PIA’s information officers undergo intensive training

Monday 17th of January 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA)-- Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Information officers from the 16 regions of the country get a total “make-up” in the form of rigid training and writing workshop to enhance their quality of work and service to public.

“This training is intended to develop a core of very good writers na p’wedeng ihambing sa mga magagaling na magsusulat natin dito sa bansa” (that can be at par with the country’s best writers) said PIA’s Director General (DG) Atty. Jose A. Fabia before 35 IO-participants in his welcome message during the opening program on January 11 held at the PIA conference room in Manila.

The workshop centers on enhancing writing skills of PIA IO’s for better public service through clear, accurate and real-time delivery of information and bringing regional news into public knowledge through the PIA website.

“Ibandila ang mga nangyayari sa inyong lugar sa buomg Pilipinas as sa ibang bansa” DG encouraged.(Tell the whole Philippines and the world what is happening in your place) “Sabik sa mga balita ang mga kababayan natin. Ito yung mga balita na di nila nakikita sa national papers kundi sa PIA web site lamang.” ( Our overseas Filipinos long for news about our country. These are stories that they don’t see on national papers but on the PIA website only) he said.

“Be the first to bring the news!” he emphasized.

The four-day (Jan. 11-14) rigid writeshop/workshop brought the participants not just to a mere “walk through” on their writing skills but for every lecture was equivalent an actual writeshop application. “Gusto nating iangat ang quality of PIA news writing, feature writing and photo journalism.” (We wanted to improve the quality of PIA news writing, feature writing and photo journalism), said DG Fabia. As he said the agency will continue to provide training to its employees.

“PIA’s mission is not to do propaganda for anyone, but to do good work for the best interest of the country, of the people” said the dynamic DG.

The nerve wracking, brain draining workshop included effective news writing as one very interesting and helpful topics discussed by one of the country’s finest news editor Vergel Santos, who is at present Editorial Board Chairman of the Businessworld. “Writing should come natural, don’t over do it. It’s not about stringing nice and easy words together. Let’s be simple,” advised the veteran writer/editor.

Other topics discussed for day one included photojournalism by Mr. Gil Nartea, Close-in photographer, Malacanang Photo Bureau.

Day two discussion was focused on effective feature writing thoroughly shared by renowned feature writer Marites D. Vitug, who is now Chairman, Advisory Board of NewsBreak (TV program). Like Mr. Vergel, Ms. Vitug also emphasized on “writing simply and clearly” meaning, using simple words and clearly articulating into the story the writer’s intention. For his part, Mr. Gerry Zaragoza,- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Central Desk, shared his expertise on the topic “preparing for coverage” as the participants were scheduled to do field work (interview) to their assigned topic and agencies the flowing day (day three of workshop). The participants were made to do the planning and coordination for field coverage as part of the training/workshop.

Day three was quite “heavy load” for the participants as the enthusiastic IOs were “filtered” into actual coverage of a press conference with Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Assistant Director Gilbert Gonzales and EMB Communications Group Head Elenida Basug. Participants were made to write the press conference story shortly after the press conference covering the broad topic of “ EMB’s thrust and direction for 2011.”

In the afternoon, participants were divided into seven groups, each group was assigned particular topic and agency for actual visit and conduct of interview. Every participant was expected to produce a feature article out of that field work.

Day four was devoted to critiquing of write ups with PIA Deputy Director General (DDG) Virgilio Galvez, Gerry Zaragoza and Mr. Eduardo Luarca as panelists.

The participants’ write-ups were presented and were constructively criticized. The critics pointed some weak and strong points of the writers-concerned and gave them tips on how to improve writing skills.

“The training opportunity has given me an affirmation and direction as well in what I am doing. It has broaden my understanding on journalism and enhanced the skills I have as news writer” proudly said Bennie Recebido, IO, PIA region 5. “The sharing of experiences of the participants from different PIA infocenters across the country was also a great learning for me” she added.

“Information is power. It can save lives. It can change this country. Information is communication that can lead to understanding. We have to bring down timely and accurate information to the Filipinos” said DG Fabia as he expected an “improved” IO’s after the four day stiff training.

In the end, he humbly appealed on all participants: “I asked all of you to become public leaders”, ibalik ang idealism” (bring back idealism) he said. (PIAR9)