THE coronavirus pandemic has led significant government events to push through with the aid of technology.
In order to avoid the possible spread of infection and satisfy the need for physical/social distancing, one has to digitize his way of addressing his audience.
July is the month known for public officials, including the President of the Republic, to report to the people what they have done over the last 365 days in office.
And this was the manner that Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose "Bong" Lacson did to achieve a safer way of addressing his over a million constituents who were largely either staying in their homes or working.
Everyone does not have the luxury of staying outside to listen to speeches.
Governor Lacson only huddled with Vice Governor Jeffrey P. Ferrer, the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Board members, SP heads and personnel, and other department heads during his State of the Province Address (Sopa) held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol on July 7, 2020.
There was a live Facebook feed that covered the governor's address, which captured a significant number of viewers and engagements.
The Public Information Office has set up the FB live feed with the digital direction of Gary Liza. Newspaper entities and broadcast stations shared the link of the FB live stream to their respective FB page.
In his report, the governor disclosed that Covid-19 has struck everyone unprepared and with no precedent, incurring over a billion pesos economic loss for the province.
He said the government needs to stay strong, responsive and more efficient than ever in performing its mandate to serve to deliver the basic services to the people.
On the part of Vice Governor Ferrer, he made sure that the members of the Provincial Board were able to attend the governor's address despite the risk of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The attendees wore their face masks and observed social distancing.
The male attendees were clad in their Barongs while the female in their formal wear.