PGIN empowers local information officers thru communication training

Some 80 information officers from various provincial offices of national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Norte participated in the Effective Government Communication and Public Information Training on April 19, 2024, at Sola Hotel, Laoag City.

The training was spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte's Communication and Media Office (PGIN-CMO) in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Ilocos Norte, aimed to equip information officers with essential strategies for news writing, media relations, social media branding, and editing.

Assistant Secretary Michael Kristian R. Ablan of the Department of Trade and Industry, served as the keynote speaker. In his address, he emphasized, “Our jobs as government communicators are very difficult, it is because bad news is very attractive. Bad news is visible and good news is invisible, but may sapat na laban ang good news at government officers, the social media is weakening our local media."

"The works that you write today will be the ones that our future generations will read and know about, hone your art, be a good communicator, always remember that you are doing something good to our community," Asec. Ablan added.

Participants actively engaged in hands-on exercises, learning effective news writing and public relations strategies, thereby gaining valuable insights that elevate the quality of government communications and information dissemination in the province.

Moreover, Mr. Gervy James N. Gumarit, head of PGIN-CMO, also shared his thoughts, stating, “The training and lessons you gain from this event are secondary to its primary purpose. The main goal of this event is to establish a strong and unified network of information officers, allowing us to meet and connect with each other."

Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc remains committed to enhancing the accessibility of communication in the province, ensuring that Ilokanos have access to timely and accurate information and active participation in local governance.

The event featured notable speakers such as Mr. Benjamin Pacris, former PIA Ilocos Sur Information Center Manager; Mr. Edison Justin B. Deus, head writer of PGIN-CMO; Ms. Emma Joyce Guillermo, Information Officer of PIA-Ilocos Norte; and Mr. Ryand Angelo Ugalde, Associate Editor for Broadcast of Sirmata, who shared their expertise and experiences in various aspects of communication and public information