oa
Republic ofthe Philippines /-” RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f/=2" «70 6 MAR
Quezon City TOME.

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7322

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANE’

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XVI Section 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides, “The State shall provide
the policy environment for the full development of Filipino capability and the emergence of
communication structures suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of
information into, out of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects the freedom
of speech and of the press.”

‘The Presidential Communication Operations Office (“PCOO”) is the “lead communications
arm of the Government and a vehicle of understanding for a well-informed and enlightened citizenry,
proud of its heritage and attuned to global realities.”' Its missions include serving as the primary
vehicle for consciousness-raising, constituency-building, and social mobilization in support of the
policies, programs, and projects of the Presidency as well as serving as a tool for informing,
educating, enlightening the citizenry about matters of national importance for inspiring the citizenry
to deepen their civic engagement.”

However, the PCOO has been struggling to attain its missions. This struggle is partly due to
the lack of presence in other parts of the country. As it stands today, the PCOO only has a one office
and this office is tasked to disseminate government programs to the country’s 7,107 islands. Certainly,
8 communications office that has no arms to spread information is destined to fail. Thus, each
government agency spends a lot of money in information campaigns when it could have very well
bbeen the function and expertise of the PCOO.

This bill secks to establish regional and provincial satellite offices for the PCOO. By creating
satellite offices, government agencies no longer need to spend on information campaigns, as all
information that needs to be disseminated to the public shall be streamlines and process by the
satellite offices. With this streamlined system, all communications will be transmitted to the public in
an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Hence, the passage of this law is urgently sought.

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANE’
resentative
Third District, Province of Masbate

.D.

1 See https://pcoo.gov.ph/about/
2 Ibid.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._'73822

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH SATELLITE OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENTAL
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS OFFICE, ESTABLISING A MECHANISM
‘THEREFOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Presidential Communications Operations
Satellite Offices Act.”

See. 2. Declaration of Policy. Itis the policy of the State to provide the policy environment
for the full development of Filipino capability and the emergence of communication
structures suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of
information into, out of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects the
freedom of speech and of the press.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Satellite Offices - It shall be established in every region and province
a Presidential Communications Operations (“PCOO”) Satellite Office.

These PCOO satellite offices shall be under the control and supervision of the PCOO. All
government agencies including government owned and/or controlled corporations shall
course thru their information campaigns with the PCOO satellite offices and shall be
prohibited from conducting their own campaigns without the prior written approval of the
PCOO.

See. 4. Implementing Agency. ~The Office of the President shall ensure the implementation
and enforcement of this Act.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Office of the President shall have the power
to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement
the objectives and purposes of this Act within one (1) year from the approval hereof.

See. 6. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional
or invalid, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.


See. 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

See. 8. Appropriation. The funds necessary for the establishment of the satellite offices shall
be sourced from the General Appropriations Act

Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved