang paglalahad ng balita, magkakaroon na kami ng madaling access para ipaalam sa lahat kung ano ang nangyayari sa paligid, lalo na sa mga benepisyo na pwedeng ma-avail,” Perez said.

Subjects discussed in the training program were Development Communication; Introduction to Barangay Journalism; Media Law and Ethics; Media: Theory, Practices and Principles; Media Interview; Introduction to News Writing; and Perform News Writing.

The Barangay Journalism Training Program is pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2017-165 of the DILG that supports the implementation of Journalism/Reporter Training Program for the Provincial, City, Municipal and Barangay Public Information Officers.