Winners pose with the organizers of the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards after the awarding ceremonies.

Community newspapers from Cebu, Davao and Baguio won big in the annual Civic Journalism Community Press Awards of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI).

Cebu Daily News won the Best Edited Community Newspaper award along with Best Editorial Page, and Best in Photojournalism.

Edge Davao won Best in Business and Economic Reporting and Best in Environment Reporting awards for the daily newspaper category.

Baguio-based Herald Express won Best Edited Newspaper and Baguio Chronicle won Best in Environment Reporting for the weekly newspaper category.

Other winners were: The Bohol Chronicle for Best Editorial Page; Cagayan de Oro-based Business Week Mindanao for Best in Business and Economic Reporting and Dumaguete-based Metro Post for Best in Photojournalism.

PressONE.ph Editor Felipe F. Salvosa II served as head of the screening committee for the Visayas.

Newly elected PPI chairman and Manila Standard Publisher Rolando Estabillo said community papers must face the challenges brought about by the internet and social media in delivering news and information that matter to their local audiences.

“We must adapt to the technology sooner or later if we are to survive. We have to be realistic that this world has changed and adapt to the reality on the ground,” he said.  (Rommel F. Lopez)