[FEATURE] Tuning in to Radyo Kausbawan

WRITTEN BY: YNNA JOBELLE E. EVANGELIO

Listening to music is always a good idea to kill the boredom during spare time, especially since Filipinos are generally music lovers. Whenever there is a new hit song, we always make sure that we know the beat and the lyrics.

Good thing Palompon, Leyte has now its own radio station—Radyo Kausbawan (RK) which is situated at the 2nd floor of the College of Arts and Sciences building of the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT). Apart from its mission of giving relevant and up-to-date information on nutrition, health, education, livelihood and other development information, RK has been established because of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (AB Com.) program. RK is a Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program granted to PIT by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) of the Department of Health (DOH). Hence, the radio station does not only help the AB Com. students and interns in terms of professional competencies, but all the people in the community of Palompon as well.

During the Level 1 accreditation for AB Com., the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) Accreditor stated that the radio station is a big help for students because it provides a perfect venue to practice the radio production skills, broadcast performance, news writing, and broadcast management skills which are significant for their proficiency in the field.

Before embarking to RK, AB Com. interns have been trained already through their major subjects such as Cebuano Journalism, Broadcast Speech Arts and Performance and Radio Production. When the time comes that they have to do a hands-on, they are already capable to work. As what the Station Manager Prof. Rothelia Maria G. Ugsad said, the interns are very teachable.

The interns’ competency in working has been proven through the outputs that were submitted to the 2nd and 3rd Nutriskwela Community Radio Awards. RK has been nominated with two awards by the National Nutrition Council (NNC). “Maayong Buntag, Leyte” (MBL) for Best Sectoral Program has been consistently nominated for two years now and another program which is “Kahibaw Ba Mo?” was also nominated for Best Sectoral Program. Both programs were outputs of the AB Com. students/interns.

It is very visible how much the RK develops the AB Com. students in terms of broadcasting. Their hard work and dedication has been paid off through the nominations obtained during the Nutriskwela Community Radio Awards. RK is in two years of public service yet, but it is already an enormous attainment because it has been nominated for two consecutive years out of 35 Nutriskwela radio stations in the Philippines.

During the 7th National Conference of the Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program in Baguio City last February 8, 2017,“PIT News Updates” and “Istoryang Kahimsog ug Panglawas” were also recognized as nominees for Best Sectoral Program and Best Nutrition Radio Program respectively.

Just like any other radio stations, RK has struggles as well in terms of sustainability. It is the funding and commitment of personnel and program holders that give them a challenge. However, according to Prof. Ugsad, practicing the art of patience and proper communication are some ways to overcome the challenges that may arise.

Ugsad is grateful to the PIT administration for supporting the station’s other major needs like the installation of a higher 120-ft. antenna, operational expenses for electricity and maintenance of broadcast equipment including replacement of parts, provision of two assistant technicians and one alternate asst. technician and full support to attend conferences and other meetings convened by the NNC.

As of now, the station has reached 80% of Palompon now. Although there are just some areas in Palompon which cannot be reached due to mountainous barriers, on the brighter side, there are neighboring towns of Palompon such as Isabel, Villaba, Matag-ob, Tabango and Salvacion, Ormoc which are already reached by the signal.

The NNC’s surprise visit to PIT last January showed that RK has impressive remarks regarding the best practices like having its own Station Manual, well-organized files and AACCUP Accreditation positive remarks.

Apart from the aforementioned nominations, NNC has also recognized RK as nominee for three other awards: the Best Male Broadcaster and Best Program Manager in the name of Mr. Ryan N. Wenceslao and Best Female Broadcaster who is Prof. Rothelia Maria G. Ugsad.

Celebrating its 2nd anniversary on March 11, 2017, RK has been a vast help not only to the students and employees of PIT but the whole Palompon community as well. It unlocks opportunities to everyone who is working in the radio station. It will always be an immense contribution in developing the performances of students surely helping them conquer their goals in the near future. As a Palomponganon, it is always best to patronize our own. Tara na, maminaw na ta sa Radyo Kausbawan! Ato ni!