by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (November 28) -- Butuan City will play host to the 7th Mindanao Communicators' Network (MindaComNet) Congress and Workshop on November 29 to December 1 at Balanghai Hotel, this city.

MindaComNet is a network of government and non-government public relations and information officers, organized in 1999 for the purpose of networking activities for communication practitioners in the government and non-government organizations and the private sector in Mindanao. The annual congress is aimed to enhance the professional growth of public and private communicators and public relations and information officers.

In a written statement, Efren Elbanbuena, PIA Region 12 Director and Assistant Director-General for Mindanao said the congress is very crucial because the participants are expected to come up with a communication plan in support to the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration. "The plan will be integrated in their respective agency programs and activities", Elbanbuena added.

Plenary session of the MindaComNet and election of Board of Trustees and Officers is one of the highlights of the actvity.

Among the invited speakers are PIA Director-General Sec. Conrado Limcaoco Jr. who will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Renato Velasco Velasco of the Philippine National Oil Corp. - Alternative Fuels Corp. (PAFC) will also discuss the Need for Charter Change for Peace and Development in Mindanao.

To complete the list of speakers on the first day of the congress, Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor Adolph Edward Plaza will showcase his province being awarded the model of good governance in Mindanao.

On the second day of the activity, leading the roster of speakers is the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza who is expected to give updates on the GRP Peace Talks in Mindanao.

Sam Zappia, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Counselor will be presenting their experiences in promoting peace and development in Mindanao.

ACT for Peace Programme Manager Diosita Andot will present the topic on empowering the evacuees though the ACT for Peace in Mindanao, while Dr. Charles Fiebel, Growth with Equity in Mindanao Chief of Party talks on the economic development of peace communities through their organization.

In a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, all heads of government departments, bureaus and offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state colleges and universities, and local government units are enjoined to authorize their public relations and information officers to attend and participate the activity.