Zamboanga City – More or less 150 delegates from all the regions in Mindanao attended the 3-day Congress of the Mindanao Communicators Network dubbed as MINDACOMNET 8th Congress and Workshop held at the Marcian Hotel in Zamboanga City, beginning November 27-29, 2007.

Communicators include, Liaison and Information Officers of Government Agencies, Spokepersons, HRMO’s, Community Relation Officers, Lecturers and Trainers, CMO’s, News writers and Broadcaster coming from Region 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and ARMM.

The congress aims to increase the involvement of partner communicators in government advocacy to synchronized actions in the implementation of peace and development efforts. It also serves as a venue to discuss prevailing issues, concerns and relevant challenge confronting communicators in carrying their skills for public consumption of both the government and peoples agenda.

The 8th MINDACOMNET Congress traverse to this years theme: “The New Challenge in Communicating Mindanao Towards Peace and Progress”.

In its opening day, Deputy Director General Leo Omoso of the Philippine Information Agency extended a warm welcome to all the participants and put a challenge to do their jobs as Mindanao communicators..

The Mindanao Communicators Network was organized in 1999, a network of government and non-government information officers for the purpose of networking activities for communication practitioners to enhance professional growth of public and private communications in the Mindanao Regions.

It also serve as a mechanism for the promotion and advocacy of peace and development efforts to both the government and non-government participation to achieve it aspiration in peace building.

Expected are topics on Overviews of the Development Strides in Mindanao under PGMA by MEDCO Chairman, USEC Virgilio Leyretana, GRP’s Peace Building and Peace Making Efforts by Sec Jesus Dureza,  Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, a Keynote Address by PIA Director-General, Secretary Condrado Limcaoco Jr, Socialized Health Insurance Program in Mindanao by PHILHEALTH 1st Vice President for Mindanao Atty. Reynaldo Capangpangan, Prospects of Alternative Fuels in Mindanao by Dr. Renato Velasco, Chairman Philippine National Oil Company.

And the issue on Federalism: Key to Sustaining Peace, Unity and Development by Reynaldo Deang, Secretary-General Citizens Movement for a Federal Republic , Role of SMI in Mindanao’s Mineral \Development by Raul Farfan , Community and Local Affairs Department manager of the Saguitarius Mines Incorporated.

And towards the end of the Congress, Deputy Director General Omoso will deal on Communication Advocacy Workshop And Advocacy Planning Approaches and Strategies by Nilo Mamaclay of PIA Direcor for Vismin, Regional Operations Division.