Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Compound, Baguio City
March 11, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inauguration of the People’s Television Network (PTV) Cordillera held at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Compound in Baguio City.

“Ang gusto kong mangyari, yung pag-scroll ng Pilipino at madaan siya sa PTV4, titignan niyo yung program. And if there’s really one that is for public service, and the true, and it’s interesting, you’ll stop there, at tsaka manood, makinig,” said the President in his remarks, addressing all Filipinos to be more aware and appreciative of the government station, that is the PTV.

He also said that the government station provides viewers a chance to be heard, especially when PTV partnered with the Office of the President in producing ‘8888: Ang Linya ng Pagbabago’, a show that caters to the problems being reported to the Presidential Action Center through the 8888 hotline.

“‘Yan makinabang ang tao kasi pera nila ito,” the President added.

President Duterte also reiterated his commitment to improve the facilities of PTV and transform it in the likeness of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), a globally known government news outfit based in London, United Kingdom.

“Publicly I will say now, I am ready to grant all government communication facilities with degree of freedom, bitawan namin kayo and act just like a private, and your template is really BBC,” he said.

The PTV hub in Cordillera is constructed as part of the efforts to develop government media facilities. The main objective is to make the viewing public more informed about government programs and policies, and to bring government closer to the citizenry. Apart from its simultaneous casting to PTV’s main branch in Quezon City, the said hub will also produce newscast and shows in the Ilocano dialect.

Present during the event were Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, PTV General Manager Dino Apolonio, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, some national and local government officials, and PTV and PIA employees.

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