Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday expressed their support for increasing the 2025 budget of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), as they recognized the agency’s role in promoting transparency, accountability and public trust.

During the House appropriations committee hearing on the proposed budget of the PCO for next year amounting to PHP2.1 billion, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo, vice chair, said the PCO is the government’s primary communications arm through which the administration conveys its policies, programs, and messages to the Filipino people.

Quimbo said the PCO also plays an important role in promoting media literacy, especially in an “age where disinformation and fake news can quickly undermine public trust”.

She further highlighted that the PCO is at the “forefront” of the fight against fake news.

“Educating the public on how to distinguish credible information from misleading or false narratives is vital to maintaining a well-informed citizenry,” Quimbo said.

“Let us remember that supporting the PCO means ensuring that accurate, timely information continues to reach the public. It is an investment in the country’s future and in maintaining an informed and engaged citizenry.”

Pangasinan Rep. Christopher De Venecia and Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto have committed their support to augment the PCO’s budget.

“Rest assured that if there is any move to augment, increase, and definitely support your budget, please count on this representation to be able to do so,” De Venecia said.

Caloocan City Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy also pointed out that Congress “is very much welcome in augmenting” the department’s spending plan for next year to fund the fight against fake news and adapting to artificial intelligence.

PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez, in his presentation, said the five priority areas that will guide the expenditure planning of the department’s operations for next year include: efficient coverage and documentation of presidential engagements; enhanced media coverage and information dissemination; strengthened transparency and accountability; more aggressive promotion of government programs and policies; and effective foreign media partnerships and international relations.

Chavez said presidential events encompass a wide range of activities including state visits, official meetings, conferences, public appearances, ceremonial milestones and events.

He said the president’s events play a vital role in shaping public opinion, fostering citizens’ engagement, and promoting government policies and initiatives.

“Adequate budgetary support is essential for the efficient and effective coverage and documentation of these presidential events,” he added.

Chavez, meanwhile, stressed that transparent and accountable governance is essential for fostering trust and confidence among citizens, arguing that additional budgetary allocation for the management and media coverage of presidential events would ensure that the public is “kept informed”.

“This transparency allows citizens to evaluate the governance’s performance, participate in public discourse through the available tools and the various social media assets, and hold elected public officials accountable for their actions and ultimately strengthening democratic processes and promoting good governance,” he said.

Chavez said the PCO-Proper gets the lion’s share of the proposed budget for next year among the regular national government agencies in the PCO family with about PHP713.3 million, followed by the Philippine Broadcasting Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS) with PHP492.389 million, then the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) with PHP440 million.

Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will get PHP256.5 million, News and Information Bureau (NIB) will receive PHP146 million, followed by the Bureau of Communications Services (BCS) with PHP79.9 million, and the National Printing Office (NPO) with PHP21.989 million.

For government-owned and controlled corporations, Chavez said only the People’s Television Network was allocated a subsidy in the amount of PHP215.257 million, which will be utilized for its modernization program. (PNA)