Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar graced the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)’s “Talakayan sa PIA” on 05 March 2020 in SM Uptown, Cagayan de Oro City with various national agencies in Region 10 in attendance.

The Talakayan sa PIA aims to complement the government’s information dissemination throughout the Region. Through the said platform, Secretary Andanar cited the gains of President Rodrigo R. Duterte (PRRD)’s Administration in the areas of peace and order, infrastructure and development, and poverty alleviation, dubbed as “Duterte Legacy.” During PRRD’s term, progressive infrastructure development under the “Build, Build, Build” was evident; programs such as free tuition in state universities and colleges and Universal Health Care were implemented, among other achievements. He conveyed that in the remaining two (2) years of the present term of PRRD, the government is focusing more on ending the local armed conflict in the country.

As the communications arm of the government, the PCOO through the Secretary aims to go around the country to personally inform the public of the administration’s achievements and urge the people to stop believing in fake news. In line with this campaign, PCOO will be establishing the Government Communications Academy in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon that will serve as a training institution for all information officers of barangay, city, provincial LGUs, government agencies, and even those from the private sector. Additionally, a Mindanao Media Hub is also set to be opened this year in Davao that will house the Philippine News Agency, among others.

PPA’s part in the “Duterte Legacy”

The Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Transportation took an active role in the materialization of infrastructure development projects, particularly among PPA ports.

The construction of the large and modern Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) in the Port of Cagayan de Oro is a manifestation of the PPA and DOTr’s thrust of providing utmost care (‘Malasakit”) and dedicated service (serbisyo) to the traveling public. Furthermore, it is aimed at strengthening the Port’s and the region’s position as the Global Gateway to Mindanao, as this is seen to give an impact on the tourism industry.

DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade during the inauguration of the new passenger facility on July 15, 2019, conveyed that the 200+ completed infrastructure projects nationwide including the new PTB are proofs of the President’s compassion to the Filipino people.

Moreover, the development of the Port of Opol in Misamis Oriental which was likewise inaugurated on 15 July, was a manifestation of PRRD’s intent to give the people of Opol a comfortable life as remarked by Sec. Tugade.  The port activity in Opol will not only help in decongesting the Port of Cagayan de Oro but will also give livelihood and business opportunities for the people of Opol.

Aside from the PPA Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, also present during the said event were the heads and/or representatives from the Land Transportation Office, National Economic and Development Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, academe, and media. In front of this crowd, the Communications Secretary lauded all the line agencies in Region 10 for the quick response amid the threat of COVID-19 (formerly known as NCoV) in the Philippines. He said that among all regions in the country, agencies in Region 10 were the first ones to convene to come up with preliminary actions amid COVID-19.

In the Ports under the jurisdiction of PMO MO/C, preventive measures were already being implemented in January 2020, long before the first case of COVID-19 infection was confirmed in the Philippines. Read: PMO MO/C Ports take preventive measures against Novel Coronavirus—by IMR Lam