Capiz Provincial Press Bureau: Enhancing communication lines
ROXAS CITY – The Capiz Provincial Press Bureau has gone a long way since it was created in August 2008 as an information arm of the Capiz provincial government.
Now, Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. and Provincial Administrator and Legal Officer Joe Villanueva are talking about its institutionalization.
The Bureau was created by Tanco through Administrative Order No. 21 as one of the line division offices of the Office of the Governor to take charge of its information dissemination activities and public relations.
The Bureau, headed by former editor-publisher Edward Basilonia, could be the first of its kind in Western Visayas in terms of the number of people manning it, totaling 16; the logistical support it enjoys; and the scope of its functions and coverage.
It has a separate office backed by modern equipment at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol.
Using the quad-media approach – print, radio, television and the internet – the Bureau has made its presence is felt in the day-to-day existence of Capizeños.
It has a block time radio program “Pag-ulikid: Labi sa tanan ang Tawo” aired over dyoW Bombo Radyo (8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Wednesday) and over RMN-dyVR (8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Friday).
The Bureau also maintains two block time programs with same title on two cable channels. One is shown on Filvision Alto Cable Inc. on Channel 5 (8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday with replay at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the same day) and another on Wesfardell Cable TV on Channel 6 (10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
Aside from its daily press releases, the Bureau also maintains a monthly newsletter dubbed “Pag-ulikid.” Written in Hiligaynon, it has a circulation of more than 3,000.
It also created the “blogsite” capizpressburea.i.ph to give more access to information to Capizeños not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. Through the website, updates on the latest news, programs, events and activities of the provincial government can be easily accessed and downloaded.
The Bureau has also worked on the making of a jingle for the development agenda of the governor.
Its other functions include compiling of news clippings, designing of streamers and tarpaulins for events and programs, and handling of publicity and promotions of such events, including the Dungog: Indigenous Peoples Festival
recently adjudged by the Commission for Culture and the Arts as the best tourism event in the country.*
