The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has a “great team” to pursue information dissemination and to encourage citizen and media cooperation in government undertakings even during this coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.
In an interview, Secretary Andanar highlighted the efficient delegation of tasks and aid of technology that has largely helped in their operations despite recent reports on infections of its personnel.
“Our office continues to serve as a premier arm of the executive branch, engaging and involving the citizenry and the mass media. We believe that an involved public is an important public and they help create discourse that allows the government to be better, even to better the programs and services that it provides,” he said.
“We in government, it is really our obligation to serve the public. So we need to remain firm to our conviction of doing our job,” he added.
Secretary Andanar detailed the implementation of its crisis communication platforms such as the Laging Handa Public Briefing that has aired since the early days of the community quarantine.
He also noted other affiliate COVID-19 response information programs through virtual pressers with other government agencies, which has provided updates on assistance and adjustments on health protocols for different areas across the country.
The PCOO Chief mentioned that the government maintains its transparency and willingness to engage in dialogues that will allow their policies to be understood, along with clarifying and explaining other undertakings of the administration.
“There will always be critics that no administration had none. It comes with the territory, sabi nga nila. And it is truly unavoidable and unfortunate circumstance that some individuals and groups will be critical and unsupportive of our policies to achieve our goals here in the Philippines,” he said.
“We believe in being able to partake in constructive and healthy conversations and dialogues about relevant programs or undertakings of the President, along with receiving and acting on criticisms on how we can improve them and kasama na yan. Nasanay na tayo over the last four years,” he added.
“It’s not perfect, but it brought the PCOO organization to where it is right now ,and we continue to enjoy high ratings for the President,” he said.
