PASIG CITY – “If it doesn’t change the life of ordinary people, teaching, and non-teaching staff, it is not relevant at all. Data is good, data is everything, but if data does not speak to the heart it’s nothing.”

These were stated by Director IV Jun Arvin Corpuz Gudoy during the national orientation of Regional Information Officers of the Department of Education (DepEd) on the Public Affairs Service (PAS) communications initiatives for Year 2020 to 2022 held recently at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan DepEd Complex Pasig City.

“We have to realize that the first we have to talk to, is the heart of the stakeholders and our listeners. Because it is only when we open their heart that we can talk to their mind,” he added.

Gudoy said that information assets should be maximized, there should be convergence, photographers group, and a volunteer corps composed mostly of learners to ensure that all inspiring news and feature stories about DepEd would be supported and posted using extra mileage using one line properties.

He further said, “I want to go back to the grassroots, to the provincial press, utilize free Media by working with other government agencies, converge with the PIA, PCOO, with local information offices, provincial information officers. I want to work with everybody to ensure that all the information na gusto nating ilabas are really out there.”

Gudoy also stated that one of the primary functions of the RIOs is to educate, hence, there is a need for them to listen, understand, engage, and collaborate in order to come up with reliable and inspiring stories.

“What we should prioritize is humanizing the image of DepEd,” he finally said.

By Cesar S. Bucsit, ORD-PAU