“Tamang tulong sa tamang impormasyon. ‘Yan yung lagi kong sinasabi. We have to remember that the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, they have no one else to turn to, except us. Importante na makuha nila ang tamang impormasyon sa pinaka mabilis na panahon, sa pinakamadaling pamamaraan, at higit sa lahat, sa pinakamadaling format na intindihin.”

This was the directive set by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to the information officers (IOs) and other communications personnel of the agency’s Central Office and Field Offices during the opening of the National IOs’ Conference on Wednesday (October 9 ) in Quezon City.

In a video message, Secretary Gatchalian said one of the battles that the agency is currently facing is preserving the integrity of information for its clients and beneficiaries.

According to the DSWD chief, the spread of fake news, disinformation, and other fraudulent activities that use the name of the Department is becoming rampant across different digital platforms.

To prevent these issues, the Secretary said IOs must be vigilant in their communication efforts.

“Continue to fortify our cybersecurity measures and keep up with the communication trends in order to reach our intended audience at the right time and in the appropriate format,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

To provide accurate information to a larger audience, Secretary Gatchalian said it is vital to utilize the technology and other resources.

“Mas malaki ngayon ang ating responsibilidad to make sure na tamang impormasyon lagi ang natatanggap ng ating mga kliyente, every minute and every second. Mukhang mahirap gawin pero with the proper utilization of technology, we can actually do that,” Secretary Gatchalian emphasized.

The Secretary also pointed out that accurate information must be coupled with clear and easy to comprehend instructions or storytelling.

“Maaaring tama ang nakalathala pero kapag hindi naman maintindihan ng ating mga kliyente, mas ganoon din ang suma total noon…Again, uulitin ko, hindi na sapat na accurate yung information. Lagi kong sinasabi na kailangang ikwento natin sa mamamayan sa madaling pamamaraan para ma-access nila ang mga serbisyo ng ating Departamento,” the DSWD chief said.

Secretary Gatchalian also recognized the crucial role of the IOs in disseminating information to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sector.

“With this, I am glad that the Strategic Communications Group conducted this conference to discuss and share communication-related tactics that are significant to enhancing our service delivery and in crafting a unified messaging that addresses the needs of the people,” Secretary Gatchalian said. #

Tagalog Version

Tamang tulong sa tamang impormasyon, tagubilin ng DSWD chief sa comms team, info officers

“Tamang tulong sa tamang impormasyon. ‘Yan yung lagi kong sinasabi. We have to remember that the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, they have no one else to turn to, except us. Importante na makuha nila ang tamang impormasyon sa pinaka mabilis na panahon, sa pinakamadaling pamamaraan, at higit sa lahat, sa pinakamadaling format na intindihin.”

Ito ang naging tagubilin ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian para sa mga information officers (IOs) at iba pang communications personnel mula sa DSWD Central Office at Field Offices bilang panimula sa ginaganap na National IO Conference ngayong Miyerkules (October 9 ) sa Quezon City.

Sa kanyang video message, sinabi ni Secretary Gatchalian, isa sa mga laban na kinakaharap ng ahensya ay ang pagpapanatili ng integrity of information para sa mga kliyente at benepisyaryo ng ahensya.

Ayon sa DSWD chief, ang pagkalat ng mga fake news, disinformation, at iba pang hindi magandang gawain na nagdadawit sa pangalan ng ahensya ay nagpapatuloy.

At upang mapigilan ito, sinabi ng Kalihim na nararapat lang aniya na maging mapagmasid ang mga IOs sa kanilang communication efforts.

“Continue to fortify our cybersecurity measures and keep up with the communication trends in order to reach our intended audience at the right time and in the appropriate format,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.

At upang makapagbigay ng tamang impormasyon, kinakailangan aniya ang makabagong technology at iba pang resources para rito.

“Mas malaki ngayon ang ating responsibilidad to make sure na tamang impormasyon lagi ang natatanggap ng ating mga kliyente, every minute and every second. Mukhang mahirap gawin pero with the proper utilization of technology, we can actually do that,” paliwanag pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.

Binanggit din ng Kalihim na ang paglalahad ng tamang impormasyon ay dapat na klaro at madaling maunawaan.

“Maaaring tama ang nakalathala pero kapag hindi naman maintindihan ng ating mga kliyente, mas ganoon din ang suma total noon…Again, uulitin ko, hindi na sapat na accurate yung information. Lagi kong sinasabi na kailangang ikwento natin sa mamamayan sa madaling pamamaraan para ma-access nila ang mga serbisyo ng ating Departamento,” sabi pa ng DSWD chief.

Kaugnay nito, kinilala naman ni Secretary Gatchalian ang kahalagahan ng mga IOs sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon sa mga mahihirap at nasa vulnerable at marginalized sector.

“With this, I am glad that the Strategic Communications Group conducted this conference to discuss and share communication-related tactics that are significant to enhancing our service delivery and in crafting a unified messaging that addresses the needs of the people,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.#