Bombo exec reelected KBP prexy
Herman Z. Basbaño, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer AM Division of the Bombo Radyo Philippines network, was recently reelected president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
Basbaño’s reelection to the position for 2010 came during the recent Top Level Management Conference held by the KBP at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City last November 12 to 13, 2009. As one of the few Ilonggos currently holding a key position in an influential and nationwide organization such as the KBP, Basbaño’s relection was seen as a recognition of his outstanding performance as KBP President and an affirmation of his leadership qualities.
As the first Ilonggo and “provinciano” to become KBP President, Basbaño held together a usually fractious and difficult to manage association composed of 134 member networks, with a 771 radio stations and 171 television stations from all over the country. Under his term as president this year, the KBP came alive with a lot of activities that revitalized the organization and made it more relevant to the members and to society in general. He thanked the KBP Board and the general membership for all the support as well as Bombo Radyo Philippines specially its President/CEO Dr. Rogelio M. Florete for the opportunity to serve the industry as KBP top honcho.
The KBP under Basbaño’s stewardship held quite a number of activities like tree planting which he calls Oplan Broadcastreeing to help protect the environment. The association also conducted seminars to enable the industry to meet the challenges presented by the current economic crisis while seminars were also conducted to empower the individual broadcaster and his family to cope with the difficulties of the times. It also conducted other activities to upgrade industry standards and linked up with various government agencies and private organizations to make the KBP more responsive to the needs of the society. “As a broadcaster who rose from the ranks, I also wanted to help the foot soldiers of the industry,” Basbaño stressed.
In September this year, Basbaño led a delegation of KBP officials on a cultural exchange visit to several key cities in China to effect partnerships and transfer technology between the Philippines and Chinese broadcast industries. “The KBP is expanding its horizons to embrace the best practices in other countries and the new age,” said Basbaño who also initiated KBP interactions with the British Council, the European Commission, the Japanese Information Officials and the US Deputy Press Attaché. He also attended the Asia Pacific Broadcasters Union General Assembly in Ulaam Baatar, Mongolia last month.
The long list of KBP activities pursued by the KBP is also highlighted by concerted efforts to protect the industry and its practitioners from death and harassment and encroachments on the freedom of the press. “This particular problem cannot be addressed overnight,” Basbaño noted. “But we should continue to be vigilant against any sector that will imperil our basic freedom.”
Basbaño expressed his willingness to serve another term even if it would take much of his time away from his own job and his family. He said, “I will try to do my best to continue what we have started if only to serve the KBP, my fellow broadcasters and the general public for just another year.”
