THE PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will launch Project Information Highway to reach more people and educate them about government programs.
According to PIA XI regional director Rene Carbayas, the project aims to bring facts and figures about the administration’s programs closer to the people by establishing barangay information officers (BIOs).
Carbayas added that this is based on the Local Government Code of 1991, or Republic Act 7160, which states in Section 17b that one of the basic facilities of a barangay is an Information and Reading Center.
Currently, the PCO and PIA have prioritized launching this project in Mindanao regions. In Region XI, Davao de Oro has been chosen as the pilot area.
To commence the project, an assembly of BIOs in Davao de Oro will be held at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School on November 18, 2024.
The project will be spearheaded by PCO Assistant Secretary Rowena “Wheng” Hidaldo-Otida, PIA deputy director general Adolfo Ares Gutierrez, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Congresswoman Maricar Zamora, and regional director Carbayas.
Also invited to the program are regional director Ednar Dayanghirang of the Office of Civil Defense XI, regional director Abdullah Matalam of the Department of Interior and Local Government XI, and Nabunturan Mayor Myrocel Balili, as the first to establish BIOs in the local government unit.
An estimated 500 participants are expected to attend the assembly.
Photo courtesy of PIA XI
