President Marcos Jr. Aims for Greater Accessibility in Communicating Government Policies

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his intention to become more accessible to the public to enhance their understanding of his administration’s policies and initiatives, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PCO Undersecretary for Digital Media Services Emerald Ridao highlighted that Marcos is keen on directly addressing public inquiries on matters he believes are best explained by him. Ridao stated, ‘He himself would like to be more accessible. He will answer. If the citizens have questions and we relay them to him, he will explain, he will answer.’ This approach is expected to provide the public with deeper insights into the rationale behind government policies. Ridao also noted that the government’s communication strategies have become more structured, aligning with Marcos’ commitment to lead the charge in enhancing information dissemination. As the primary communications arm of the government, the PCO typically releases press statements or delegates the explanation of policies to relevant agencies. Ridao is optimistic about the progress made in refining the government’s communication strategy and increasing public awareness. She hopes that the PCO’s inaugural awards ceremony will motivate other government bodies to simplify their communications, making their services, policies, and programs more accessible to the public. Ridao emphasized the importance of effective communication, stating, ‘Without this kind of communication, our citizens might not truly be able to appreciate what the work that we’ve been trying to do here. As the President says, policies are only effective if they are felt and understood by the people.’ The PCO plans to leverage platforms like TikTok to engage the public in formats they prefer, recognizing the shift from traditional media to digital platforms where many Filipinos now consume information. Marcos, in a recent interaction with Malacañang reporters, reiterated his openness to media inquiries as a strategy to combat misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. He also expressed gratitude to the reporters for their commitment to truth and integrity, recognizing their vital role in fostering public engagement in governance.