Two community broadcasters from the Philippines have been nominated for the Rural Radio Initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia-Pacific reported that Gwen Gaongen of Sagada, Mountain Province-based Radyo Sagada 104.7 AND Armi Carranza of 105.3 Radyo Natin Guimba, Nueva Ecija will produce “rich content, including interviews, panel discussions, and cultural
segments on key topics such as public policies, innovation, market opportunities and the role of women and youth in family farming.”

Gaongen is the station manager of Radyo Sagada, the indigenous peoples-based community radio station in the municipality of Sagada, situated in the Cordilleran mountains. This year, Radyo Sagada was the recipient of the Ka Louie Tabing Memorial Achievement Award in Community Broadcasting of the Gandingan Awards, organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society of the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication.

Carranza is a field reporter, anchor, and content manager of Radyo Natin Guimba. She reports on local matters and issues in their locality. She was recently recognized as the Best Field Reporter in the 2023 Radyo Natin Excellence Awards, an award organized by the Radyo Natin Network of the Manila Broadcasting Company to recognize outstanding personnel, programs, and stations of its community radio network.

Both Radyo Sagada and Radyo Natin Guimba are members of the AlterMidya People’s Alternative Media Network.

As part of their participation in the Rural Radio Initiative, Gaongen and Carranza participated in the Global Family Farming Forum last 15-18 October at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.