Region 8

97.3 Mhz COMMUNITY FM RADYO KASUGBONG
Municipality of Catubig, Northern Samar

History

On 28 December 2010, MQ Mediazone Productions facilitated the forging of a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the Province of Northern Samar, and the Municipality of Catubig to put up a Nutriskwela community radio station, now known as 97.3 Mhz Radyo Kasugbong Community FM. Kasugbong is a Waray word for community.

Catubig is a 4th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar. It has a population of 29,433 in 5,689 households (2000 census) and politically subdivided into 47 barangays.

The NNC-Northern Samar-Catubig LGU MOA was signed by NNC Executive Director, Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, Norther Samar Governor Paul R. Daza, and Catubig Mayor Fredicanda T. Dy.

The transmitter and studio of Radyo Kasugbong is located in one of the municipal buildings beside the historical St. Joseph the Patriarch Church. Its broadcast transmission is heard in the entire municipality of Catubig and parts of the towns of Laoang and Palapag in the north, Mapanas and Gaway in the east, Las Navas in the south, and Panabujan town in the west.

Bringing down the prevalence of malnutrition among very young children is top priority present administration of the municipality.

Hands on Training

A training-workshop was first scheduled 9-11 January 2011 but was cancelled due to bad weather conditions in Northern Samar. It was re-scheduled for 11-13 January. This time, severe flooding prevented access to Catubig and MQ Mediazone trainors instead gave an orientation to officials at the office of Governor Daza. It was attended by the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Anna Parane, Provincial Information Officer Ms. Sylma Lutao, and others from the Provincial Rural Health Unit. The training-workshop was, finally, conducted 30 January-1 February 2011. The 60 participants included representatives from different sectors of the municipality.

The 3-day schedule of activities covered detailed presentations on Radio Community Broadcasting with emphasis on broadcasting tools and their actual applications, including writing for news, radio plugs, reporting and a discussion on the Broadcast Code of Ethics. Test broadcasts were held simultaneously with the hands-on training

Despite bad weather again brewing, Radyo Kasugbong was formally launched on February 1, 2011. The happy event was attended by NNC Region 8 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Carina Z. Santiago and Sangguniang Bayan members led by Mayor Dy.

Mayor Dy appointed the officers of the Community Radio Council (CRC) and the station personnel. These officers and personnel were inducted by NNC 8 RNPC Ms. Carina Z. Santiago.

The Radyo Kasugbong CRC officers and station personnel are:

CHAIRMAN: MS. MA. CHRISTINE A. HERIALES
VICE CHAIRMAN: MR. ABNER M. OSOLINO
SECRETARY: MR. ALBERT NESTOR U. FLORES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

MS. MILAGROS M. TAN (NGO)
MS. LOIDA C. TENTATIVA (RELIGIOUS)
MS. IMELDA T. GOUDIN (FARMERS)
MR. ERNESTO S. OLEMBERIO (GOVT. EMPLOYEES)
MR. JOHN PAUL A. ALBURAN (REPRESENTATIVE OF MAYOR DY)
MS. MARIA T. DE ASIS (WOMEN & ELDERLY)
MS. LLORA R. DAYAON (ACADEME)
MS. REGGIE D. TENEDERO (YOUTH)
MS. ELSIE L. CO (BUSINESS SECTOR)

STATION MANAGER: MS. SYLMA E. LUTAO
PROGRAM MANAGER/BROADCASTER: MR. JESSIE C. TENEDERO
BROADCASTER: ROGELIETO T. LLUZ
TECHNICIANS: MR. GERALD T. HIPE and MR. MICHAEL PADORA