CAGAYAN de Oro Press Club (COPC) members are getting ready to elect their next president this Saturday, and incumbent board of director Jao Gumapac is making his pitch for the top spot.
Gumapac is promising a big change for the organization, with his platform focused on improving the lives of COPC members.
His most ambitious plan is to create a ‘Media Village,’ a dedicated space for all media practitioners in the city, especially COPC members.
Imagine a community where journalists can work, connect, and support each other. Gumapac believes this will create a stronger sense of unity and belonging within the COPC.
Gumapac, who is the current chairman of Barangay Baikingon, has pledged to donate 2.8 hectares of his own land for the Media Village.
“This is not impossible,” he said, “as I will do it because our colleagues in media are mostly renting houses or do not own their own.”
But that’s not all. Gumapac also wants to launch COPC TV, a platform that would give members a voice and showcase their talents. He also sees the need for a ‘Media Healthcare’ program, ensuring that journalists have access to quality medical care.
And finally, he’s proposing a livelihood program for the spouses of COPC members, helping families thrive.
These programs are designed to tackle some of the biggest challenges faced by journalists today.
Gumapac sees the need for a strong support system for media professionals in the city, and he’s hoping that these initiatives will make a real difference in their lives.
“We want respect for each other in the club to always be the most important thing,” Gumapac said, emphasizing the importance of unity and respect among COPC members.
“I believe that these programs will not only benefit our members but also strengthen the COPC as a whole,” he added.
“We need to be a force for good in our community, and I believe that by supporting our members, we can make a positive impact.”
Gumapac runs under the ‘Dream Team’ slate, which includes Ronald Rufin, Ben Balce, Joe Felicilda, Alfredo Soriano, Ruffy Magbanua, Cris Diaz, Roger Satur, Rose Mondejar, Martin Rapanot, Ric Ociones, Ritchie Salloman and Jigger Jerusalem.
The COPC election is shaping up to be an exciting one, with Gumapac’s ambitious platform and focus on unity sure to be a hot topic of discussion.
It remains to be seen if his vision will resonate with the membership, but one thing is for sure: Gumapac is passionate about making the COPC a stronger and more supportive organization to all its members.
