LEGAZPI CITY – “ The future is bleak for the provincial newspapers because of lack of advertising support from the government and the business community,” Mark Paras, publisher-editor of Sorsogon Today, said during a recent meeting of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI) Bicol chapter held in this city.

        Ruben Babar, publisher of the Naga City-based Bikol Reporter and PAPI regional chairman, convened the local publishers to discuss issues affecting the industry.

        Aside from Babar and Paras, who is PAPI regional vice chairman, the other publishers present included: Edwin Basmayor of Bicol Hotline, Jeckery Bantuyo of Aniningal, Rudy Gnilo representing the publisher of Newslink Bicol, Alber Labayo of Sorsogon Mirror, and Atty. Roland Estabillo of Sorsogon Newsweek.

        The Bicol publishers complained that after the passage of RA 9184, otherwise known as the Procurement Act which superseded PD 1594, invitations to bid of local government units (LGU’s) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are no longer published in the local newspapers but through the Internet.

        Paras said that after the passage of RA 9507 on the socialized housing, it mandates that there should be no foreclosures within 18 months.

        As a result, the Home Development Mutual Fund otherwise known as Pag-IBIG has stopped advertising in the local newspapers.

        Furthermore, the local print media faces strong competition with radio and television for advertising or commercial as more and more people are addicted to the electronic media. Even big publishing companies are now turning to the electronic media.

        The PAPI Bicol Chapter has drafted two resolutions to be submitted to Juan P. Dagang, PAPI national president, during the 13TH National Press Congress to be held from Dec. 11-13 at the Teachers Camp. Baguio City.

        Resolution No. 1- A Resolution Requesting the District Engineer’s Office of the DPWH in the Bicol region to Advertise their Invitations to Bid in Local Newspapers published in the City or Province where the Projects are to be Implemented.

        Resolution No. 2 – A Resolution Requesting the President of PAPI to extend Assistance to the Community Newspapers by way of placement of publication of Notices of Public Biddings from Government Offices such as LGUs. DPWH, among others, in local newspapers Published in the City or Province where the Projects are to be implemented.