PIA chief reminds PIOs of critical role in peace, development

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General, Usec. Jose A. Torres Jr. reminded the public information officers in Central Visayas of their critical role in promoting peace and development in the country.

“Information officers play a very critical role in linking communities, especially when it comes to relaying the right information in the face of conflict, and in promoting the government’s and the various sectors’ reconciliation efforts on the ground,” said Torres during the 26th Regional Association of Development Information Officers in Region 7 (RADIO 7) Convention in Dumaguete City.

“This is our role as peace builders. We play a very important part in promoting peace through our development communication strategies, especially in facilitating dialogues in communities,” he added.

The PIA chief said the Presidential Communications Office, PIA, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity have forged an agreement to effectively disseminate the government’s efforts to promote the understanding of peace and reconciliation in the country.

Torres shared that PIA continues to hold a series of media briefings and public consultations to enhance the media’s understanding of the government’s Localized Peace Engagement and Transformation Program.

“It is our goal to improve the public’s awareness, especially among the grassroots, our communities, to support our peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives,” he said.

The role of IOs in development

Torres emphasized that every government effort towards development involves information officers.

“We are always there to craft communication strategies that would hopefully boost public awareness. We engage with our communities through various media – radio programs, talk shows, roadshows, caravans, kapihan, kumustahan, and others,” he said.

Torres stressed the role of IOs in communicating the government’s programs and initiatives, saying that it should go beyond information dissemination.

“What makes every government project worthwhile is the human aspect, the human story behind the development, that everyone wants to listen and to share. People love to hear anecdotes, real life narratives of struggle, of love, of joys and sorrows, of achievements and victories,” he explained.

He added that people will better appreciate the government’s programs when government agencies focus on how these initiatives positively impact individuals, families and communities.

Enhancing the impact as PIOs

While he is confident that everyone in the convention is a skilled communicator, Torres shared three key areas that the information officers could focus on to enhance their impact.

This includes leveraging technology to streamline their efforts, understanding the communities they serve, and fostering strong coordination and collaboration with communities, the government and the private sector, and even the international community.

More than 100 PIOs and local government unit tourism officers from Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor gathered in Dumaguete City for the three-day convention.

This year’s event carries the theme “Communicating the Government’s Peace Agenda to Push for Sustainable Tourism Development.”

RADIO-7 is the umbrella organization of five associations of PIOs in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquiijor.

The government information associations organized by the PIA in the provinces take turns in hosting the annual regional convention. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)

PIA Director-General Jose A. Torres giving his message during the opening of the 26th RADIO-7 Convention held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Sept. 4, 2024. In his message, he reminded the public information officers that their mission is more than just delivering messages; it’s about bridging the gap between the government and the people. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)