Banga, Aklan – The DYMT Community Radio, implemented by the Aklan State University (ASU) won 3rd Place in the First Regional Development Council (RDC VI) Best Public Sector Project for the Year 2005-2006 under the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Category with the theme; “Excellence in Governance”.

The award consists of Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000.00) cash prize and a Plaque of Recognition received by Dr. Benny A. Palma, ASU President and Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Director for Extension and Community Services and Station Manager of DYMT in a formal ceremony on August 3, 2006 at Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City graced by Hon. Michael Defensor, Presidential Chief of Staff.   This project was sponsored by the National Economic Development Authority – Regional Development Council (NEDA-RDC) and the German Technical Cooperation-Decentralization Program (GTZ-DP).

The criteria for this competition were; effectiveness of the project (20%), demand-driven participation (35%), replicability/sustainability (20%), process-orientation (15%) and originality (10%).  There were three hundred considered and short listed into 45.  The judges narrowed the entries down to 25 projects finalists and then to 18 winners in the three categories.

The DYMT Community Radio Programs (1) Eskuylahan sa Kahanginan, (2) PatRole sa Panguma, (3) NFA sa Kahanginan  (4) Ikaw ag Ro Philhealth, (5) Police Report (6) Farm Watch, (7) Live Sunday Mass, (8) Religious Programs and (9) Musical Programs catapulted the University into third place.  The said project was created to address the inadequate knowledge on farming technique and community awareness.  The radio program provided venue for information dissemination of new farming technologies and community affairs that enhance income and community participation.

DYMT is a community radio station that carries the people’s voice, ideas, dreams and aspirations on FM airwaves, 100.9 MHz.  It is based at ASU with its studio located at the Extension and Community Services (ECS) Office, and its transmitter atop the historic Mount Manduyog.  This station was wstablished through UNESCO, DANIDA and the Philippine Government through Tinig ng Aming Munting Bayan Upang Umunlad and mga Lalong Maliliit (TAMBULI).  The Community Media Council (CMC) composed of representatives of the different sector of the community draws up the policies governing the station, which is managed by the ASU-ECS Unit.

The station, which is on air from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday and 6:00 am to 12:00 noon in Saturdays have garnered several awards from Well-known Award giving bodies for the last decade.  DYMT received the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) Awards for its program “PatRole sa Panguma Farmers’ School on the Air” as the Agricultural Radio Program of the Year and the station’s Volunteer Broadcaster Mrs. Gelly R. Maypa in her program “Farm Watch”, received the Professional Media Award under the Broadcast Category (Year 2003), Best Non-Commercial Radio Station in the Country during the 11th KBP Golden Dove Awards (2001), First Place in the Professional Media Award under Broadcast Category in recognition of Dr. Porferio G. Bullo’s “From the Station Manager’s Desk” (2000), Best in Environmental Campaign in Radio Award (1997), UNESCO Rural Communication Award (January 26, 1996) and the Agricultural Radio Program of the Year by the PAJ in the same year.  

In addition to this, the 3rd Place Award it gained this year from the First RDC Best Public Sector Project adds prestige to the award-winning ASU community radio station.  According to Dr. Relingo, the cash prize will be utilized to further enhance the existing facilities of DYMT.  In her project presentation during the awarding ceremonies, she expressed her sincerest appreciation to the continuing support of the Community Media Council chaired by Dr. Mercedes Imperial, the volunteer broadcasters, the management staff, the ASU community, and most especially to the listeners and stakeholders of the station.

The said award gained by the ASU DYMT is no small feat.   This only proves that the ASU is continuously gearing toward excellent governance not only in the field of education and research but also in serving the community.
Dr. Benny A. Palma and Dr. Anna Mae Relingo (4th and 6th from left respectively), receive the award from Hon. Mike Defensor.  Also in photo are, (from left to right) Decentralization Program Manager of GTZ, Dr. Herwig Mayer,  RDC VI Chairperson Gov. Salvacion Z. Perez, NEDA Secretary Hon. Romulo Neri, and other RDC Officials.