By Bhaby De Castro
August 20, 2025
BATANGAS CITY (PIA) — Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto has added her voice to the growing call to combat fake news as she urged government information officers to strengthen grassroots communications to reach more people in the communities.
The governor said the spread of misinformation and disinformation poses a threat in the effective delivery of services to Batangueños.
“Isa sa pinakamahirap na bahagi ng pagiging moderno ng ating buhay ngayon ay ang mabilis na pagkalat ng maling balita at impormasyon, lalo na sa social media. Malaki ang nagiging epekto nito sa ating pagbibigay ng serbisyo kaya’t dapat na itong matigil,” she stressed during the Batangas Association of Government Information Officers (BAGIO) assembly on August 11.
Composed of information officers from 34 local government units across the province, the group was created to have an avenue to exchange ideas and best practices, and to explore collaborations with other communications institutions, including the Philippine Information Agency.
Santos-Recto also asked the group to support the Batangas government in amplifying its priority programs, including HEARTS (Health, Education/Environment, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism/Technology).
“Ang mga tulad naming public servants ay nandito para magbigay-serbisyo at tulungang iangat ang buhay ng mga Batangueño,” she added.
Batangas City Public Information Head and BAGIO Interim President Marie Lualhati expressed support for the governor’s call and committed to promoting the provincial government’s priority programs and effectively communicating them to the public.
Meanwhile, Vince Altar, officer-in-charge of the Batangas Provincial Information Office affirmed their commitment to improving local government communications, including enhancing digital platforms and capacitating IOs.
“We are also planning a series of workshops with videographers, photographers, and production and post-production teams, as well as strengthening media relations both local and national,” he said.
He added that the Batangas PIO is also exploring the creation of a provincial media hub to further improve public access to information.
“We are looking into the possibility of establishing a provincial media hub where the public can access e-learning and educational resources that may also benefit our youth and micro, small, and medium enterprises. We will likewise create a digital archive or asset center accessible to everyone,”Altar added.
In addition to these initiatives, the group is closely coordinating with Meta on its campaign against disinformation and will launch a Spotify podcast series this August.
He added that the PIO is preparing for the Governor’s 100-day report, the upcoming 2025 Ala-Eh Festival, the relaunch of the tourism brand “All Here, So Near”, the Capitol on Wheels (on-ground services for different LGUs), and the continuation of the HEARTS program. (Bhaby De Castro, PIA Batangas)