PCOO Chief Recognized for ‘Outstanding’ Work in Gov’t

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar was awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Public Servant’ during the 2nd Diamond Golden Awards held Saturday at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas in Pasig City.

Aside from Andanar, other public servants including Senator Cynthia Villar, Quezon City second district congressman Alfred Vargas and Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Marjorie Jalosjos and other individuals from the media and entertainment industry have also been given awards.

Baby Go, a businesswoman and an indie film producer, formed the Diamond Golden Awards to recognize individuals who support the PC Good Heart Foundation.

The foundation provides medical assistance and scholarships to less fortunate Filipinos.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III received the award on behalf of Andanar who is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s delegation attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Papua New Guinea.

Last month, Andanar received recognition from the National Press Club (NPC) for his ‘unstinting’ support to press freedom and welfare of the Philippine media community.

The NPC commended Andanar for the central role he played in the issuance of landmark Executive Order No. 02 and Administrative Order No. 01.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 02 on July 23, 2016, otherwise known as Freedom of Information (FOI), mandating full public disclosure of all offices under the executive branch.

On the other hand, Duterte dedicated his first administrative order for the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) mandated to protect the life, liberty and security of media workers and their families. AO No. 1 was signed on Oct. 11, 2016.

Under Andanar’s leadership, the PCOO’s attached media agencies particularly People’s Television Network (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and Philippine News Agency (PNA) have improved significantly in just less than two years. (Jelly Musico/PNA)