QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 297)
EO No. 297 cites the Freedom Constitution (Art. II, Sec. 1[a] and Art. III) and the continuity of reorganization even after ratification (Art. XVIII, Sec. 16 of the 1987 Constitution). It also relies on EO No. 5 (1986) directing necessary organizational and functional changes to promote efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery, and it emphasizes the need to create public awareness and provide accurate government information.
It declares the Office as the primary policy, planning, programming, and coordinating entity for an integrated information and communication management program presenting the activities, policies, and directions of the Presidency and the Government.
They include formulating and implementing an integrated program of information and developmental communication to present the work of the Presidency, develop public understanding of activities and policies, and enhance public trust and support at national, regional, barrio, and barangay levels.
Examples include: providing information using government media services under its control; coordinating absorbed offices to provide government’s “share of voice” in mass media; administering functions and support services; developing and proposing policy guidelines for speaking on behalf of government and national leadership; rationalizing a viable government-owned information structure; developing and managing a feedback mechanism; maintaining field offices; and maintaining and operating media facilities for print, broadcast, electronic, and other special media.
Aside from the Office Proper, it consists of Bureaus.
Office of the Press Secretary; Offices of the Undersecretaries; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance; Administrative Service; Financial and Management Service; and Media Research and Development Staff.
The Press Secretary has the rank of a Cabinet member with appurtenant rights and privileges and is appointed by the President.
Key functions include acting as Presidential Spokesman and attending to the President’s information needs; providing public information on presidential plans/programs/activities; maintaining liaison with government departments involved in presidential activities; preparing communication programs; coordinating with local and foreign media; assuming full responsibility for office objectives and operations; establishing office policies/standards and promulgating implementing rules; exercising direct supervision and control; delegating authority; and performing other functions assigned by law or the President.
Two (2) Undersecretaries are provided. They are appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Press Secretary, and their respective functional areas are determined by the Press Secretary.
They assist the Press Secretary in formulation/implementation of objectives and policies; oversee operational activities assigned to them; coordinate programs/projects and ensure economical, efficient, and effective administration; serve as deputy to the Press Secretary in matters relating to office operations; and perform other functions provided by law or directed by the Press Secretary.
The Bureau of Broadcasts and Radyo Ng Bayan are merged into the Bureau of Broadcast Services. The Presidential Press Staff and related sub-offices (including the Philippine News Agency national offices and the International Press Center) are merged into the News and Information Bureau. The Bureau of National and Foreign Information is reorganized and renamed as the Bureau of Communications Services.
It provides attachment arrangements: the Presidential Broadcast Staff (RTVM) is attached to the Office of the Press Secretary, and People’s Television 4 and its affiliate stations are attached as separate concerns to the Office.
The Bureau of Broadcast Services focuses on broadcast information delivery through broadcast media nationwide (including radio news, engineering, production) primarily for government/presidency information needs, especially underserved areas, and programming supporting heritage/culture and government thrusts. The News and Information Bureau focuses on domestic and foreign information programs and strategies, press liaison and accreditation, press coverage arrangements, and daily news/wire services, plus production/distribution of informational materials.
The Bureau of Broadcast Services and the Philippine News Agency are authorized to sell their services at rates not less than comparable private firms. Income must be deposited to the National Treasury and accrue to the General Fund. Income may be used to upgrade facilities/equipment and augment maintenance/operating expenses upon submission of a special budget approved by DBM.
The new or surviving unit exercises functions (subject to the reorganization and relevant laws/rules), and acquires appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, rights/assets, and liabilities (if any). Personnel continue in hold-over capacity with corresponding salaries/benefits, except those whose positions are not included in the new structure/staffing pattern and who are not reappointed—who are deemed separated and entitled to benefits provided by Section 19’s framework.
Incumbents continue in hold-over capacity unless separated. The Secretary must approve the new position structure and staffing pattern within 120 days; authorized positions filled through regular appointments. Those not included or not reappointed are deemed separated and may receive retirement benefits under existing laws; otherwise they receive a separation payment equivalent to one month basic salary per year of service (or fraction), based on highest salary received, capped at 12 months.
The Office must formulate and enforce a system to measure and evaluate performance periodically and objectively, then submit the evaluation annually to the President.
Section 21 requires prior Presidential approval for any change in the reorganization (valid only to promote efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery). Section 22 provides that funds come from those available in the Office, but no funds shall be allocated for People’s Television 4 and its affiliate stations.
Section 26 states it takes effect immediately. Section 24 provides separability: if a portion/provision is declared unconstitutional, the remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect, as long as they are capable of enforcement without the unconstitutional part.