By Melissa Basmayor/PNA
NAGA CITY – To engage the public on initiatives and achievements of the Duterte administration and promote responsible sharing of information, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) held a roadshow at the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) here on Monday.
At least 500 participants from the national and local governments, non-government organizations, the academe, and the media attended the event.
PCOO Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar, who delivered the keynote speech, said the roadshow aimed to ensure an extensive reach for the agency’s information, education, and communications campaign.
Also part of the roadshow were discussions led by several key speakers from PCOO, including Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS); Assistant Secretary Kristian R. Ablan, FOI Philippines Program Director; and Assistant Secretary for Brand Integration Ramon L. Cualoping III.
Other objectives of the roadshow were to increase media and information literacy and end the proliferation of fake news.
It also aimed to inform stakeholders of government efforts to enhance the protection of the local media through the PTFoMS; educate the public on “Rehabinasyon”, the government’s all all-encompassing campaign against illegal drugs, through the Office of Brand Integration; raise civic awareness on transparency and accountability in governance through the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program; and partner with education institutions to include the FOI Program in their curricula, and promote FOI as an academic tool for research.
A ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the FOI Program in Schools was also held during the event, led by Andanar and BISCAST officer in charge, Dr. Isidro R. Bola.
The event was in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency Region 5, the local government unit of Naga City; and the state schools in Camarines Sur.
Following the Naga City leg of the event, the roadshow will proceed to Albay, to be held at the Bicol University in Legazpi City.
