As the Philippines prepares to shut down analog TV, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Digibox to aid Filipinos in the transition to digital TV.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this during the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, Jan. 28.

In her short remarks during the event's pre-program, Garafil said the move was the PCO's way of helping those who could not afford digital TVs not get left behind when the Philippines completely ditches analog TV.

"Since magta-transition tayo from analog to digital, at hindi naman lahat makakabili ng digital TV, so naisip namin sa PCO...maglulunsad kami ng Bagong Pilipinas digibox (Since we will transition from analog to digital, and not everybody can afford a digital TV, we at the PCO will launch the Bagong Pilipinas digibox)," she said.

A Digibox is a device that, when connected to a TV, enables users to receive digital satellite broadcasts.

While it was not mentioned how much a unit cost or when it would be available in the market, Garafil said the PCO would give away units for free to those who could not afford one.

"Starting this year, magro-roll out kami ng mga libreng Bagong Pilipinas Digibox (we will roll out the distribution of free Bagong Pilipinas digiboxes)," she said.

The PCO distributed 1,000 units of the Bagong Pilipinas Digibox during the kick-off rally.

According to Garafil, besides having many channels and clear reception, the Bagong Pilipinas Digibox has additional features, such as an "early warning device channel."

"Just in case may mga bagyo o may mga kalamidad at mga ibang emergency, magkakaroon ng early warning sa ating mga kababayan para makapaghanda sila (In case there is a typhoon or any calamity and other emergency, the people would receive an early warning so they could prepare)," she said.

Last week, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced they had started preparations for the planned shutdown of analog TV and the transition to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

According to the NTC, less than a million Filipino households in Mega Manila still use analog TV.

"Bagong Pilipinas" is the administration's brand of governance and leadership, "characterized by a principled, accountable, and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society."