Visayas Media Forum goes to Boracay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY - The largest association of publishers and editors in the country kicks off its nationwide dialogue on social, political and economic issues in the famed island of Boracay next month.

Juan 'Johnny' P. Dayang, president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), said the forum will focus on issues that would enable the community journalists and the stakeholders to participate in no-holds barred discussion on September 25 to 26.

Organized by PAPI in cooperation with the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI), the Aklan Press Club, Cebu-based Visayas Media Association (VMA) and the Aklan Media Forum (AMF), the dialogue carries the theme, "The New Media in the Service of Tourism and the Nation," which would tackle the future of pristine island of Boracay and other tourism concerns of the business groups, local media organizations and civil society groups.

According to PAPI president Dayang, Communications Group Secretary Herminio Coloma will discuss the desired role of the community press in President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s comprehensive reform agenda while Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim will present his vision and plans to further develop the country’s tourism industry where the Visayas or Central Philippines has been marked as premiere tourist destination.

Aklan leaders led by Governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo and House committee tourism chairman and Aklan solon Florencio Miraflores are also invited on this Visayan Media Forum.

Dayang said the forum will also revive the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (FPPC), which targets to invite some 100 participants from the 16 provinces of the Visayas aside from Romblon, Siquijor and Palawan, and special media personalities from Luzon and Mindanao.