INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY WEEK SOUGHT

Councilor Vladimir Cayabas has proposed an ordinance seeking to institutionalize Media and Information Literacy Week (MIL) every last week of October to equip residents with the skills to critically assess information, combat misinformation, and engage responsibly in the digital environment.

Under this measure, the City Government of Baguio will promote MIL among residents by equipping them with the competencies needed to access, understand, evaluate, create, and responsibly share information.

According to Cayabas, there is a need for stronger collaboration among the local government, schools, media groups, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to achieve this goal.

Under the ordinance, the City Media and Information Literacy Council will be established, chaired by the mayor and co-chaired by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club.

The MIL Council’s members will include representatives from the Public Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (DepEd)-Baguio, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the academe, the City Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the Baguio City Council’s Committee on Education, the Liga ng mga Barangay, Department of Information and Technology (DICT)–Baguio, the City Character Council, and accredited CSOs engaged in information literacy advocacy.

The MIL Council will be tasked with the city’s MIL programs, operational guidelines, and information-education campaign strategies. It is also mandated to establish assessment mechanisms, strengthen networks and partnerships, and submit annual accomplishment reports to guide future policies. It will likewise recommend guidelines for the designation of fact-checking or anti-fake news officers in local government offices and, where applicable, in private institutions.

October 24 to 31 of every year will be declared as MIL Week in the city where MIL programs will be highlighted. During these days, activities that promote awareness, adoption, and responsible information engagement among citizens will be conducted.

The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council and referred to the Committee on Education for review. – Jordan G. Habbiling