After 35 years, the Philippine Information Agency – Cordillera’s (PIA-CAR) new home has been realized.
PIA-CAR Regional director, Helen Tibaldo said “This day is a symbol of our progress and the promise of better days to come. Thank you for being part of this momentous journey.”
PIA Director General Jose Torres led the unveiling, with Presidential Assistant for the Cordillera Asec. Antonio Tabora, PIA Deputy Director General Kat De Castro, Assistant Director General Allan Lorenzo, Soledad Go representing Rep. Marquez Go, Baguio City Councilor Arthur Allad-iw, Florion Andrada Jr. of DENR-CAR, and Julieta Aban of DPWH-CAR.
Torres said programs of the PIA include the Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict and its localized peace engagement, media and information literacy campaign and the widening of the knowledge on the West Philippine Sea, which are all impotant to nation building.
Over the years, PIA CAR has been known to converge the private media as well as government with its activities and events, which has been trademarked to be a safe space for all.
Soledad Go announced with the efforts of Rep. Go, the Congress has allotted funds for 2025 for the completion of the PIA-CAR building.
The PIA CAR building is designed to be completed in phases and broke ground on May 31, 2021, at the DPS Compound, Baguio City with staff moving in, June 1, 2023.
PIA-CAR, Assistant Regional Head Juliet Pilotin said the agency is hopeful of the commitment of Congressional Rep. Marquez Go and with the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Baguio City District Engineering Office, the completed 5-storey PIA building as envisioned in the master plan will be realized.
In 2017, the PIA left their office at the Lualhati guest house located within the Mansion House Complex and moved to a temporary office in Brookside.
Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) president Thomas Picana lauded the efforts of the PIA CAR to become a unifying factor for the local media in its common advocacies.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Baguio-Benguet Chapter (KBP-BBC) chair, Rico John Ferrer said the commitment to transparency, accuracy and timely communication has been instrumental in empowering the entire Cordillera. Maria Elena Catajan
