MANILA -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday referred to PCOO’s team spirit as the primary reason that its information drive initiatives are recognized here and abroad.

PCOO was a recipient of seven prestigious awards during the 2021 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards in July for its innovations and commitment to public information even during these challenging times.

“Hindi madali makuha ang award na ito kaya napakalaki nitong award para sa amin sa PCOO. I say ‘para sa amin’ because ako naman ay instrumento lang [Achieving these awards are not easy and these are significant awards for us in the PCOO. I referred to “us” because I am only an instrument here],” he said during an interview on J101.5 FM Big Radio.

Secretary Andanar acknowledged the efforts of the employees of PCOO who demonstrated their versatility in the delivery of public service, especially during the pandemic.

“I am just one of the many cogs and wheels of the national communications policy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. So I dedicate this award to my colleagues who are also unsung heroes during this pandemic,” he said.

“Hindi rin tayo tumigil sa paglabas para mainform ang publiko. Sa pagkuha nung mga video dun sa mga ospital, ang ating kasamahan sa Office of the Global Media  and Public Affairs (OGMPA), sila ni Asec JV Arcena ay talagang binuwis nila ang kanila buhay para magdocument lang. That’s precisely why we received these awards because of the bravery of our colleagues here at the PCOO during the pandemic [We didn’t stop in informing the public. On taking videos on the situation of our hospitals, our Office of the Global Media  and Public Affairs (OGMPA) under Asec JV Arcena really went out of the way to document it. That’s precisely why we received these awards because of the bravery of our colleagues here at the PCOO during the pandemic],” he added.

The PCOO chief also extended his gratitude to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for offering simulcasts of PCOO’s Laging Handa programs.

Secretary Andanar received a “Media Hero of the Year” Award for his innovations in PCOO, and proactive daily delivery of news and information to the Filipino public through the Laging Handa Dokyu, Network Briefing News and Public Briefing #LagingHandaPH programs.

PCOO-OGMPA Assistant Secretary JV Arcena bagged two individual Gold Stevie® Awards as “Government Hero of the Year” and “Media Hero of the Year” for his innovations in producing documentaries and explainer videos, and in conducting virtual pressers and reporting tours:

The Virtual Presser and Virtual Reporting Tour (TVP-VRT) won a Silver Stevie® Award for Innovation in Media, Visual Communications & Entertainment under the category of Awards for Innovation in Product Design and Development. The program also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Media Relations under the Awards for Innovation in Communications/ Public Relations Category.

PCOO-produced Laging Handa Dokyu series also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Documentaries under the Awards for Innovation in Video Category. This is a series of experiential and informational short documentaries which highlight the lives of healthcare workers and other frontliners, as well as all aspects of the response of the government against COVID-19.

PCOO Laging Handa COVID-19 Communications Digital Campaign also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Best Use of Social Media-COVID-19-related Information. It produces various digital content including infomercials, explainer videos, social cards and infographics, to keep the public informed about the pandemic and the response of the government.

For its local recognition, this year’s Gandingan 2021: The 15th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multi-media Awards organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society named the Laging Handa Dokyu as the ‘Most Development-Oriented Public Service Program’.

Other Laging Handa Dokyu episodes, such as Red Zone, Repatriation, Baguio: Contact Tracing and Oragon, were recognized as finalists at the Gandingan Awards 2021.

Secretary Andanar was also a finalist for Best AM Radio Program Host for his programs CORDS-X and Cabinet Report.

The same award-giving body also named Youth for Truth's “Usapang Model Cities” episode as the Most Participatory Program. (PCOO)