In my June 6 column, I discussed the proposal of Capitol’s acting public information officer Mark Tolentino to hire an advertising agency to handle radio commercial placements so that the Province’s constituents will be properly informed about Capitol’s programs and projects.
In that column, I criticized the proposal, saying it’s a total waste of government funds.
The contract involves P3.2 million. The work of the agency is to produce radio commercial spots about Gov. Hilario Davide III’s accomplishments and achievements and air these in selected radio stations. Also, I reminded Governor Davide that no amount of media mileage and public relations can cover up an inept, incompetent and non-performing administration.
Over the weekend, I received voluminous documents from Dr. Romulo Davide, the governor’s uncle, who is also his consultant on agricultural matters at P1 a year.
Dr. Davide, who is a professor emeritus from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and a multi-awarded personality on agriculture matters, refuted my allegations about his nephew’s non-performing administration.
Dr. Davide explained that as a consultant to the governor on the agricultural development program, he is duty-bound to inform me and the public about the governor’s accomplishments. He said he is very thankful for my criticisms because it gives him the opportunity to debunk my allegations and provide me with correct information about what his nephew has done and is doing to uplift the living conditions of Cebuanos. In short, “para sa kalambuan sa matag Sugboanon.”
Dr. Davide attached newspaper clippings and research papers about his nephew’s programs and projects. There were news items about Cebu being the wealthiest province in the entire country, an inauguration of a farm-to-market road in Tuburan, Capitol giving donations to various local government units (LGUs), and pictures of farmer-scientists and many other documents that back the governor’s performance.
Dr. Davide highlighted his center-piece program, the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP), which is the umbrella program of all his agricultural development programs and projects like training our farmers to engage in agri-business, livelihood, construction of farm-to-market roads, distribution of farm machinery, irrigation and others.
Because of this, Dr. Davide said, Cebu is recognized nationally as the model for FSTP success. The program is replicated in 34 provinces and 78 municipalities. The governor gave all-out financial support to the first FSTP, which is operating in Argao, Oslob and Medellin, with other municipalities waiting for their turn.
I appreciate Dr. Davide defending his nephew. But I hope those documents he attached were not merely for show. What I mean is, were those programs and projects properly and continuously implemented? Basin kutob lang to sa launching ug photo ops. Unsa may mga kalambuan sa mga programa ni Junjun?
But reading all those documents and news items, I think there is no need for the Capitol to hire an advertising agency to handle its public relations campaign because the governor’s “performance” has been properly documented and well-covered by the mainstream media. Na-report man lagi diay na sa media unya mo-hire pa ta og ad agency?