Marikina city in Metro Manila has been seen in recent years as a model of progressive urban change, attributed to the leadership of former Mayor Bayani Fernando. Concerns in such areas as peace and order situation, environmental awareness, urban infrastructure, public welfare, have been addressed by the city government with tangible results, earning the support of its constituents. One of the key elements of those marked improvements is perhaps the strategic use of a communication plan that calls out for the people’s engagement in the development of their city. The significant medium used in this plan is a local government radio station created by Resolution no.192 in May 1994: the DZBF 1674 Khz-AM, Radyo ng Marikina.

Located in the Marikina City Hall, the radio station is funded, managed and operated by the Public Information office. In accordance with this Office’s functions, it defines its mission as establishing a closer link to the community, strengthening information dissemination on issues relevant to their needs, and being a venue for the public to express itself. It serves as the local government instrument to promote current affairs and events, as well as forms of entertainment uplifting the cultural and social standards of the city. This type of local radio (or community radio-) radically differentiates itself from the commercial radio as its focus is truly on community service, not on product and advertisement (the music played on air being part of it). In the example of DZBF, the program content is designed to cater to the interests of different sectors in the community such as women, youth and senior citizens. The Youth Hour discusses issues on education, lifestyle, peers, the youth role in the community; Senior citizen’s Hour approaches the topic of aging and informs on the medical services Marikina offers. Other features focus on public health projects including drug-related problems, advocacy on environmental awareness, English tutorials.

The communication strategy carried out by the city has been described as a pyramid system: the message originates from the City Hall leaders, is relayed to the community level in the person of barangay heads and counsellors, then reaches the constituents. In fact, with Radyo ng Marikina, the communication channel is a two-way traffic wherein the community is in turn invited to take part in the production of information. In effect, the station’s permanent manpower counts three broadcasters and three radio technicians, but the rest are actually volunteer broadcasters. Delivering the different programs without script are people from different professional backgrounds; and guests are preferably common folks so the listeners can better identify with them. As in the case of The Peace and Order Patrol program, reports are given by police officers who recount the activities in the precinct and of the Police Department. Whether according to their personal or professional capacities, the community members are thus not only the recipients of information but are participants in the process of information making.

What is indeed at stake is how to foster a community’s pride in their environment, and develop their sense of urbanity as citizens of the city, if not of the country. Marikina city’s transformation may lend itself as a demonstration of how political will can shape landscapes and mindscapes.

You may catch DZBF 1674 Khz-AM in Antipolo, Cainta, Montalban, Pasig, Caloocan, Novaliches and Quezon City.

Source: Community Radio, DZBF 1674 Khz-AM Radyo ng Marikina. Paper submitted by Miriam College students: Marylove Alcantara, Dorcas Gazella Canlas, Czarina Pamela Hipolito, Bernadette Ortega