COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATION

Chairperson: Jay-Ar Babor

Members: Jommy Burgos
Alvin Lao
Ricky Bermudez
Bien Castil
Ramel Tapales
Michael Dacalos

Prefatory Note:
One of the resolutions of the 2018 February Provincial Conference was the creation of the Commission
on Communication and its inclusion in the Province’s structure (Resolution No. 5). This working
paper on communication is the result of the July 30 – August 2, 2018 Province Strategic Planning
Assessment held at Bahay Pari, San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe, Makati City with Mrs. Marlyn
Angeles as facilitator.

Setting the Context: Existing present medium of communication: Internal-External

I. Internal (Stakeholders: All members of the Province)
A. Assessment:
1. In the province at the present, there exists already the Province’s News and Updates on
Facebook, Province Email group, and other platforms (Messenger, WhatsApp, etc).
2. Those who access the electronic communication medium (approximate): Manila-75%; NE-
90%; Cebu-99%; Surigao-68%; Agusan-50%.
3. Factors: attitude, resistance, non-availability of network, age, fear of security (privacy); lack
of enthusiasm.
4. News are given but not monitored.
5. Things that are mostly requested by members from the secretariat: Calendar, Phone
numbers, etc.

B. Assumptions:
1. It’s essential that members know what is happening/going on in the province.
2. Members want to know and they must know.
3. Even trivial matters could build the community.
4. Majority has the capability to use different means of communication. But for communication
to be successful all members must be willing to participate in it.

C. Dreams/Options and Possibilities:

1. To keep internal communications flowing.
2. The commission on communication or other commissions could post materials that
all members of the province could benefit from (informative articles, reflections,
etc.); insights in formation; materials that enrich religious life.
3. Posting of news/articles from different commissions.

D. Goals/Targets:
1. To encourage everyone to access province’s information.
 2. An input/orientation can be conducted to address concerns, e.g., security of data, information
etc.)
3. Buddy system: somebody can relay the province’s news to a confrere who doesn’t
access the information.
4. There should be somebody who is in-charge of communication in each district.
5. A summary of the province activities for the month/week can be posted.

E. Areas of Concern:
1. What is the scope of the role of the district’s communication in-charge in disseminating
information vis-à-vis the role of the district superior to do the same? Point of Alignment of
Intent and Impact: Who does what? Is it by delegation?
2. Most of our confreres in foreign mission don’t open the Province’s News and Updates on
Facebook (but they use email or private message).

II. External (Communication Apostolate - CFA)

1. CFA is the communication arm of the province.
2. We have to make it more responsive/synchronizing its plans with the plans of the province.
2. In our province plans, how can CFA help, e.g., vocation promotions, center for the poor, etc.?
3. When we make our commission plans, we have to include the communication component;
how to make the message across.