DSWD6 highlights 34 media partners’ role in social protection

GUIMARAS – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI, through the Social Marketing Section (SMS), once again recognized 34 media partners as Social Protection Champions during the Media Pasasalamat Awarding held yesterday at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

The awardees were recognized as the 2025 Most Supportive Media Outlets and Individuals for their outstanding contributions in promoting the department’s social protection programs and advocacy initiatives.

Under the Radio Station category, GMA Super Radyo and RMN Iloilo were among the recognized media partners, with their plaques personally received by reporters Danessa Estante and Ramonito Capalihan, respectively. Other awardees included Radyo Pilipinas, Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, K5 News FM Antique, K5 News FM Iloilo, Radyo Todo Aklan 88.5 FM, XFM Capiz, Life Radio Iloilo, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, and Bombo Radyo Roxas.

For the Online Platform category, awardees included the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6, with the plaque received by Elijshah Dalipe, along with its Information Centers in Iloilo managed by Lilibeth French, Capiz under Alex A. Lumaque, Aklan under Sheila Patoza, and Antique under Pilar S. Mabaquiao. Other awardees were Pearl G. Lena of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Iloilo Bureau, Jun Aguirre of the Boracay Island News Network, and SunStar Philippines, represented by Leo Solinap.

Recognized under the Print Media category were Iloilo Metropolitan Times, Panay News, Edalyn Acda of The Capiz Times in Roxas City, Tara Katherine L. Yap of Manila Bulletin, and Jennifer P. Rendon of The Daily Guardian. Meanwhile, the Most Supportive Media for Television awards were presented to IBC TV-12, represented by Rena Dagoon, GMA Regional TV – One Western Visayas, and UNTV Iloilo.

Meanwhile, Christine Lunasco of ichannel and The Barkadahan sa Iloilo also received recognition as partners in Online Live Streaming.

Special individual awards were likewise presented to media partners who significantly contributed to the agency as speakers, co-hosts, judges, resource persons, and media facilitators. Among them were Elena C. Pabiona and Merianne Grace Ereñeta of Radyo Pilipinas, Annabel C. Petinglay of the PNA Iloilo Bureau, Iloilo Infocen Manager Lilibeth A. French, and Bombo Radyo Roxas Assistant Manager Lynd-C Joy Bade.

Assistant Regional Director of Operations Katherine Joy M. Lamprea extend her appreciation to the quad-media for being supportive in all the programs implemented by the Agency.

In line with the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, Lamprea emphasized the importance of fair and balanced media reporting in cases involving children, particularly in upholding their rights to privacy and confidentiality.

She also said the need to disseminate the Handbook entitled Guide for Media Practitioners on the Reporting and Coverage of Children to strengthen ethical journalism practices.

“We encourage our media partners to uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting by ensuring that children’s identities are protected, their dignity preserved, and their stories told with compassion and respect,” she said during the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) VI Media Forum, which was also part of the Media Pasasalamat activity.

Dir. Lamprea added that by adhering to the handbook’s guidelines, the media become true partners in safeguarding children’s rights while helping shape public opinion with fairness and humanity.

“We appreciate your responsible reporting, which plays a crucial role in shaping critical perspectives on societal issues and amplifying the voices of children who deserve understanding and support. Through our partnership, we continue to strengthen advocacy efforts and ensure that narratives surrounding children uphold dignity, fairness, and justice,” she ended.

RESPONSE

In her response message, Bombo Radyo Roxas Assistant Manager Lynd-C Joy Bade expressed gratitude to the DSWD for recognizing the media’s efforts in delivering information about the agency’s various programs and services that the public may avail of.

She also emphasized that DSWD Field Office VI, particularly Regional Director Joselito G. Estember, remains open and accessible for interviews at any time regarding media concerns, further promoting transparency in government service.

“We are always grateful to the DSWD for maintaining open communication whenever we need clarification or seek their side regarding particular issues,” she said.

It may be recalled that for over a decade, the Department has been annually recognizing the invaluable efforts and contributions of its media partners through the Media Writeshop cum Pasasalamat, funded by the 4Ps Division under the leadership of former Division Chief Belen P. Gebusion, now Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA).

The SMS under the supervision of Regional Information Officer Therese Fely A. Legaste spearheaded the event and was organized by 4Ps Information Officer II Montesa G. Caoyonan./mgc