EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 297 July 25, 1987
REORGANIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the reorganization of the government is mandated expressly in Article II, Section 1 (a), and Article III of the Freedom Constitution;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 5 (1986), it is directed that necessary and proper changes in the organizational and functional structures of the government, its agencies and instrumentalities, be affected in order to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services;
WHEREAS, there exists a vital need to create awareness and inform the public about the actions of government and the national leadership in its task of rebuilding a strong and dynamic nation;
WHEREAS, the national leadership, which has committed itself to the ideals of press freedom, has seen fit not to abdicate its share of voice in the formulation of public opinion;
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the national leadership to provide true and correct information to the public and...
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Executive Orders
Reorganization of the Office of the Press Secretary Prescribing Its Powers and Functions and Other Purposes
Executive Order No. 297
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 297
Summary:
Reorganization of the Office of the Press Secretary
• Declares the Office of the Press Secretary as the primary policy, planning, programming, and coordinating entity for the conduct of an effective information and communication management program that will present the activities, policies, and directions of the Presidency and the Government. (Sec. 3)
• Mandates the Office to formulate and implement an integrated program of information and developmental communication that will present the work of the Presidency, develop public understanding of activities, policies and enhance public trust and support at the national, regional, barrio, and barangay level. (Sec. 4)
• Functions of the Office: (Sec. 5)
- Provide information to the public utilizing all government media services under its control.
- Coordinate the functions of its absorbed offices for providing government with its "share of voice" in the free mass media environment.
- Administer the functions and support services needed to fulfill its responsibilities.
- Develop, propose, and implement necessary policy guidelines and mechanisms pertinent to speaking on behalf of the government and the national leadership.
- Rationalize a viable and manageable government-owned information structure that will provide the government and the national leadership with instantaneous access to the people.
- Develop and manage a feedback mechanism that shall provide the people a venue to contribute to the creation of policies affecting them.
- Organize and maintain field offices where necessary, domestically and internationally, to ensure that government information reaches the intended target audiences.
- Maintain and operate such media facilities as is necessary, to strengthen its capabilities for information delivery through print, broadcast, electronic, and other special media vehicles.
• Structural Organization: The Office shall consist of the Office Proper and Bureaus. (Sec. 6)
• Office Proper: (Sec. 7)
- Office of the Press Secretary
- Offices of the Undersecretaries
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance
- Administrative and Finance
- Administrative Service
- Financial and Management Service
- Media Research and Development Staff
• Functions of the Press Secretary: (Sec. 9)
- Act as the Presidential Spokesman and attend to the information needs of the President.
- Provide information regarding the plans, programs and activities of the President to the public.
- Maintain liaison and close coordination with government departments and agencies involved in preparing and planning the activities of the President.
- Prepare and develop communication programs on the policies, activities, and programs of the Presidency.
- Coordinate with the various media, both local and foreign, in disseminating information regarding the affairs of the Presidency.
- Assume full responsibility for the accomplishment of the Office's objectives and operations.
- Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Office pursuant to the programs of the Government and the President.
- Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement Office objectives, policies and functions.
- Exercise direct supervision and control over all offices and units under the Office.
- Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers and employees under his direction.
- Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or as may be assigned by the President.
• Functions of the Undersecretaries: (Sec. 12)
- Assist the Press Secretary in the formulation and implementation of Office objectives and policies.
- Oversee operational activities of the Office for which he shall be responsible to the Press Secretary.
- Coordinate the programs and projects of the Office, and be responsible for its economical, efficient and effective administration.
- Serve as deputy to the Press Secretary in all matters relating to the operations of the Office.
- Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or as may be directed by the Press Secretary.
• Reorganized and Merged Agencies: (Sec. 13)
- The Bureau of Broadcasts and Radyo Ng Bayan are merged into Bureau of Broadcast Services.
- The Presidential Press Staff, Philippine News Agency and its 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.
• Attached Agencies: (Sec. 14)
- The Presidential Broadcast Staff (RTVM) is created and attached to the Office of the Press Secretary.
- The People's Television 4 and its affiliate stations are attached as separate concerns to the Office of the Press Secretary.
• Bureau of Broadcast Services: (Sec. 15)
- Responsible for providing broadcast information on the activities, policies, and directions of the Government and the Presidency, through the use of broadcast media throughout the country.
- Headed by a Broadcast Network Manager and assisted by an Assistant Broadcast Network Manager.
- Divisions: Engineering, Radio News, and Production.
