The Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council held an Executive Training on Powerful Presentations and Strategic Communication for the Council members at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City, Isabela on December 4, 2024.

 

In his opening remarks, RDC2 Vice Chair NEDA2 Regional Director (RD) Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr. highlighted the need to formulate and integrate communication strategies in various government processes to address public concerns.

 

“To be understood is to be able to communicate well. There are areas in communication that we can improve ourselves. We also need to make participatory spaces for the people, which requires powerful communication and good relations”, RD Ledres Jr. said, in relation to bettering public platforms.

Dr. Jan Justin Rodriguez, Campus Program Coordinator of the AB Mass Communication and BS Development Communication of the Cagayan State University (CSU), in his lecture on strategic communication, highlighted the need to strategize communication, given its importance in building positive relationships with the public.

 

“The way we speak and present ourselves affect the way we communicate,” he said. “Strategic communication shapes public values. The right message given at the right time and to the right person will save lives,” Dr. Jan Justin Rodgriguez said.

 

Moreover, Dr. Yrmeliza V. Rodriguez, Campus Information Officer and Head of the Campus Instructional Materials, also from CSU, lectured about “Effective Public and Media Relations and Engagements” and “Handling Media Interviews”. The discussion focused on ways to optimize various mediums in public and media relations, and in achieving organizational goals.

 

“One must like people and be likable,” Dr. Yrmeliza Rodriguez said on the subject of appropriate public engagement. “Minsan nakakalimutan na’tin na sumasagot tayo hindi para sa mga journalists, pero para sa taumbayan,” she added. [Sometimes, we forget that we are not answering for journalists, but instead for the people.]

 

A workshop exercise designed as a simulation of media interviews was also held to allow participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the training.

In his closing remarks, RDC2 Co-Chair Christian Guzman noted that the discussions are useful both for individual and organizational development.

Over 50 local chief executives, member agency heads, and government and private sector representatives attended the event.