As social media continues to shape how people receive and respond to government information, the Cebu Provincial Government is strengthening the communication skills of local information officers through a two-day training congress.
At least 40 local government units are participating in the “Communicate Cebu: Information Officers Congress,” which began Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Capitol Social Hall.
Organized under the direction of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, the congress carries the theme “Strengthening Creative Public Information and Digital Communication.”
The initiative aims to help LGU information offices improve crisis communication, digital content production and public information campaigns while addressing misinformation and helping ensure government programs and services reach their intended beneficiaries.
Provincial Information Officer Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong said Baricuatro considers government communicators crucial in making public programs accessible and understandable.
“Gov. Pam believes man gud strongly in the power and responsibility of government communicators. She understands that even the best government program means little if the people do not know about it, do not understand it, and do not know how to access it,” de la Torre-Orong said.
The congress features sessions on crisis management, mobile journalism, videography, social media poster design, photojournalism and visual storytelling.
Veteran journalist Connie Fernandez-Brojan, former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct print edition of Cebu Daily News, is handling the crisis management session.
Joeberth Ocao, managing editor of GMA 7 Regional TV’s web portal, is leading the mobile journalism session, while Idden de los Reyes, co-founder of 8thumbs Production Inc., is conducting the videography session.
De los Reyes was also known for his work as director of photography for “Huwebes Huwebes,” a Cebuano film nominated for Best Picture at the Gawad Urian Awards.
Marianne Cañete is facilitating the session on basic social media poster design, while SunStar Cebu photojournalist Juan Carlo de Vela is handling the fundamentals of photojournalism and visual storytelling.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano said effective government leadership depends partly on the public’s access to accurate information.
“For government leadership to be effective, the public must know what the government is doing for the people,” Durano said.
He said misinformation and fake news can thrive when accurate government information is not readily available, potentially undermining public understanding of government programs and actions.
“That is just the nature of democracy. For us to inspire the public, the public must know what we are doing for them,” Durano said.
The congress is intended to equip LGU information officers with practical communication skills that they can use in delivering timely and credible information to their respective communities.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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