PCOO Undersecretary and Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan
MANILA – President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can depend on a stronger state media when he officially assumes office in July, a Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) official said Tuesday night.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ “Politics As Usual”, PCOO Undersecretary and Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan said the administration of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has done so much to amplify PCOO-attached agencies through the adoption of new technology and skills training programs for state media workers in the last six years.
“Through the leadership of [PCOO] Secretary [Martin] Andanar, we were able to strengthen and amplify state media. And so, the incoming administration can depend on our state radio, state TV, state grassroots information network. So, they have that [at] their disposal. So, they're ready to serve the President and his administration,” Ablan said.
He cited how the PCOO upgraded several state-run media facilities such as radio stations which were “not that well-maintained” prior to the Duterte administration.
“Under the leadership of Director General [Rizal Giovanni] Bong Aportadera [Jr.] of our Radyo Pilipinas, when we entered six years ago because I joined Secretary Martin so I'm six years already in PCOO, the state radio stations were really not that well-maintained. And through Secretary Martin and DG Bong, they were able to improve on it or upgrade all the facilities,” he said.
To enhance the skills of state media workers and information officers, he touted the establishment of a Government Communications Academy inside the Northern Bukidnon State College compound in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
“We have a Government Communications Academy being built right now in Bukidnon to train our information officers not just here in [National Capital Region] but for the entire country…The instruction of the President is to diffuse central Manila. And insofar as training information officers are concerned, of course, they lack training in Mindanao area so we brought the school to them,” he added.
Ablan said these, among other upgrades, would “welcome” Press Secretary-designate Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles, other PCOO officials, and the entire Marcos administration.
He, meanwhile, expressed hope that the next administration would continue pursuing programs and projects started during the Duterte administration.
“We hope that the programs started by Secretary Andanar will be continued by the incoming Secretary, our Government Communications Academy, Freedom of Information, and our Visayas media hub, among others.
Ablan also assured that the PCOO is working to ensure a smooth transition of power to the incoming PCOO officials.
“Regardless of who would win in May, we already prepared yung mga (our) reports namin, 'yung mga (our) presentations namin. We were ready by May,” he said.
Ablan, a lawyer, will remain at PCOO with the rank of career executive service officer.
However, he said he would have to meet with Cruz-Angeles to determine what role he will be given under the incoming administration. (PNA)
