President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to enhance public understanding of his administration’s policies and programs by becoming more accessible, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). During a recent Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PCO Undersecretary for Digital Media Services Emerald Ridao explained that Marcos intends to personally address public inquiries on issues he believes require his direct explanation.
Ridao emphasized Marcos’s desire to directly engage with citizens, stating, ‘He himself would like to be more accessible. He will answer. If the citizens have a question and we relay it 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.
The PCO has been working on refining its communication strategies, which Ridao described as becoming ‘more structured.’ This shift is part of a broader effort to enhance the government’s information and communication campaign, with Marcos at the forefront.
As the primary communications arm of the government, the PCO typically disseminates information through press releases or allows relevant agencies to explain their initiatives. Ridao expressed optimism about the progress made in improving these strategies and increasing public awareness.
The PCO’s inaugural awarding ceremony aims to motivate other government agencies to simplify their communications, making their services, policies, and programs more accessible to the public. Ridao stressed the importance of effective communication, noting, ‘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.’
To reach a broader audience, the PCO plans to utilize platforms like TikTok, recognizing the shift in how Filipinos consume information. Ridao highlighted the need to adapt to modern formats, saying, ‘In the past, we only saw the news on TV, heard it on the radio or read it in the newspaper. Now, we can also deliver it to TikTok, which is where a vast majority of Filipinos really get their information.’
Marcos, in a recent interaction with Malacañang reporters, reiterated his commitment to openness, aiming to combat misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. He also acknowledged the media’s vital role in fostering public engagement in governance, thanking them for their dedication to truth and integrity.