MEXICO, Pampanga — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) brought livelihood programs of national government agencies closer to Kapampangans.
This as it led the #ExplainExplainExplain Kapihan ng Mamamayan (KnM): Pulong-Tulong sa Kaunlaran, a community engagement communication program where programs, projects, and services of the national government are presented directly to people in communities, in Mexico town.
PIA Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance Karl Louie Fajardo underscored that the program gives the public the chance to know the government better, including its systems and processes, and take advantage of the different opportunities available for them.
“This KNM is a perfect opportunity to explain to you the programs of the government. This is the moment for us in the government to enlighten you on our programs, and this is your moment to know and get the benefits provided by the government for your families to have a comfortable life,” he explained.
Fajardo also highlighted that bringing the services nearer to the people will allow them to know that the government cares, and that it has available programs for their advantage.
“In the beginning of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., there were many programs and initiatives, but people don’t understand what these are for… How will the people get the benefits from these programs? The advocacy of the PIA is to explain all of these to you so that you will know what you can get from these programs,” he said.
The KnM was designed in the premise that part of the 8-point socio-economic agenda of the Marcos administration is to create jobs by promoting investments, improving infrastructure, and ensuring energy security, among others; as well as to create quality jobs by increasing employability, encouraging research and development and innovation, and enhancing the digital economy.
Topics discussed in this leg include programs offered by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Meanwhile, PIA Regional Director William Beltran emphasized that achieving a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos as stated in Ambisyon Natin 2040 is a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach.
“It has to be whole-of-government because all agencies of the government are helping each other and whole-of-nation, meaning, the government, the private sector and the public are working hand in hand for an improved quality of life,” he pressed.
Part of the program is bringing actual government services through a caravan.
In this leg, DTI provided Business Counseling, Business Name Registration, ang Business Loan Referral while TESDA offered haircare and barista (coffee) services.
Moreover, National Telecommunications Commission facilitated free SIM card registration for Smart and Globe users.
And lastly, Philippine Statistics Authority had a free Philippine identification card (ID) registration, issuance of electronic copy of the ID, verification assistance for appointment system, and assistance to verify Filipinos with no existing record of birth.