Marcos orders reorganization of Presidential Communications Office

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 16 which orders the reorganization of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Signed on February 13, the Executive Order states that the PCO Secretary shall be assisted by five undersecretaries, 14 assistant secretaries, and one assistant secretary who will directly report to the Secretary.

The undersecretaries shall each be assigned and put in charge of the following functional areas of responsibility: Traditional Media and External Affairs; Digital Media Services; Content Production; Broadcast Production; and Operations, Administration, and Finance.

The PCO did not disclose the personalities that would hold the enumerated responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the EO explained that Traditional Media and External Affairs would be responsible for formulating and implementing messaging directives and ensuring the efficient delivery of essential communication and messaging services of the Executive branch and the Office of the President through various industry assets.

The Digital Media Services was tasked to formulate and enforce programs on the responsible and efficient use of digital media assets and communication tools.

Content Production, on the other hand, would be in charge of providing close-in coverage of the official activities of the President.

The Broadcast Production will manage and organize live productions for broadcast.

Operations, Administration, and Finance would be responsible for the delivery of essential administrative and financial services to support the core mandates of the PCO.

The EO stated that the People's Television Network Inc., APO Production Unit, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, and National Printing Office were attached to the PCO.

Other communication agencies that would be under the direct control of PCO include: the Presidential Broadcast Service, Bureau of Communication Services, News and Information Bureau, Freedom of Information, Philippine Information Agency, and the Radio Television Malacañang.

It can be recalled that under EO No. 2, Radio Television Malacañang was placed under the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), while the Philippine Information Agency absorbed the Bureau of Communications Services, Freedom of Information-Program Management Office, and the Good Governance Office.

Meanwhile, under EO No. 16, the PCO Secretary and the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications were tasked to coordinate with each other on matters relating to communications and information dissemination, as well as the development and enhancement of the messaging system of the Executive Branch and the OP.

Marcos ordered the reorganization to ensure rationalization of its organizational structure, functions, and staffing pattern which is consistent with the administration's efforts towards efficiency and the delivery of its mandate to Filipinos. — DVM, GMA Integrated News