Martin Andanar

Andanar also supervises the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), which was formed in October 2016 after President Duterte asked for the creation of a special agency to protect media workers.[19] As part of the agency's efforts, Andanar in 2018 presented the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) with the Handbook on Personal Security Measures for Media Practitioners, a document that outlines how media workers may enlist government protection services against threats to their life and security.[20] In December 2018, the PTFoMS filed murder charges against suspects in the killing of Albay radio personality Joey Llana, who was killed in June the same year.[21] Reporters Without Borders also delisted the Philippines from its list of most dangerous countries for journalists in December 2018, which Andanar attributed to President Duterte's concern for journalists.[22] The task force's creation and Andanar's efforts in managing it received praise from European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.[23]

In 2020, the Philippines has finally been out of the top five worst countries for journalists and was declared the “biggest mover” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index (GII) report published on October 28. The CPJ report was welcomed further by PTFoMS, under the supervision of Andanar as "an incontrovertible demonstration and validation of the government’s unfeigned dedication to safeguarding press freedom and protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers in the country amid huge challenges." [24]

Dutertenomics is one of the flagship communication programs of the PCOO. It refers to the socioeconomic policies of President Rodrigo Duterte, which includes the development of infrastructure and industries.[25] It was launched on April 18, 2017 by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in a forum attended by local and international media, with discussions focused on President Duterte's 10-point socioeconomic reform agenda and its primary objective of accelerating poverty reduction and transforming the Philippines into a high middle-income economy by 2022.[26]

It has since been replicated in similar communications roadshows in Cambodia during the 2017 World Economic Forum on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,[27] and at the sidelines of the 2017 One Belt One Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China.[28]

On August 8, 2017, Andanar signed department order no. 15 entitled “Interim Social Media Practitioner Accreditation.” The department order stipulates that before social media publishers and bloggers could cover Presidential and Malacanang events, they should be at least 18 years old with at least 5,000 followers to cover President Duterte.[29] Andanar states that this order would enforce responsible journalism ethics on those who publish on social media and the bloggers.[30]

Andanar spearheaded creation of the Government Satellite Network (GSN), which can transmit “video, image, audio and data content,” and provide “two way or multiple 4k tele-conference communication, internet delivery capability and multiple tv channels,” throughout the Philippines islands using advanced satellite and IPTV technology.[31] [32] Andanar also announced that the People's Television Network Inc. (PTNI) will have increased transmission capacity to reach far-off areas with the help of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial (ISDB-T) system from Japan. He also said that 2023 is the target for switch-off of all analog broadcasts in the country.[33]

The Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) is the first-ever early civil defense warning system for natural disasters in the Philippines, implemented on March 10, 2018.[34] According to Andanar, the EWBS will utilize the government's broadcast channel, PTV to provide early warning during times of disasters. As well as providing updates on relief efforts to the affected communities.[34]

The Provincial Communications Officers Network (PCO Net) is a project of the Presidential Communications Operations Office under Secretary Martin Andanar to “ensure a coherent and efficient flow of information particularly from the Office of the President down to the national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs) and academe[35]“ by providing a platform where provincial information officers can access information direct from Malacañan and distributed to their respective localities[36]

The PCO Net also served as the foundation for the first National Information Convention (NIC), a gathering of one thousand five hundred government information officers, as well as “experts in the communication field, both government and non-government, digital and traditional.[37]“ The three-day event was held from February 19 to 21 in Davao City.[38] The convention is part of the PCOO's effort to give people a better appreciation and understanding of government programs and mechanisms so that “they can better participate in nation-building and development, acquire insights on best practices in public advocacy and social mobilization, and improve public-private partnership in development communication.” [37][38]

In November 2018, Andanar and PCOO Undersecretary Joel Egco met with survivors of victims of the Maguindanao massacre, including clan leader Esmael Mangudadatu, and told them that a guilty verdict against suspects is expected to be served in early 2019.[39] Andanar and his staff also visited the site of the massacre itself, and is the first ever presidential communications staff member to visit the massacre memorial.[40]

Under Andanar, the PCOO created the Office of Global Media Affairs in November 2018 in order to help bridge Philippine government media with the international community.[41][42] The OGMA addresses the concerns or questions of foreign correspondents not in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Andanar says the agency will form a press attaché division, members of which will be sent to other countries as Philippine government media representatives. The PCOO also has an International Press Center that accredits foreign journalists covering the Philippines.[43]

The Philippine and Myanma governments in January 2019 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish stronger mechanisms for information sharing and media cooperation. Andanar said both countries can promote culture, arts, education, tourism or "anything that will benefit the two states" through information sharing.[44]

The Laging Handa is the first comprehensive crisis communications program in the Philippines, spearheaded and conceptualized by Andanar in 2016, that streamlines all government media agencies for information dissemination. During the pandemic, the Laging Handa evolved into a robust television, radio, and online program that became the go-to-program for covid related information in the Philippines, in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

