MEDIA LAUDED. Reporter Dicee May Padilla and cameraman Leofil Labastida of Cebu Catholic TV Network receive their relief rice assistance from Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday (April 27, 2020). Andanar lauded the media for working tirelessly to provide news to make better sense of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. (PCOO photo)
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar lauded media workers for working tirelessly to provide news to make better sense of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Andanar made this remark as he led the distribution of sacks of rice to families of media workers in Central Visayas who are affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in some parts of the region on Monday.
“Our colleagues in the media are just as important as everyone else in the front lines against Covid-19. While most of us are battling the disease by staying at home, they continue to deliver transparent news and promote the right information to the people,” Andanar said.
He said the distribution of assistance is his way of appreciating the efforts of media workers who continue to work hard to deliver news and information, even under challenging conditions.
The first batch of emergency assistance in the region was given to media workers in Cebu and the next recipients would be workers in Bohol, Dumaguete and Siquijor, Andanar said.
Last week, he initiated the same relief efforts for media workers in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region.
Caraga Region includes the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Media workers are exempted from the ECQ since they are classified as part of the essential services to the public.
Andanar currently heads the Laging Handa communications crisis center which provides Covid-19- related updates, news and information.
He also hosts the Laging Handa Network Briefing and Public Briefing, along with special Covid-19 coverage programs such as the Cabinet Report, Mediaman’s Mancave Podcast, and PTV’s Alerto.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved revisions to the list of areas that will be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.
Roque said ECQ in Metro Manila; Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon; Pangasinan; Benguet; Baguio City; Iloilo; Cebu; Cebu City; and Davao City will still be imposed until May 15.
“Ang ibang mga lugar na hindi ko po kasama sa aking mga binasa, sila po ay mapapasailalim sa general community quarantine (Other areas that were not mentioned will now be under a general community quarantine),” he said in a virtual presser. (PNA)
