Lessons from the First National Information Convention

One of the areas of the Duterte government that has made a great leap, in my personal opinion, is the communications department. Kudos to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief Martin Andanar for exerting efforts to upgrade the facilities of the agencies under his care and for organizing campaigns online and offline to raise awareness on the government's activities in and out of Malacanang.

Last February 19 and 21, I had the privilege of attending the first ever National Information Convention (NIC 2018) which carried the theme "Spurring National Development and Empowering Communities Through Information. The event opened my eyes to the various government flagship programs accomplished under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and those that are still underway. Held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, the convention organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) gathered more than a thousand information officers and staff of government agencies and local government units across the country.  Thanks to PIA-XI for inviting the Davao Bloggers Society to cover the event.

The three main goals of NIC 2018 were to:

1. Strengthen partnership between private and public sector communicators in a bid to nurture a well-informed and enlightened citizenry,
2. Encourage communicators to model effective and responsible sharing of information and use their platforms to share information that will improve their audience's quality of life,
3. Organize a movement of communicators that will empower communities by inspiring civic engagement towards nation building.

With regards to social media, PIA Director-General Harold Clavite encouraged participants to use their platforms such as Facebook and Twitter in a positive way. He stressed that only information that is timely, accurate, relevant and truthful should be shared online which is what the Philippine Information Agency adheres to. Additionally, Clavite reminded that the public should feel free to visit any PIA office near them should they need information on government agencies as well as on travel and tourism matters.

PIA Director General Harold Clavite explaining the mandate of his agency. 

A number of forums were also held that gave participants an opportunity to air out the issues in their offices or jurisdictions for the government communication executives to take action and ask other relevant questions.

One of the highlights of NIC 2018 was the launching of the DU30 app. The mobile app aims to link Filipino communities around the globe, provide the public better access to government programs and further empower communities. Financial tech company iBayad Online Ventures Inc. is behind the development of this app.

As a former broadcast and print journalist, the gathering gave me an opportunity to reconnect with my government counterparts including former colleagues in the Iloilo media who are now in the LGUs. I also finally met on the first day veteran broadcast journalist and KBP Metro Manila Chapter chairman Rey Langit who was one of the speakers. Mr. Langit was (and still is) one of the broadcasters I look up to since my college days when I was still a Broadcast Communication student. I'm glad to know that his son (who was with him then) is also following his footsteps.

With veteran broadcaster Rey Langit. 

Apart from the presentations and forum during the three-day event, the NIC 2018 also showcased the different offices under the PCOO in a separate function hall. Each department had a booth to allow participants to get to know the office's mission, accomplishments and ongoing activities.

On the last day, I chanced upon all the government communication executives led by PCOO Chief Martin Andanar in full force at the other function room entertaining visitors and preparing for a photo shoot. Glad to see them unite for the NIC 2018.

Government communication executives in full force at the NIC 2018. 

Here are some key takeaways from the National Information Convention's presentations. These were taken from the slides of various speakers.