Gov't info agency to be streamlined

The government is enhancing its information dissemination network so it can effectively communicate its programs and services to the public.

President Duterte has directed Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar to inspect the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) offices across the country and ensure the government message is getting across.

"We have been directed by the President to go around the Philippines to ensure our Philippine Information Agency is getting the proper attention because we expect them to give information, news about the government from the Executive department all the way to the communities," Andanar said over government radio last Saturday.

"That's my assignment for the next nine months ay 80 percent of my time will be spent in the provinces," said Andanar, who has been strengthening and modernizing the government media network to disseminate factual information and fight fake news.

Andanar, as head of the government's communication network, has supervision over PIA, the government's main information agency. PIA, created by an executive order of President Corazon Aquino in 1986, has 16 regional offices and 78 provincial information centers.

The government recently organized its first-ever national information convention, renewing its commitment to fight the spread of false information in the country.