MALABON CITY, Philippines — Marking a year since its designation as a UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Pilot City, the local government of Malabon presented its community programs at the MIL Cities Central Hybrid Event held on Tuesday, November 3.
The gathering, organized by UNESCO alongside Al Rayyan, Qatar and Dubrovnik, Croatia as part of Global Media and Information Literacy Week and World Cities Day, brought together international local governments to share strategies for combating misinformation and enhancing citizen engagement.
Representing the city, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval outlined Malabon’s milestones structured across four core pillars: Institutionalization, Access to Information, Citizens Engagement and Action, and Knowledge and Information Sharing.
Building on its designation framework, Malabon launched the “Empowering and Informed Malabon: Malabon Media and Information Literacy Journey and Roadmap” in September 2026 to guide residents in evaluating and responsibly sharing digital information.
Key local initiatives highlighted during the presentation included:
- Institutionalization: Hosting the “Swipe Right, Think Right!” seminar to educate parents on recognizing misinformation, identifying misleading AI-generated content, and mitigating online risks.
- Access to Information: Publishing “Malabon Through Centuries: Ang Tambobong sa Nakaraang Apat na Raang Taon” through the Malabon Heritage Museum, alongside City Library outreach programs supporting persons deprived of liberty and women’s empowerment literature.
- Citizens Engagement and Action: Showcasing civic digital platforms such as the 24/7 Alert App, TXT MJS, E-BOSS, Tourism App, and public information billboards.
- Knowledge and Information Sharing: Advancing the “Bago Mag-Share, Isip-Isip!” campaign to encourage rigorous fact-checking before digital dissemination.
City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete emphasized the broader governance philosophy underpinning the programs, noting that accessibility must be paired with critical evaluation.
“Media and information literacy is not simply about providing information; it is about ensuring that our citizens can understand, evaluate, and use it responsibly. The cooperation of every city government office and sector is essential in promoting a government that values transparency, accountability, and the responsible dissemination of information,” Rosete said.
Sandoval reaffirmed the city’s long-term objectives following the launch of the MIL Cities Chapter of the UNESCO MIL Alliance during the event, which aims to foster inter-city cooperation and resource sharing.
“Our commitment is to continue strengthening these four pillars. To UNESCO and our fellow participating cities, thank you for giving us this opportunity to share our experience. We look forward to learning from one another and bringing more of these initiatives to our communities,” Sandoval stated.