PCOO Holds Press Freedom Caravan in Hong Kong

Consul General Antonio A. Morales delivered the welcome remarks on the first day of Press Freedom Caravan on 28 April 2019, with Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary George A. Apacible (farmost). (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 10 May 2019 — The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) held a Press Freedom Caravan in Hong Kong through forums held on 28-29 April 2019 for Filipino community leaders and international media.

The purpose of the Caravan is to provide the public and the media with information on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program of the government, the accomplishments of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) toward ensuring the safety of media professionals, the accomplishments of and the vision for the PCOO, and the other important government plans and programs.

The Caravan was led by PTFOMS Undersecretary Jose Joel M. Sy Egco and PCOO Undersecretary George A. Apacible. Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Antonio A. Morales provided full support to the Caravan as a Speaker in both the events for the Filipino community and for the media.

More than 100 Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong took part in the forum organized by the PCOO, which was the largest participation that the Press Freedom Caravan has seen abroad.

During the forum intended for the media in Hong Kong, the major print and broadcast media that report on issues concerning OFWs in Hong Kong were represented, such as the South China Morning Post, The Sun Hong Kong, GMA News and UNTV.

The forums showcased the FOI Program as a means to promote a more transparent, accountable and inclusive government. The speakers encouraged the public to be more involved and more participatory in issues affecting the country.

Usec. Egco discussed the mechanisms to protect media practitioners from violence. Among the accomplishments of the Task Force is having the Philippines delisted in the Reporters Without Borders’ list of the most dangerous countries for journalists, as well as real situations that saved the lives of endangered media practitioners and resolved the cases of media practitioners who were victims of violence.

Another important contribution of PTFOMS to the security of media practitioners is the publication of the “Handbook on Personal Security Measures for Media Practitioners.”

PCOO has also overseen significant improvements since the beginning of the current administration, particularly the revival of the Philippine News Agency, the upgrading of equipment and capacities of the Philippine Broadcasting Service and PTV4, and the modernization of the Malacaňang Press Briefing Room. APO Production Unit, an attached agency of PCOO, is also undertaking the printing of high-quality passports.

PCOO has also recently launched its Global Media Affairs Office to disseminate information to OFWs abroad.

The Press Freedom Caravan was well-received by the Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong as well as by the media who participated in the two separate forums under the Caravan. END

Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Consulate General officials during the first day of the Press Freedom Caravan. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Large group of participants representing various Filipino Community organizations in Hong Kong during first day of Press Freedom Caravan. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Seated from left are Consul Sheila Monedero-Arnesto, PCOO Assistant Secretary. Kristian R. Ablan, PCOO Undersecretary George A. Apacible, Consul General Antonio A. Morales, PTFoMS Undersecretary Jose Joel M. Sy Egco and Consul Roderico C. Atienza. Standing at the back are the local and international media representatives in Hong Kong, Consulate personnel and guest participants. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.