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Agusan Sur hosts media congress
by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (4 July 2005) -- "I think the rights of women and children are also concerns of the media. But more importantly, I hope media practitioners will understand and live by their ethics. I encourage you all to look into the positive news to motivate the community. Positive news is one way of influencing the mindsets of our constituents", says Governor Adolph Edward Plaza during the two-day Regionwide Media Practitioners Congress at the Provincial Training Center of this province recently.

The congress was a joint undertaking of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) anchored on President Arroyo's deep concern for the rights of women and children. The congress sought to orient media practitioners regarding the Convention on Rights of Children (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), media ethics and the ten-point agenda of President Arroyo.

David Suyao, PIA Infocenter Manager for Agusan Sur talked about the ten-point agenda of President Arroyo, as contained in the acronym, BEAT THE ODDS. Suyao also oriented the media of their role in the CRC and CEDAW. He emphasized that the media plays a vital role in the advocacy of the rights of women and children. He also discussed the Communication Process and Journalism Ethics. He stressed that journalists and information officers must always live by their ethics.

The Profile of Agusan del Sur and the Executive Agenda of Governor Plaza were also presented. Highlighted during the discussion is the paradox of Agusan del Sur. Sally Balantero, Planning Officer of the provincial government of Agusan Sur said, " Agusan del Sur has very rich natural resources yet its people are poor. It also has the lowest literacy rate in Caraga."

Balantero further added that CRC and CEDAW enables the inclusion of children and women's rights and needs to the developmental plan of the government. She said that the Child Friendly Movement moves the entire agenda of Agusan Sur since the province is one of the recipients of the Country Program for Children VI.

One of the issues raised in the course of the congress is the root cause of children abuse such as incest rape. Edward Reyes of DXDA surmised that it is because of poverty. He emphasized that this happens because whole family sleeps in one room thus providing opportunity for older male members to sexually abuse children.

Joy Bungabong of CDA on the other hand argued that incest does not only occur to poor families but to rich people as well. Senior Police Inspector Nelia Villagarcia supported this observation, emphasizing that these abuses occur not only because of poverty but mostly because of degrading moral values of the people involved. She strongly endorsed a moral recovery program.

Forty media practitioners from different parts of Caraga attended the Congress. Some private practitioners present expressed their dissatisfaction over some public offices particularly the PNP because of allegedly withholding information from them. Villagarcia of PNP reacted to the issue and said that reports are open to the media because it is for public consumption.

Several Public Information Officers (PIOs) also open up their dissatisfaction with the media, saying that they often sensationalized controversies in the government service but failed to air the accomplishments and milestones reached by concerned agencies. (PIA 13)

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