Marcos reorganizes, renames PCOO; abolishes Office of the Presidential Spokesperson

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the reorganization and renaming of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) into the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) headed by lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

In his Executive Order (EO) 2, Marcos also ordered the abolition of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson.

“There is a need to rationalize and consolidate the communications arm of the administration for a more efficient delivery of public policy to the general public,” read the EO.

“It is the policy of the administration to provide true, accurate, and relevant information through the effective utilization of communications assets and resources,” it added.

The OPS will have an assistant secretary with support staff of not more than 20 personnel.

It will also consist of undersecretaries for operations, plans and policies; administration, finance and procurement; legal affairs; media accreditation and relations; digital media services; print and broadcast media services and related government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) and attached agencies; and special concerns.

Among the functions of the OPS is to pronounce matters pertaining to the actions, policies, programs, official activities and accomplishments of the President; develop and implement measures for the delivery and dissemination of information on programs and activities not only of the President but also of the executive branch; and to coordinate for the crafting, formulation, development, and enhancement of the messaging system under the Office of the President (OP) and the Executive Branch.

The OPS will also supervise and coordinate with GOCCs attached to the OP to strengthen the system of information delivery to the public, and establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders.

The order states that all redundant positions, division and units determined by the OP shall be abolished.

Meanwhile, all the permanent personnel, equipment and functions of the office of the presidential spokesperson will be transferred to the OPS.

Among the agencies and bureaus whose direct supervision and control will be transferred to the OPS are the APO Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News Information Bureau, and People’s Television Network Inc.

The Radio Television Malacañang, on the other hand, will be transferred to the Presidential Management Staff headed by Marcos’ appointee, Maria Zenaida Angping.

The OP will have direct supervision of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which will absorb the Bureau of Communications Services, Freedom of Information-Program Management Office, and Good Governance Office, which were currently under the PCOO.

“Except as may be required or warranted under this Executive Order, all agencies shall continue to discharge their respective functions and responsibilities as defined under existing laws or issuances,” the EO stated. (SunStar Philippines)