PCOO, PIA spearhead 1st National Information Convention

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) spearheaded the 1^st National Information Convention last Feb. 19-21, 2018 at SMX Convention Center, Sm Lanang, Davao City.

With the theme: “Spurring Development and Empowering Communities through Information,” the convention was attended by over 2,000 information officers from National Government Agencies(NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) across the Philippines.

“What we aim to accomplish in this convention is to have deeper understanding of our role as information officers in fulfilling development objectives, and gain a greater appreciation of the positive impact we can make in the lives of the Filipino people,” PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar said in his keynote message.

“As communicators, we all know that knowledge is, indeed, power. But the knowledge you and I possess, as we serve in the frontline of the information world, is something that we must impart to the men and women whom we at the PIA call as our ultimate beneficiary- the Filipino people,” Sec. Andanar added.

Plenary session 1 focused on the understanding government programs and policies. Ms. Anna Mae Lamentillo, chairperson of the build, build, build committee of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, Department of Energy; Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Usec. Ernesto Abella, Department of Foreign Affairs served as the resource speakers for the plenary session 1.

On the other hand, plenary session 2 tackled fostering a safe and healthy media environment. The resource speakers for the plenary were: Asec. Ramon Cualoping III of PCOO; Usec. Jose Joel M. Sy Egco, Executive Director of presidential task force on media security; and Noel S. Alamar, DZMM reporter.

While Atty. Michel Ablan of PCOO served as speaker in the plenary 3 that focused on raising the bar of governance. Atty. Ablan gave his insights about freedom of information as the power of an open government for development. Ms. May Catherine Ciriaco of Social Security System and Dr. Serafin Talisayon, vice chair of Society of Knowledge Management Professionals were also speakers for the third plenary.

Luisito Beltran, columnist of The Philippine Star lectured on empowering government communicators while Dr. Elena Pernia, dean of College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines discussed on empowering communities through media and information literacy. They served as discussants during the fourth plenary that focused on promoting responsible digital citizenship.

Plenary 5 focused on developing a dynamic development communication strategy. Atty. Maria Janet Mesa, Rey Langit, Asec. Jonas George Soriano, and Ron Jabal served as resource speakers during the plenary session. While plenary 6 focused on civic engagement and national building.

At the end of the convention, the PCOO launched the DU30 application as the newest media platform to link Filipino communities worldwide.

The application will give updates on the plans and activities of the present administration.

“Let us wage war against disinformation, misinformation, and fake news. Let us advocate for a well-informed citizenry,” Sec. Andanar reminded the government information officers. #Lyndee Rose Basilio

HRMO orients MGB contractual employees

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II through its Administrative Officer V/ HRMO Ms. Imee Gatan- Agalos conducted a reorientation to its contractual employees regarding the Bureau’s policies and regulations in line with the omnibus rules of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) last January 18, 2017 at MGB Conference hall. 

Agaloos discussed to the contractual employees the importance of attending the flag ceremony and staff meetings of the Bureau. She also gave emphasis on the punctuality of the employees as well as in following the prescribed work hours in conjunction with the CSC policy on government office hours and penalties for unauthorized absences, tardiness, and laziness.

“As government employees we are all required to render 8 hours of work from Mondays to Friday or not less than 40 hours a week,” the HRMO said.

She also reminded the employees of the proper wearing of office’ attire as prescribed in the memorandum of CSC on the appropriate dress code for all government officials. The HRMO put emphasis on the rule of the office on ‘no tight fitting jeans’ to all its employees.

“Our proper office attire includes wearing of our office ID,” she said. Agaloss gave the contractual employees until Feb. 1 to secure an identification card for those who have not yet given an office ID.

On the other hand, Agaloos also reminded the employees of using pass slips when going out of office premises for recording to the administrative section.

Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, OIC Regional Director thanked the contractual employees for their time and service rendered in the bureau.

“Thank you for your cooperation last year and we hope you will do better this 2018 since not everybody is given a chance to be rehired,” the regional director said.

DENR convenes information team; plans to intensify IEC drive

To improve the information drive of the department, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Office (DENR CO) convened the chiefs of the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) of DENR as well as the information officers of its line bureaus last January 25, 2018 at DENR Social Hall.

The meeting was spearheaded by Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service ( SCIS) and Department Spokesman, Atty. Jonas Leones.

“The purpose of this meeting is to reinvigorate the information dissemination especially the activities of the secretary,” Atty. Leones emphasized to the participants.

“We need to make the department more visible, we will effectively relay information to the public,” he added.

During the meeting, Ma. Sabrina Cruz, OIC director of SCIS of DENR presented the roadmap on strategic communication of the department as well as topic on media relations.

DENR conducts orientation on DENR FOI systems

In line with the implementation of Executive Order No. 02 series of 2016, which operationalizes the people’s constitutional right to information in the executive branch, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office conducted a DENR Freedom of Information (FOI) Systems orientation last Feb. 14-15, 2018 at Baguio City.

Dubbed as: “FOI on boarding and roll-out,” the activity was participated in by representatives from DENR Central, Regional and Field Offices, Environment Management Bureau (EMB), and Mines and Geosciences Bureau ( MGB) Regional Offices.

The event was aimed to fully operationalize the eFOI platform and DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2017-02 which directs the use of EnvironMentor mobile application.

Asec. Daniel Darius M. Nicer gave lecture on FOI and the introduction of EnvironMentor application.

The said application is developed by DENR and it gives facts, figures, and issues that concerns the department.

Nicer said that the application is a platform that gives environmental information that can be easily access by DENR employees and the general public.

FOI manual and demonstration of FOI, eFOI portal, E- Commerce law, and Data Privacy Act were likewise presented during the event.

Marie Rose Tangan, records officer, Cecilio Calagui, IT focal person, and Diana Imie Estrada, planning officer were the representatives of the Bureau during the orientation.

The orientation was attended by the participants from regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Moreover, the Visayas and Mindanao clusters will likewise be oriented as soon as schedules have been finalized.