Quezon City (23 October) -- Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye has hailed the holding of a nationwide media summit in Kalibo and Boracy Island in Aklan on Oct. 26-29 on the theme, "The Role of the Press in Spotlighting Investment Opportunities in Aklan."

"It is very encouraging to note that the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) is taking its media summit to Aklan province," Secretary Bunye said in a message to the national media organization headed by veteran journalist Juan P. Dayang.

Bunye, who is concurrently Presidential Spokesperson, said it is a kind of media activity that will no doubt render positive results.

"Apparently, PAPI has seen the need for media practitioners to refocus their attention to the economy instead of wasting time entertaining negative political stories that serve no purposes but divide our people," he said.

"I congratulate PAPI for this innovative summit, which aims to highlight the power of the press for development," Bunye said, adding that the summit theme is closely aligned with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s goal to reinvigorate the country’s economy.

Bunye said PAPI can rest assured the government will always support this kind of media activity. He also expressed the hope that it can be replicated in many regions.

Some 200 mediamen—publishers, editors, broadcasters, commentators, columnists, reporters, writers, book authors, information officers, college editors and other communicators -- are attending the four-day press meet.