CEBU CITY (April 18, 2024) – Community engagement through social communication and public interaction is the thrust that Mayor Mike Rama now wants to pursue.
| 📷 PIO / Allan Defensor
He underscored people empowerment during the blessing early today of the new studio of Radio Media Network (RMN) Sugboanon Channel, the city’s online media platform.
It is located at the west wing of the second floor of the Cebu City Satellite Office across City Hall along P. Burgos St.
The mayor conceptualized RMN to promote City Hall’s programs and services to the public, and demonstrate that “public service is alive in Cebu City.”
He lamented that some people are using social media as a “tool to promote hate and destruction.”
“Kaniadto daghan kaayo ang available media practitioners. Karun dili naka kasabot kung tinood ba na sila kay naa nay mga trolls,” Rama said during Ingna’ng Mayor at the studio later in the day.
“Any Tom, Dick, and Harry can just get into it. And if na-organize sila og pagmaayo to destroy you, asa man imung medium?” the mayor added.
Rama said he hopes to see “governance emanating from the household” through the teleradyo programs of City Hall’s departments and divisions aired on RMN Sugboanon Channel.
Not a propaganda machine
The mayor clarified that RMN Sugboanon Channel is not his personal propaganda platform but an “avenue for all Cebuanos.”
“Because we are in a service-oriented entity, ang atong primary responsibility to service our fellowmen and the feedback system is very important,” Rama said.
He also wants to share his administration’s accomplishments with the rest of the world, especially that social media now has a wider reach.
The mayor also sees a collaboration between RMN Sugboanon Channel and the city’s Public Information Office to further bring City Hall’s programs and projects directly to the people.
‘Bridges of truth’
Fr. Fidel D. Orendain, SDB, who presided the Holy Mass and blessing of the studio, control room, office and VIP Media Lounge, said in his homily that communication offices such as RMN play a vital role to establish understanding with its audience.
Orendain is provincial superior of Salesians of Don Bosco Mary Help of Christians South Province who oversees in the city Don Bosco Technical College in Punta Princesa and Don Bosco Youth Center in Pasil.
He is also a Doctor of Communication.
Orendain said the primary goal of every media station is not only to provide information but also to establish communication.
He said that with artificial intelligence now on the rise, he hopes that Sugboanon Channel and similar offices is not to lose sight of its goal to establish communication.
“The emphasis of the Catholic Church and the emphasis that we would like to pray for in this building is that we don’t amputate anything that connects us with each other, and that we become beacons and bridges of truth,” he added.
When it started
Sugboanon Channel began its on-the-air mission on Aug. 14, 2023 after Mayor Rama signed an executive order creating its precursor, the People’s Progressive Radio Media Network.
The new unit under the Office of the Mayor also operates and edits this news website, CebuCity.News.
Rama tasked Cerwin T. Eviota, his special assistant for communication, to organize and manage PPRMN that developed into an “integrated media communication unit.”
It supports the information, education and communication programs of the various departments and offices of the city government, many of them now have their respective teleradyo program, including Ingna’ng Mayor.
It also produces its own programs, among them so far, Pagtuki, Pagsusi, Pagsuta (Check, Verify, Validate), Kumusta Ka’Sugbo, Patigayon Sugbo and Legally Yours. | PPRMN / jkv
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