Republic of the Philippines

City of lloilo
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 12TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE 8TH
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF ILOILO, PHILIPPINES, HELD AT
THE SESSION HALL, 6TH FLOOR NEW CITY HALL BUILDING, PLAZA LIBERTAD,
ILOILO CITY, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017.
PRESENT:
HON. JOSE S. ESPINOSA Ill
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

Hon. Joshua C. Alim Member

Hon. lady Julie Grace L. Baronda Member
Hon. Ely A. Estante, Jr. Member
Hon. R Leone N. Gerochi, Asst. Floor Leader Member
Hon. Mandrie T. Malabor Member
Hon. Plaridel C. Nava II Member
Hon. Armand S. Parcon Member
Hon. Eduardo l. Peiiaredondo, FloorLeader Member
Hon. liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar Member
Hon. Jose Efrain G. Treiias Ill Member
Hon. Candice Magdalane A. Tupas, M.D. Member

ABSENT:

Hon. Jeffrey P. Ganzon Member

Hon. Reyland V. Hervias, Uga ng mga Barangay President Ex Officio Member
(On Official Travel)

REGULATION ORDINANCE NO. 2017-047

AN ORDINANCE INSTITUTIONALIZING FEBRUARY 15 AND EVERY
YEAR THEREAFTER AS "MASS MEDIA DAY'' IN THE CITY OF ILOILO

Sponsored by Hon lady Julie Grace l. Baronda, co-

sponsored by Hon. Joshua C. Alim, Hon. liezl Joy Zulueta-
Salazar, Hon. Armand S. Parcon and Hon. Jose Efrain G.
Treiias Ill, duly seconded by Hon. Ely A. Estante, Jr.

WHEREAS, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides

that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes
freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers";

WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights considers the rights of

the free expression and press freedom as fundamental human rights;

WHEREAS, Section 24, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides

that "the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation
building~

WHEREAS, the mass media is the leading sector in upholding the freedom of
speech, expression and the press as provided for in the Bill of Rights in the 1987
Philippine Constitution;
Reg. Ord. No. 2017-047. Mar. 28. 2017 Page2

WHEREAS, the mass media is considered as the fourth estate or the guardian of
the government and the society as whole which serves as the important factor in the
promotion of good governance;

WHEREAS, La Solidaridad, the newspaper that fought for Philippines

representation in Spain, was established on February 15, 1889. It served as one of the
iconic events in the Philippines where mass media served as the bridge in making the
voice of the Filipinos be heard;

WHEREAS, Graciano Lopez Jaena, who is an llonggo and a Filipino hero, was
the first editor of La Solidaridad;

WHEREAS, there is a need to promote consciousness among the residents a

non-residents of lloilo City about the mass role of mass media in nation building and its
part in promotion of a community where the men and women of media and the people
are empowered to air out their concerns without fear of undue penalties and unlawful
restraint in lloilo City. Mass Media helps the people of lloilo City in making democratic
decisions by providing them different views of important issues confronting lloilo City
and the national as a whole;

WHEREAS, there is a need for the lloilo City Government and the residents of
lloilo City to recognize the efforts of the media in upholding freedom of speech,
expression and the press.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City

of lloilo, that:

Section 1. Short Title. - This ordinance shall be known and cited as the Mass
Media Day Ordinance of 2017.

Section 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the declared policy of the State to

protect and promote the rights of free expression and press freedom. These rights are
the best forms of communication and information dissemination which have an
important role in nation building. The media has a vital role in promoting the right of
free expression and press freedom. It also serves as the best channel for the flow of
information between the government and the people. With this, there is a need for the
lloilo City Government to recognize the role of the mass media as the leading sector in
pro oting these rights.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms shall mean:

a. Broadcast Media - broadcast media refers to the following: radio, television,

all other cinematographic and radio promotion and advertising.

b. Mass Media - channels that carry any form of communication that

simultaneously reaches a large number of people. It refers to the print medium of
communication, broadcast medium of communication or the electronic medium of
communication.

c. Mass Media Day - a local public working holiday in which residents of lloilo
City are encouraged to recognize the role of the mass media as the leading sector in
promoting free expression and press freedom.
Reg. Ord. No. 2017-047. Mar. 28. 2017 Page3

d. Mass Media Day Committee - committee that will be in charge in the

implementation of this ordinance.

e. Mass Media Organizations. - accredited/recognized persons, corporations,

firms and associations engaged in the practice of mass media as well as its
dissemination or distribution.

f. Mass Media Practitioner - persons involved in gathering and relaying news

information and commentaries to the public. These persons utilized the channels of
carrying different forms of information to concurrently reach the public.

g. Online Media - electronically-based media including the World Wide or the

internet.

h. Print Media - print media refers to the following: newspapers, periodicals,

magazines, journals, publications and all advertising therein, billboards and neon signs.

i. School-based Media Organization - a school paper, publication or a

student-organization made up of communication students or organizations devoting
themselves in the practice of mass media duly recognized by the administration of the
school where it is operating.

