Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday announced that the construction of the Government Strategic Communications Academy (GSCA) will finally begin this month.
In a statement, Andanar said that the said project of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will be breaking ground this September within the compound of the Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
He added that the academy would also be open to media workers in the private sector who want to take part in the training programs such as broadcasting and writing, among others.
"It will focus on teaching communications to our information officers from the barangays to those in the national government agencies," he said.
"This profession is a vocation. It’s really something that you do because you believe in public service, in informing the people through development communication," he added.
The GSCA was supposed to start construction last year but funds and other documentary requirements were only met recently.
Meanwhile, Andanar said that big-ticket projects under the PCOO would have not been realized without the support of the President.
He cited, in particular, the Mindanao Media Hub in Davao City, the first government media hub outside of Metro Manila. A Visayas Media Hub will also be constructed with its initial budget already approved.
The PCOO has been firm on promoting the welfare of media workers in the country and has been one of the partners in pushing for the passage of a Media Workers Welfare bill.
Other policies passed at the legislative branch are the Freedom of Information Bill and the People’s Broadcasting Corporations Bill.