DAVAO ORIENTAL – Recognizing the power of radio broadcasting and social media in community development, the Provincial Government has stepped up its information dissemination strategy through “linear broadcasting” utilizing the two platforms together.
Initiated by the Provincial Information Office – the public information arm of the Provincial Government under the Office of the Provincial Governor, the newly-improved program was redesigned as a way to complement the localized implementation of the President’s Executive Order 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach to attain sustainable peace and to end local communist armed conflict.
“Our emphasis is to highlight the programs of the government, especially on anti-poverty and peace and order campaign, in the hope to increase the level of understanding of the public about what the government does for the development of the communities,” says Provincial Information Officer Karen Lou Deloso who chairs the Strategic Communication Cluster, one of the twelve clusters under the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) which pushes for the EO 70 implementation.
While the use of traditional media has long been used to shape people’s views and sometimes even used to incite malicious campaign against the government, the Provincial Government also recognizes its huge potential to carry messages that help promote peace and development, foster unity, and prevent conflict.
“The Provincial Government believes it is high-time to maximize the use of new technology and traditional radio broadcasting to increase the level of awareness of the people at the same time empower them to participate in the government’s development endeavors, especially now that the Provincial Government pushes for inclusive and participatory governance,” says Information Officer Deloso.
More than strengthening information dissemination, the program also encourages interaction and increases public engagement by inviting guests from the provincial and national government offices, giving emphasis to peace and development programs of the government.
The rebranded program dubbed as “Pulso Oriental” which was piloted on Monday, September 2, 2019, was graced by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang who was among the program’s first guests. Other guests were Col. Oliver Maquiling who represented Brigadier General Manuel Sequtin of the Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade and Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV.
Other peace and development partners also became guests on the succeeding days who include the Commanders of the 28th and 68th Infantry Battalions Lt. Col. Alexander Banatao and Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala, respectively; Civil Security Unit Head Hermie Montelebano; Happy Home Center Manager Emalyn Oliveros; and Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan Focal Person and Provincial Agriculturist Rotchie Ravelo.
Believing on the wealth of information that the various peace and development partners can offer, the Provincial Information Office vows to improve the program setup and content as it aims to transform and inspire people.
Practically reaching the whole province, especially the hinterland areas, the Pulso Oriental airs everyday Monday to Thursday 8:15 to 9:15 am at DXHM-AM 549, DXDV-FM 94.7 (Sprit FM), and two other radio stations in the east coast. The program is hosted by Mr. Ferdinand Zuasola and co-hosted by Ms. Neela Duallo.
Making the program more exciting and engaging are trivia games with small freebies sponsored by the Provincial Governor’s Office.
On the other hand, every Friday is allocated for the “Pagkain at Kita Livelihood Seminar on Air” program which will provide lectures about livelihood, farming techniques, and other updates on agriculture. By Provincial Information Office