Section 4. Creation of the Mass Media Day Committee - In implementing this

ordinance, there shall be the creation of the Mass Media Day Committee in lloilo City,
composed of the following members, to wit:

Chairperson City Mayor

Vice Chairpersons SP Chairperson, Information Technology &
Computerization
SP Chairperson, Committee on Communication
& Public Information
Members Presidents, Different Media Organizations in
lloilo City
- President, lloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps
- President, lloilo Press Club
- Chairperson, Philippine Press Institute
- lloilo Police & Defense Press Corps
- Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
- President, National Union of Journalist in the
Philippines - lloilo City Chapter
- Head, lloilo City Hall Public Information Office
- Representative, Department of Information and
Communications Technology
- Representative from the Department of Education
- Representative from Commission on Higher
Education
- Representative from the National
Telecommunication Commission
- Philippine Information Agency
- All Other Persons or Organizations that
the Committee May Deem Fit
Reg. Ord. No. 2017-047. Mar. 28. 2017 Page4

Section 5. Functions of the Mass Media Day Committee. - The Mass Media
Day Committee shall:

1. Formulate plans and programs for the total implementation of the said
ordinance.

2. Formulate and facilitate activities showcasing the importance of media in the

practice of free expression and press freedom.

3. Organize events that highlight the different types and functions of mass
media.

4. To deliberate on how the mass media may continually promote free speech
and free expression for the continuation of the liberty in public and truthful discussion
about any matter of public interest without the fear of censorship or subsequent
punishment.

5. Involve the different sectors of society including government agencies, non-

governmental organizations and people's organizations and business sectors to be
actively involved in the celebration.

6. Encourage unifications among the Mass Media practitioners in lloilo City.

7. Craft the rules and guidelines for the selection of past and present mass media
practitioners to be honored during the celebration.

8. Plan on topics to be included in the forums and symposiums to be discussed

in educational and all other institutions.

9. Ensure the continuing education among media practitioners and society in

general on matters concerning the mass media, including matters about responsible
journalism.

10. Foster the continuous development of mass media practitioners in lloilo City.

Section 6. Declaration of February 15 as Mass Media Day in lloilo City. - It

shall be declared that the fifteenth of February and every year hereafter as lloilo City's
M edia Day.

Section 7. Declaration of Mass Media as a Public Working Holiday - The

Mass Media Day shall be declared as public working holiday to guarantee the
involvement of the various sectors in lloilo City.

Section 8. Emphasis of Mass Media Day - The Mass Media Day shall
emphasize the importance of mass media in the promotion of the fundamental rights of
free expression, free speech and of good governance.

Section 9. Mass Media Day Related Activities - The mass media committee
shall conduct, but not limit themselves, form the following activities:

a. Mass Media Day Exhibit

The Mass Media shall highlight, but not limit itself on the following:
Reg. Ord. No. 2017-047. Mar. 28. 2017 Pages

1. The history of mass media in lloilo City as well as the different forms of mass
media, including the online media, in the city. It shall also be a venue for the different
mass media organizations to show their different initiatives, and programs in bolstering
the continued existence of mass media in the city.

2, The exemplary practice of llonggo journalism, martyrs, and media greats.

3. The respective corporate social responsibilities of the said mass media

organizations.

b. Honoring the Members of the Media - The committee shall organize a

program for honoring the exemplary members of the media every Mass Media Day.

The committee shall identify various categories of the awards and make a
guideline in giving such awards and recognition for the members of the media.

Section 1o. Incorporation of the Mass Media Day in Educational Institutions

through Students-Based Media Organizations. - The different student-based
organizations in lloilo City shall be made to participate in the Mass Media Day through
forums, symposiums or other events that will widen their knowledge and understanding
of mass media.

Section 11. Appropriations - The city government shall allocated a budget for
the implementation of this ordinance.

Section 12. Repealing Clause. - All other policies, resolutions or ordinances

which are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Section 13. - Separability Clause. - If any provision of this ordinance is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

Section 14. Effectivity. - This ordinance shall take effect within fifteen (15) days
after approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

ENACTED, March 28, 2017.

I hereby certify to the correctness of the above quoted ordinance.

A TIESTED & CERTIFIED

TO BE DULY ENACTED: APPROVED:

INOSA Ill
residing Officer