MANILA – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief received recognition from the National Press Club (NPC) for his ‘unstinting’ support to press freedom and welfare of the Philippine media community.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, a former broadcaster, received a plaque of appreciation from the NPC, the country’s oldest organization of journalists, during its 66th anniversary at the NPC headquarters in Intramuros, Manila on Monday.
In his speech, former NPC president and now Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, described Andanar as one of the best secretaries who served the communication department of the Palace.
“I’ve covered Malacañang since I was a very young reporter and masasabi ko sa inyo, hindi ko bobolahin si boss, isa sa pinakamagaling na Press Secretary si Secretary Martin Andanar dahil nasa puso niya ang media (and what I can say, I’m not trying to flatter my boss, Secretary Martin Andanar is one of the best Press Secretary because the media are in his heart),” Egco said.
The NPC commended Andanar for the central role he played in the issuance of landmark Executive Order No. 02 and Administrative Order No. 01.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 02 on July 23, 2016, otherwise known as Freedom of Information (FOI), mandating full public disclosure of all offices under the executive branch.
On the other hand, Duterte dedicated his first administrative order for the creation of the PTFOMS mandated to protect the life, liberty and security of media workers and their families. AO No. 1 was signed on Oct. 11, 2016.
The NPC has also acknowledged Andanar’s ‘wholehearted’ support to the club’s projects and activities including the signing of memorandum of understanding between NPC and the Chinese General Hospital.
Under Andanar’s leadership, the PCOO’s attached media agencies particularly People’s Television Network (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and Philippine News Agency (PNA) have improved significantly in just less than two years.
In response, Andanar thanked the NPC for the recognition, promising to build stronger cooperation with other media organizations particularly in different regions.
“In my third phase of my work is to strengthen the PCOO’s relations with different media organizations not only here in Metro Manila but throughout the country,” Andanar said in his speech.
Andanar also commended the NPC, currently headed by Rolando ‘Lakay’ Gonzalo, for being at the forefront as protector of media and press freedom in the country. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
