The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) has appointed Doris Isubal-Mongaya, founder and CEO of Cebu-based PRWorks Inc., as the first Regional Chair of its Visayas Regional Network in the organization's 69-year history.
Announced in Cebu City on October 16, 2026, the appointment marks a step toward expanding professional representation and development opportunities for public relations practitioners outside Metro Manila. The initiative also places regional communications, responsible information sharing, and professional standards at the center of PRSP's efforts to strengthen the industry nationwide.
The appointment was formalized during a gathering at SM City Cebu, which included the induction of new PRSP members from the Visayas. It forms part of the organization's regional initiative, STEWARDING PRSP: Amplifying Voices, Building Trust.
Why Is PRSP Expanding Its Regional Network?
PRSP's appointment of a Visayas Regional Chair is intended to make the professional organization more accessible to communicators working outside the country's capital.
For businesses operating across the Philippines, public relations often requires an understanding of local audiences, media organizations, cultural differences, and regional business environments. A stronger regional network can help practitioners exchange knowledge and build professional relationships closer to the communities they serve.
PRSP President Ana Pista, APR, described the appointment as a milestone in the organization's efforts to strengthen regional representation.
Pista said the initiative recognizes the expertise of regional communicators and aims to expand access to professional development while strengthening connections among practitioners across the Visayas.
For the communications industry, the move creates an opportunity to bring more regional perspectives into national discussions about public trust, corporate reputation, and responsible communication.
Who Is Doris Isubal-Mongaya?
Isubal-Mongaya brings more than two decades of public relations experience to the regional leadership role. She founded PRWorks Inc., a Cebu-based agency serving organizations across the Visayas and Mindanao.
According to PRWorks' official profile, the agency's work reflects a focus on strategic communications and community impact. Its services include public relations, digital communications, events management, and integrated marketing communications.
Her professional experience extends beyond corporate communications to community advocacy and disaster-relief efforts. She has emphasized the role of public relations in supporting communities, expressing the view that effective PR should help improve people's lives.
For regional businesses, that approach reflects a broader understanding of communications: reputation is shaped not only by publicity but also by how organizations engage with stakeholders and respond to community concerns.
Isubal-Mongaya said PRSP's expansion into the Visayas was overdue and expressed confidence that the regional network would help develop public relations as both a profession and a career in the region's economic centers.
What Does the Appointment Mean for Regional Communications Professionals?
The new regional leadership structure is designed to strengthen professional connections, broaden learning opportunities, and support the development of communications talent outside Metro Manila.
For practitioners in the Visayas, a stronger professional network could provide greater access to industry discussions, training, and collaboration with peers. Students and early-career communicators may also benefit from opportunities to learn about the standards and responsibilities expected in professional public relations.
For companies with regional operations, a more connected communications community may also help facilitate knowledge sharing on local stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and reputation management.
These are potential benefits rather than guaranteed outcomes. Their impact will depend on how the regional network develops its programs, engages members, and sustains participation over time.
PRSP Highlights Crisis Communication, Measurement, and AI Ethics
The Cebu gathering included PRSP's Professional Development Program, with sessions on strategic measurement, crisis communication, and responsible communication, including AI ethics.
These subjects reflect important considerations for communications teams as organizations rely on digital channels to reach audiences and respond to emerging issues.
Strategic measurement helps organizations assess whether communications activities are achieving their objectives. Rather than counting media mentions alone, practitioners may examine audience engagement, message understanding, stakeholder response, and other measures tied to organizational goals.
Crisis communication focuses on how organizations share timely, accurate information when unexpected events threaten public safety, operations, or reputation. Clear communication and consistent updates can help stakeholders understand what is happening and what actions an organization is taking.
AI ethics in communications concerns the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research, content creation, and audience engagement. Issues include verifying generated information, protecting confidential data, identifying misleading content, and maintaining human accountability for published material.
For corporate communications leaders, these areas are increasingly connected. Technology can help teams work more efficiently, but professional judgment remains essential when accuracy, trust, and organizational reputation are at stake.
How Does the THINKaMuna Media and Truth Forum Fit Into the Initiative?
The regional gathering also included THINKaMuna: Media and Truth Forum, organized in partnership with MediaQuest Holdings Inc., THINKaMuna Pilipinas, and TikTok.
Held at the Cube Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu, the forum brought together students, educators, public relations practitioners, and other communications professionals to discuss misinformation, disinformation, responsible information sharing, and the role of communication in building public trust.
Misinformation generally refers to false or inaccurate information shared without necessarily intending to deceive. Disinformation involves information deliberately created or distributed to mislead.
The distinction matters to businesses, institutions, and communications professionals because inaccurate information can spread rapidly online, affecting public understanding and organizational credibility.
For communications teams, addressing these risks requires more than issuing corrections after a claim circulates. It also involves checking sources, providing clear evidence, communicating transparently, and ensuring that information shared with audiences can be substantiated.
The forum's focus on truth and responsible communication complements the regional network's professional development goals by connecting industry practice with broader public information concerns.
What Comes Next for PRSP's Visayas Regional Network?
Through the Visayas Regional Network, PRSP aims to strengthen professional relationships, widen access to development programs, and support public relations as a career across the regions.
The launch in Cebu was sponsored by PMFTC Inc., CARMA, Jollibee Philippines, Meralco, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), and SM Prime Holdings.
The appointment establishes a new regional leadership role within PRSP's longstanding professional community. The next measure of its impact will be how effectively the network translates that structure into practical opportunities for practitioners, students, and organizations across the Visayas.
For an industry built around relationships and trust, stronger regional participation could help ensure that the perspectives shaping national communications are informed by experiences beyond Metro Manila.