DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The 2023 Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) will open on June 15 at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, with more than 2,000 campus journalists and school paper advisers participating from the 14 schools division offices in Ilocos region.
 
“The Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the important role the journalist plays in shaping social behaviors and aspirations by providing truthful information to the public. Hence, the conduct of the annual Schools Press Conference is to develop a new breed of journalists with sustained adherence to the principles of good journalism,” DepEd Ilocos regional director Tolentino Aquino said.
 
The Schools Division Office of Alaminos City, headed by Superintendent Vivian Luz Pagatpatan, in partnership with the city government of Alaminos under Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste, made the necessary preparations to ensure the delegates’ safety and comfort.
 
Most RSPC contests will happen at the Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS).
 
Meanwhile, 14 schools in the city will serve as billeting schools.
 
The individual contests in English and Filipino, for both elementary and secondary levels, will be undertaken on June 16.
 
Categories include Feature Writing, News Writing, Editorial Writing, Sports Writing, Photojournalism, Column Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Copyreading and Headline Writing, and Science Writing.
 
Group contests, scheduled on June 17, include Radio Scriptwriting and Broadcasting and Collaborative Desktop Publishing for both elementary and secondary levels.
 
Online and TV Scriptwriting and Broadcasting will be participated by high school learners.
 
Best School Papers and the Outstanding School Paper Advisers and Campus Journalists, for both elementary and secondary levels, will also be recognized during the closing program at the ACNHS Gym.
 
The RSPC is an annual regional event that aims to leave a lasting impact on the development of aspiring journalists, sustain advocacy on social consciousness and environmental awareness, and enhance journalistic competence.
 
The theme for this year is “From Campus Journalism to Real-World Journalism: Shaping Minds from Schools to Societies.” (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)