President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. celebrated the vital role of government communicators in fostering public trust and engagement during the inaugural ‘Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko’ event held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on December 16, 2024. The ceremony, organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), highlighted the importance of effective communication in governance.
In his address, President Marcos emphasized that the connection between leaders and the public is strengthened through impactful communication campaigns. He stated, ‘The campaigns, messages, and voices we celebrate tonight remind us of the power of leadership when there is a connection with the people.’ He further noted that the awards not only recognize achievements but also set benchmarks for leadership that enhances public awareness and civic participation.
The ‘Parangal’ program awarded various government entities and individuals for their outstanding communication efforts. Notable recipients included Lupon, Davao Oriental, for their municipal-level public service campaign, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their national-level campaign. The Department of Information and Communications Technology and PAG-IBIG Fund were recognized for government innovation, while the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Privacy Commission received accolades for their digital campaigns.
PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez, represented by Senior Undersecretary Emerald Anne Ridao, underscored the significance of creative communication in building public trust. Chavez remarked, ‘We are celebrating campaigns that inform, reassure, and engage the Filipino people.’ He highlighted the integration of new media with traditional principles of truth, demonstrating that government information can be engaging on platforms like TikTok.