QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) welcomes guests from the Japan Government for an institutional briefing on the country’s efforts in combatting disinformation on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

PIA Director-General Ramon Lee Cualoping III together with Deputy Director-General for Regional Operations and Unified Messaging Katherine Chloe de Castro and Assistant Director-General for Organizational Development and International Affairs Rhea Kristine Cy were present during the briefing.

Meanwhile, Japan government was represented by Director for Communications Strategy Ken Ono of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Director and First Secretary Shigehiro Matusada of Japan Information and Culture Center, and Rintaro Shigeyoshi, a Press Officer of the Embassy of Japan.

During DG Cualoping’s presentation, he highlights the duties and responsibilities of the PIA as the premier communications arm of the government with a presence across the country.

“We plan and implement communication and advocacy programs on a national scope and assist other government agencies in communicating through multimedia strategies,” DG Cualoping said.

He adds that PIA is an information gateway on matters of government policies, programs, and services. The agency continues to assist people in understanding how these priority agendas affect their day-to-day lives.

In the government’s fight against fake news, DG Cualoping emphasizes the important role of the PIA to communicate accurate, timely, and relevant information to the public, thus, the PIA must Explain, Explain, Explain to every Filipino. As a strategy, he discussed the four (4) primary audiences of the agency – the Informed, the Uninformed, the Uninformed but misinformed, and the Informed but refused to understand.

He emphasizes that the agency focuses on developing more relevant, engaging, and creative content to relay to these audiences important government information, particularly to the latter audience.

One of the creative and unique ways in which PIA disseminates information is through the Puppet Theater. It is a lighter and more fun way to discuss government programs and policies. It also engages the youth and makes them informed.

Aside from the laws and bills passed and implemented on the national level, the Philippine government is also active in international programs and activities that focus on countering the proliferation of misinformation including the National Public Relations Congress, ASEAN Cooperation on Combating Fake News, and ASEAN Taskforce on fake news.

Lastly, DG Cualoping expresses his gratitude for Japan's support to ASEAN as well as the Philippines through various programs including Japan-ASEAN media and information literacy for the youth project and the Right Information Saves and Improves ASEAN (RISE ASEAN) Project.

DG Cualoping enjoins everyone to continue the efforts in combatting fake news and dismissing disinformation because it hinders the real progress and development of the country and the world. (MVMV, PIA-CPSD)