The Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) welcomed its new set of officers who will serve for the next three years.
Risty Villahermosa, information officer of the Government Service Insurance System, was elected president who will serve until 2025.
He replaces Valencia PIO Desiderio Tilos who served as ANOPIO president since 2019.
ANOPIO is an organization of information officers from the Province’s local government units, national government agencies in the Province, and selected private institutions, cooperatives, and universities in Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, the new vice president for the north is Chris Calumba of Ayungon town; VP for the south is Gherelene Rafols of the Negros Oriental State University information office.
Canlaon City PIO Edna Lhou Masicampo was elected as secretary, while Vanessa Regalado of Tanjay City was voted as assistant secretary.
The new treasurer is Bernard Barrera of Pag-IBIG Fund, while elected auditor is Erven Noay of St. Paul University-Dumaguete information office.
Iris Gaso of the Department of the Interior & Local Government is the ANOPIO’s public relations officer.
BSP Dumaguete Branch Deputy Director Atty. Janice Jade Tan-Canonigo administered the oath-taking of the newly-elected officers.
In his acceptance message, Villahermosa said he will push to strengthen ANOPIO as an institution.
“Regularity of meetings is important so we shall do that either by in-person or by Zoom or virtual because I believe we can be more efficient in doing that. To enhance also our capacities and capabilities as PIOs, we shall continue to engage with our other partners in our field,” Villahermosa said.
On the other hand, Tilos thanked the ANOPIO members for giving him the opportunity to lead the group over the past three years despite the challenges encountered due to the pandemic.
He lauded the resilience of PIOs, and underscored their important role in disseminating accurate information as the Province faced a crises along with other areas nationwide.
Also present during the election was Sta. Catalina PIO Danilo Gregorio Denopol, who served as president of ANOPIO in the 90s. (PR)
