As misinformation and disinformation continue to shape public discourse in increasingly disruptive ways, the Philippine government has turned its focus to the classroom—training educators to serve as the first line of defense.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), convened more than 100 school paper advisers for a concurrent session on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) during the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The effort is part of a broader campaign to integrate critical thinking and responsible media consumption into both campus journalism and daily instruction.
“The future of journalism and storytelling is in good hands—nasa inyo ang susi sa mas matino at responsableng media landscape,” said Jay Ruiz, Secretary of the PCO. “This workshop will arm you with the tools necessary for this fight,” he added, addressing participants as partners in shaping a more informed generation.
The training forms part of Maging Mapanuri, the PCO’s flagship campaign to promote MIL. It follows a national consultation and review of the agency’s MIL modules conducted in March, aimed at ensuring the materials respond to both classroom realities and the evolving information landscape.
Assistant Secretary Faith De Guia, who delivered the closing remarks, described teachers as indispensable to the campaign’s success. “At the heart of our campaign for Media and Information Literacy is a deep belief: that no effort can truly take root without our teachers,” she said. “And by this time next year, we look forward to hearing your stories—how you integrated MIL into your school papers.”
The initiative reflects the government’s broader strategy to combat falsehoods not only through regulation or media engagement, but through education. By empowering teachers with practical MIL tools, students will be better prepared to navigate a world where information is abundant—but not always reliable.
