NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) -- Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Undersecretary Ramon Lee Cualoping III and Deputy Director-General for Regional Operations Assistant Sec. Katherine Chloe de Castro will be in Bacolod City today, March 22, for the launching of “HINUN-ANON,” a Kapihan activity of the Agency.

Invited to give his welcome message during the event is Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.

PIA, in partnership with other national government agencies, will brief public transport workers and some members of the media on the social assistance packages of the government based on the 8-point socio-economic agenda of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

“Hinun-anon” is a community-based interface communication program of PIA Region VI, to Explain, Explain, Explain the government’s programs, policies, projects and services to the people and for the people in the grassroots to have a better understanding of what the government is doing for them; how they would be able to access government programs and take advantage of these available opportunities available at hand. This is the real essence of bringing the government closer to the people.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment has its “EnTSUPERneur,” an alternative livelihood program for displaced transport workers.

On the other hand, the LTO will lay down and explicitly explain the rules and regulations to be complied with by road users, particularly the transport sector.

Capping the event, De Castro, who also serves as the concurrent Officer-in-Charge of PIA 6, will be giving closing remarks.

The government aims to provide government agencies platforms to reach out to its clients through person-to-person engagement, give feedback mechanisms for government agencies on their programs and projects and enlist grassroots participation to gauge their needs for future programs.

Former PIA 6 Regional Head Jemin B. Guillermo said there is a need to communicate government programs to the public, particularly the vulnerable sectors so they can cope with the current economic challenges and consider options available for their upliftment.

Agenda, the Department of Budget and Management has set aside an indicative budget in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), some P976.5 billion shall be allocated to infrastructure development through the “Build, Better, More” Program, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) receiving P894.2 billion and P82.3 billion, respectively, to reduce transport and logistics cost.

The 8-point socio-economic agenda of the Administration also aims  to create jobs by promoting investments, improving infrastructure, and ensuring energy security, among others; as well as to create quality jobs by increasing employability, encouraging research and development and innovation, and enhancing the digital economy;

Meanwhile, the administration is also tapping the private sector through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to realize the thrust to hasten the realization of its goal. Hence, it encourages private sector engagement and investment for the benefit of the public above all. It also provides legal and regulatory support to public-private partnerships. (JBG/Lljr/PIA6 Negros Occidental)