The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Negros Island Region Chapter is proud to announced today its official formation.
In a two – day assembly June 14-15, 2025, held in the cradle of Negros civilization, Silay City, attended by twenty-three (23) media practitioners from various media outlets in the region, and graced by a representative of the NUJP National Directorate, the participants reflected, discussed analyzed thoroughly all the major facets of international, national and domestic realities confronting journalists life and work.
Guided by its Assembly theme: “Collective and stronger steps in exposing and fighting social injustice, uplifting rights and welfare of media practitioners”, the delegates built a consensus under the rally cry of Nonoy Espina, one of NUJP founding icons, that “The Press is free not because it is allowed to be but it insists on being free”.
The NUJP-NIR is solid and firm that its formation is long overdue because the condition of media practitioners and the entire fourth estate is under sustained assault by organized fake news, red tagging and other forms of harassments, extra judicial killings, worsening conditions of journalists in work places, ‘forced and voluntary censorship’, and where the culture of impunity brings chilling effects on media practitioners and aspiring journalists.
The collective discussions during the assembly were further enriched by NUJP national representative’s lecture-discussions on NUJP orientation, and such relevant and timely subjects as the national and local media situation, journalist’s ethics and digital security.
NUJP National Directorate stressed that journalists should adhere firmly at all times on the tenets of TRUTH, INDEPENDENCE AND FAIRNESS, but should also embrace basic rights principles of JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND HUMANITY, or in another time-honored saying “comfort the afflicted”, if not afflict the comfortable.
The assembly also honored its senior founders who played significant role in the national formation of NUJP and followed by the formation of NUJP Bacolod Chapter. Among those given special tribute were Edgar Cadagat, Fred Salanga, Eric Tenerife, Aladin Salas, and the late Nonoy Espina, Fred Sapa, Louie Tribaco, Edmund Aspero, Satch Conta.
These icons have demonstrated their exemplary leadership, struggles and sacrifices in fighting for the welfare and rights of media practitioners, and the cause of press freedom, free speech and association during the darkest years of Marcos fascist dictatorial regime, and through the post-Marcos crisis regimes.
After intense deliberations and caucuses, NUJP-NIR elected its first set of regional officers; Chito M. Bejit as Chairperson, Roger Ledesma as Vice-Chairperson, Anne Golez as Secretary General, Reynold Diosana as Treasurer, Gloria Lumayag as Auditor, and Jurgen Junsay as Safety Officer. Edgar Cadagat as Chairman Emeritus.
NUJP-NIR is now an official member of the NUJP and affiliate member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and South East Asian Federation of Journalists.
Chito Berjit in its concluding inspirational message challenged all to make NUJP-NIR a true instrument of press freedom and journalists’ welfare, and encouraged everyone to reach out to more working journalists,to listen to them, be patient with them, and just attend to their issues and concerns. Let us advance the cause of press freedom, and overcome culture of impunity.
Reference:
ANNE GOLEZ
NUJP-NIR Secretary General
