The future is bright for Information Officers - Candice Acuna, Carcar City IO #partnerforchange

What is my take away from the 3 day Communications Enhancement Workshop of CAOCAMPIO.

Carcar City Information Officer Candice Acuna 

Well, first, I learned from National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)that brownout actually means low voltage.

I learned that they are like a third party from the source to the consumers.

Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, NGCP Corporate Communications Officer 

I think my most important realization is what the speaker(Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, NGCP Corporate Communications Officer) pointed out between the difference of information (which is giving out) and communication (which is getting through).

On the second day, we had a speaker from Bangko Sentral ngPilipinas (BSP)Hazel Arante, who explained to us the Clean Note policy, how to differentiate the good note from the mutilated ones. 

Hazeel Arante, BSP Visayas Information Officer

And how to gauge if a mutilated note can still be exchanged at the BSP.

Our speaker from the PNP PSupt Brandi Nacario  who gave us data on drug users and pushers that are beneficial to our own CADAC (Carcar City Anti Drug Abuse Council) plans.

Then, we also enhanced our press release writing skills by PIA Cebu Manager Rachelle Nessia. 

But the speaker in the afternoon session really opened my mind about social media, Kevin Maglinte from Mugstoria showed us a lot of ideas which we could use to tap the youth or audience in general through social media. After all, in this day and age, almost everyone has a cellphone.

Kevin Maglinte, COO Mugstoria 

The third day was very productive. 

We gained a lot of knowledge and insights from the presentation of Cecil Quibod-Castro of GMA 7 and Mam Minerva Newman, PIA RD-7.

Cecille Quibod-Castro, GMA7 Anchor 

PIA7 Rd Minerva Newman on Communications Planning and Role of Government Information Officers 

I thank CAOCAMPIO and PIA for all the knowledge I gained.

But what makes me more happy and excited is the possibility that maybe this year or in the next few years, the dream of every Information Officer of having a permanent and not co-terminus position be realized. 

We are after all, Information officers of our respective cities or municipalities.

Let us put in all our minds and resources on this, tap who needs to be tapped and lobby as one strong, united front.

*CAOCAMPIO stands for Cebu Association of City and Municipal Public Information Officers.