WITH the inauguration of the new PTV Hub in the Cordillera region, President Rodrigo Duterte hopes the government owned television network will be an avenue for citizens to air their concerns and grievances.
Duterte together with Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan and government officials inaugurated the two – storey PTV Hub inside the Philippine Information Agency compound Saturday afternoon.
The President during his speech said the government owned station can use their discretion to the utmost, stressing he is ready to grant all government communication facilities the degree of freedom.
"I am ready to grant all government communication facilities the degree of freedom. Bitawan namin kayo and act just like a private and your template is really BBC," the President said.
Duterte cited the new PTV hub is eyed to bring in more local news program that will cater to Baguio and Benguet residents and even nearby areas while expounding on the provisions of Freedom of Information (FOI) as he points out his promises his full support to improve communication between the people and the government.
“Alam mo pera ng tao ‘to. So gusto ng makita ng tao ‘yung anong, what’s happening in this planet. So they want to hear their countrymen. Mga NPA. We’ll give you the space. Ang ating sa mga Cordillera guys. Welcome kayo,” added Duterte.
Duterte meanwhile assured PTV or its allied services will not be used for his personal gains.
“No, no… no, no personal use of… I won’t allow it to anybody. Maybe if you want to issue a statement in connection with the… what you do, especially if you are about to be criticized or being criticized or having been criticized and you want to answer, I said a fair chance, the right to be heard. Remember that,” added Duterte.
“So when you begin to crucify somebody, whether in government or in some other areas of our civilization, be sure to give him, the other guy, the right to be heard. Period. ‘Yun lang. And everybody’s allowed to use it para maintindihan talaga,” the President said.