by: Janna Marie Pineda
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – In his first State of the Agency Address on Monday, June 3, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Jose A. Torres, Jr. expressed his commitment to continue elevating the quality of information delivery to better serve grassroots communities.
This is in line with the launching of the new PIA website which aims to provide a more seamless user experience for improved accessibility to news information about the development programs of both the national and local government.
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| Graphical user interface of the newly-launched PIA website which offers a more seamless user experience. |
“Our strategic direction emphasizes the importance of enhancing community engagement and leveraging digital technologies to reach out and foster collaboration with media partners to amplify our message,” said the PIA chief.
“We must prioritize feedback from grassroots communities and invest in capacity-building to empower our personnel and local partners to effectively disseminate information at the grassroots level,” Torres added, citing the significance of implementing targeted training programs to equip local information officers with the necessary skills and tools to effectively disseminate information to grassroots communities.
Torres also underscored the efforts of the agency to advance its mission in shaping informed citizenry by demonstrating accountability and transparency in stewardship of public resources to ensure that every peso allocated to the PIA is utilized wisely and for the benefit of the people.
“There were failures and there were challenges. There were weaknesses and shortcomings but we work tirelessly to continue our mandate and uphold the principles that define us as an agency,” said Torres.
“Other government agencies and top officials have turned to us for support, recognizing our expertise and relying on our capabilities. They believe in us,” he further noted.
The PIA has closely worked with different national government agencies, utilizing its communication platforms to make known of programs and services that cater to the needs of various social sectors.
In the past year, one of the notable partnerships of PIA include the promotion of the Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which is anchored on the wider implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC).
It can be recalled that with PIA’s initiative to communicate the Konsulta Program, Filipinos will have easier access to primary healthcare services.
Read:
PhilHealth, PIA intensify partnership to bring universal healthcare closer to Filipinos
Meanwhile, Torres enjoined each member of the PIA personnel complement to continue rising above the challenges by committing to self-empowered improvement in process, procedures, and overall progress.
“I wholeheartedly accept the challenges that lie ahead and I invite each of you to join me in this journey. Together, let us embrace innovation, collaboration, and servant leadership as we work tirelessly for the betterment of our country and our people,” Torres remarked.
Torres became the 21st Director-General of the PIA when he assumed leadership on May 29, 2023. Prior to becoming PIA chief, he worked as a journalist and has been a two-time recipient of the National Book Award for Journalism as well as other recognitions from fellow national government agencies and international organizations. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
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