MANILA -- The comeback is always stronger than the setback.
After a series of speed bumps, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) has become more resilient than ever.
Last year was rough for the news organization as it was embroiled in controversies with its unfortunate gaffes that marred its 45-year history.
The agency, however, has taken crucial steps to recover and bounce back from this major roadblock.
PNA Editorial Board
PNA acting executive editor Luis Morente said the creation of an editorial board had helped the agency prevent the recurrence of errors.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar had earlier said the PNA editorial board would serve as the "last gatekeeper of stories".
"We have been instituting reforms to ensure the delivery of timely and accurate information to the public including the creation of an editorial board upon the directive of Secretary Martin Andanar," Morente said.
Morente said the flaws in both manpower and resources were also being addressed.
"We are also hiring additional personnel to beef up our editorial desk and core of reporters," he said.
"Our mother unit, the News and Information Bureau, now headed by Director Virginia Arcilla-Agtay, is continuously instituting reforms to hire competent personnel and provide the needed equipment and gadgets crucial in improving our news gathering and dissemination efforts," he added.
The PNA has been generating over a hundred articles daily.
These articles from Metro Manila and some 20 other provincial bureaus nationwide are a source of news for some mainstream or provincial media outlets.
PNA Newsroom
In October 2017, the PNA launched its online newscast "PNA Newsroom," a weekday English news program that provides a daily dose of relevant news from all over the agency's provincial bureaus.
"PNA now has a new webcast with a 30-minute daily newscast that headlines the most relevant occurrences in the country," Morente said.
PNA Newsroom is hosted by award-winning public service news anchor William Thio and radio broadcaster and executive producer Pia Roces Morato.
Stronger online presence
Morente said the state-run newswire service also caught up with the times through a much-needed reinvention of its decades-old website, as well as the creation of a mobile application, and an increased social media presence.
"We have set up a mobile app and strengthened our social media presence on Facebook," Morente said.
PNA's official Facebook page has reached 49,724 followers as of February 2018, compared to less than a thousand back in 2016.
On the other hand, PNA has also beefed up its social media engagement on Twitter.
Apart from the published news articles, PNA's social media pages also promote the campaigns and accomplishments of the different departments of the executive branch.
Newly-refurbished office
As part of the overall makeover, the PNA's central office in Quezon City underwent major renovation and was completed this February.
From dilapidated ceilings to crooked floorboards, the new office now houses state-of-the-art facilities including a modern news studio.
"Our office was also recently refurbished with a new modern look," Morente said.
Former PNA executive editor Severino Samonte said PNA had performed "highly satisfactorily and impressive" following the recent developments done within the agency.
Samonte said PNA was definitely on its way to bringing back its glory days.
"I believe, if all of you - I mean the entire staff -continue giving your very best to it [then you can bring back PNA's glory]. Consider it as if you own it," Samonte said.
As PNA celebrates its 45th anniversary, Samonte had this to say: "I wish the present staff members and the future ones will bring the PNA banner to the best standard until the agency celebrates its centennial." (PNA)
