DENR-7 installs 18 voice internet protocol
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, December 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has installed 18 voice over internet protocol (VOIP) facilities as part of the ongoing modernization of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment in the region.
This is in line with the goal to transform all DENR office equipment nationwide for accessibility of its various projects, initiatives and program updates as advocated by DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje.
DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the installation of this facility is a welcome move as it caters to faster or quicker office-to-office transactions.
“Aside from providing accessible and efficient transaction and communication in all DENR offices in the country, these IP phones can also significantly reduce our telephone bills,” Montejo added.
Using an IP phone is similar to an ordinary telephone line but it is only connected through the internet and that the rates are based on local charges even if one is calling from a different region.
“We have been constantly improving our ICT capabilities in Region 7 for better and enhanced delivery of various services to the general public,” he added.
To recall, DENR has tightened the ban on the use of social networking websites, including Facebook and Youtube, by ordering a software audit of all desktop and laptop computers connected to the office’s internet server to increase productivity in the workplace.
“All these are in line with the vow of Secretary Paje to restore the public trust to the department by implementing various anti-corruption measures,” said Montejo.(HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)
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PIA7 recognizes in-house info officers' performance
CENTRAL VISAYAS, December 10 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) in Central Visayas bestowed awards to its in-house information officers including that of the "Infocen Manager of the Year" during the Visayas Cluster general assembly and awards on December 6-7 at the Nature's Village Resort and Restaurant, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
PIA-NegOr provincial information center manager Jennifer Tilos got the "Infocen Manager of the Year" award in recognition of her valuable contributions in managing the Negros Oriental Provincial Information Center in consonance with the policies and value ethics of the Agency.
Tilos has maintained excellence in performance of PIA programs, physical orderliness and cleanliness of the Infocen, and punctuality in the submission of needed reports both for the regional and national requirements.
She has tapped the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, Unicef and other non-government organizations for funding support to programs for children in the province.
Tilos has also maintained objectivity and neutrality in dealing with the media situation in Negros Oriental making the PIA-Negros Oriental a truly media-friendly Infocen, the award reads.
In the same event, Rachelle Nessia, informatuon officer of PIA-NegOr got the "Excellence Award" in recognition of her accomplishments far exceeding agency expectations in relation to her position as Information Officer II.
Nessia sets the pace in excellence in writing, editing and blogging. She also pioneered in putting PIA-Negros Oriental Provincial Information Center in the social media map having created and maintained its Facebook and Twitter accounts ahead of the other PIA Provincial Information Centers in Central Visayas. She currently administers and curates the PIA-Central Visayas Facebook, Twitter and Google+ accounts.
Hazel Gloria, IO-1 from the PIA-7 regional office received the "Most Improved Writer" award in recognition of her dedication to writing. With no background in journalism and writing, Gloria learned to write news and continues to improve her craft through listening, reading and paying close attention to the editing of her stories and other written manuscripts.
The "Most Prolific Writer" award was PIA-7's last award category that went to Rey Anthony Chiu, PIA-Bohol infocenter manager.
The award was given to Chiu in recognition of his dedication to write having written the most number of news stories at 1159, SMS at 5137 and Features at 279 for the 2011 and January-November 2012 period.
PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman presented the awards and was assisted by PCOO secretary Sonny Coloma who was the guest speaker during the yearend gathering of information officers in the Visayas area.(PIA-7)
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Information Officers advised to be PR ManagersCommunications Management Consultant Laarni Aguilar advises info officers the value of public relations
By Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, December 10 (PIA) --- Information Officers were told to “learn public relations” during a recent gathering of government and non-government communicators in the Visayas.
Communications Consultant Laarni T. Aguilar, addressing information officers of Regions 6 and 7, said they should go an extra mile by being good public relations managers.
Aguilar was a resource speaker in the recently-held Information Officers Yearend Assembly of Central and Western Visayas.
She said that good public relations skills has to be adapted in order for communicators to effectively perform their task as information officers of government programs.
“It did not change, your role from the very beginning, the role is to bring the government closer to the people and the people closer to the government,” Aguilar said.
She said public relations, once learned, is a management tool.
“Once you’re good at it, it can also be a leadership skill,” Aguilar said.
To be a good PR manager, she said that one has to do the homework which includes knowing everything surrounding one’s role.
“You should know why you are there, you must be there for something more lofty; the goals, objectives, the organization, agency and your public and then sell yourself,” Aguilar said.
Another homework to be done is knowing the media and establishing a healthy working relationship with them.
“Then you should develop the 'sunshine' attitude, make relationships even when there is no problem,” she said.
Other important traits include flexibility and the value of appreciating feedback.
Aguilar started as provincial information officer of what was then the Department of Information (now Philippine Information Agency) and became a communications management consultant of San Miguel Corporation. (rmn/FCC/PIA7)
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PCOO head encourage media to be government’s allyurges to continue networking among all sectors
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY, December 11 (PIA) --- Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Herminio “Sonny" Coloma" encouraged the media to be the government’s partner for development.
“We encourage the media practitioners in the country to be the government's allies in promulgating the good news for development,” Coloma said.
He added that media could be the best partner of the government in fulfilling the principle, aim and goal in practicing “Matuwid na Daan.”
Coloma said that in all public events, President Aquino always made it a point to communicate with the members of the media as the President has high regard to the capability of media as government’s partner in shaping development.
The secretary also believed in the power of networking to achieve development in the country as he urged for the continuous networking among all sectors.
“Never before we see the national government agencies setting up their own website,” Coloma stressed.
He also said that even in Malacanang, the President is pushing for networking and transparency of information to the public and to the media.
“In practice ay ginagawa na lahat na hinihiling doon sa Bill (Freedom of Information), ang pangulo ay pumayag at handang magtatag ng sariling version ng FOI sa Malacanan,” Sec. Coloma said.
The secretary said this during the recent yearend assembly of government information officers from Regions 6 and 7 initiated by the Philippine Information Agency from said regions with the theme: “Realizing the Matuwid na Daan through Responsible Social Networking.” (rmn/AYS/PIA-7, Cebu)