MANILA – Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano on Friday vowed to introduce systemic changes to improve government communication and address gaps in informing the public about the administration’s programs and policies.
In a media interview, Cayetano said the PCO would continuously assess its systems and processes to ensure more effective communication of government initiatives and improve public understanding of their benefits.
Cayetano said the PCO would focus on ensuring that the public understands not only what the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is doing but also how its programs and policies are intended to benefit ordinary citizens.
“I’m here because I believe in the President. I believe in the President and I believe na (that) we need long-term solutions to our problem. I believe na (that) we need to have systemic change,” he said.
Cayetano emphasized the need for the PCO to strengthen its partnership with the media to help explain the rationale behind government decisions, including policy changes and bureaucratic processes.
“[We must have] a better relationship with media. I think we need to do better in explaining to you ano ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ngayon, bakit niya ‘to ginagawa (what the President is doing and why is he doing that),” he said.
He added that the PCO would work to provide journalists with a better understanding of the reasons behind the administration’s policies to help ensure that accurate and comprehensive information reaches the public.
Caytano also underscored the importance of strengthening the agency’s presence on the ground, saying government communications should go beyond digital platforms and traditional media briefings.
He said the PCO plans to establish an “analog office” that would allow government communicators like Palace Press Officer Claire Castro to engage directly with communities, universities, villages and other sectors.
“Siguro, kahit hindi niyo tinatanong, may isang innovation na gusto nating gawin (Perhaps, even if you are not asking there is one innovation we want to pursue),” Cayetano said.
“I think the PCO also needs to focus on being on the ground, being in universities, being in barangays (villages), being in communities with you. As you know, in this parang (sort of) fragmented distribution, age of fragmented distribution, mahalaga rin nakakaharap din natin ang mga kababayan natin (it is also important that we also face our countrymen),” he added.
Cayetano noted that important developments and issues affecting Filipinos do not occur only in major urban centers, underscoring the need to expand the reach of government information nationwide. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA)
