PPI Holds 62nd General Assembly and Awards Night
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
Manila City — Around 50 member publications of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) gathered on June 4, 2026 at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel in Binondo for the organization’s 62nd General Assembly and Awards Night, carrying the theme “Stronger Together: Our Stories, Our Community.”
PPI President Rolando Estabillo of Manila Standard urged community news outfits to embrace digital journalism, stressing that grassroots reporting plays a vital role in nation-building.
“If citizens are not informed and do not share a local government structure, then democracy fails and hardly functions,” Estabillo said. He emphasized that community journalism becomes indispensable during emergencies, serving as an information hub in times of severe weather, public health crises, and other calamities.
Meanwhile, Joenald Medina Rayos, Chairman of the PPI News Commons, highlighted the digital transformation program that has helped member publications remain sustainable amid rising printing costs and declining sales. From an initial ten publications that launched websites, nearly all PPI members are now present both online and in print.
Rayos explained that the creation of PPINewsCommons.net provides a collaborative platform where regional voices are amplified, verified news is shared, and independent journalism thrives. “This net-sharing platform brings together a growing network of credible news websites operated by PPI member publications,” he said.
Civic Journalism Awards
The evening also honored outstanding community publications through the Civic Journalism Awards:
- Best News Website: Palawan News (Luzon), SunStar Cebu (Visayas), MindaNews (Mindanao)
- Best Edited Daily Community Newspaper: Panay News
- Best Edited Weekly Newspaper: Metro Post
- Best in Environmental Reporting: Baguio Chronicle
- Best Editorial Page: Daily Guardian (Daily category), Palawan News (Weekly category)
- Best in Business and Economic Writing: Balikas News
The awards were presented by PPI President Rolando Estabillo and PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles, recognizing excellence in community journalism across the country.
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