DAGUPAN CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), spearheaded the Ilocos Region Media Orientation to bolster support for advance localized peace efforts.
The orientation, conducted recently at El Jardine Restaurant in Lingayen, Pangasinan, gathered over 50 media practitioners from across the Ilocos Region with an objective to promote local peace engagement (LPE) and transformation and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
PIA Deputy Director-General for Knowledge Management and Strategic Communications Elmer Jude Mesina said the event, which discussed the government’s sustainable peace initiatives and the critical role of media and grassroots communities in fostering peace, aims to create a network capable of supporting the country’s peacebuilding efforts.
“Only a few know about the local peace engagement, so we want to inform the entire country through the media that there is a government initiative and we are dedicated to the peace process,” he said during the event.
He added that “We still have a lot to do. There are still many processes that need to be done. We still have many fellow citizens to inform that the government is here. The government wants peace because without peace, there is no progress.”
Jennilyne Role, PIA Ilocos Region director, also said that the activity aims to enhance the media’s role in promoting peace through balanced reporting, conflict-sensitive narratives, and combating misinformation.
“This event deepens our understanding of the government’s initiatives for a peaceful and unified Philippines,” she said, emphasizing the media’s role in shaping public perception and supporting the peace process.
Meanwhile, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, a retired police general and a retired director of the Police Community Relations of the Philippine National Police, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.
“If you want to be closer to the people, as a law enforcer, you have to earn respect and the support of the community. This can only happen if you connect to the people through the local media,” Bataoil said.
Adonis Bringas, project development officer and manager of OPAPRU Northern Luzon, highlighted the objectives of the LPE program, which focuses on addressing the needs of conflict-affected people’s organizations.
He emphasized the importance of integrating these needs into local government units’ (LGUs) annual investment plans.
“We advocate for the support of LGUs to include the proposed projects in their annual investment plans,” Bringas stated.
Despite the fact that Ilocos Region is already declared insurgency-free in 2022, Bringas noted that challenges persist, with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army visiting some areas in Pangasinan and other provinces in the region.
Bringas reiterated that communities’ continued vigilance and collaborative peacebuilding efforts are important in maintaining the insurgency-free status of the region.
He continued on to say that strengthening communities by disseminating information and offering government services would further reduce the power of rebel organizations.
Ruel de Guzman, reporter of Radyo Pilipinas Dagupan, said “Since we, as media practitioners, have the power and responsibility to give the public just, timely, and accurate information about relevant issues, including insurgency, and the efforts being done by the government to address it, this media orientation proves to be one of the best sources of first-hand information we can share with the public.”
Radio Mindanao Network News FM reporter Jam Victorio expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the significance of the event in promoting peace initiatives.
“The media orientation with OPAPRU and PIA was effective and meaningful in promoting ongoing programs and efforts for local peace engagement. As the so-called fourth estate of government, the media, we fully understand our role in promoting peace in the country. Thank you, PIA!” she said. (AMB/EMSA/CBC/PIA Pangasinan)
