President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has issued a memorandum reorganizing and renaming the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its attached agencies to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).
Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez signed Executive Order No. 2 by authority of the President on June 30, 2022, the first day of the Marcos administration.
The EO likewise abolishes the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, an office that former president Rodrigo Duterte reconstituted after abolishing the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) through Executive Order No. 111 on April 27, 2020, amid the government's attempt to address the spread of Covid-19.
In his EO, Marcos cited the need to "rationalize and consolidate the communications arm of the Administration for a more efficient delivery of public policy to the general public" in reorganizing the PCOO.
The current head of the PCOO is lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles. She likewise confirmed on Thursday morning, July 7, that President Marcos had made this order.
The PCOO was established under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III on July 30, 2010. It replaced the original OPS which was created on September 1, 1986, through Memorandum Order No. 32.
Functions
The OPS is tasked to pronounce, on behalf of the President, matters about his actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments.
It shall develop and implement necessary guidelines and mechanisms for delivering and disseminating information on policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the President and the Executive Branch.
The Office shall also coordinate the crafting, formulation, development, and enhancement of the messaging system under the Office of the President (OP) and the Executive Branch.
It shall coordinate with its attached agencies to strengthen the system of informing the public and establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders.
Staffing
The Order allows the OPS to have an assistant secretary and a maximum of 20 personnel designated by the Press Secretary and approved by the Executive Secretary.
There shall also be undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, and support staff for the following areas:
- Operations, Plans, and Policies
- Administration, Finance, and Procurement
- Legal Affairs
- Media Accreditation and Relations
- Digital Media Services
- Print Media Services, and related GOCCs and attached agencies
- Broadcast Media Services and related GOCCs and attached agencies
- Special concerns
The EO also reorganizes all existing divisions and units of the PCOO under the areas of concern of OPS undersecretaries. It abolishes redundant positions, divisions, and units that the OP will determine.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson will also be abolished, and its permanent personnel, equipment, and functions will now be under the OPS.
Attached agencies
The following are agencies attached to the OPS:
- APO Production Unit
- Bureau of Broadcast Services
- Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
- National Printing Office
- News and Information Bureau
- People's Television Network, Inc.
Meanwhile, the Radio Television Malacañang will now be under the direct supervision of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS). Former Manila 3rd District Representative Naida Angping is currently heading the PMS.
On the other hand, the Philippine Information Agency will now be directly under the OP. It shall absorb the following PCOO offices:
- Bureau of Communications Services
- Freedom of Information-Program Management Office
- Good Governance Office
JUST IN: Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirms that President Bongbong Marcos has brought back the Office of the Press Secretary, effectively reorganizing the PCOO and abolishing the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/z3ek7Dc1Tz
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) July 7, 2022