ILOILO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas, in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), conducted a two-day training aimed at strengthening media relations and communication strategies for the region’s agriculture and fisheries sector.
The DA Family Information Officers’ 4th Quarter Meeting and Training was held at Citadines Amigo Iloilo on October 7 and 8, bringing together provincial agricultural information officers and representatives from DA bureaus and attached agencies.
PIA Western Visayas Information Officer II Franz Remar Garion served as resource speaker during an interactive session on media relations, providing participants with practical approaches to delivering accurate, timely and relevant information to the public.
The training emphasized the importance of treating media organizations as strategic partners in communicating government agricultural programs, initiatives and developments affecting farmers and fisherfolk.
Participants learned techniques for preparing clear, engaging and visually appealing news content suited for traditional media and digital platforms.
The activity also featured practical exercises designed to strengthen the participants’ ability to handle various media situations.
Information officers were divided into groups to simulate press conferences, prepare and deliver press statements, organize media tours and conduct media launches.
The exercises allowed participants to apply effective communication practices, particularly in responding to sensitive issues and managing crisis-related information.
Facilitators and fellow participants provided immediate feedback on message clarity, body language, composure and compliance with media communication guidelines.
The training also highlighted the need for proactive communication strategies to ensure that agricultural information reaches communities in a timely and understandable manner.
Through the initiative, DA and PIA Western Visayas reaffirmed their commitment to improving government communication and promoting the programs, concerns and achievements of farmers and fisherfolk across the region.
