BUTUAN CITY – Nutriskwela Community Radio Station Radyo Kaagapay 107.3 FM in the Municipality of Sibagat, Province of Agusan del Sur, celebrates their 13 years of on-air public service on 29 January 2023.

Established in 2008, Radyo Kaagapay first aired its first radio program on 29 January 2010. After 13 years of on-air service to the public, Radyo Kaagapay is proud of its contributions to help achieve the goals of the local government unit and of the nutrition program.

The newly appointed Community Radio Council (CRC) Chairperson, who is the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) of LGU Sibagat, Mr. Ernesto O. Sombrio, welcomed the guests and participants of the anniversary celebration. In his message, he thanked the LGU Sibagat under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Dr. Thelma G. Lamanilao for the trust given to him as the CRC Chairperson, as well as the stakeholders, volunteer broadcasters, support and management staff of Radyo Kaagapay and the listeners for their continued support.

Ms. Rovelyn M. Ordenario, the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, shared the nutrition situation of the municipality. She proudly reported that the three main malnutrition indicators – stunting, wasting, underweight – are all of low public health significance. She also proudly shared that the LGU Sibagat was awarded with the Green Banner Seal of Compliance, an award given by the National Nutrition Council to LGUs with exemplary performance on nutrition program implementation and management.

In her inspirational message, Municipal Mayor Dr. Thelma G. Lamanilao recalled the establishment of Radyo Kaagapay in 2008 since she was the Mayor at that time when the LGU Sibagat accepted the establishment of a community radio station. It was former DOH-CHD Caraga Regional Director and OIC Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Caraga, Dr. Leonita P. Gorgolon who identified and recommended the establishment of a community radio station in Sibagat. The good Mayor thanked everyone who have been instrumental in the success of Radyo Kaagapay and in the improvement of the nutrition situation in their municipality.

Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Caraga, Niño Archie S. Labordo, MRD, PhD, challenged the LGU Sibagat and Radyo Kaagapay to sustain the gains of the success of the airing of nutrition and developmental programs and encouraged the new CRC officials to expand and innovate to fully optimize the potential of radio broadcasting as a platform of providing service to the public. Dr. Labordo assured the LGU Sibagat and Radyo Kaagapay the full support of the National Nutrition Council in providing technical assistance.

The celebration formally ended with the closing message of Radyo Kaagapay Station Manager, Ms. Elizabeth M. Badajos. She thanked the unending support of the LGU Sibagat officials, the members of the CRC, the volunteer broadcasters and the listeners of Radyo Kaagapay. She added that with the renewed leadership of both the CRC and LGU Sibagat and the presence of an in-house licensed radio technician, they will be able to fully operate and boost the airing of nutrition and developmental programs. #DMOIIRPOchavo

Reference:

• Radyo Kaagapay (https://www.nnc.gov.ph/phase-1/kaagapay)