BANAUE, Ifugao –This town will soon have its own community paper following the approval by the sangguniang bayan of the Municipal Newsletter Ordinance.

To be called the Banaue News Report, the community paper aims for a wide dissemination of government thrusts, activities, and programs to promote transparency and feedback among the people and to encourage them to actively participate in decision-making and governance.

The paper will cover development plans, programs, and activities of the different departments of the provincial, municipal, and barangay government agencies to advocate transparency and truthfulness in government and also disseminate timely, relevant, and accurate information that people need.

It will also provide a medium for the documentation and transmission of the Banaue Cultural Heritage and promote the Banaue Rice Terraces, which is proclaimed as a world heritage site.

The municipal government officials and heads of the municipal offices are currently conducting series of meetings to decide on the members of the management and editorial staff of the paper, including proposed trainings for employees and personnel in news writing and operation of the paper.

The heads of government offices in the municipality will designate one information officer each to serve as contributors.

An initial amount of P200,000 has been allocated to defray the cost of printing and office needs of the first issue while the succeeding fund will be at least P100,000.

For the smooth and timely publication of the paper, a yearly allocation from the 20 percent municipal development fund is needed.