- Functions include providing nationwide broadcasting services, broadcast programming designed to preserve and promote the national heritage and culture, advanced educational goals, and support the thrusts and goals of the Presidency and the government, improving programming and dissemination capabilities, providing auxiliary services to private broadcast stations, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• News and Information Bureau: (Sec. 16)
- Responsible for providing efficient, effective, productive, and economical services relating to the development and formulation of a domestic and foreign information program for the Government and the Presidency, including the development of strategies for the dissemination of information on specific government programs.
- Headed by a Director and assisted by an Assistant Director.
- Consists of: Presidential Press Staff, Media Accreditation and Relations Division, and the Philippine News Agency.
- Functions include formulating, developing, and implementing a national information program for the Government and the Presidency, formulating, developing and implementing an overseas information program, establishing liaison with domestic and foreign press, establishing and maintaining a system of accreditation for local and foreign members of media, making arrangements for Presidential press and broadcast coverages and conferences, providing services relative to day-to-day and special information and communication requirements of the Government and the Presidency, providing daily news services to both local and foreign publics, producing and distributing information materials, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• Bureau of Communications Services: (Sec. 17)
- Responsible for the development of communication services, and for providing services relating to policy formulation, communication planning, project development, research and evaluation, and the coordination of information planning within the framework of the over-all thrusts and priorities of the national development plan.
- Consists of: Planning Division, Special Operations Division and Special Production Division.
- Functions include developing and conducting a public information program that will enhance awareness to and secure positive public acceptance and support of the programs and activities of the Government and the Presidency, coordinating information dissemination programs and projects including campaigns directed at the bureau's specific target publics, supervising the over-all conceptualization and production of special publications and audio-visual information/communication materials for the Government and the Presidency, supervising the conceptualization, production, printing and dissemination of all information/communication materials and publications in support of the activities of the Government and the Presidency, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• Transitory Measures: (Sec. 18)
- The Bureau of Broadcast Services and the Philippine News Agency are authorized to sell their services at rates not less than those offered by comparable private firms, with income realized to be deposited with the National Treasury and accrue to the General Fund, and to be used to upgrade and update facilities, equipment and services, and to augment maintenance and other operating expenses for network operations, upon submission of a special budget subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.
- In case of merger or consolidation of government units, the new or surviving unit shall exercise the functions, acquire the appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, liabilities, if any, and personnel, as may be necessary.
- Personnel shall continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity, unless their position is not included in the new position structure and staffing pattern or they are not reappointed, in which case they shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided.
• Position Structure and Staffing Pattern: (Sec. 19)
- The new position structure and staffing pattern of the Office shall be approved and prescribed by the Secretary within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Executive Order.
- Authorized positions created shall be filled with regular appointments.
- Incumbents whose positions are not included or who are not reappointed shall be deemed separated from the service and shall receive retirement benefits or the equivalent of one month basic salary for every year of service in the government, or fraction thereof, computed on the basis of the highest salary received, but in no case shall such payment exceed the equivalent of twelve (12) months salary.
• Periodic Performance Evaluation: (Sec. 20)
- The Office is required to formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and objectively the performance of the Office and submit the same annually to the President.
• Prohibition Against Change: (Sec. 21)
- No change in the reorganization herein prescribed shall be valid except upon prior approval of the President for the purpose of promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.
• Funding: (Sec. 22)
- Funds needed to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be taken from funds available in the Office, provided that no funds shall be allocated for People's Television 4 and its affiliate stations.
• Implementing Authority of the Secretary: (Sec. 23)
- The Secretary shall issue such rules, regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.
• Separability: (Sec. 24)
- Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
• Repealing Clause: (Sec. 25)
- All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts hereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
• Effectivity: (Sec. 26)
- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Summary:
Reorganization of the Office of the Press Secretary
• Declares the Office of the Press Secretary as the primary policy, planning, programming, and coordinating entity for the conduct of an effective information and communication management program that will present the activities, policies, and directions of the Presidency and the Government. (Sec. 3)
• Mandates the Office to formulate and implement an integrated program of information and developmental communication that will present the work of the Presidency, develop public understanding of activities, policies and enhance public trust and support at the national, regional, barrio, and barangay level. (Sec. 4)
• Functions of the Office: (Sec. 5)
- Provide information to the public utilizing all government media services under its control.
- Coordinate the functions of its absorbed offices for providing government with its "share of voice" in the free mass media environment.
- Administer the functions and support services needed to fulfill its responsibilities.
- Develop, propose, and implement necessary policy guidelines and mechanisms pertinent to speaking on behalf of the government and the national leadership.
- Rationalize a viable and manageable government-owned information structure that will provide the government and the national leadership with instantaneous access to the people.
