MANILA -- The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is inviting college students nationwide to participate in a songwriting contest that seeks to highlight the youth’s hope for the “New Philippines”, in the pursuit of Filipino excellence.

In a Facebook post, the PCO announced that the Bagong Pilipinas Songwriting Contest is open to all enrolled college students nationwide.

Song entries may touch on the Filipino youth’s aspirations for a Bagong Pilipinas or the inspirational Filipino excellence and unbreakable spirit that will enable this call-to-action realization, among others.

Interested students may refer to the PCO Facebook page for the format, criteria, and prizes.

In celebration of the Communications’ Month 2023 this October, the agency will spearhead a Campus Caravan that will feature activities such as putting up of exhibition booths, media information literacy workshops, creative contests and competitions, panel discussions, Konsyerto sa Palasyo campus auditions, and internship information booth, among others.

College students are likewise invited to take part in other competitions such as short filmmaking, essay writing, mural painting, and spoken word poetry, among others.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through Proclamation No. 308 issued last August, declared October as Communications Month.

Proclamation No. 308 enjoined all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, LGUs, GOCCs, and both the public and private sectors to support PCO’s activities and programs.

This year’s celebration will revolve around the theme, “CommUNITY: Nagkakaisang Tinig Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” aimed at magnifying and showcasing unity among government institutions by illustrating a whole-of-government approach in combating misinformation and disinformation while fostering a sense of unity among students and the youth. (PND)