TAGBILARAN CITY — Secretary Martin Andanar led a team from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Friday in the launch of Provincial Communications Officers Network (PCONet) in Bohol.
Andanar said the PCONet program is aimed at helping the government educate the people to discern and to counter the spread of fake news and disinformation, which is seen as a threat to democracy and economy of the country.
He added that when people try to spread real information, it is a service rendered to society and to future generations. “This is important in nation building,” the secretary said.
The launch was attended by a number of public information officers from various local government units, regional line agencies, academe, youth sector, and members of the Cebu and Bohol media.
During the forum, Andanar also cited the accomplishments of the Duterte Administration including the almost double digit growth in foreign direct investments and the huge drop in crime incidents, giving the country a more favorable image as an investment destination.
Andanar said the investments into the country reached $10 billion at the end of 2017 compared to $5.6 billion at the end of 2015.
The government is throwing the gauntlet against fake news by using available resources.
PCOO-attached agencies such as the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine News Agency (PNA), Radyo Pilipinas, People’s Television Network (PTV), and other online platforms of government media will be used in the fight against fake news and disinformation.
The government has invested heavily in the modernization of the platforms and will soon use technology to bring information to the farthest places in the country via satellite.
PIA Director-General Harold Clavite, urged everyone to pitch in to address the issues affecting the spread of real information and to change the public information situation in the country.
PCOO Director Princess “Pebbles” Duque also gave a short briefing on the priority program aimed to combat fake news.
The PCONet shall serve as a conduit for real news and to cascade information from the national government to local government units. (PNA)
