By Bernard Ceasar Susbilla
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) held in this city the pilot conduct of its nationwide initiative “Hinun-anon” intended to amplify the government’s programs and services to the public.
As the official information arm of the government, the PIA seeks to bolster its #ExplainExplainExplain information advocacy by creating a venue for dialogue between government prime movers and their clientele.
In his message, PIA Director General Usec. Ramon Lee Cualoping III said that the Hinun-anon, a Hiligaynon term that means to discuss or exchange views on a subject matter, is a first for the PIA under the Marcos Administration in a bid to make the people understand the steps that the government takes for national growth and development.
Usec. Cualoping III warned that misinterpretation may arise and lead to disinformation if government policies and programs are not understood to the core, especially amid the digital era where information spreads easily across different social media platforms.
The official noted that part of a sound democratic process is the availability of a space for dialogue, where government entities and the public are given the opportunity to talk about issues and concerns and thereafter arrive at resolutions for improved service delivery.
“Ito ang layunin natin ngayong hapon – ang Hinun-anon. Ito ang layunin namin sa PIA. Gusyo naming gawin to sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas. Sana magawa namin ito dahil very important na maintindihan ng lahat kung ano talaga (ang polisiya ng pamahalaan),” Usec. Cualoping III added.
For the first run of the Hinun-anon, concerned national government agencies (NGAs) and members of the public transport sector gathered to discuss the different social assistance for the transport workers, particularly on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Present at the event are the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which explained their policies to and presented their respective assistance efforts for the members of the transport sector.
Various transport cooperatives and groups in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental were also given the chance to offer suggestions and air their concerns to the authorities.
Powered by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and in partnership with the City Government of Bacolod, the Hinun-anon received warm accommodation from Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the city government officials.
Asec. Katherine Chloe S. De Castro, PIA Deputy Director General for Regional Operations and Unified Messaging, also graced the event, which will be implemented as well in all the regions of the country. (AAL/BPS/PIA6)
