📋 Tender Overview
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Government communicators in northern Mindanao are taking steps to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their work. The Communications and Advocacy Committee (ComAd) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) held its second-semester meeting on November 25, pairing strategy discussions with a learning session on AI tools for public engagement. The meeting centered on the midterm review of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan (NMRDP) 2023-2028 Strategic Communications Plan. Members were urged to submit accomplishments and communication outputs to keep the plan evidence-based and aligned with regional priorities and the AmBisyon Natin 2040 vision. PIA-10 Regional Head and ComAd Chair Franklin Gumapon said the learning session is part of the efforts to update government messaging. With the rapid evolution of communication tools, particularly artificial intelligence, we are also embracing new ways to create, refine, and deliver messages that resonate with our diverse audiences, Gumapon said. He said the learning session aims to help ComAd members use AI responsibly so their agency strategies stay relevant, compelling, and aligned with community needs. PIA-10 Assistant Regional Head Apipa Bagumbaran, who led a discussion on responsible AI use, said AI can speed up communication work but must be applied with care. AI [tools] can make our work faster, more efficient, and even more effective, but it can also create risks if we dont use it responsibly. Our goal in this learning session is [not only] to appreciate the use of AI tools for government communicators but also understand the principles that help us use them in a way that maintains public trust, accuracy, and fairness, she said. Bagumbaran noted risks such as AI hallucinations, in which systems generate false but convincing information, and the possibility of biased outputs if training data contains embedded biases. She also cited data privacy concerns and the spread of deepfakes and other manipulated media. AI is an ally, not a replacement. It can enhance efficiency, support smarter decision-making, and improve communication. Using AI tools ethically is not optional but a must, with accuracy, fairness, and transparency serving as essential guiding principles in all shared information, she added. James Kevin M. Sagocsoc, provincial officer of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-10, discussed efforts to bridge the digital divide through AI literacy. He said knowledge of AI concepts and trends can support innovation and inclusive development. Sagocsoc also presented DICT programs aimed at broadening access to digital tools. A flagship DICT initiative is the eGovPH App, our super app for public services. We are integrating eGovAI into this platform to enhance service delivery. This includes features like Identity AI for secure verification and OpenAI integration to make services more accessible and user-friendly for every Filipino, he said. He added that the use of AI in public communication aligns with the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. (APB/JAKA/PIA-10) AI Session. Government communicators from northern Mindanao join a learning session on artificial intelligence during the Regional Development Council Communications and Advocacy Committees second-semester meeting Nov. 25 in Cagayan de Oro City. (Photo: MJAP/PIA-10)AI Session. Government communicators from northern Mindanao join a learning session on artificial intelligence during the Regional Development Council Communications and Advocacy Committees second-semester meeting Nov. 25 in Cagayan de Oro City. (Photo: MJAP/PIA-10)
