Outgoing Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday met his successor broadcast journalist Martin Andanar.
Andanar assured that he will continue the programs started by Coloma who called for the transition meeting.
Coloma gave Andanar a tour of the bureaus and attached agencies of the PCOO. The tour included facilities of the Radyo ng Bayan, APO Printing Unit, People’s Television Network Inc., and the National Printing Office.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, nais kong magkaroon siya ng malawak na ideya hinggil sa kabuuan ng government media assets at kung paano ito magagamit ng Duterte administration sa pagpapalawak ng pagpapalaganap ng mensahe ng pamahalaan,” Coloma said.
Andanar said he will go to Davao City to personally report to President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte and incoming Presidential Management Staff chief Christopher “Bong” Go.
Andanar said he was “very impressed,” adding that he will be awaiting more documents from Coloma on the services of the PCOO. “Ipagpapatuloy ko ang legasiya ni Secretary Coloma,” Andanar said.
Coloma had said that he is willing to assist Andanar to ensure a smooth transition after Duterte named him as the new head of the PCOO.
President Aquino formed the Presidential Communications Group, which the PCOO is part of, during the start of his administration.
The PCOO is formerly known as the Office of the Press Secretary. The PCOO is the lead communications arm of the government and a vehicle of understanding for a well-informed and enlightened citizenry.
It is mandated to serve as the premier arm of the Executive Branch in engaging and involving the citizenry and the mass media in order to enrich the quality of public discourse on all matters of governance and build a national consensus.
Its attached agencies include the Philippine Information Agency, News and Information Bureau, PTNI, RTVM-Radio Television Malacañang, Bureau of Broadcast Services, APO Production Unit, NPO, Bureau of Communication Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp., and the OP Web Development Office.
Coloma was Department of Transportation and Communication Undersecretary under the late President Corazon Aquino. He also became head of the Presidential Management Staff.
He was also tapped as the DoTC undersecretary during the time of President Joseph Estrada.
Coloma is a professor at the Asian Institute of Management. Andanar is a radio and television host and anchor for TV 5. (Madel S. Namit)