MANAGERS’ CHOICE Inquirer Group human resources head and senior vice president Raymund Caesar Soberano and Inquirer VP for human resources Renato Lao (fourth and fifth from left) receive the 2018 PMAP Award for Newspaper of the Year. Also onstage are HR manager Jose Gil Pineda (right) and PMAP officials including executive director Rene Gener, vice president Michelle Guce, trustee Ellen Fulido, Mode Devi PR editorial head Rory Visco and Adobo Magazine operations manager Brian Casillano Sr. —LEO M. SABANGAN II
For the third time, the Philippine Daily Inquirer was named Newspaper of the Year by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) during the eighth edition of the organization’s Makatao Awards for Media Excellence.
“The award is a recognition of the best employee practices the Inquirer is giving. It is an affirmation of what we have been doing all these years in taking care of our (people), developing them and making them part of the organization by realizing their aspirations,” said Raymund Caesar Soberano, Inquirer senior vice president and group head of human resources.
Progressive
“Within the print industry, we can say that Inquirer is one of the more progressive and competitive (organizations) in giving employee benefits. Employees well taken care of do their jobs best,” added Soberano, who received the award on Wednesday with Renato Lao, Inquirer vice president for human resources and administration, and Jose Gil Pineda, HR manager.
PMAP vice president Michelle Guce, Ellen Fullido of PMAP’s media and communications committee, and panel of judges members Brian Casillano and Rory Visco presented the award.
The Inquirer previously won the Newspaper of the Year award in 2011 and 2015.
PMAP’s Makatao Award for Media Excellence honors members of the media industry for their outstanding reports, columns, features and contributions that enhance public understanding of the role and impact of good people management in both the public and private sphere.
Resilient employees
ABS-CBN Corp. was chosen TV Network of the Year, while the Radio Station of the Year award was given to dzRH.
Soberano, along with Paolo Tatad, ABS-CBN’s head of recruitment sourcing and marketing, and Manila Broadcasting Company president Ruperto Nicdao Jr., discussed how the media could develop “resilient employees during crucial times.”
Workers become resilient by getting the skills they need to innovate as media shifts from print to online and digital platforms, Soberano said.
“We will adapt to changes. We will ride the challenge. We will overcome barriers that come our way because we have a vital role to play in society as media practitioners,” he added.
Tenets of journalism
Soberano maintained that despite the internal and external forces that threaten the media industry, “we should stick to the tenets of journalism — to report fairly and accurately.”
In response to libel and slander suits that have a chilling effect on fearless reporting, the Inquirer executive said media companies “should provide legal assistance — all the way — to journalists.”
“The Inquirer is committed (to) uphold the safety and welfare of its employees. It’s a top priority,” Soberano said. “Ensuring the safety and welfare of our journalists is our way of ensuring that we protect freedom of the press and expression.”