Title
Reorganizing the Presidential Communications Office
Law
Executive Order No. 16
Decision Date
May 9, 1986
Executive Order No. 16 reorganizes the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in the Philippines, dividing it into five functional areas and granting the PCO Secretary the authority to reassign responsibilities and reorganize the structure, while also attaching certain communication agencies to the PCO and outlining the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and funding for the PCO.
reorganization
functional areas
staffing pattern
A

Legal basis and prior reorganization

  • Section 1 grounds the reorganization on Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution, which vests in the President control over executive departments, bureaus, and offices.
  • The continuing authority to reorganize the OP is anchored on Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), providing authority for simplicity, economy, and efficiency.
  • The order recognizes Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2022) as reorganizing communications agencies and offices to rationalize and consolidate communications arms of the Administration.
  • The order recognizes Executive Order No. 11 (s. 2022) as renaming the Office of the Press Secretary as the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and placing it under the President’s direct control and supervision.
  • Section 12 provides that EO No. 16 amends or modifies relevant provisions of EO No. 2 (s. 2022).

Policy purpose and institutional role

  • The PCO serves as the primary office of the Executive branch for engaging and involving the citizenry and the mass media in enriching public discourse on governance.
  • The PCO is responsible for crafting, formulating, developing, enhancing, and coordinating the messaging system of the Executive branch and the Office of the President (OP).
  • The reorganization ensures rationalization of the PCO’s organizational structure, functions, and staffing pattern to promote efficiency and responsiveness in delivering critical mandates.
  • The President’s control and supervision over executive functions are exercised through the organizational setup established in this Order.

Structure, leadership, and oversight powers

  • The PCO is headed by a Secretary under Section 1 and Section 2.
  • The PCO Secretary exercises overall control and supervision of the PCO.
  • The PCO Secretary is assisted by five (5) Undersecretaries and fourteen (14) Assistant Secretaries, with one (1) Assistant Secretary directly reporting to the PCO Secretary.
  • The PCO Secretary is authorized to continuously assess and evaluate and, based on that assessment, to transfer, delineate, reassign, or reorganize functional areas of responsibility among Undersecretaries and/or Assistant Secretaries as deemed necessary.
  • The Secretary and the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications must closely coordinate on communications and information dissemination and on developing and enhancing the Executive branch and OP messaging system.

Functional areas and their operating units

  • The five Undersecretaries are assigned to the following functional areas of responsibility under Section 2:
    • Traditional Media and External Affairs
    • Digital Media Services
    • Content Production
    • Broadcast Production
    • Operations, Administration and Finance
  • The Undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs is responsible for formulating and implementing messaging directives and ensuring efficient delivery of essential communication and messaging services through various industry assets.
  • The Undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs is assisted by five (5) Assistant Secretaries for Radio, Print, Television, External Affairs, and Media Accreditation and Relations, respectively.
  • The Undersecretary for Digital Media Services formulates and implements programs and policies on the responsible and efficient use of digital media assets and communication tools.
  • The Undersecretary for Digital Media Services is assisted by two (2) Assistant Secretaries: (1) for Digital Media and Communications and (1) for Digital Assets Management.
  • The Undersecretary for Content Production provides close-in coverage of the President’s official activities and manages and utilizes related data.
  • The Undersecretary for Content Production is assisted by one (1) Assistant Secretary.
  • The Undersecretary for Broadcast Production manages and organizes live productions for broadcast.
  • The Undersecretary for Broadcast Production is assisted by one (1) Assistant Secretary.

Operations, administration, finance, and attached agencies

  • The Undersecretary for Operations, Administration and Finance delivers essential administrative and financial services that support the PCO’s core mandates.
  • This Undersecretary is assisted by four (4) Assistant Secretaries in charge of GOCCs, Finance, Administration, and Operations, respectively.
  • The People’s Television Network, Inc., APO Production Unit, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, and National Printing Office are attached to the PCO.
  • The PCO exercises administrative supervision over the attached agencies.
  • The Assistant Secretary for GOCCs supervises, coordinates, and monitors the attached agencies’ activities; oversees compliance with their core mandates; evaluates performance; and recommends changes to structure and operations if necessary to ensure quality public service.

Communication agencies under PCO control

  • The following communication agencies are under the direct control and supervision of the PCO under Section 8:
    • Presidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services
    • Bureau of Communications Services
    • News and Information Bureau
    • Freedom of Information-Program Management Office
    • Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
    • Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang
  • The PIA continues to be headed by a Director-General with the rank of an Undersecretary.
  • The PIA is supported by four (4) Deputy Directors-General with the rank, salary and emoluments of an Assistant Secretary.
  • The PIA is supported by four (4) Assistant Directors-General with the rank, salary and emoluments of a Director IV.
  • The PCO Secretary, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Career Executive Service (CES) Board, may recommend qualification standards for PIA positions in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
  • PIA divisions and regional offices are each headed by a Director II, appointed by the Director-General, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.
  • The Deputy Directors-General and Assistant Directors-General are each entitled to their respective support staff.

Reorganization of PCO units and staffing approvals

  • All existing divisions and units of the PCO must be reorganized consistent with the functional areas established in this Order.
  • The PCO Secretary, in coordination with the DBM, may recommend abolition of redundant positions, divisions, and units, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.
  • Affected PCO personnel are allowed to avail of benefits under existing laws, if applicable.
  • The DBM must release necessary funds for benefits of eligible employees.
  • The PCO Secretary determines the appropriate staffing pattern and corresponding qualification standards for positions under the new structure.
  • The PCO must submit to the DBM, for review and approval, a revised organizational structure and staffing pattern consistent with this Order and subject to compliance with relevant laws, rules and regulations.

Funding and budgeting

  • Implementation funds are charged to the available appropriations of the PCO, subject to relevant budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.
  • Subsequent funding requirements are included in the PCO’s budget proposal under the usual budget preparation process.

Separability, repeal, and modifications

  • Section 11 provides separability: if any section or part is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions remain in full force and effect.
  • Section 12 provides that EO No. 16 amends or modifies relevant provisions of EO No. 2 (s. 2022).
  • EO No. 16 repeals or modifies any inconsistent issuances, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof, accordingly.

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