Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar is optimistic about the future of the government's media and communications industry in the Philippines as various programs and projects under the Duterte administration are now in progress.
Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary and Spokesperson Martin Andanar listens as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on March 21, 2022. (PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Andanar said that his office's focus is to "realize and actualize" the PCOO-initiated Build, Build, Build projects such as the Visayas Media Hub and the Government Communications Academy.
Andanar led the groundbreaking ceremony of the media hub in Mandaue City, Cebu last month that will serve as the main broadcast center for Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Western Visayas.
"It is meant to provide tailored news and information, establish direct connectivity with the public, and bring the government closer to the Bisaya people, especially in preparation for, during times of calamities and disasters, and their aftermath," Andanar said.
The construction of the Visayas Media Hub is one of the Duterte administration’s flagship projects that aims to promote effective government communication operations.
Meanwhile, the Government Communications Academy is now also being built in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon after its groundbreaking in September last year.
According to Andanar, the Government Communications Academy will be the first state-of-the-art training facility for government media workers and information officers at the national and local levels.
Aside from these, Andanar said that they have also been endeavoring for the passage of priority legislations to protect, promote, uphold freedom of speech and press freedom and to generate sustainable communications within government communications agencies.
These include the Freedom of Information Bill, Media Workers’ Welfare Bill, and the People’s Broadcasting Corporation Charter.
The Communications Secretary likewise vowed to continue serving the public until President Duterte's last days in office, through delivering "factual, timely, and reliable news."
"In our remaining months here in the PCOO, we will continue to intensify the delivery of factual, timely, and reliable news and information to the public, especially on the Covid-19 responses and our economic recovery measures in the new normal," he added.