AGENCY WILL HELP CAPITOL AVOID COA’S IRE IN ‘PAY BEFORE-BROADCAST’ ADS

Hiring an advertising agency will help the Province get their message across to a wider audience, as well as heed audit rules on advertising by local governments.

Oscar Pineda, focal person for the Provincial Information Office (PIO), said that the Capitol cannot pay before radio stations air their ads, a frequent practice in the industry, because the Commission on Audit wouldn’t allow that.

The Province has allocated P3.2 million to hire an advertising agency that will produce 15 ads and place these in radio stations.

Pineda added the PIO’s capability to promote the Province’s programs and projects is limited, which is why they are seeking the services of an advertising agency.

In a separate interview, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she sees the move to hire an advertising agency as a way to boost the Province’s capability in communicating their accomplishments to constituents.

Magpale cited, as an example, that the PIO didn’t send some of its staff during the Province’s ongoing interviews with applicants for the Paglaum Scholarship Program.

Pineda said that the PIO would use that observation to do better. “We have limitations. Pamaagi sa iyang (the vice governor’s) observation, probably it will help us address any weakness,” Pineda added.