GMA Network's News and Public Affairs programs in Philippine key cities
have constantly been the people's front-line eyes and ears to various
information, issues, and controversies - be it local or national. And
for years that these shows have been witnesses to various acts of
electoral fraud that continuously plague the country, they never fail to
educate and empower viewers with ideas and ideals that would help them
make the right choices.
This 2013, GMA Network's preparations are already underway for the
"Eleksyon 2013" that will cover the coming polls in May. Part of the
said preparations is the adaptation of the "Dapat Tama" election
advocacy campaign in all regional news and public affairs programs in
Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, CDO, Dagupan, Bicol, and Ilocos.
"Dapat Tama" helps the voting public discern what is wrong from what is
right in the country's electoral system. It also further stresses the
fact that doing what is wrong during the elections has long lasting
repercussions that could affect the generations to come.
GMA Cebu's Buena Mano Balita and Balitang Bisdak, GMA Davao's Una Ka
Bai, Una Sa Balita and Testigo, GMA Iloilo's Arangkada, Ang Trip Mo Kun
Aga and Ratsada, GMA CDO's Testigo Northern Mindanao, GMA Dagupan's
Primera Balita and Balitang Amianan, GMA Bicol's Baretang Bikol and Isyu
Ngonian, and GMA Ilocos' Balitang Ilokano have all incorporated "Dapat
Tama" as segment in their shows to encourage not only the voters, but
the candidates as well, to take a stand and choose to do what is morally
right.
Apart from the Dapat Tama segment that exposes the "maling-mali" acts
and practices of the people; other election-related segments have also
been launched and adopted.
Both GMA Iloilo's Ratsada and GMA CDO's Testigo Northern Mindanao have
the "Eleksyon 101" segment that aims to educate the viewers of the do's
and don'ts during the election period, as well as with facts and figures
related to it such as the number of registered voters in a particular
area, the positions up for grabs, and the like.
A local version of GMA News and Public Affairs' "Kandidato 2013",
meanwhile, has been taken on by GMA Davao's Una Ka Bai, Una Sa Balita
that presents the aspiring mayoralty and gubernatorial candidates of
various districts to the public as applicants in a job interview.
GMA Ilocos' Balitang Ilokano also takes pride for its "Dap-ayan" live
segment that presents in a forum type the problems of the locals in the
area. Every municipality in Ilocos has a "Dap-ayan" - a place (kubo or
part of a barangay hall) which is used by local townsmen to gather and
discuss the most pressing problems and issues to be identified.
Lastly, GMA Bicol's Isyu Ngonian has also adopted Unang Hirit's "Hiritan
2013" that aims to be a vehicle for the viewers to know each candidate's
background, track record, and stand on the nation's most critical
issues.