The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Dinagat Islands, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)-Caraga, successfully convened municipal and barangay information officers for the Provincial Information Officers Conference held at the Provincial Guest Center in Barangay Cuarinta.
Under the theme “Building a Better Mindanao by Strengthening Public Information and Information Officer Empowerment,” the conference highlighted the essential role government communicators play in fostering public trust, driving regional progress, and safeguarding truth at the grassroots level.
“Every meaningful development begins with a story that people understand, trust, and choose to be part of,” said MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno in a video message. “Development moves faster when institutions communicate with a united message.”
The initiative directly supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which positions transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance as a fundamental pillar of national progress. By reinforcing the Regional Information Network Forum, MinDA aims to build a well-connected network of information officers capable of effectively delivering government programs to local communities and combating the spread of fake news.
Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., who also serves as Chairperson of the Caraga Regional Development Council, emphasized that communication is a core component of good governance, particularly in an era dominated by digital misinformation.
“Information is not simply a message to be released. It is a bridge between policies and the people they are meant to serve,” Governor Demerey stated, referring to information officers as “the storytellers of public service” who connect policy with the everyday lives of citizens.
To equip local communicators with the necessary tools, the conference provided critical briefings on public health, peace and order, national security, and key national issues, including the West Philippine Sea.
PIA-Caraga Assistant Regional Head Renelle Escuadro reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to supporting communicators across all reaches of the region. “No information officer—near or far—should be left behind,” Escuadro assured, reiterating PIA’s commitment to delivering timely and accurate information to every community.
Through continuous training, strategic alignment, and cross-agency collaboration, MinDA and its partner agencies remain committed to empowering local information officers to drive active public participation in nation-building and secure an informed citizenry across Mindanao.
