ZNUC VISION STATEMENT

We aspire for a free and independent media as a powerful deterrent to power abuse from the one occupying the seats of power. And in ourselves inspire young aspiring journalists to love freedom and courage that would be compounded by integrity and service to become catalysts for change.

We believe that we can realize these visions through constant consultations and active participations in every group undertakings. We focus on these visions that it has become our inspiration in our daily work-grind, since we all understood that a free fourth state would ensure a democratic existence. Our principles would also surely guide us to that vision. To be Free as foremost, Brave to survive, Integrity to last and Service as the moral responsibility in the society.

Zamboanga del Norte United Correspondents was born out of passionate desire for independence and media brotherhood and now driven by prominent radio and press personalities in Dipolog City, a southwestern bustling city of commerce in the Philippines and capital city of the province of Zamboanga del Norte in the western part of Mindanao.

The convenors gathered at downtown restaurant along Quezon Avenue on a November day in 2000 to form an organization that would be responsive to the ideals of the founding members.

They include then The Mindanao Star editor Ronilo ‘Roney’ Pacilan, broadcaster and city councilor Edionar Zamoras, ret. ZANECO GM Boy Lee, Newscaster and The New Nandau OIC Editor Nick Carbonel, DXDR broadcasters Genesis Ajero and Joel Ello and young law graduate who was to become the charter president Ricky Mejorada who later became city councilor.

Some members include neophytes from stations DXFL-FM, DXAQ-FM, STAR-FM, RPN-DXKD, The PRESS FREEDOM and DXAA-FM. At first, only junior reporters were enlisted to become the regular members, while media stalwarts who organized them stood only as advisers, among others Zamoras, Pacilan, Carbonel, Ajero and others.

In July 2003 elections were held at the Mejorada Beach Resort attended by surviving members and former advisors who ultimately joined the ranks and lead the newly strengthened memberships for the one-year presidency, fresh from abroad, Roney Pacilan was elected to succeed Mejorada as the second president.

In August 15, 2003 the inductions and get-together party was later held at Club Jucarde which since became the official residence of ZNUC. Programs and Projects were formulated to resuscitate the organization’s faltering existence.

One of the important programs was the ZNUC Weekly Forum, a Wednesday discussion group that intends to invite government and private personalities who would expound vital discussion points to raise public awareness on the issues discussed over media outlets.

It was launched on September 3, 2004 and since then considered a credible news-source for ZNUC members and has been dominating their daily on-air fare and has stirred public discussions on issues raised from the forum. It will be held every Wednesday afternoon at Club Jucarde.