PCOO’s commitment to public service featured in 7th episode
of Laging Handa Dokyu
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and
the Duterte administration’s commitment in delivering truthful news and
information directly to the public, will be showcased in the Laging Handa Dokyu
series episode 7 entitled “Ang Pamana: Working PCOO
.”
In 2016, Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar was
appointed to lead the main communications arm of the government. Since then,
the government's platforms in providing the public with needed information and
updates on current affairs and happenings in the government, has been
streamlined.
According to Secretary Andanar, he applied everything that
he learned about traditional radio, media, as well as new media during his term
to reform the PCOO and its attached agencies.
"Tayo naman ay maswerte na meron tayong isang Pangulo
na binibigyan tayo ng elbow room na makagalaw at nang mareporma 'yung ating
government media [We are very lucky that we have a President who gives us
enough elbow room to take action and reform our government media]," the
communications chief said.
Secretary Andanar also shared that President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte fully supports the Mindanao Media Hub which was inaugurated last March
18. The building with its state-of-the-art facilities aims to serve as the
broadcasting hub of Regions 10, 11, 12, 13 and the BARMM.
"Napabayaan ito noon e (PCOO facility). Ang sabi ko
naman, kailangan best foot forward parati ang ating bansa. At gaya ng sinabi ko
this is the window to the world, e kailangan maganda ‘yung bintana mo [This was
neglected before (PCOO facility). What I said is we should always put our best
foot forward for our country. And like the saying goes this is the window to
the world, so that window needs to be pleasing]," Sec. Andanar bared.
"I am very confident na lahat ng mga nagawa ng aking
mga kasamahan dito sa PCOO pwedeng ulitin ‘yung achievement na ‘yon and I think
that is the biggest legacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the
Presidential Communications Operations Office [I am very confident that everything
my coworkers accomplished here in PCOO, those achievements can be repeated and
I think that is the biggest legacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the
Presidential Communications Operations Office]," Sec. Andanar added.
President Duterte's first Executive Order was the creation
of Freedom of Information (FOI), which ensures that the public has access to
public documents and transactions of the government. The FOI Project Management
Office is led by Atty. Michel Kristian
Abalan, CESO II, an Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and FOI.
Undersecretary Ablan said that they have received around
95,000 to almost 100,000 FOI requests. "Bumuo ng Project Management Office
ang PCOO sa lilalim ng pamunuan ni Sec. Martin Andanar, nag-o-oversee ng implementation
ng FOI at tinutulungan natin ang libo-libo nating mga FOI officers na nagkalat
sa mga ahensya para matugunan nila ang mga tanong ng ating mga kababayan [The
PCOO created the Project Management Office, under the leadership of Sec. Martin
Andanar, and tasked it to oversee the implementation of FOI and we also help
our thousands of FOI officers scattered in various government agencies to help
the public with their questions regarding the government]," said Usec.
Ablan.
Moreover, the Office of the President together with the PCOO
created the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), to protect the
life, liberty, and security of the media workers in the country.
PTFoMS is headed by Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel
Sy Egco, he emphasized that it was only in the time of
President Duterte where the violence against media sectors
were addressed. He said that the Philippines is the only country who has a task
force dedicated to protect and uphold their rights and freedom in a democratic
country.
"For the longest time tayo ‘yung sinasabing one of the
most dangerous country for journalists in the world so minabuti po ng ating
mahal na Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na i-address itong problema na ito. In fact,
ito ‘yung kauna-unahang Administrative Order nya that makes the PTFoMS very
historic, [it is] the only task force in the world of its kind [For the longest
time they have been saying that our country is one of the most dangerous
countries for journalists in the world, so President Rodrigo Duterte made sure
that we addressed this problem. In fact, this was his first Administrative
Order that makes PTFoMs very historic, [it is] the only task force in the world
of its kind]," Usec. Egco said.
Catch Laging Handa Dokyu 3.0 episode 7 titled "Ang
Pamana: Working PCOO" on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 9:30 PM on PTV and
IBC-13. It will also be livestreamed on the Presidential Communications
Operations Office Facebook page, as well as other government-affiliated social
media pages.
Media outlets are free to share and use our video materials
and short documentaries. For inquiries, please e-mail us at
pcooglobalmedia@pco.gov.ph.
