BARMM INFORMATION OFFICERS’ PASSION DEEPENS AFTER MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS WORKHOP
Information officers and graphic designers of the different ministries and bureaus of BARMM have become more driven to communicate truthful and beneficial info and happenings to the Bangsamoro and the country after two days of exhaustive and interactive lectures and discussions at the first ever Media Communications Workshop held on October 10-11, 2019 at the Robinsons Convention Hall, Al Nor Convention Center, Cotabato City.
The activity was jointly conducted by the Bureau of Public Information (BPI) of the BARMM and the Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) as product of their growing partnership.
BARMM Spokesperson and MILG Minister Atty. Naguib G. Sinarimbo, said communication is an important aspect of governance in this age, hence the need to capacitate its agents to ensure they have the necessary skills to effectively showcase an honest to goodness accomplishments of the BARMM.
“We cannot attract investments unless the image of the Bangsamoro Region is changed through accurate reporting and information dissemination, and the role of the information officers is crucial”, stressed Speaker Sinarimbo.
Undersecretary George Apacible of PCOO started the series of significant lectures with his presentation on “Communicating the Government’s Message and the Overview of PCOO” through which he informed the group of the different agencies merged under the office and its mandate’ that is to engage and involve the citizenry. “President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would prioritize the protection of all communities across the country from hatred and discrimination, and the threat of extremism regardless of ethnicity, religion and beliefs,” Apacible relayed to the group.
Sharpening the participants’ knowledge and skills were the topics tackled such as Communications Strategies for Tri Media by Alex Rey Pal of Philippine Broadcasting Service, Working with Media by Assistant Secretary for Media Accreditation and Relations Office of PCOO Florentino “Jun” Y. Loyola Jr., News Content Creation and Management by Director Virginia R. Arcilla-Agtay of PNA, Procurement Process by PCOO BAC Head Atty. Ana Farinah B. Mindalano, Basic Graphic Design by Mao Durungan of PCOO, Communications Planning by Assistant Secretary and Chief Brand Integrator Ramon L. Cualoping, III of PCOO, and Digital Photo and Video Handling by Arjen Manlapig and Mark Bayaga.
When asked on the BPI’s status in the next five years, Director Dr Norodin D. Salam projected it to be the leading center of information in BARMM communicating accurate and valid information to the communities that can promote betterment of the people.
With the success of the RMC meeting, Minister Yacob expressed his grateful appreciation to the attendees from the different line agencies, whose contributions will help a lot in addressing the challenges towards the improvement of the Bangsamoro farmers and fishers.
He further encouraged unity among the participants to attain their goals and be able to effectively perform their mandates to serve the Bangsamoro people.
An intensive meeting followed, through which pressing issues in the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the region were discussed and decided upon by the committee.