Parañaque City 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan has committed to advocating for an increased 2027 budget for the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and its attached agencies, including state broadcaster People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV-4).
Speaking at a budget hearing on Thursday, Yamsuan stressed that the government must modernize its communication strategy to keep pace with the digital landscape.
“In this age of social media, where news and information reach the people in seconds across various online platforms, the government needs to adjust,” Yamsuan said.
“It should take this opportunity provided by social media by arming the PCO and its attached agencies with enough resources to do its job of effectively connecting the government to the public,” he added.
“Communication is key. Tulad nga ng sinabi ng mga kapwa kong mambabatas dito, maraming magagandang programa ang gobyerno , pero hindi alam ng karamihan ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ang mga ito at kung paano sila makikinabang dito,” Yamsuan explained.
Under the proposed ₱7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027, the PCO family was allocated ₱2.62 billion—a reduction from its ₱2.81-billion allocation this year.
Communications Secretary Dave Gomez revealed that the PCO’s core office was allotted ₱784.54 million, significantly lower than its ₱1.26-billion proposal submitted to the Department of Budget and Management.
Additionally, PTV-4 received ₱138.34 million, while IBC-13 was given no funding due to pending privatization plans.
Newly appointed PTV-4 General Manager Lino Cayetano appealed to lawmakers to restore the network’s requested funding, highlighting the high costs of digital media creation.
“But contrary to the common perception, social media is not free. Distribution is cheaper compared to installing TV towers and antennas, but production is more expensive because you have to generate content on a regular basis,” Cayetano noted.
“This is not PR (public relations) for the executive branch. This is for the Filipino people so that they can understand the programs of the government and how they can benefit from them,” Cayetano emphasized.
Yamsuan, who serves as vice chair of the House committee on public information and is a member of the budget amendments and review subcommittee, pledged alongside Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong to seek both the restoration and expansion of the PCO’s funding.
“I concur with my colleague, Representative Adiong, on his steadfast commitment to restore the PCO’s budget. Not only that, as a member of the BARSc, I will also work for the increase of the PCO’s budget,” Yamsuan declared.
Gomez confirmed that the PCO will submit its original budget proposal and funding justifications to the House committee for review.