DFA TO LAUNCH PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO PROGRAM THIS SUNDAY
13 April 2004 – The Department of Foreign Affairs will be launching its first ever official public service radio program this coming Sunday, 18 April 2004. Dubbed “DFA Ngayon”, the radio program aims to provide radio listeners with relevant and up-to-date information about the Department and its activities.
“Our radio program is specifically aimed at the grass roots public who wish to know more about what we do here at the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert said of the program. “Hopefully, we can paint a much broader picture of the Department besides that of simply being a government office where one applies for a passport.”
DFA Ngayon will be broadcast every Sunday at 9 in the morning on DWIZ-AM 882 kHz. Each program will feature a speaker from the various offices of the Department who will explain and answer questions on the functions of their office and activities in their area of work within the Department.
“Since the DFA is popularly known for issuing passports, this will be the subject matter of our opening broadcast,” Secretary Albert revealed. “What exactly is a passport? Why is the DFA the office issuing it? What are the nuances behind applying for a passport? What is the Department doing to improve its passport services? These are the questions that we will address this Sunday at DFA Ngayon. In the following weeks, we will tackle other aspects of our work, such as ATN (Assistance to Nationals), managing our country’s international relations, and implementing Philippine Foreign Policy.”
“We would like to thank Mr. Antonio Cabangon Chua, Philippine Ambassador to Laos and his team at DWIZ for making this endeavor possible for the Department,” the Secretary said.
The featured speaker for DFA Ngayon’s opening broadcast this Sunday is Ms. Bernardita Catalia, Director of the DFA Passport Office. She will be joined by Dulce Fortunado of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) who will act as anchorwoman. FSI Executive Director Rey Carandang will deliver the Secretary’s opening message. - END