by Ma. Roxanne Fatima S. Rolle

“Napagtanto ko na ako ay kailangan para sa matalinong pagpili at sa malinis, mapayapa, at maayos na eleksyon”. This line echoed last April 18 in the lecture hall of the College of Development Communication (CDC) as 80 volunteers from Laguna pledged to help keep the May 2016 election secure and fair by proactively practicing citizen journalism.

This activity is part of the one-day Training-Workshop on Multi-media Reporting for the 2016 Election Coverage.  The workshop is under the umbrella of Bantay Halalan 2016, a collaborative project among schools, civil society organizations, and media organizations in Laguna.

Role of the youth and election reporters

Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., chair of the UPLB sa Halalan 2016 Committee, graced the opening program with an overview of UPLB’s election-related initiatives. Dr. Camacho urged the youth to be vigilant in keeping the elections credible, fair, and just. “Let us encourage our fellow students to take part in this 2016 elections. [Let us ask] what can we do to make this country one that we can be proud of”, he shared.

In her closing remarks, CDC Dean Dr. Ma. Theresa H. Velasco focused on the role of election reporters; to “(help) educate the voters so they can make informed choices on May 9”.

#BH2016 launch

Bantay Halalan 2016 Committee Chair, aProf. Lester P. Ordan, introduced the project to the volunteers. He also officially launched the partnership with the following units: Laguna University,  Malayan Colleges Laguna, San Pablo Colleges, University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta, UPLB College of Development Communication Alumni Association Inc., DZJV, DCG FM, Community Cable Vision Corp., DZLB Partners, and  Los Baños Times. Representatives from senior citizens’ organizations and interns from Laguna State  Polytechnic University (LSPU-Sta. Cruz)  also attended.

Meanwhile, aProf. Sherwin Felicidario and aProf. Winifredo B. Dagli discussed how the volunteers and partners can participate in the Bantay Halalan 2016’s menu of activities.

Voters’ education videos were also launched. This includes the AVP for the song Para sa Bayan, an original composition of BS Development Communication students, Caleb Gasilao and Jennifer Milante.

Sessions on multi-platform election reporting

During the morning session, Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-Los Baños Election Officer Randy P. Banzuela talked about the guidelines and tips on reporting before and during election period.

In the afternoon, the participants were divided into four parallel sessions. One session tackled News Reporting for Bantay Halalan 2016 which focused on writing techniques and story topics before and after the elections. This was handled by aProf. Pamela Joyce M. Eleazar of CDC’s Department of Development Journalism.

Another breakout session, Writing and Reporting for Radio, was facilitated by Daniel Castro, Head of the News and Public Affairs of DZJV.

Participants who were more inclined on Writing for TV and Audio-visual Production took the session of Dr. Mildred O. Moscoso of the Department of Educational Communication in CDC.

Those who wanted to leverage on social media to provide live updates during the day of the election took aProf. Elaine D. Llarena’s session entitled Election Reporting using Social Media. aProf. Llarena is from the Department of Science Communication in CDC.

Bantay Halalan 2016

Bantay Halalan 2016 is spearheaded by the UPLB College of Development Communication. It aims to develop media platforms for communicating issues and concerns in the community; promote voters’ education in Laguna;  form a network of community journalists/broadcasters in the province, and provide media coverage of the local election through cable TV , radio stations, community newspaper, website, and social media platforms.

For more information, you may reach us through:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: bantayhalalan.net
• Facebook: facebook.com/BantayHalalanLaguna
• Twitter: @BHLaguna2016
• Phone: (049) 536 2433

by Zenaida Escobin, Los Baños Times Collaborator, and Administrative Officer of the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)

The Los Banos Federation of Senior Citizen Inc.(LBSCFI) in coordination with the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) will hold a leadership training for the fourteen (14) senior citizen association presidents on April 9. Details of the venue are still being finalized.

The seminar aims to equip the said association heads with leadership skills to better manage their organizations. For inquiries, please contact OSCA at 530-9143 or visit their office at the OSCA building in Brgy. Baybayin. Los Baños, Laguna.

by Miguel Alfonso P. Sta. Ana

Last April 15, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office of Los Baños conducted Operation Baklas, a campaign against prohibited election campaign paraphernalia.

Two teams comprised of local police officers, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) representatives, and barangay personnel inspected different parts of Los Baños. These include the posts along national highway, subdivisions, and lanes in the following barangays: Bambang, Batong Malake, Bayog, Baybayin, Malinta, Mayondon, and Putho-Tuntungin.

The teams were authorized to take down posters, tarpaulins, and other election materials that violate the standards set by the COMELEC in R.A. 9006 or the Fair Election Act. The act stipulates that candidates are allowed to put up poster areas in public places such as barangay centers, markets, and plazas. The size of these areas should not exceed 12 ft. x 16 ft. for party-list groups, and 4 ft. x 6 ft. for independent candidates. The size of each poster that may be posted on each area should not exceed 2 ft. x 3 ft. Materials may also be posted in private places, provided there is consent from the owner.

Elino Batalon, COMELEC-LB election assistant, urges candidates to take note of these rules, especially the one concerning common posting areas.

Candidates are discouraged from posting directly into walls and other surfaces for easier clean-up after elections. Batalon suggests putting up plywood boards on intended spaces and posting election materials on those boards.

Batalon said that a relatively smaller number of materials were taken down this year compared to the previous years. “Nung mga nakaraang [eleksyon], yung isang dump truck ng munisipyo, halos umaapaw [sa laman na mga nabaklas]. Nitong huli nating pagbabaklas, tingin ko hindi pa nangangalahati [yung dump truck]”, he describes.

This is the first Operation Baklas conducted by the COMELEC-LB this year. Further operations would be done if the COMELEC-LB Election Officer Randy Banzuela deems it necessary.