PIA-9 pushes for IPMRs as info officers in tribes

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 29 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 emphasized the need of the Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) to be designated as Barangay Information Officers in their respective communities in Zamboanga Peninsula region.

As information plays a vital role amidst the pandemic and ensuring its rollout in the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in cities and provinces here, PIA-9 and other government agencies see IPMRs as effective information officers to their tribal members.

“We cannot speak their dialect but IPMRs can, and thru them, we can effectively communicate as well as make their community understand the programs of the government,” PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi Edaga said during the 3rd Quarter Multi-Sectoral Governance Council Meeting today, October 29. 

Director Edaga said this is inclusivity so that IPs will feel they are not left behind from any government services or programs offered.

“IPs need to be informed at all times for them not to miss even a single opportunity that is freely given by government as most of them are living in far-flung areas,” she added.

The designation of IPMRs as expanded members of the Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) can be an advantage since they can easily raise IP concerns directly to the agencies.

PIA-9, as chair of the strategic communication cluster, also hoped to work with IPMRs in encouraging IP communities to get inoculated and share relevant information about COVID-19 vaccines for demand generation.

“The government will share whatever benefits for the IP and the 86 IPMRs here, as gov’t information allies will further share it out to their communities,” Director Edaga said. (NBE/RVC/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)