Flood control project IEC group launches barangay 'wall news'
It might be a simple wall news but when it is in support of a big project like the Iloilo Flood Control Project II (IFCP), then it means so much to the affected barangays.
IFCP project Director Patrick Gatan, of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said the launching of the Barangay Wall News in Bgy. Anilao, Pavia, Iloilo on June 7, 2007 will spell involvement of barangay leaders in the effort of continuously informing their constituents of the progress of the project.
Information Management Group (IMG) Chairperson Engr. Jose Al Fruto said that at this stage of the IFCP implementation, a massive, barangay-based information activities are necessary, as there are so many concerns that need to be addressed on per community-need basis.
The Barangay Wall News is a low-cost Information Education Campaign (IEC) strategy identified by the barangays themselves who participated in the workshops conducted by the Philippine Information Agency, last year.
As a structure, the wall news is one which consists of a plywood or two put together and erected in a conspicuous place in the barangay. This is made to function as a news board, where updates on the IFCP are written in the form of news, short features, catchy announcements and tips on health and sanitation.
Bgy. Anilao in Pavia is the first project affected barangay to launch its wall news. The wall news will be run by an editorial board called "Team Palibot" under the Barangay Environment Information Management Group(BEIMG). The wall news is updated on a weekly basis, with the Project Management Office through the IMG as source of information.
The Barangay Wall News is not just a structure but a mobilized group of people tasked to see to it that the residents are knowledgeable on what is going on with the IFCP and in turn present their feedbacks as they continuously monitor the activities related to the project.
The launching on June 7 will include remarks from Pavia mayor Arcadio Goriceta, updates on the project by Engr. Al Fruto and message from the IFCP Component II Project Manager, Mr. Keigo Ito.
(PIA/ESSubong)