To enhance the Bontoc firefighters’ writing skills in delivering accurate information and reports on their activities, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bontoc conducted their first-ever district journalism training and workshop held on June 14, 2024 at BFP-Bontoc Station.
The training workshop is a collaborative effort between BFP-Bontoc and Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS) focused on news and feature writing. MPGCHS English teachers Marlon C. Etngay and Sally C. Changlapen volunteered their expertise to conduct the training.
Following the lectures, participants applied their acquired skills during their workshop and received feedback to help them improve their outputs. Outputs are also given to the BFP personnel to assess their improvement.
Evona Faith L. Patingan, Fire Officer III, said that the training workshop is conducted as part of the approved two-year collaboration plan between BFP-Bontoc and MPGCHS. Initially, the training was intended for the Public Information Officers (PIOs) but to equip all BFP personnel with writing skills, they are encouraged to participate.
“It was a two-year plan actually for it to have continuity and to assess if we are improving. We ask for assistance from the resource speakers if it is already okay for publication before we publish,” Patingan said.
Cifford T. Chinalpan, Senior Fire Officer I and one of the participants, emphasized the importance of joining this kind of activity, especially in the improvement of their writing skills and in the information that they share with the public.
“Nu kitkitan yu jay previous post namin idjay FB page compared kahapon, may improvement na siya, kasla na kompleto yung information. Nu tuloy tuloy nga kasjay ti ikasta dagijy PIOs nga agpost ket maymaymayat tapno kasla mainganyo dagijy agbasbasa (If you look at the previous post in our FB page compared yesterday, there is improvement. The information posted yesterday was more complete. If the PIOs will continuously post like [news writing] that, it will encourage the readers to read),” Chinalpan expressed.
The next training session has not been scheduled since it depends on the availability of BFP-Bontoc and MPGCHS, but both are committed to continuing their collaboration.