Koronadal City, South Cotabato – From August 29-30, 2024, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XII (ATI-RTC XII) took part in the annual MINDACOMNET Congress-SOCCSKSARGEN Leg, organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XII in collaboration with ICON-SOX. The congress brought together over 200 Information Officers from various government agencies and LGUs, focusing on advancing public information and advocacy initiatives for the region.

Highlighting the critical role of Information Officers, PIA Director General Jose A. Torres, Jr. presented on the vision of "Bagong Pilipinas" and emphasized the importance of bridging government initiatives with public understanding. In his speech, Torres remarked, “Our mission as Information Officers is more than just delivering messages; it’s about bridging the gap between the government and our kababayans.”

A significant feature of the congress was the address by Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), who provided insights on transparency and advocacy surrounding the nation’s efforts to protect its maritime interests. The event further included sessions on Peace Journalism, Media Events Management, Digital Storytelling, and promoting sustainable tourism across Mindanao. MinDA and ICON-SOX also presented frameworks for communication that highlight initiatives for Mindanao’s development.

The congress serves as part of MinDA’s Communication for Development (C4D) Program, aiming to strengthen the reach and impact of government initiatives through effective communication. MINDACOMNET, established in 1999, continues to be a key platform for information exchange and advocacy on vital Mindanao issues, with MinDA acting as the group’s secretariat since its inception.