COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO)—BARMM’s communication arm—launched Wednesday, Aug. 17, its new regular press briefing program dubbed ‘Usapang Bangsamoro’ as one of its efforts in ensuring that the public is informed on the latest updates in the region.
BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun, BIO Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto, and Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) Chairperson Guiamel Alim sat as panelist to answer queries from the media.
Usapang Bangsamoro aims to further expand the messaging reach of the Bangsamoro Government by engaging national and international media partners. It will be conducted every 2nd and 4th week of the month.
During the activity, BIO also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CBCS to formalize their collaboration in intensifying the information dissemination mechanism in the region.
Among the parties’ joint responsibilities are to publish developmental news and official statements through various multimedia platforms, and to conduct necessary research vis-à-vis communication development and information dissemination in BARMM.
“The Civil Society Organizations have always been an aid of the regional government in implementing efficient and effective governance and promoting the welfare of the Bangsamoro,” Alonto said.
“With the active participation of the CSOs, the BIO is optimistic that we can deliver awareness and information to the grassroots, and we can sustain the peace and development agenda of the Government of the Day—making the entire journey more inclusive and more people-centric,” he added.
Meanwhile, Alim emphasized that effective communication is absolutely a tool for development.
“When we don’t get the correct information, we will be doing some kind speculations and sometimes this end somewhere else. This is a challenge for BIO—to come up with accurate information and send them to the people and listen on what the people can send back,” Alim said.
“One of the roles the collaboration (with BIO) can do is for CBCS (to) provide feedback. We will be getting in touch with each other as soon as possible so that we know what’s going on and what the feedbacks on the ground are,” he added.
CBCS is the largest umbrella of civil society organization composed of more than a hundred Moro non-governmental organization and people’s organizations operating in Mindanao, largely in BARMM.
In Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s message of support, he said: “I’m hopeful that your partnership create environment that communicates vital information to our fellow Bangsamoro in an accessible, convenient, and comprehensive manner.” (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
