Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (Screengrab from RTVM)
MANILA – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Tuesday received the last batch of broadcast equipment donated by China under the Duterte administration.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar thanked the Chinese government for their donations in a turnover ceremony at the Times Plaza Building in Taft Avenue, Manila.
In his speech, Andanar said part of this donation, such as the 10-kilowatt FM band digital audio broadcasting transmitter, will be placed at the Government Communications Academy in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon once the construction of the building is finished.
The Government Communications Academy will be the first state-of-the-art training facility for government media workers and information officers at the national and local levels.
“Once operational, we will soon be able to expand our reach in communicating the programs, services, and responses of government to the public, especially in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and other neighboring provinces in Mindanao,” Andanar said.
He expressed confidence that the state-run Philippine Broadcasting Service, the direct beneficiary of these donations, will be able to maximize the equipment even as the Duterte administration comes to its end.
“I hope to see more of the dreams and aspirations we have toiled for PCOO and its attached agencies in the past six years come into fruition. Some of these may not be completed as we step out of office, but still, it is my pleasure to be part of the team that has initiated bold transformation for the agency,” he added.
Andanar also thanked Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian for his efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation between Filipino and Chinese information officers, communicators, and broadcasters.
“This is part of the Duterte legacy. And you are part in building these legacies. Beyond the structures, the buildings, beyond the vaccines that we have accepted from the People’s Republic of China all the way to the transmitters that you have donated to the Presidential Communications Operations Office Again, thank you for the gesture,” he said.
He said he is hopeful that the PCOO will have a continued partnership with the Chinese Embassy in the coming years.
For his part, Xilian commended the “excellent work” of the PCOO under Andanar’s leadership.
“You have been doing excellent work in providing service to the people and also in promoting understanding between China and the Philippines,” he said.
Since 2019, China has donated several radio and information technology (I.T.) equipment to the PCOO in an effort to boost and revive the government media, as well as its broadcast and communications services.
China has so far donated a total of PHP140 million worth of radio and broadcasting equipment to the PCOO.
An additional PHP15 million worth of I.T. equipment was also donated to the PCOO to improve its service. (PNA)
