PIA-NCR to conduct climate change forum and skills enhancement seminar

As part of the government’s massive advocacy campaign on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, the Philippine Information Agency- National Capital Region (PIA-NCR), in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), has organized a Climate Change Forum and Skills Enhancement Seminar for NCR public information officers set on June 18-20 in Baguio City.

To be participated in by members of the Association of Information Officers in Metro Manila (AIMM), composed of public information officers (PIOs) from the 17 local government units (LGUs) in NCR, and information officers of the NCR regional offices of national government agencies (NGAs); the seminar-forum aims to broaden the knowledge of PIOs on climate change being an inevitable phenomenon that poses dangers and risks if not given immediate action.

Also invited to participate are information officers from PIA and DENR regional offices in  Northern Luzon.

It also aims to introduce current trends and innovations in journalism that would further improve their skills in press release writing, media relations, crisis communication, and communicating climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions—all to produce relevant, timely, and effective communication materials that could influence the public to act towards climate change and possibly curb the ominous effects it could bring.

Invited speakers include big names from the country’s top dailies such as Ms. Dulce Sanchez, Metro Editor of the Philippine Star; Mr. Joseph Voltaire Contreras, Metro Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; and Mr. Vicente Bartilad, Assistant Editor in Chief of the Manila Bulletin.

From the government side, Ms. Harriet Tauli of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) will tackle Communicating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation to the public.

The AIMM, which was founded in 1997 by PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza Baldoria, is an organization which aims to unite LGUs and NGAs in the National Capital Region towards the dissemination and communication of government programs, projects, and activities in the region. The AIMM also serves as an intermediary between the public and the government through its feedback mechanism activities.

From its formation, the AIMM has already conducted various skills enhancement training-seminars, workshops on government programs, public service activities, and media fora, among others, that had benefitted not only its members but the general public as well.

For this year’s campaign the PIA and DENR, along with its various regional offices, have lined up a series of activities specifically for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Advocacy.

The theme for the government’s Climate Change campaign is “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para MAgbago.”