• PTV-11 returns to Cebu’s airwaves with newly installed transmitter
• APEC Senior Officials’ meeting chair highlights importance of internet to economy, education

With the installation of the powerful transmitter, complemented by a 250-foot tower in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, PTV-11 Cebu’s programs are expected to reach an estimated three million viewers in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and northern Negros.

“The revival of PTV-11 Cebu’s operations is in line with the Network’s commitment to provide quality television programs in key areas across the country,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Friday.

Its rehabilitation coincides with the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, specifically the 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting that began last August 29 and will run until September 11.

Secretary Coloma said the government has prioritized PTV’s operations by allotting P892 million for capital expenditure this year.

The five-year rehabilitation program, which began in 2012, allows PTV to modernize its facilities by acquiring cameras, studio equipment, vehicles and transmitters for its main office in Quezon City, as well as for its provincial stations across the country.

Under the rehabilitation program, PTV is upgrading its key regional offices in Naga, Baguio, Cebu, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Davao and Cotabato. The government-owned network is also improving its provincial stations in Calbayog, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Pagadian.

Putting the Cebu station back on air is a great accomplishment for the government to reach more Filipinos, especially those in the Visayas region, said Jan Co Chua, the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s Undersecretary for Operations.

Chua said that as PTV widens its coverage, the government can disseminate information more effectively, aiding people in making enlightened decisions.

People in the Visayas can access PTV Cebu through Free TV 11 and Sky Cable Cebu Channel 3. PND (as)

During a press conference here on Friday, del Rosario was asked if she thinks the discussions here in Cebu could bring in more investments to improve the speed of Internet connections in the country.

“It is not a matter of whether they will invest in Internet connectivity. What we are trying to say is that it will somehow remind all governments that Internet connection is very important,” she said in response.

“The speed of Internet is really necessary for us to move forward. I believe that there are many Filipino investors, entrepreneurs, who can do their own investments in Internet connectivity.”

Del Rosario further said that they are making sure that in discussing Internet connections, connectivity would become a priority for government planning.

“Therefore, this will be part of the things we are looking at in the telecommunications sector,” she said.

The telecommunications sector is part of the working groups of the APEC and del Rosario said they are also looking at security issues because the Internet is also about ensuring a secure cyberspace.

At the same time, she said she hopes that local investors who have enough resources would study how the country could expand and improve its broadband connectivity to allow more people to access the Internet.

Del Rosario also highlighted the importance of connectivity to education, noting that the Internet also impacts the way governments educate their people. PND (as)