Andanar anchored Public Briefing: #LagingHandaPH, a press briefing for the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines produced by PCOO and aired on PTV, RPN/CNN Philippines, IBC, Radyo Pilipinas 1 and other radio and television stations across the Philippines.[45]

Secretary Andanar delivered the Philippine dignitary statement at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council on February 26 2020 that highlighted the Duterte administration’s policy on media freedom and human rights. “We repeat the call for prudence in assessing claims particularly from sources who have enjoyed the hallowed status of human rights defenders while waging the longest insurgency in Asia and terrorizing communities in the Philippines,” said Secretary Andanar, who is the first Philippine Communications Secretary to speak before the Human Rights Council. [46]

The Duterte Legacy is PCOO's communication campaign showcasing how the lives of Filipinos were impacted and affected by the programs and projects of the Duterte Administration as it provides government services to ensure that the Filipinos' lives become better and healthier. It "centers on the accomplishments of the key three pillars of the president's legacy, which are peace and order, infrastructure and development, and poverty alleviation," according to Secretary Andanar. [47]

News website Vera Files found materials used for the campaign to be misleading, "some of the claims were indeed true, many lacked proper context, while others were either misleading or inaccurate." [48]

The Mindanao Media Hub serves as the government’s main broadcast hub in Regions 10 to 13, delivering tailored content specific to its people and boosting signal in the areas of coverage.

The facility will house the People’s Television, Radyo Pilipinas, News and Information Bureau, Philippine News Agency, the Philippine Information Agency, National Printing Office, Apo Production Unit, and other attached agencies under the PCOO. With this world-class facility, it aims to strengthen its communication services in Mindanao.[49]

The planned establishment of a Government Communications Academy (GCA) in Bukidnon will be devoted to imparting knowledge on effective and strategic public communication as it will house a government TV, a radio center, and has a modern dormitory for personnel.

The GCA is one of the government’s institutional initiatives consistent with the government’s goal of having an enlightened and empowered citizenry to make informed decisions towards improved quality of life and contribute to nation-building.[50]

In January 2021, around 218 congressmen voted in favor of the passage of House Bill 8140 or the proposed Media Workers’ Welfare on its third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

The HB 8140, authored by ACT- CIS Representative Niña Taduran, aims to provide enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers, to which PCOO has been among different agencies who have been pushing for its swift passage in congress.[51]

On Nov 2016, Sen. Koko Pimentel told Andanar "Review your history.", after Andanar referred to Anti-Marcos protesters who opposed the hero's burial of the late dictator as "temperamental brats". Pimentel called the protestors "principled", adding "they come from the poorest sectors of society and therefore, cannot be labeled as "brats. They can never be called brats. These are actually principled positions. So Martin Andanar should review his history,"[55]

Andanar received a Presidential Citation from President Duterte in December 2018 that commended the PCOO's work in the successful chairmanship of the Philippines for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017. The awarding was held at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang Palace. Andanar dedicated the honor for the award to his colleagues at the agency. With him to receive the award was Rhea Cy, Officer-In-Charge of the Planning and Communication Research Division of the Philippine Information Agency.[64]

The Daily Tribune awarded Andanar the Best Media Personality of 2018 in January 2019, recognizing his contribution to promoting the welfare and safety of media workers in the country through the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).[65]

The National Consumers Affairs Foundation (NCAF) recognized Andanar in January 2019 as an outstanding media icon and broadcaster during its People's Choice Awards ceremony, held jointly with the Dangal ng Bayan Awards in Quezon City.[66]

The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) in March 2019 commended Andanar for his "valuable contribution and unfailing assistance to the PACC in the pursuit of its mandate to weed out corruption".[67]

Andanar was recognized as an outstanding Mindanaonon during the 1st Mindanao Governance and Leadership Excellence Awards held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in March 2019, for having significantly improved the People's Television Network (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and Philippine News Agency (PNA) in less than two years.[68]

In August 2019, the Rotary Club of Metro Surigao recognized him as among the outstanding Surigaonons in the field of government service. The Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Award (ROSA) award is the most prestigious award in Surigao del Norte, as it recognizes individuals and institutions that go beyond oneself, create a real difference, and touch the lives of many. In his acceptance speech Andanar said, "There is a volume of grateful emotions that are contained in the words, 'Thank you.' Let me summarize them by acknowledging that the Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Award includes the people I am honored and privileged to serve,"

On September 25, 2019, The Philippine Cancer Society Inc. (PCSI) named Andanar the "Most Effective Communicator" for his support of the organization's cause. The PCSI in 2017 recognized Andanar as among their “men of extraordinary influence.”[69]

On November 29, 2019, Andanar received the Outstanding Alumnus Award for Professional Service in Communication from the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, for his “initiative in media digitalization, making information and news communication reach a wide range people in the country, keeping them updated and aware of developments nationally and internationally."[70]

Andanar, whose commission order was released on May 25, 2020, took his oath as commissioned commander of the Philippine Navy Reserve Force at the Philippine Navy headquarters on October 2, 2020. The commissioning was pursuant to the National Defense Act, which grants military officership rank to presidential appointees as recommended by the Chief of Staff. [71]