Zamboanga Sibugay – Two staff members from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Zamboanga Sibugay took part in “Into the New Media: Communications Training 1.0,” a three-day workshop organized by DILG Region IX to strengthen the communication and media capabilities of its field officers and personnel.

Representing DILG Zamboanga Sibugay were Johnrey P. Cobar, Information Systems Analyst I / Multimedia Head, and Quennie Anne N. Sabanal, Local Government Operations Officer II / Public Education Head.

The training aimed to empower participants with practical and creative skills in writing, public speaking, photography, video editing, and graphic design—enabling them to become more effective in public information dissemination and community engagement.

The activity started with a message from CAO Willibald PP Paglinawan, emphasizing the role of government communicators as the “voice of the people.” Participants were introduced to the rationale and goals of the training, highlighting the power of storytelling and advocacy through various media platforms.

Day 1 was focused on news and feature writing with resource speaker Beatrize Carreon, who discussed writing techniques using the 5Ws and 1H, the inverted pyramid structure, and crafting compelling headlines. In the afternoon, Marione Paul V. Paner led a session on public speaking, covering types of speeches, key elements of delivery, and strategies for overcoming stage anxiety.

Day 2 featured digital photography basics by ARD C. Catalino, who explained the art and science behind capturing impactful images. This was followed by a video editing workshop facilitated by Ma’am Sheena where participants learned to turn raw footage into powerful advocacy content.

On the final day, Daryne T. Mayol facilitated a hands-on workshop on graphic design using Canva where participants created engaging visuals for use in public campaigns and digital platforms.

Through this training, DILG Region IX continues to build the capacity of its personnel and field offices to deliver clear, engaging, and responsive communication—amplifying the Department’s initiatives and connecting more meaningfully with the communities they serve.