Andanar sends off 21 journalists, info officers to China

MANILA--Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday sent off a 21-member delegation of journalists and information officers for a two-week training to Beijing, China.

Andanar expressed hope the participants gain insight and skills on managing different media platforms - online, print, television and radio broadcast from the training organized by the Training Center of China International Publishing Group, in cooperation with the Embassy of the People's Republic China, China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) and the Ministry of Commerce.

The latest batch of participants coming from different provinces of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao representing the News and Information Bureau-Philippine News Agency, People's Television, the Philippine Information Agency, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), and mainstream news outlets left for Beijing on Tuesday morning.

"I assure you, you will learn. I myself was impressed with what they have. Kung anong meron sila (Whatever they have), buy in as much as you can," he told participants in a short sent off program at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Andanar was among the first batch of trainees upon the invitation of the Chinese government.

Dubbed “Seminar for Information Officers and Journalists”, kit will run from May 17 to 30.

The program is part of the Philippine-China Exchange that started in 2017. The seminar will feature topics on the achievements of China's media development, the new and integrated media, China's national conditions and social development, and international media exchanges.

The participants will also visit Chinese  media organizations, internet firms and cultural institutions in Beijing and Jiangxi province of China.

The seminar aims to facilitate cooperation between the two countries by building a platform for exchanges between media organizations in China and the Philippines. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)