By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – Zamboanga del Sur Vice Governor Juan Regala encouraged the officers in the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) units to establish rapport with the stakeholders.
In the recently concluded two-day Public Affairs Seminar/Workshop of Western MIdanao-based CMOs held at Farmers Haven at Barangay Dao here, Regala who served as guest of honor and speaker said “by fostering good relations with stakeholders, the programs of the Philipine Army will be successfully implemented.”
Speaking before the group of 60 CMOs, Regala said the CMOs which he considered advisers of the commanding general and their respective commanding officers, should learn to effectively practice public affairs in their respective units.
Regala, who was then the commanding officer of 1st Pyschological Operations Unit of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Headquarters in 1989 before entering politics, shared his personal experiences with the participants to help them effectively perform their duties and responsibilities.
“You need to cultivate and foster good felationship with your stakeholders,” Regala urged adding that “public affairs involves harmonious and friendly relationship with the stakeholders.”
“Paano ka magiging epektibo na CMO officer kung hindi ka magpapakita ng mga tao at i-convince sila sa mga magagandang programa ng gobyerno?” said Regala.
(How can you be an effective CMO officer if you do not show to the people and convince them of the good programs of the government?)
Regala said CMO officers should also establish good relationship with the media, saying that media play a very important role in our society.
“During my incumbency as CMO officer, I worked closely with the media that is why I gained active support from them. All the accomplishments of Tabak were published in the newspapers and aired over the radio and television during my time,” Regala proudly said.
“As CMO officer you should learn to observe the ‘MUST’ in public affairs. You must be sincere, respectful and considerate in serving the people, learn their own dialect, and know how to socially mingle with them,” Regala stressed.
Regala admitted that he didn’t have any formal schooling in public affairs but the things that he shared with them was based on his personal experiences during his stint as CMO officer.
Regala served as member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in three consecutive terms and currently on his second term as vice governor.
