DAVAO CITY, June 21 (PIA) – Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Philippine Information Agency has called on the continuous support of Davao media in the dissemination of government programs and undertakings, especially for the poor and the children.
“I hope we could journey together,” Oquiñena intimated to media practitioners during Thursday’s Hermes Club Forum at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, this city.
Though he said that there maybe different opinions and views at times, and that there will be time when “we’re not of the same sides,” the PIA chief conveyed his desire to have a healthy and dynamic working relationship with the media.
“Sana we could find a common ground especially when it comes to the poor and the children,” stated Oquiñena who came from the private sector being the former head of operations of the Gawad Kalinga Foundation.
He said “I am privileged of where I am now, not because of the position but because of the opportunity to know people who make an impact, consciously and unconsciously sa mga tao.”
The PIA official was referring to the media people whom he said mold minds of those "listening and reading" the tri-media as well as the social media.
With the support and help of the media, he further hoped that the PIA would become the Philippine Inspiration Agency that would lead the dissemination of more valuable information other than news stories.
“Sana after matapos ang six years ni Presidente Aquino, meron man lang tayong na inspire na generation,” he stated.
Being at the government service for six months, Oquiñena admitted that he is still learning the ins and outs of leading the communication agency, and shared his desire to obtain more knowledge from the media.
“I want to learn from all of you,” he said citing the guidance from newly-elected Philippine Press Institute chair Atty. Jesus Dureza and PIA-XI regional director Efren Elbanbuena.
Dureza, who also graced the Hermes Club Forum, has assured a close support to Oquiñena. “The private sector’s concern will resonate from you,” the former press secretary stated.
Meanwhile, Oquiñena bared a proposed plan of establishing the Volunteer Officers for Information and Community Empowerment (VOICE) program as one way of adapting to the limited resources of PIA.
He said that with the limited funds and personnel, “it is really physically impossible to cover all” areas in the country.
He explained that the VOICE concept would be recruiting 20 to 30 young volunteers from each barangay to become community journalists who would be mentored by PIA’s information center managers to expound information or what is being disseminated such as on maternal death, renal health care, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
“It’s shifting from news to information, but news or information with a touch of care,” he said. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)
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