The government will launch a television-radio program to address public concerns in the wake of soaring cases of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 in the country.
According to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, they will hold a “Laging Handa” (Always Ready) public briefing, a 30-minute program weekdays starting today at 11:30 a.m.
The public service program, to be aired on State-owned People’s Television network, will clarify government efforts to contain the spread of the virus as well as answer questions and other concerns from the public.
“It’s no longer just a press briefing. It’s already a public briefing,” Andanar said over Facebook video yesterday.
“This program is about answering the queries of our ‘kababayans.’ Let’s give more weight to the people para maramdaman nila na present tayo,” he said following a meeting with the PTV-4 officials last Saturday.
The PCOO had earlier started holding weekly Laging Handa press conferences in Malacañang on government efforts to deal with Taal Volcano ash exposition and subsequently on the coronavirus situation. The press briefings have been aired on government media stations and social media pages.
This time, Andanar said the new Laging Handa version would embrace “the whole-of-nation approach of the President” in combating the coronavirus spread. Andanar and former journalist and now PCOO Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio host the briefing.
“It is not just a Laging Handa here in Metro Manila, but a Laging Handa in every region,” he said.
Under the new Laging Handa program, he said guest speakers from concerned agencies will be invited to answer queries and concerns from Filipinos here and abroad.
Andanar urged other government agencies to promote the new public information program to reach a wider audience. He also plans to partner with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas to carry the program on the member-networks. (Genalyn Kabiling)
