House to deliberate PCOO P1.474-B budget for 2019 on Sept. 18

He highlighted that the PCOO-proper has launched various communications programs. (File Photo: Eric L. Olivarez/Facebook)

MANILA — The House of Representatives’ appropriations committee on Thursday terminated the hearing on the proposed budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for 2019.

Rep. Eric L. Olivarez, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the PCOO’s proposed 2019 budget will then be deliberated at the House plenary session on September 18.

The PCOO and its attached agencies are seeking a PHP1.474-billion budget for next year, which reflects a 2.75 percent increase of PHP39.434 million, compared to this year’s budget of PHP1.435 billion.

During the budget hearing, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said PCOO, as the lead communications arm of the government, serves as a tool to inform, educate, and enlighten the citizenry about matters of national importance to “inspire the citizenry to deepen their civic engagement.”

“PCOO’s mission is to serve as the primary vehicle for conscious-raising, constituency-building, and social mobilization to support the policies, programs, and projects of the Presidency,” Andanar said.

He highlighted that the PCOO-proper has launched various communications programs including:

*Dutertenomics, the economic and development blueprint of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Philippines;

*Real Numbers, a campaign providing the real score and present accurate numbers of the anti-drug drive;

*Provincial Communication Officers Network (PCO Net), a platform linking the national government to the local government units;

*Dismiss Disinformation, a campaign thwarting the spread of fake news and disinformation;

*and other programs such as Du30 on Duty and Cabinet Report sa Teleradyo, among others.

Based on the proposed 2019 budget, the PCOO-proper will receive an allotment of PHP360.988 million; Bureau of Broadcast Services will receive PHP396.967 million; Bureau of Communications Services will receive PHP37.186 million; National Printing Office will receive PHP11.499 million; News and Information Bureau will receive PHP124.677 million; Philippine Information Agency will receive PHP337.486 million; and Radio Television Malacanang will get PHP205.180 million.

Some four lawmakers interpellated PCOO’s proposed budget, including Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Francisco Datol Jr., and 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro.