DSWD XI hosts Talakayan sa C4DNet XI & 4th Quarter CY 2023 BOT Meeting

The Talakayan sa C4DNET XI, hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI, brought together some of the region’s development communicators from LGUs, SUCs, and NGAs at Apo View Hotel, Davao City, on November 9–10, 2023.

Attendees actively engaged in discussions and presentations on various topics, including DSWD’s Kilos-Unlad Framework/Process and SWDI (Social Welfare Development Indicator) Results, DSWD-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2022-001 (Guidelines in Support of the Implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), PIA’s campaign of Empowering Communities through Development Communication, and NEDA’s advocacy on the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2023-2028.

In her welcome remarks, DSWD Regional Director Atty. Vanessa B. Goc-ong, represented by Social Marketing Unit Head Carmela C. Duron, pointed out the significance of the event in strengthening government communications.

“Your unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts fueled the engine of our network … through these interactions, we aim to forge strong bonds of collaboration that would not only endure the duration of this event but extend far beyond”, RD Goc-ong added.

Meanwhile, PIA XI Regional Director/C4DNet XI Adviser Jemin B. Guillermo, as one of the discussants, underscored development communication as the transformational way of telling stories to the public in this digital age. She said, “Our role as development communicators is to inform our target audience [the constituents] to educate and motivate them” so that they play an active role in shaping their respective communities.

She also emphasized that government communicators should be responsible for validating and delivering information since fake news is very rampant, saying “So tayo ang tagapagsalita… so careful tayo dahil we are now the face and mouth of our respective agencies or LGUs in this critical age now”.

Moreover, NEDA XI Regional Director/C4DNet XI Adviser Maria Lourdes D. Lim, represented by Chief Economic Dev’t Specialist Lalaine Sajelan, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the network and information officers in the region for their constant support to RDC XI, stressing their crucial function in implementing regional development plans such as DRDP at the grassroots level by disseminating information, fostering public engagement, and raising awareness.

“Your tireless efforts in spreading awareness about the plan gathered support by engaging communities are essential for its success. Your work is critical to the progress and prosperity of our region. Let’s continue to collaborate and empower our communities”, conveyed RD Lim.

Right after the program, Davao de Oro Provincial Information Officer/C4DNet XI President Fe F. Maestre presided over the 4th Quarter CY 2023 Board of Trustees (BOT) Meeting.

She thanked the stakeholders of the network for the event’s success and stated that “importante po ang role ng bawat information officers and we hope to strengthen the IOs thru C4DNet, of course, with the support of NEDA RD Lim and PIA RD Guillermo as our advisers”.

C4DNet, or Communication for Development Network XI, is the official communication and advocacy arm of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI. (Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by DSWD XI)