MANILA – The public can expect more information dissemination campaigns from the government as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), along with its attached agencies, maintains its commitment to keep Filipinos informed, especially this pandemic, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said Thursday.
Secretary Andanar assured that PCOO will continue to give priority to its Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign, which has been proven vital in collating facts and addressing the information gaps through conducting virtual pressers and connecting the public directly to concerned agencies and government offices.
“Para sa taong 2021, patuloy na bibigyan ng prayoridad ng PCOO ang ating Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign. Ito ay upang tuluy-tuloy nating masiguro sa publiko na maayos at epektibong napapangasiwaan ng ating gobyerno ang sitwasyon ng COVID-19, pati na rin ang vaccination program sa ating bansa [For 2021, the PCOO continues to prioritize our Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign. This is so we can continue in assuring the public that the government is on top of the COVID-19 situation and of the vaccination program in our country],” he said.
He noted that part of the campaign is also disseminating and reiterating the need to observe health protocols and precautionary measures, dispelling false information, advocating for preparedness and vigilance, and harnessing solidarity through participatory governance, among others.
Secretary Andanar committed that the agency will also continue producing more short films and documentaries depicting how Filipinos and frontline workers have adapted to the new normal.
“Ang mandato sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay mas lalo pang paigtingin ang aming pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon sa publiko tungkol sa mga programa at proyekto ng ating gobyerno, lalo na sa pagsisimula natin ng COVID-19 vaccination program sa bansa [We are mandated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to further intensify our communication and information dissemination to the Filipino public of the government’s programs and projects, especially as we roll out the COVID-19 vaccination program in the country],” he said.
“Ito ay bahagi pa rin ng pag-adapt sa tinatawag na ‘new normal,’ habang tinutupad natin ang naipangakong tunay na pagbabago sa bawat Pilipino [This is also as we further adapt to the new normal, while delivering true and real change promised to every Filipino],” he added.
He also bared plans of the agency to establish more government media facilities that would allow public information officers from local and national government to be more equipped in addressing information gaps in their respective communities.
The project to construct a Government Strategic Communications Academy in Bukidnon is expected to commence this year. This will serve as an avenue for communications and leadership trainings, not only for government and media workers, but also youth leaders.
With the Mindanao Media Hub in place and already operational, the PCOO is now eyeing to establish the Visayas Media Hub.
“Sa pag-adapt natin sa new normal, kami sa PCOO ay magpapatuloy sa pagbibigay ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan tungkol sa mga programa at polisiya ng ating gobyerno, sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng aming mga platform [As we adapt to the new normal, we in the PCOO will continue to inform and communicate all programs and policies of the government, through all of our platforms, for the benefit of all Filipinos],” he said.
“Sa ngalan ng buong administrasyong Duterte, nais naming ipaalam sa publiko na walang tigil sa pagsisikap ang ating gobyerno upang mas lalo pang mapaganda ang mga serbisyo para sa mga mamamayan at mapabuti ang kalidad ng pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng tuluy-tuloy na mga reporma sa imprastraktura, socio-economic programs, at kapayapaan at seguridad [On behalf of the whole administration, we want the public to know that the government is hard at work to further improve all social services and the people’s standard of living through continued reforms on infrastructure, socio-economic programs, and peace and security],” he added.
###
