AROUND 200 Lapu-Lapu Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members volunteered as reporters of the online newsroom created by the Lapu-Lapu city government.
During last Saturday’s launching of the online newsroom, the volunteer reporters were also inducted by City Mayor Paz Radaza and were given a media ID.
“Don’t abuse your media ID. It is not a badge that you use to get freebies from private establishments or a tool to destroy your reputation. Else, we will revoke your ID,” Radaza warned the volunteers for online newsroom called the “Mactan Post.”
Their media ID will serve also as an ID pass to access the facilities in the newsroom located just beside the city hall.
The SK volunteers underwent a series of workshops on news reporting.
SK Lapu-Lapu Federation president Nicole Balao, Mactan Post’s news and community engagement director, will handle the digital reporters and the promotion of the Internet-based newsroom to the community.
Balao said this digital newsroom aims to spread the news about Lapu-Lapu, the community and the Oponganons.
SK volunteer reporters will post on their website news promoting Lapu-Lapu city as a tourism destination, among others.
Radaza said Lapu-Lapu is the first local government unit (LGU) that introduces online newsroom in the country.
“Today, I am proud to unveil the news site named Mactan Post, the first ever LGU-run online newsroom in the country,” Radaza said.
“You and I are making history here, and so I urge all of you to remember this very moment,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza in a speech during the launching.
SPO2 Rodito Viovicente, the eldest volunteer, will inform the Mactan Post about police matters.
“We are Cebu’s tourism capital. And so we want our people to be well informed about the peace and order here,” Radaza added.
The newsroom also serves as a platform for the different sectors to air their suggestions for the city’s progress and development.
The city hired Max and Marlen Limpag of InnoPub Media as Mactan Post’s editorial and technical consultants. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA