DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar shared to members of the media here his advocacy on sustainable communications which he described as a key ingredient for a sustainable future.

Andanar met with Dumaguete reporters on Oct. 19 to discuss the Duterte Legacy Campaign, where he also cited the importance of practicing sustainable communications.

“We keep on talking about agricultural sustainability, food sustainability, sustainability in engineering, energy sustainability, (and) sustainable development. But you know what we missed talking about? We missed talking about this one aspect na magtahi ani tanang sustainable objectives of mankind. Unsa man to? I’m talking about sustainable communication (We missed talking about one aspect that could tie these sustainable objectives of mankind together. What is this? I’m talking about sustainable communications),” Andanar said.

The PCOO chief emphasized that members of the media are considered as “influencers” in the community and they could influence the public’s mindset when they talk about sustainable goals of the country or with the United Nations.

“If we have the sustainable communication mindset, then anything we say on the microphone and even in front of the camera, would be driven by our consciousness that we want a sustainable future,” he said.  

Andanar admitted that the concept still needs further development and formulation and asked the help of the media to join in the campaign and make this advocacy more meaningful and deeper.

Andanar said the Government Communications Academy (GCA) which will be built in Bukidnon will “carry the torch” of sustainable communications and capacitate government communicators and members of the local press in carrying out this advocacy in the future.

GCA is a project of the PCOO and aims to provide a venue for capacity-building and skills development for Public Information Officers (PIOs) and government communicators.

Andanar added that under the Duterte Administration, PCOO has been active in policy formulation and infrastructure development to intensify the reach of the Presidential Communications Group.

Some of the landmark programs of the PCOO include the implementation of Freedom of Information, creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, passage of the Media Welfare Workers Bill in the Lower House, and the creation of the government media hub in Davao for Mindanao area and soon in Cebu for the Visayas area.

He said these achievements also take part of the legacy of the Duterte Administration. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)