Wants to bring gov't media back to its 'glory days'

MANILA - Incoming Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he hopes to bring back government media to its glory days.

Speaking on DZMM, Andanar, a broadcast journalist, said he plans to improve government stations to bring it up to par with other countries' public broadcasting services.

"Sayang naman kasi. If you check out UK, may BBC [British Broadcasting Corp.]. Merong CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corp.] sa Canada, may PBS [Public Broadcasting Service] sa Amerika, may ABC [Australian Broadcasting Corp.] sa Australia, at ang gaganda ng kanilang public broadcasting service eh. Bakit tayo hindi? Bakit tayo, bulok?" he said.

He added that the glory days of People's Television Network (PTV-4) was when it was at par with local commercial broadcasting stations way back in the 1980s.

For Andanar, it is important that the charter of PTV-4 be properly implemented, and for the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to be free from corruption.

"Actually, kung titingnan mo 'yung charter ng Channel 4, Channel 4 operates independently and it should be self-sustaining. Ang gusto natin lamang ay masunod 'yun. Wala namang problema, 'yung polisiya naman nandiyan na eh, it's just the implementation, it's just the political will to do it. It's really just the dedication to work, and work without corruption, 'yun lang naman eh. Ang problema kasi, maraming nakawang nangyayari," he said.

SELL IBC 13

He also hopes to be able to sell Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) at a higher price, so the proceeds can be used to pay off its debts, as well as for other purposes.

"Ang problema kasi sa IBC 13, marami rin itong utang sa mga empleyado eh, mga backpays din na halos umaabot na sa P800 million. 'Yung value kasi ng IBC 13, if we sell it today ay nasa P3 billion lang and it's very cheap considering that it's the last television franchise na pwedeng ibenta," Andanar said.

Will he be able to handle the top Palace communications post?

"Yes. Ang hindi kasi alam ng mga kababayan natin, matagal na ako sa man com [management committee] ni Ma'am Luchi Cruz-Valdez [of TV5], kasama tayo sa news management, and apart from that, marami tayong mga projects, mga initiatives in the private sector. So matagal na rin tayo sa management and we do have, sabihin na natin, extensive experience in management and I would say, siguro I'm prepared when it comes with my background, my education," Andanar said.

"The entire bureaucracy already has a skeletal force so I guess the most important thing is political will and understanding how it runs and getting the right people inside our bus. I've hired the best, boldest, brightest lawyers and management experts. Palagay ko naman, kayang kaya," he added.