Senators on Tuesday pushed for long-delayed upgrades and institutional reforms across the government’s communications agencies as they deliberated on the proposed PHP2.714-billion budget of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) for 2026.
Budget sponsor Sen. Loren Legarda said the Senate aims to reinforce the capability of PCO and its attached agencies through facility rehabilitation, digital modernization, and addressing long-standing employment issues within state media.
“We need a fund for retirement, the rehabilitation of the main building, the facilities, modernization, and digital upgrading,” Legarda said, noting that PTV-4 and IBC-13 rely heavily on government subsidy because of limited income.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo expressed full support for PTV-4’s budget, recounting the network’s pivotal role in his broadcasting career.
“Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa PTV-4… kaya mahal ko ang PTV-4. It hurts me na makita na kung saan ako nanggaling, mukhang kaawa-awa na ngayon (I owe PTV-4 a great debt of gratitude… that’s why I love PTV-4. It hurts me to see that the place where I came from now looks pitiful),” Tulfo said.
“Sana magkaroon ng pagbabago. I’m going to help in my own way gamit ang personal funds ko para matulungan ang PTV-4 (I hope improvements can be made. I will help in my own way using my personal funds to support PTV-4),” he added.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo likewise backed the 2026 PCO budget under Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, emphasizing the agency’s front-line role in public communication.
“The PCO serves as the government’s lead communications arm and stands at the frontline of ensuring that the administration’s policies, programs, and priorities are communicated clearly, accurately, and consistently. At a time when misinformation spreads quickly and public trust depends on timely and reliable information, the role of the PCO becomes even more crucial,” he said.
Legarda added that senators may introduce additional capital outlay, with some members expressing willingness to help rehabilitate PCO facilities through voluntary support.
The PCO oversees the national government’s communications ecosystem, including news and information bureaus, printing operations, broadcast services, and public information arms.
During the deliberations, senators reviewed the proposed PHP2.714-billion allocation for 2026, which includes PHP953.9 million for PCO Proper; PHP95.6 million for the Bureau of Communication Services; PHP19.6 million for the National Printing Office; PHP153.6 million for the News and Information Bureau; PHP501.5 million for the Philippine Information Agency; PHP484.3 million for the Bureau of Broadcast Services; PHP247.1 million for the Presidential Broadcast Staff–RTVM; PHP136.7 million for PTV-4; and PHP122 million for IBC-13. (PNA)