By Roda Tajon
www.nordis.net

CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur —Media practitioners in Ilocos provinces organized last August 15 to form a chapter of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) in face of the issues confronting the media in Ilocos.

Practitioners from Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, NBN 4, Radyo Tirad Pass, Ilocos Times, Northern Dispatch and DWFB Radyo ng Bayan attended the chapter formation of NUJP-Ilocos Sur chapter in the Amytony Resort, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. 

Elected officers of the NUJP-Ilocos Sur chapter were: Arlon Serdenia of DZTP Radyo Tirad Pass (Chairperson), Freddie Lazaro of Manila Bulletin (Vice Chairperson), Mike Escobar of NBN 4 (Secretary General), Leoncio Balbin Jr. of PDI (Treasurer) and Rod Tajon of Nordis (Auditor). Other members of the NUJP chapter are Leilanie Adriano (Ilocos Times), Danny Antalan (DZTP) and Edmar Ines (DWFB). 

According to NUJP-Ilocos Sur Chairperson Arlon Serdenia, journalists in the provinces of Ilocos confront many issues so there is a need to form a chapter of the NUJP to promote the rights and welfare of journalists.

During the presentation of the media situation, issues of ethics, politics, economic threat, security of tenure, low salary and killings were some of the issues that journalists confront in Ilocos provinces.

Since 2001, two (2) journalists have been killed in the course of their work as journalists, and three (3) have survived attempts on their lives. The newly-formed NUJP chapter vowed to support their fellow journalists in advancing their rights and welfare as well the right to press freedom and the people’s right to know. 

Discussions on the NUJP Orientation, Constitution and By-laws, media situation and the Right of Reply Bill were facilitated by member of the NUJP National Directorate Desiree Caluza, Art Allad-iw and Frank Cimatu. The NUJP chapter formation was initiated by the NUJP Baguio-Benguet chapter. # nordis.net