OPS BUDGET. Office Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil thanks the Senate Finance-Sub-committee “N” for swift approval of the OPS’ proposed PHP1.04 billion budget for 2023 on Monday (Oct. 10, 2022). Garafil said the OPS will be transparent and accurate in delivering and disseminating information on the Marcos administration’s policies, programs, and activities. (Photo courtesy of OPS Facebook page)
MANILA – Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil has guaranteed that the OPS will be transparent and accurate in delivering and disseminating information on the Marcos administration's policies, programs, and activities.
Garafil made the vow, as she thanked the Senate Finance Sub-committee "N" for its swift approval of the OPS' proposed PHP1.04-billion budget for 2023.
During the Senate subpanel's deliberation on Monday, Garafil said she seeks a wider public engagement to make sure that more Filipinos are aware of the government's plans for the country, including its official activities and accomplishments.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity to discuss with you what the Office of the Press Secretary will seek to do, especially in providing information and communicating to a broader public what the Marcos administration seeks to achieve in the months ahead," Garafil said.
"Under my watch, the OPS will actively promote transparency, accuracy and accountability as hallmarks of good governance," she added.
In a Facebook post, the Senate noted that under the 2023 spending plan, the OPS will receive a total appropriation of PHP1.04 billion.
Around PHP417.411 million would be given to the OPS' Proper, while some PHP623.196 billion would be allocated to its attached agencies and corporations.
The OPS, which was reestablished under Executive Order (EO) 2 inked by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on June 30, serves as the Marcos administration's lead communications arm.
Its attached agencies include the APO Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), National Printing Office, News and Information Bureau, and People's Television Network (PTV).
To ensure more efficient delivery of public policy to the general public, the OPS is given the mandate to "pronounce, on behalf of the President, matters pertaining to his actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments," according to EO 2.
The OPS is also mandated to develop a messaging system under the Office of the President and the Executive Branch, as well as to supervise its attached agencies and government-owned or -controlled corporations for purposes of further strengthening then system of information delivery to the public.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Sub-committee "N," backed the OPS' appeal for the reinstatement of IBC-13, which had been struggling to provide retirement pay to the majority of 130 employees for over a decade.
Ejercito pledged to ask the Department of Budget and Management to provide funding for IBC-13 to settle the "decades-long problem" besetting the state-run broadcast network.
This, after IBC-13 president and CEO Hexilon Alvarez bared during the budget hearing that the corporation has paid only 38 percent of its 130 retirees since 2009, providing them with only PHP10,000 monthly to cover unpaid benefits.
In September, the OPS told the House appropriations committee that IBC-13 may be forced to shut down by January 2023, if it fails to receive an allocation from next year's National Expenditure Plan.
The possible closure would put around 172 IBC employees at risk of losing their jobs.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, a former broadcaster who also worked in PTV-4, also expressed willingness to support a legislative measure aimed at further protecting the workers in government-owned media stations.
Tulfo made the commitment, as he emphasized the importance of raising the salaries of and granting benefits to government employees.
Garafil said she would look for ways to improve the welfare of the OPS personnel.
"Makakaasa po kayong tutugunan natin ang mga kailangan ng OPS (Rest assured that we will attend to the needs of the OPS)," she said.
EO 2 also directs the OPS to establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders.
Acknowledging the Philippine press' crucial role in strengthening Philippine democracy, Garafil vowed that the OPS would uphold free speech and expression.
"The Office of the Press Secretary will uphold freedom of speech, of expression and of the press, as guaranteed by the Constitution. This is a cornerstone of a democratic society and we intend to do our part in defending this constitutional provision," she said. (PNA)
