PAGADIAN CITY, Sep 4 (PIA) - Barangays in Aurora town in Zamboanga del Sur has formed a group that will serve as vanguard against fake news and for responsible sharing of information to spread the good news from the government.

Aurora town Mayor Atty. Boen Dorotheo Cabahog was hopeful that the new group will serve their purpose of being citizen reporters under the Community Development Information Volunteer Network (CDIVN) of the Philippine Information Agency 9.

"Nalipay mi na ilaha tang giapil isip us aka network of Information Volunteers. We are very much willing to support, and serve as information links diri sa atong komunidad," (we are happy that we are included in the network of information volunteers. We are very much willing to support and serve as information links in the community)," the mayor said.

Mayor Cabahog added that the organization of the CDIVN is timely especially with the pervasive fake news seen in the social media and its spread in text messages.

"Hinaot na sa pinaagi aning CDIVN mapaabot diri sa atoa sa Aurora ang nagkalain-laing programa sa national government para maka benefit ang atong katawhan (we hope that through the CDIVN , programs of the national government will reach us here in Aurora for the benefit of our people)," he said.

The newly organized group is composed of punong barangays from all 44 barangays of Aurora Municipality in Zamboanga Del Sur, Barangay Kagawad, selected barangay secretaries, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (MDRRMO), Municipal Planning Development Coordinator (MPDO), local media and the mayor himself.

Network members were oriented on its roles and functions, the process of information sharing and flow of communication. At the end of the orientation, the members elected Jose Mendoza as their team leader. Mendoza is station manager of LGU-run radio station Radyo Kaugmaran and the municipal information officer of Aurora.

"Akong kinasing-kasing na gidawat kini nga responsibilad. Hinaot na mahimo nako akong responsibilidad isip usa ka team leader sa CDIVN aron makatabang sa pagpalapnag sa impormasyon ngadtu sa mga katawhan (I wholeheartedly accept this responsibility. I hope that I can carry this responsibility well as a team leader of CDIVN in helping disseminate information to the people)," Mendoza said.

The CDIVN was recently organized as a two-way communication channel to create information exchange between government and the people and to make Aurora community as partner in nation building through the power of information sharing and dissemination. Volunteers are expected to share and exchange information to the government through PIA and the latter will share information on programs and efforts of government. (RVC/JPA/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)