Iloilo info offices earn top awards at WV summit

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo City Government Public Information Office and the Iloilo Provincial Government’s Public Information and Community Affairs Office were among the top awardees at the Western Visayas Regional Information Officers’ Summit organized by the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office VI on Dec. 18 at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center in Bacolod City.

The Iloilo City PIO received a Hall of Fame award as Best Performing Information Office, while Jeehan Fernandez was recognized as Best Performing Public Information Officer.

A Hall of Fame award is given by PIA VI to an office or individual who has received the same distinction for three consecutive years.

The city PIO also placed third in the Best Special Publication category for its Family Disaster Preparedness Guide and earned third-place finishes for Best Facebook Page and Best Social Media Graphics/Infographics.

The awards recognized the office’s consistent, effective, and committed service in information, education, and communication programs, along with its efforts to mobilize stakeholders to meet public information needs and encourage active civic engagement in accountable and responsive governance.

Meanwhile, the provincial government’s PICAO was named Best Performing Information Office in the region, repeating its wins in 2023 and 2024.

The recognition highlighted the office’s sustained best practices in information dissemination, particularly through its grassroots program Hinun-anon sa Barangay, which brings government updates to communities while serving as a feedback mechanism for residents.

Over the past two years, the program has expanded to island barangays in Concepcion and Carles.

The office also manages the provincial government’s official website and the Facebook page Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo, which placed second in the Best Facebook Page category.

The Western Visayas Regional Information Officers’ Summit is an annual event that gathers government communicators from local and national agencies to recognize exemplary initiatives and best practices that promote an informed citizenry.

In her message, PIA VI Regional Head Cheryl Amor emphasized the importance of truth and community resilience.

“Together, let us build a community that is not only informed but resilient, a country where facts are the bedrock of our progress, and where no amount of disaster can break our collective resolve,” she said.