SAN FERNANDO CITY, June 30 (PIA) – Nowadays where physical activities and being physically present in fora, trainings and seminars are impossible to happen, the Philippine Information Agency in Ilocos harnessed the power of technology and conducted these activities online to continuously reach and empower the youth and communication networks in the region.

In June 2020, the PIA information centers (InfoCens) in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte have conducted various activities for these stakeholders on the current situation of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further, the events also included online skills training to capacitate its stakeholders on the current innovations using digital technology, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“We have recalibrated our on-ground activities to adjust to the new normal so that our citizens will be informed about the government strategies during this pandemic,” said PIA Ilocos Regional Director Jennilyne Role.

**PIA LA UNION CONDUCTS ONLINE TRAINING** – Philippine Information Agency Ilocos Regional Director Jennilyne Role welcomes the participant-information officers coming from local government units and provincial government agencies in La Union during the “Adapting to the New Normal, Graphics Design and Web Technology Training” conducted by PIA-La Union on June 26, 2020. The webinar was made possible using the Zoom App. (JNPD/PIA La Union)

“Aside from this, we also want to ensure that all information released through our official channels are factual, relevant and accurate because we want to dismiss disinformation being circulated by people who want to confuse our fellowmen of what our government has accomplished,” Role added.

In La Union, PIA invited youth leaders, in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the City of San Fernando and Municipality of Agoo, who joined the “Responsible and Empowered Youth Against COVID-19” forum held on June 11 while in the province of Pangasinan, students from Pangasinan State University (PSU) and University of Luzon (UL) participated in a virtual youth forum conducted on June 24.

Furthermore, young enthusiasts in Ilocos Sur were also reached through a forum dubbed as “#CopingwithCOVID: Webinar on Responsible Use of Social Media and Supporting Mental Health During a Pandemic” held on June 10 while SK officers of Ilocos Norte province were treated to a virtual youth forum entitled: “Leading through Crisis: How Young Leader Can Lead During a Public Emergency” held on June 18.

Moreover, communication networks were enjoined through a webinar slated in Pangasinan on June 23 followed by an online training of the La Union InfoCen, entitled “Adapting to the New Normal, Graphics Design and Web Technology” training held on June 26, coinciding with Ilocos Sur InfoCen’s “Virtual Training on Effective Public Information Officer During a Pandemic.”

“We appreciate the time and effort of our speakers and partners, and also overwhelmed with the turnout of the participants during the conduct of our online events, and rest assured we will be doing more of these so that we can reach more stakeholders without compromising their health and safety,” said Role.

Meanwhile, during the Laging Handa Network Briefing hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar on June 25, Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan provided updates on the Freedom of Information (FOI) program of the government.

“Every Filipino has to ask and get information from whichever government agency by a standard FOI request or through an electronic FOI portal or e-FOI is important specially during this pandemic,” Ablan said.

Ablan also added that right information or data is needed for Filipinos to make the right decisions is necessary, and the implementation of the FOI of the PCOO is aimed to make people fully aware of the government facts and its capacity development programs.