Radyo Natin-Guimba serves as model for new community radio stations in the Philippines
Radyo Nation-Guimba (RNG) expressed support for Kodao Productions’ ongoing women-led disaster risk reduction community radio station project in Eastern Visayas with assurances of technical support and competencies.
As one of the most successful and dynamic community radio stations in the country, RNG shared its expertise in establishing an alternative media outfit in the countryside during Kodao’s visit to Guimba last January 14. They were joined by Mr. Ramon Palima Ramirez, a top Filipino electrical engineer and a veteran alternative media practitioner.
Photo: (L-R) Romie Malonzo, Juan Manuel Herrera, Gie Herrera, Jola Diones-Mamangun, Raymund Villanueva, Engr. Ramon Ramirez and Reggie Mamangun
Kodao visited RNG to study its broadcast and equipment set-up as part of the former’s preparations for the DRR community radio station project in Tacloban City.
The project is supported by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT).
RNG station manager Gie Herrera said that community support is vital in their success over difficulties on matters such as constructing a broadcast tower and popularizing their programs.
Gie Herrera, Founding member and Station Manager of Radyo Natin Guimba
“When we started in 2004, we explained our objectives to the communities and offered broadcast time to peasants, women, youth, senior citizens, and local entrepreneurs. They responded by patronizing our programs when they realized that this radio stations is for them,” Herrera said.
“We even received technical assistance from the community in putting up our broadcast tower that has withstood strong typhoons this past decade,” she added.
RNG also conducted medical and relief missions during calamities as well feeding programs for schoolchildren as an extension program that further endeared them to the communities.
Aside from their popular local news and public service programs, RNG gained further listenership base when it started broadcasting programs on local culture anchored by both the youth and elderly.
“We try to fill the gap between mass media and the people. We try our best to show the people that mass media should genuinely be in the service of the community,” Herrera said.
RNG is also one of the first community radio stations that broadcast through a local cable TV network.
“May our successes serve as model for the establishment of more community radio stations in the country,” Herrera said.
In the same visit, RNG also expressed interest in joining IAWRT Philippines. RNG’s staff is 80 percent women, including its top management. #
