Section 44September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 44

The Provincial information Officer. - (a) No person shall be appointed provincial information officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in journalism, mass communication or any related course from a recognized college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have experience in writing articles and research papers or in writing for print, television or broadcast media for at least three years;

The appointment of a provincial information officer shall be optional.

(b) The provincial information officer shall take charge of the office on public information and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in providing the information and research data required for the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities so that the public becomes aware of said service and may fully avail of the same;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with public information and research data to support the programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the provincial information officer shall:

(i) Provide relevant, adequate and timely information to the provincial government and its residents;

(ii) Maintain effective liaison with the various sectors of the community on matters and issues that affect the livelihood and the quality of life of the inhabitants and encourage support for programs of the local and national government;

(iii) Assist the provincial governor in the establishment, maintenance and promotion of local area tourism programs and projects; and

(iv) Furnish information and data on the province to government agencies or offices as may be required by law or ordinance and NGOs, to be furnished to said agencies and organizations;

(4) Be in the frontline in providing information during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities, with special attention to the victims thereof, to help minimize injuries and casualties during and after emergency and accelerate relief and rehabilitation;

(5) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the provincial governor on all other matters relative to public information and research data as it relates to the total socioeconomic development of the province; and

(6) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

ARTICLE VIII

THE PROVINCIAL FIRE STATION SERVICE, THE PROVINCIAL JAIL SERVICE, THE PROVINCIAL SCHOOLS DIVISION AND THE PROVINCIAL PROSECUTION SERVICE