MANILA — Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar took the opportunity to highlight the PCOO’s accomplishments when he met with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Aklan Chapter on Sunday.
Andanar said among the important achievements of the PCOO under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration include the creation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).
“Since our society is now dominated by several sources of information, it is necessary that a standard for obtaining government data from the executive departments be seriously spelled out and wisely executed by every public office concerned,” Andanar said in his speech during the Broadcaster’s Ball 2018 in Kalibo, Aklan.
Just days before his first state-of-the-nation address (SONA) on July 23, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 02 establishing the first FOI program in the country covering all government offices under the Executive Branch.
“This executive order on the freedom of information is the most important antidote to fake and manufactured media releases. It helps prevent journalists to succumb to reportage that is convenient, sensational, falsified and unverified,” he added.
Three months after he created FOI, Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 01 establishing PTFoMS to show his commitment to protect and provide a conducive working environment for the media members.
“Again, for the first time in our field of work, we have been able to obtain the realization of this task force: a formidable and reliable support staff for urgent help. It may well serve as a shield and a talisman, to protect lives in our profession,” Andanar said.
Andanar announced that the PCOO will bring “Passport on Wheels” or “Press Freedom Caravan” in Kalibo to serve journalists throughout Region 6 (Western Visayas).
He also informed the local media about the PCOO’s initiative to further enhance their education through training and work experience abroad.
“I am pleased to announce that further education, training and work experience in media institutions abroad are now available and made possible through several memoranda of understanding that we have concluded,” Andanar said.
“Essentially, as our President Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has said: it is a better life that we are all committed to pursue; a life that you, as journalists, can help realize through your voices as communicators,” he added.
The gathering of KBP Aklan, headed by Apolonio Zaraspe III, was attended by Aklan Vice Gov. Reynaldo M. Quimpo and Kalibo Mayor William S. Lachica.