The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) will roll out this year free “Bagong Pilipinas” Digibox intended for those who cannot afford to buy new digital TV receivers as the country transitions from analog broadcast to digital, Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said on Sunday.

“‘Yun ang pupunan naming sa PCO. So starting this year, magro-rollout kami ng mga libreng Bagong Pilipinas Digibox,” Garafil declared during the kick-off rally for the Bagong Pilipinas Campaign at the Quirino Grandstand on Sunday.

“Kaya nga naisip namin since magta-transition tayo from analog to digital at alam naman natin na hindi naman lahat makakabili ng digital TV. So naisip namin sa PCO— ano ang bago? Maglulunsad kami ng Bagong Pilipinas Digibox,” she said.

The Philippines is switching this year from analog to digital TV, and also starting this year, analog TV users in Metro Manila will no longer receive TV signals.

Asked why there’s a need to transition from analog to digital, Garafil said users could enjoy new features, better programming with digital TV, in addition to its emergency and early warning features.

“Kailangang-kailangan natin kasi itong mga digital television, mas marami silang channel at mas maganda ang reception,” she said.

“May early warning channel siya. Para just in case may mga bagyo, may mga kalamidad, at ibang emergency [magkakaroon] ng early warning sa ating mga kababayan para makapaghanda sila,” she pointed out.

The PCO distributed 1,000 Bagong Pilipinas digibox units during Sunday’s event in Manila.

The Bagong Pilipinas Campaign is the overarching theme of the Marcos administration’s brand of governance and leadership, characterized by a principled, accountable, and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society. PND