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Compostela
Valley’s Radyo Natin Maco Turns One
A community radio station in Maco, Compostela Valley in southern
Philippines started small in August 2003 but is now reaping the fruits of
its hard work. Listeners continue to tune in to this community radio
station for their information, as the station lives up to its name Radyo
Natin Maco (Our Radio in Maco).
BY TYRONE VELEZ
Bulatlat
MACO,
Compostela Valley – Every morning, Nanay (mother) Detalla who manages
and sleeps in her sari-sari (variety) store in Barangay Langgam
tunes in to her radio to hear the latest news on the community. She
gets news from the only community radio station here called Radyo Natin
Maco (Our Radio in Maco).
In a year’s time, Radyo Natin Maco has made its presence felt,
providing the community residents their information needs.
Its inaugural broadcast was on Aug. 11, 2003, with its station located in
a house on top of a hill. With a handful of staff, it carried day-to-day
coverage, production and marketing.
The first few months proved to be a test for survival. Local
officials often refused to be interviewed. Financial problems were
frequent. Staff members were forced to leave for better financial
opportunities.
Things turned around at the end of December last year, when the station
gave the community an unforgettable Christmas – an amateur singing
contest and Maco’s first battle of the bands contest.
The station also beefed up its public affairs programs. It linked up
with local officials mainly through news coverage and its radio talk show Hisgutanay
sa Barangay (Village Forum). The station offers local and regional
news, as well as local radio drama and documentaries.
And with the area of Maco grabbing headlines this year with the Manipongol
accident and the Mount de Oro gold rush, Radyo Natin Maco managed
to get first-hand news on these events.
As a way of thanking its listeners, Radyo Natin Maco launched its
first-year anniversary last August 28. A highlight of the celebration is
the blessing of its new station located near the public market and
terminal in Poblacion or town center.
Indeed, much has happened in a year and Radyo Natin Maco hopes that
the likes of Nanay Detalla would continue to tune in. Bulatlat
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