Colonia Yap - May 19, 2023 - The Department of Youth and Civic Affairs (DY&CA) Media and Protocol Division hosted a Town Hall Meeting on May 19th, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Pine Bar and Grill. The meeting aimed to gather feedback from the community to improve the services provided to the people of the State of Yap. The event was attended by esteemed
officials, including Honorable Governor Chieng, Honorable Speaker Figirlaarowon, Senator Laamar, Senator Ramoloilug, Aaron Libuw representing the Chief Justice, John S. Thing representing Rull Mayor, and members of the public.
The discussion primarily focused on concerns related to emergency communication, the revival of AM radio, and the improvement of FM radio services. The attendees expressed their desire for a more efficient emergency communication system. They emphasized the need for timely and accessible information during emergencies, as waiting for important updates was deemed unacceptable by the public. Additionally, the community requested that all emergency information and updates be conveyed in both the Yap mainland language and NI languages to ensure everyone's understanding.
Another topic of discussion was the revival of AM radio as a dedicated source for news, while FM radio would cater exclusively to entertainment. This proposal aimed to address the need for a comprehensive and specialized medium for broadcasting news to the public.
Concerns were also raised about the improvement of FM radio services. Attendees highlighted the following key points: the implementation of iBoom, which would enable better connectivity throughout the state; the importance of delivering messages quickly and professionally; the upgrade of tools and machinery to enhance communication and connect with the public more effectively; the establishment of a dedicated social media page to inform the public about current events; and the inclusion of Yapese and NI interpreters to facilitate understanding for non-English speakers.
To address these concerns, several actions were proposed and considered during the meeting. First, the status of funding for radio improvements was discussed to ensure the necessary resources would be allocated to enhance communication services. Additionally, a survey was suggested as a means to gather public opinions and feedback through various platforms, such as radio and the web.
The meeting also included discussions on potential radio programs to provide accurate information to the public. The proposed programs included "Island Chat," a health-related segment delivered in the Yapese language, where listeners could call in to ask questions. Other suggestions included a newsletter with educational content, information about the Department's role and duties for public knowledge, and regular reports on the budget and the environment. The Town Hall Meeting provided a platform for the community to express their concerns, feedback, and ideas to enhance communication services in Yap State.
The officials and representatives in attendance demonstrated their commitment to addressing these issues and improving the overall communication infrastructure. By working together, the Department of Youth and Civic Affairs and the public aim to create a more robust and inclusive communication system that effectively serves the people of Yap State.
