Franklin P. Gumapon
MANILA – As part of the preparations for the
country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic
Leaders’ Meeting in November this year, the Media Relations Accreditation
Office (MARO) has conducted on Saturday a skills enhancement workshop for
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) personnel who will serve as Host Media
Liaison Officers (HMLOs) during the event.
Some 20 PIA staff from both the regional and central offices
converged at PIA conference room in Quezon City to participate in a one-day
workshop, which aimed to acquaint them with their roles, duties and
responsibilities as HMLOs.
Director JO Paulo Espiritu and Assistant Secretary Virgilio
P. Nadal Jr. of the APEC 2015 Media Operations Committee briefed the
participants on their specific roles to play during the gathering of
Asia-Pacific economic leaders in November.
Each APEC member-economy will have one HMLO who will work
with its own media liaison officer.
For the second time since 1996, the Philippines plays host
this year to a year-long APEC meetings which will culminate with the APEC
Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18-19, 2015 in Manila with the theme,
“Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”
The government has declared Nov. 18 and 19, 2015 as special
non-working days in Metro Manila as part of the security measures for the APEC
economic leaders’ meeting.