PNA Tacloban concludes student training program for current school year

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 11 (PNA) -– The News and Information Bureau–Philippines News Agency (NIB-PNA) formally concluded on Wednesday its On-the-Job Training (OJT) program for Bachelor of Arts Communication (ABCom) students of the Leyte Normal University (LNU).

NIB Director Danilo Jamora personally handed the Certificates of Internship Completion to 15 senior students of the LNU trained by the PNA Tacloban bureau during the academic year 2015-2016.

“I am happy to hear that some of your stories were picked up by newspapers. In NIB-PNA, we train students like real journalists and not just production assistant. I encourage LNU to look for sponsors so you can send some of your OJTs to government-run media in Manila,” Jamora told school officials and students.

This was the third time that Jamora visited the campus. The first was during the signing of memorandum of understanding on September 2014. He returned on March 2015 to award the certificates to 20 trainees, representing the first batch.

LNU officials led by University President Dr. Jude Duarte, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Cleofe Lajara and ABCom Department Chairperson Prof. Eva Rosal warmly welcomed the NIB-PNA team during a simple ceremony at the LNU Audio Visual studio.

“Thank you PNA for sharing the art of journalism. I can feel the joy of student during their short stint at PNA office. I can feel how they learn new things in PNA. That’s the real world. You really have to intertwine science and art in order to become a very good journalist,” Duarte said.

During the ceremony, the students shared their experiences and learning during their OJT training with the state news agency.

“I am shy girl, but In PNA I have to face all struggles, build my confidence, fell in love with journalism, and learn to smile despite rejections from news sources,” said Ela Mae Salazar, one of the OJTs from LNU.

From June to early November 2015, the bureau has trained 15 senior ABCom students from the LNU, grouped into five batches. Each student was required to write at least one story daily on weekdays for four weeks.

The NIB-PNA has renewed its commitment to train and assist the student-trainees in acquiring knowledge, skills and experience in many ways both on an individual basis and as a professional co-worker through actual coverage assignments and exposures and eventual uploading of their stories through the PNA website with the byline of the writer. (PNA)

FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO