PGMA orders all government agencies to lead actively in information dissemination

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered all Cabinet members and their respective agencies to lead actively in the information dissemination on the different government achievements, programs and projects that improve the lives of the Filipino people.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in his message at the Communications Planning Workshop held today at Bahay Pangarap in Malacanang Park, said the President issued the order in view of the need to inform the people of the "effective socio-economic reforms, enhanced pro-poor programs and evident economic gains," specifically those achieved under the administration’s Medium-Term Development Plan and the 10-point Legacy Agenda.

Ermita bewailed that although the "government has a treasure chest of good news that it has been trying to tell our people," such messages about what the administration "has done and is doing" are drowned by the political noises.

"Instead of applause, we get survey results that speak of people dissatisfaction towards government, all because of media’s penchant for what sells—politicking, political personalities and political controversies," Ermita said.

"It is sad that government performance is measured in terms of relational surveys and ratings," he deplored.

"Many are led to believe that government performance is hinged on whether 50 percent of our people trust the President….Thus, we have seen how the President’s low popularity ratings overshadow the more important thing that matters—that our President and our government, despite the challenges facing them, have actually delivered on their promise," Ermita said.

According to Ermita, the President has thought it is now time to turn the tables around by effectively informing the public on the government’s milestones and achievements.

To achieve this goal, he said the President’s instructions called on "all Cabinet members and their respective agencies to actively lead in stepping up the dissemination to the citizenry of effective socio-economic reforms, enhanced pro-poor programs and evident economic gains, specifically those brought under the Medium-Term Development Plan and the 10-Point Legacy Agenda."

All Cabinet members were also instructed to continue to hold press conferences and visit state universities and colleges to inform the people including students and teachers, on the economic gains the government has so far achieved.

To effectively pursue a communication plan, Ermita said two aspects must be stressed: good governance is the main theme to be projected, and that the theme has to be properly communicated through effective channels.