CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The Regional Field Office 3 of the Department 0f Agriculture has encouraged journalists in this province to join the 11th Bright Leaf Journalism Awards during the last leg of the roadshow in search for the best agriculture stories and photographs in the country for the year 2017.
Felicito Espiritu Jr., chief of the information office of DA-3, made the call before members of the Bulacan media held at the Club Royale Resort here Monday afternoon.
He said the Bright Leaf journalism awards is one of the tools in promoting agriculture as one of the pillars of a strong economy.
“This is a venue where journalists can help inspire farmers in their field of endeavor,” Espiritu said.
He said that it is quite an irony that there are still many farmers, who are the producers of the food that people eat, are still living in poverty.
Journalists, he said should partake of their calling, to help promote the interests of farmers.
Initiated by Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC), the Bright Leaf roadshow has embarked on a five month nationwide swing, stopping over 10 key cities and provinces to invite agriculture journalists to submit entries to the competition, which will culminate with awarding ceremonies in November.
Didet Danguilan-Santiago, communications manager of PMFTC, said that the Bright Leaf agriculture journalism awards aims to support agriculture and honor Filipino journalists by giving recognition to outstanding work in media that promotes the development of and creates awareness on issues relating to Philippine agriculture.
She said that this year’s contest carries the theme “A tribute” which recogni9zes the agricultural sector’s pivotal role in nation-building through the journalists and their stories.
Bayen Elero-Tinga, PMFTC external affairs director, said that “through agriculture journalism, we seek to bring into the public eyethe trials and triumphs of the nation’s farmers and other producers to promote more support for the secor, which has been integral to our development and progress”.
Bright Leaf invites journalists nationwide to submit entries to the following categories: agriculture story of the year; agriculture photo of the year; tobacco story of the year; tobacco photo of the year; best television program or segment; best radio program or segment; best agriculture news story (national); best agriculture news story (regional); best agriculture feature story(national) and best agriculture feature story (regional). —EMIL G. GAMOS (PNA)