20/12/2024
Government communicators had their day under the limelight when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized the invaluable role they play in governance and public service during the newly launched awards program of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on December 16.
The “Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko” recognized 14 government communicators for implementing an effective communications program that not only informs and engages the citizenry but also fosters trust between the government and the public.
In his speech, President Marcos lauded the achievements of government communicators for their relentless efforts in informing, reassuring, and engaging Filipinos with verified and accurate information.
“The campaigns, the messages, and the voices we celebrate this evening remind us what leadership is capable of when there is a connection with the people,” President Marcos said.
“While these awards recognize your achievements, they are also declarations of leadership standards that enhance public awareness and empower participation in governance,” the President added.
The Public Service Campaign Award (municipal level) was given to Lupon, Davao Oriental for its Kinahanglan Maligdong: Project iCORE (Communication, Organization, Response, and Engagement) campaign.
Victorias, Negros Occidental bagged a similar award for the city-level category for its SIDLAK VICTORIAS: Strengthening Community, Building Opportunity campaign, and Bataan for the provincial-level award for its Kwentuhan Tayo, Bataeño campaign.
The “Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (KPAP): A Public Service Campaign” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earned the same award for the national government agencies (NGAs) category.
The Public Service Campaign Award recognizes government agencies for implementing the best campaigns at both local and national levels, effectively bridging the gap between government initiatives and public understanding.
For the Government Innovation Award, the Pag-IBIG Fund was recognized among government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) for its Feel Pag-IBIG at your fingerprint through the Virtual Pag-IBIG.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), on the other hand, received the same award for the NGAs category for its EGOVPH App and DICT E-Government Platforms.
The Government Innovation Award honors creative and forward-thinking communication strategies by GFIs, GOCCs and NGAs.
The Pag-IBIG Fund also won the Website of the Year award for its Add to Cart: The Pag-IBIG Fund Online Public Auction.
The Outstanding Digital Campaign Award was given to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its SEC Advance Free Loan Scam FAQ Reel Series (best short-form campaign) while the National Privacy Commission (NPC) was awarded for its Privacy in The Spotlight (best long-form campaign).
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) earned a similar award for best infographic campaign for its MWSS RO Water Conservation and Desludging Awareness Social Media Campaign, which also won the Digital Campaign of the Year award, while the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) received the Viral Impact Award.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) received the Champion of Information Integrity Award for its Building a Better-Informed Citizenry through Fiscal Transparency.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao won the night’s Outstanding Public Communicator award.
PCO Acting Secretary Cesar B. Chavez congratulated the winners for their outstanding communication campaigns.
“In recognizing these campaigns, we seek the best practices, foster collaboration, and inspire an ethos of continuous improvement. By rewarding these exemplary individuals, we are showing their colleagues a proof of concept that is replicable,” Secretary Chavez said.