MANILA -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office celebrated 11 fruitful and dynamic years of government media service as the premier communications arm of the Executive branch, with better media operations under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In his message during the celebration and blessing of its new office on Monday, October 18, Sec. Martin M. Andanar said the PCOO and its attached agencies have improved the ways on how the government communicates with the public and builds bridges or connections with local and international media.

“Malayo na ang narating at maraming nagawa ang PCOO sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte. Pinaigting at pinalakas natin ang government media para mas maiparating ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan sa publiko. [PCOO has come a long way and has done a lot under the administration of President Duterte. We have intensified and strengthened government media to better communicate to the public what the government has been doing],” he said.

Among the programs and campaigns that PCOO initiated are the enactment of the Freedom of Information, creation of the Laging Handa Crisis Communication campaign, establishment of the first-ever Government Communications Academy, and intensified government media operations via radio, television, and online platforms, according to Sec. Andanar.

He added that PCOO’s breakthrough “is the digitalization of government media operations in delivering the plans and programs of the national government and President Duterte’s message to all Filipinos around the world sending the genuine message that the government is always there,”.

For a better PCOO, intensified operations

Aside from better government media operations, Sec. Andanar personally administered the oath-taking and signed the appointment papers of 32 new regular employees and 15 long-time staff who have been working as casual and contractual in the agency for years.

PCOO employees, who have been in service for 30 to 40 years, were also honored during the celebration, alongside the stories of the unsung heroes of the PCOO through the years who have selflessly dedicated their lives to serving the public.

Sec. Andanar also urged all PCOO employees “to intensify dedication and sincere provision of public service at a time when the country is going through many trials due to the pandemic,”.

“Ang tagumpay ng PCOO ay hindi lang dahil sa isang tao kundi dahil ito sa ating teamwork at magandang samahan. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi magtatagumpay ang PCOO. Kayo ang mga tunay na bayani. [The success of PCOO is not just because of one person but it is because of our teamwork and good relationship where everyone contributes to achieve our goals. If not for you, PCOO will not succeed. You are the real heroes],” he emphasized. (PCOO)