November is Library and Information Services (LIS) Month with its theme: “LibREAL(Libraries: Relate, Engage, Advocate, Lead)”

by Pilar-PIO

               In pursuance to Presidential Proclamation No. 837 s. 1991 which declares the month of November of every year as Library and Information Services (LIS) Month, the Local Government Unit of Pilar, Sorsogon urged the public to join in the observance of the event with its theme “LibREAL (Libraries: Relate, Engage, Advocate, Lead)”. It has identified two places in the Local Government Unit to serve the public by  engaging themselves in the laws and guidelines set by the government to protect from the dreaded effects of COVID-19, advocating with conviction that LIFE is far better than anything in this world and lead their families into prioritizing HEALTH to preserve LIFE and be united in the REAL Meaning of Unity and Cooperation to bravely face the menace of the world… VIRUS.

In the present pandemic condition, Pilar’s Visitors Information Center and Public Information Office were among the two areas which were effectively utilized as SERVICE CENTERS to back-up the Offices of the Mayor, Municipal Administrator, Municipal Health, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Municipal Social Welfare Development and other offices. It’s accessibility to the heart of the town proper doesn’t require transportation services when the clients are within the LGU Municipal Building.

VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER

Located at the Port Area and used primarily for Tourism Activities, the Pilar Tourism Center was temporarily transformed into a Center for LSIs’ (Locally Stranded Individuals) Processing of Documents. The Area is, ideally, big and spacious in order to ensure that physical distancing will be maintained by the LSIs who came to request for the Travel Pass and other related documents asked for in DILG’s Memorandum Circular for Locally Stranded Individuals and IATF(Inter-Agency Task Force) Guidelines. This November, it is still maintained to accommodate LSIs who secure necessary documents. Its utilization addresses the clamor of those people who needed to pass through Checkpoints and the desire to secure documents is a sure step that they follow protocols and willing to be with the government in its battle. The service was facilitated by Gender and Development (GAD) Office. Its Focal provides personnel to take the risks of facing several persons coming from different areas only to fast track the transactions everyday. To date, there are 1,230 LSIs who get satisfaction for the services that the center provides.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

Takes the lead in information services in order to give the public its right to information and performs what the Philippine Constitution mandates as the government’s duty to inform. The PIO played a very important role in providing credible, timely and validated information not only to the transacting public but more importantly to the Official Media Accounts of the LGU.

The Pandemic caused numerous programs to ease the situation of those adversely affected… the displaced workers. The Office posted relevant information materials to welcome interested affected workers with open arms. Handheld radios and servers in the forty-nine barangays provided thru the MDRRMO has become easy access information especially during the ECQ , GCQ and MGCQ periods. Proper information as a potent force is seen to be very effective that the government can relate to their situation, hence engagement of different national government agencies to provide support and assistance thru the local government units is guaranteed to be enjoyed by the concerned. Advocacies is passed through hashtags like #TOGETHERwewillallmakePILARSAFE has been imbedded already to the hearts of the locals which inspires the leaders headed by Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes to give its utmost leadership skills.

Evidently, we surpassed the threat of Covid-19 being considered a COVID-FREE Municipality since October this year. We have worked elbow-to-elbow. This November, we have worked to keep it that way,

it may seem not easy but having the support of the different Offices and the Barangay Local Government Units, the hardships were made possible to conquer. The Mayor, in her effort to make all things achievable urged everyone to make INFORMATION a force to bind Pilareños in unity to join forces to slay the threat that divides, that scares, that affects, that makes us fall because as our battlecry says #TOGETHERwewillallmakePILARSAFEandPROGRESSIVE!

ACTION DAYS of the GAD Personnel to SERVE the LSIs this LIS Month

LIS Month calls for SERVICE of the PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE to be REAL