National Information Highway to avert disinformation

 By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, March 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 with the concerted efforts of the provincial, municipal and city information offices, are now engrossed in the creation of the national information highway across Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Thus, the institutionalization of the Barangay Information Networks (BIONs) has been one of the PIA-IX’s initiative to efficiently have a free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information from the authorities to the grassroots level.

“We are constructing a national information highway and the Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) are part of this highway. We need them to fight disinformation and let the right information be easily cascaded to the barangay level,” PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga said during the BION launching and orientation in San Miguel town, Zamboanga Del Sur recently.

San Miguel town Mayor Angelito L. Martinez II lamented that the propagation of fake news has greatly affected most of the individuals especially those who live in the far-flung villages here in the province, and they would always claim that they rarely or even non-recipients of several government’s aids.

“Nobody is telling them and they left unaware. With the BIONs, we expect them to inform the people all the government’s programs and projects, so that they will stop complaining and eventually be our dear beneficiaries,” Martinez said.

The mayor also expressed concern on the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) propaganda that tells lies and deceptions against the Philippine Government.

“The creation of information highway is really needed to ensure that their (CTGs) propaganda won’t easily infiltrate the communities. Sisiguraduhin natin na hindi ito lulusot,” Martinez exclaimed.

As of this writing, 25 out of the 26 municipalities and 1 city in Zamboanga Del Sur province have already launched their BION respectively. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)