The 32 Barangay Information Officers Network (BION), conducted its 2nd Quarter Assembly and Continuous Learning Approach and Acquisition Skills (CLASS) Workshop on Barangay Brochure Data Gathering, July 22.
Spearheaded by the City Information Office in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency – Basilan, the assembly tackled several key agenda items geared towards strengthening the network’s role in grassroots information dissemination.
The program opened with the customary “kamustahan” session by cluster, facilitated by ICM Nilda Delos Reyes of PIA-Basilan, who took the opportunity to remind BIOs of the ongoing PBBM Scholarship application process in their respective barangays, as well as the vital role they play in disseminating accurate information and ensuring proper documentation at the grassroots level.
This was followed by the CLASS Workshop proper, led by IO III Marion Guerrero, who discussed the importance of gathering barangay data as a form of institutional memory, data that will not only serve as a lasting record for each BIO but will also help showcase the unique strengths and stories of every barangay. Participants were given hard and soft copies of templates to guide them in encoding their barangay information.
Meanwhile, BION Focal Sara Angging presented updates on the submission of BION’s Quarterly Accomplishment Reports and the monitoring chart of Barangay Facebook Pages and BION Patrol postings from the 1st to 2nd Quarter, among other administrative matters. The presentation highlighted how transparent monitoring will serve as one of the bases in identifying the next outstanding grassroots information officers. BIO President Vincent Saavedra also addressed proposed plans for the BIONihan Volunteers Network Association.
In her message, CIO Mendry-Ann Lim reiterated the significance of the Barangay Brochure Data Gathering initiative, emphasizing its long-term impact once published for every barangay to see and be proud of. She also shared updates on upcoming trainings and workshops for BION members, including plans for their year-end activities.
The assembly reaffirms the City Government of Isabela’s continued commitment to empowering barangay-level information officers as frontline partners in good governance and community engagement. (Words by S. Angging/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
