By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the role of state communicators in enhancing public awareness and fostering trust between the government and the citizens as he honored outstanding communication campaigns and strategies by government agencies and local government units.
During the “Parangal: Gawad Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko” event at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the President stressed that effective communication is one of the foundations of leadership, holding the “power to unite or to divide, to heal or to harm, to lead or to mislead.”
“Without it (effective communication), leadership will falter, policies will be forgotten, and the people—our people—are left searching for direction,” the Chief Executive said.
A total of 14 government communicators were awarded during the “Parangal” ceremony, recognizing their outstanding communication campaigns and strategies adopting innovative strategies that resonate with the nation:
- Lupon, Davao Oriental (Public Service Campaign – Municipal Level)
- Victorias, Negros Occidental (Public Service Campaign – City Level)
- Bataan (Public Service Campaign – Provincial Level)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (Public Service Campaign – National Level)
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (Government Innovation Award – National Government Agencies)
- Pag-IBIG Fund (Government Innovation Award – GOCCs)
- Pag-IBIG Fund (Outstanding Digital Campaign – Website of the Year)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (Outstanding Digital Campaign – Best Short-Form Campaign)
- National Privacy Commission (Outstanding Digital Campaign (Best Long-Form Campaign)
- Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (Outstanding Digital Campaign – Best Infographic Campaign)
- Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (Outstanding Digital Campaign – Viral Impact Award)
- Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (Digital Campaign of the Year)
- Department of Budget and Management (Champion of Information – Integrity)
- DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao (Outstanding Public Communicator Award)
“The campaigns, the messages, and the voices we celebrate this evening remind us what leadership is capable of when there is a connection with the people,” Marcos said.
“While these awards recognize your achievements, they are also declarations of leadership standards that enhance public awareness and empower participation in governance,” he added.
Acting PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Senior Undersecretary Emerald Anne Ridao, emphasized the role of creative communication as well as fact-checked information in building public trust by empowering participation in Philippine governance.
“We are commending the best communication campaigns of our various agencies, which inform, reassure, and engage the Filipino people. We are celebrating the feats of those who have fused new media with the time-honored principles of adherence to truth,” Chavez said.
“In recognizing these campaigns, we seek the best practices, foster collaboration, and inspire an ethos of continuous improvement. By rewarding these exemplary individuals, we are showing their colleagues a proof of concept that is replicable,” the PCO chief added.
-iro