The winds of change have begun to blow in Northern Mindanao, an area known for its vibrant academic environment. The recent four-day "CommUNITY" Caravan, a collaboration between the academic stakeholders and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), has proven to be a pivotal event in fostering media literacy and promoting a sense of unity.
At the helm of this transformative event is Dr. Joy Mirasol, president of Bukidnon State University (BukSU). In a recent interview, she expressed her appreciation for the government's commitment to extending such pivotal programs to universities beyond the metropolis of Metro Manila.
Dr. Mirasol's words ring true when she speaks about the importance of fostering a well-informed citizenry. This initiative, she believes, has equipped students with much-needed skills to navigate the digital landscape confidently and responsibly.
The caravan kicked off its initial leg on March 18 at the BukSU main campus in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The baton has since been passed to the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), where the second leg is currently underway.
Prof. John David Moncada, USTP's coordinator of the Department of Technology Communication Management, lauded the talks on media production and media and information literacy as being both relevant and insightful. They serve as a crucial reminder to students to remain critical of the information they consume online.
Moncada's hope is for an increased collaboration between the government and community stakeholders to combat misinformation. In an era of rampant fake news, this call to arms couldn't be more timely.
The event was well-received among students, with some suggesting that the CommUNITY Caravan should be extended to three or more days to benefit a larger cohort of students. They are keen on having more interactive sessions where they can directly engage with speakers and participate in discussions.
Mishka Cerbito, a student at USTP, believes that the event would be more fulfilling if more interactive sessions were added. Bryan Jade Tagyam, a student at Liceo de Cagayan University, commended the booths set up by PCO agencies for their engaging nature.
The potential of this event goes beyond just a four-day caravan. According to Prof. Doreen Raรฑada, a USTP faculty member, the CommUNITY Caravan could serve as a convergence for communication conferences with other government communicators in the region.
The annual hosting of this event could pave the way for the PCO and state universities to forge partnerships through memorandums of agreement. This could serve as a catalyst for even more significant collaborations, and truly, there can be no stronger testament to the power of unity.
