86TH PFCB General Assembly of the Catholic Media Network

The Philippine Federation of Catholic Broadcasters – Catholic Media Network (PFCB-CMN) held its 86th General Assembly (GA) February 23-25, 2016 at the Lay Formation Center (LFC), San Carlos Seminary Compound, Guadalupe, Makati City. There were 34 delegates representing 34 diocesan stations all over the Philippines: 22 from Luzon, 8 from the Visayas, and 4 from Mindanao. They were composed of CMN Station directors/managers and other representatives. The Catholic AM/FM radio stations of Mati were represented by Sr. Mary Lynn Alfeche, CM, while the Catholic Trinity Cable Station (TCTV) was represented by Sr. Melvin Manligoy, CSJ.

The current PFCB-CMN President Fr. Paulo Barandon called the meeting to order, after which everyone participated in the opening prayer. The meeting proper started with the approval of the minutes of the last 85th GA and the agenda for the 86th GA. The body  proceeded to evaluate the January 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) that was covered by over 24 media outlets, this being such an extraordinary event in the history of the Philippine Church.  PFCB-CMN Executive Director/CEO Fr. Francis Lucas commented that indeed the IEC had worked wonders!

Talks were delivered after the Eucharistic Celebration in the morning of the second day. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC) Chairman Bishop Mylo Vergara delivered the welcome address and inspirational message, followed by talks by the PFCB-CMN President and the CEO. Some important matters were clarified and Bishop Mylo assured the Assembly of his solid support. Among the topics tackled were the: CBCP Franchise, National Elections, Holy Week Celebration, Jubilee Year of Mercy and the Year of the Family/Eucharist, and presentation of new projects and future plans. In connection with the celebration of the Year of Mercy, the General Assembly generously opted to extend their full assistance to surviving and small stations. Thus a special finance committee was created.

The morning of the third day was dedicated to the Road Mapping 2016 program after the celebration of the Eucharist in the LFC chapel. At this last session, the body was divided into the three regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The members of each region respectively read the Road Map 2016 that included: the Network Name Promotion, Program Embellishment, Use Leveraging, Community Based Radio Strategy, and Personality Development/Values Training for CMN Broadcasters. The Assembly was also privileged to hear directly from the renowned and famous GMA television newscaster and RGMA Inc. President Miguel “Mike” Enriquez about Eleksyon 2016. Mr. Enriquez showed a short video of ‘Tama Dapat’ and gave the guidelines for all stations. After lunch, the delegates bade farewell and returned to their respective dioceses. (Sr. Mary Lynn G. Alfeche, CM)