DECEMBER 20, 2021 is indeed one of my most memorable dates so far. On this day, yours truly was awarded as the National Champion in the Information Dissemination Broadcast Category in the first ever Information Leaders Awards or ILAW of the Department of Education. The said recognition program was launched by the Public Affairs Service or PAS to recognize the efforts of RIOs and DIOs in the grassroots mobilization of DepEd advocacies, provide an avenue to encourage field officers to actively participate in the information campaigns of the Department, and promote best practices in government communications and public assistance.
The judges for the Broadcast Category were broadcast journalists Abner Mercado and Jeff Canoy. They were joined by Mr. +Regobel Tumaneng, head of the Media Relations Unit of the DepEd PAS. Upon seeing who the judges were during the panel interview, I was really nervous knowing how known they are in the field of broadcasting. But as they say, there is always a moment to feel grace under pressure.
As the designated Regional Information Officer of the Department of Education Region III, I am happy to share that I have initiated several information and advocacy projects that include the K to 12 Regional Information and Advocacy Campaign and Mall Information Exhibit, Edukasyon Central Luzon Public Affairs Program, Handa Kami sa DepEd Region III Daily Virtual Pressers and News Edition, and Project CLICK.
Let me share some brief description for each project:
The Edukasyon Central Luzon, Nnw on its second season, is the monthly 30-minute video talk show undertaken by the DepEd Regional Office with the Public Affairs Unit as the lead implementer. The program highlights various programs, activities, and projects of the different Regional Divisions and Units. It is aired every third Thursday of the month on GNN TV 44 Pampanga and livestreamed in the official Facebook Page DepEd Regional Office III. It is mainly disseminated through the Official Facebook Page, Youtube Channel and official website of the Department of Education Regional Office III which allows more audience engagement regardless of location and time.
Meanwhile, the Handa Kami sa DepEd Region III Daily Virtual Pressers and HKSDR News Edition became the strategy to effectively disseminate information when the Covid-19 pandemic affected the routine work and life that we are doing. Amidst the uncertainties on how education will continue as the entire world faced the threats of COVID-19, the need to actively inform and disseminate relevant and truthful information regarding the new learning modalities has never been made more significant in the Department of Education. The Daily Virtual Pressers were livestreamed daily at 10 o’clock in the morning in the official Facebook and YouTube pages of the DepEd Regional Office III and featured one (1) Schools Division Office represented by the SDS or ASDS and discussed the various programs, projects, and activities undertaken by their SDO relative to the opening of classes.
The Video News Updates started as monthly news updates which were aired on the official Facebook Page of the DepEd Regional Office. In broadcast news format, these updates effectively disseminated relevant information such as the COVID travel restrictions (DepEd Region III News Update No. 2 s.2020) which has a total view of 72k views, SY 2019-2020 Graduation Rites (DepEd Region III News Update No. 4 s.2020) which has a total of 126k views, and SY 2020-2021 enrollment procedures (DepEd Region III News Update No. 7 s.2020) which has a total of 43k views.
The CLICK InfoVlog is the new version of the DepEd Region III News Updates which is a strategy to stay relevant to the new trends of information dissemination. The vlogs tackle important activities such as the Enrollment Procedure for formal and non-formal (ALS) and other new programs such as game-based education (Minecraft for Education) and online and digital technologies for public school students.
All these initiatives were implemented with the support of our education officials and colleagues. Hence, I would also like to thank them all for allowing me use my skills and talent to help the Department in its information and advocacy efforts.
This recognition will truly inspire me to reach further heights in my work as a public servant and as a government communicator. Thank you Lord for giving me this blessing and I give all the glory back to You.
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I would like to honor a dedicated public servant, Mr. +Regobel Tumaneng, who suddenly passed away last week. As the head of the Media Relations Unit, he was tasked to organize the national and regional press conferences involving the Secretary of DepEd. In his years of service in the Public Affairs Service, he has shown great passion and enthusiasm to bring innovative changes and strategies to help inform the public and all education stakeholders. I will miss you Sir Rego, and I offer my award to your great legacy of excellence and dedication for truth and reliable information. Rest well, my dear friend.