The saying “Life begins at 40” sounds true for the Municipality of Dingalan, Aurora as it landed to be the 40th Nutriskwela community radio from among the 45 Nutriskwela radio networks established by the National Nutrition Council in 2017. The municipality is also the very first LGU-recipient of the Nutriskwela Community Radio in Central Luzon.
Truly life begins when the municipality chose “Kaedup” to be the radio station’s name. Derived from the tribal dialect “MAEDUP”, which means “Mabuhay”or “Kaagapay sa Buhay”, Radyo Kaedup now literally brings life to its community through the nutrition and development information provided by radio broadcast.
The establishment of Radyo Kaedup passed through a negotiation process between Dingalan Mayor and Municipal Nutrition Committee Chairperson Shierwin N. Taay and Mr. Francis “Kiko” J. Flores, consultant and Team Leader of MQ Mediazone Productions. Through the active support of Mayor Taay, Radyo Kaedup found a home in one of the small rooms of a newly-built Community Center near the Municipal Hall.
Members of the Dingalan Nutrition Committee were oriented on the operation and functionality of the radio station, spearheaded by Ms. Jovita B. Raval, Chief of the Nutrition Information and Education Division and program manager of the NNC’s local media promotion. Nutrition Officer III Angelita M. Pasos of NNC-Region III was one of the participants of the said orientation.
On 22-24 August, barely two months after the orientation, five (5) radio station personnel, namely station manager, production manager, announcer, writer and radio technician attended the National Training on Nutriskwela Radio Broadcasting (NRB) at Linden Suites, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. The group joined the other NRB personnel from the nine (9) municipalities under the Phase 5 of the Nutriskwela Radio Networks program. The 3-day orientation was complemented by another 3-day Hands-On-Training (HOT) on Nutriskwela Radio Broadcasting for the Dingalan Community Radio Council (CRC) on 2-4 October 2017. Veteran experts on radio broadcasting and seasoned trainers like Mr. Louie Tabing, Mr. Andy Vital and Mr. Mario Garcia, ignited life to the training. Other resource persons were Mr. Kiko Flores, Ms. Mackay Quadra and NO III Pasos.
The HOT for 40th NCR was well-attended by 40 participants from 11 barangays, including LGU employees, representing health, nutrition, social services, education, agriculture and fisheries sector, with the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army representatives, senior citizens, barangay nutrition scholar, barangay health worker, students and religious group and district nutrition program coordinators of Aurora Province. As part of the test broadcast, the session on the 2nd day gave the CRC members an opportunity to become radio announcers themselves. The test broadcast showed that the radio broadcast can reach the farthest barangay of Dingalan (Barangay Umiray), a barangay 28 kilometers away from the Poblacion and near the boundary of Gen. Nakar, Quezon Province.
The closing program of the 3-day HOT was highlighted with the oath-taking ceremony of the newly- organized Radyo Kaedup CRC, awarding of signed NNC-MOA and other pertinent Nutriskwela Community Radio documents to Mayor Shierwin Taay, and inspirational messages from Mayor Taay, Ms. Pasos and NNC-partner, MQ Mediazone Training Team, Ms. Cuadra, Mr. Garcia and Mr. Flores.
The CRC also held its first meeting which discussed among others the initial plans and other concerns following the 1st month of test broadcast which include among others the “unannounced” monitoring visit in November and December.
As the 40th Nutriskwela radio network, the CRC expressed their gratitude to NNC and appreciation for the success of the very first and new experience in radio broadcasting.
Truly, life begins at 40. As 40 symbolizes perfection, Radyo Kaedup will continue to reach out in improving the lives of its constituents through radio broadcasting. (AMP/AMBR)
Author:
NO III Angelita M. Pasos