- Develop and manage a feedback mechanism that shall provide the people a venue to contribute to the creation of policies affecting them.
- Organize and maintain field offices where necessary, domestically and internationally, to ensure that government information reaches the intended target audiences.
- Maintain and operate such media facilities as is necessary, to strengthen its capabilities for information delivery through print, broadcast, electronic, and other special media vehicles.
• Structural Organization: The Office shall consist of the Office Proper and Bureaus. (Sec. 6)
• Office Proper: (Sec. 7)
- Office of the Press Secretary
- Offices of the Undersecretaries
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance
- Administrative and Finance
- Administrative Service
- Financial and Management Service
- Media Research and Development Staff
• Functions of the Press Secretary: (Sec. 9)
- Act as the Presidential Spokesman and attend to the information needs of the President.
- Provide information regarding the plans, programs and activities of the President to the public.
- Maintain liaison and close coordination with government departments and agencies involved in preparing and planning the activities of the President.
- Prepare and develop communication programs on the policies, activities, and programs of the Presidency.
- Coordinate with the various media, both local and foreign, in disseminating information regarding the affairs of the Presidency.
- Assume full responsibility for the accomplishment of the Office's objectives and operations.
- Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Office pursuant to the programs of the Government and the President.
- Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement Office objectives, policies and functions.
- Exercise direct supervision and control over all offices and units under the Office.
- Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers and employees under his direction.
- Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or as may be assigned by the President.
• Functions of the Undersecretaries: (Sec. 12)
- Assist the Press Secretary in the formulation and implementation of Office objectives and policies.
- Oversee operational activities of the Office for which he shall be responsible to the Press Secretary.
- Coordinate the programs and projects of the Office, and be responsible for its economical, efficient and effective administration.
- Serve as deputy to the Press Secretary in all matters relating to the operations of the Office.
- Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or as may be directed by the Press Secretary.
• Reorganized and Merged Agencies: (Sec. 13)
- The Bureau of Broadcasts and Radyo Ng Bayan are merged into Bureau of Broadcast Services.
- The Presidential Press Staff, Philippine News Agency and its 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.
• Attached Agencies: (Sec. 14)
- The Presidential Broadcast Staff (RTVM) is created and attached to the Office of the Press Secretary.
- The People's Television 4 and its affiliate stations are attached as separate concerns to the Office of the Press Secretary.
• Bureau of Broadcast Services: (Sec. 15)
- Responsible for providing broadcast information on the activities, policies, and directions of the Government and the Presidency, through the use of broadcast media throughout the country.
- Headed by a Broadcast Network Manager and assisted by an Assistant Broadcast Network Manager.
- Divisions: Engineering, Radio News, and Production.
- Functions include providing nationwide broadcasting services, broadcast programming designed to preserve and promote the national heritage and culture, advanced educational goals, and support the thrusts and goals of the Presidency and the government, improving programming and dissemination capabilities, providing auxiliary services to private broadcast stations, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• News and Information Bureau: (Sec. 16)
- Responsible for providing efficient, effective, productive, and economical services relating to the development and formulation of a domestic and foreign information program for the Government and the Presidency, including the development of strategies for the dissemination of information on specific government programs.
- Headed by a Director and assisted by an Assistant Director.
- Consists of: Presidential Press Staff, Media Accreditation and Relations Division, and the Philippine News Agency.
- Functions include formulating, developing, and implementing a national information program for the Government and the Presidency, formulating, developing and implementing an overseas information program, establishing liaison with domestic and foreign press, establishing and maintaining a system of accreditation for local and foreign members of media, making arrangements for Presidential press and broadcast coverages and conferences, providing services relative to day-to-day and special information and communication requirements of the Government and the Presidency, providing daily news services to both local and foreign publics, producing and distributing information materials, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• Bureau of Communications Services: (Sec. 17)
- Responsible for the development of communication services, and for providing services relating to policy formulation, communication planning, project development, research and evaluation, and the coordination of information planning within the framework of the over-all thrusts and priorities of the national development plan.
- Consists of: Planning Division, Special Operations Division and Special Production Division.
- Functions include developing and conducting a public information program that will enhance awareness to and secure positive public acceptance and support of the programs and activities of the Government and the Presidency, coordinating information dissemination programs and projects including campaigns directed at the bureau's specific target publics, supervising the over-all conceptualization and production of special publications and audio-visual information/communication materials for the Government and the Presidency, supervising the conceptualization, production, printing and dissemination of all information/communication materials and publications in support of the activities of the Government and the Presidency, and performing other functions as provided by law.
• Transitory Measures: (Sec. 18)
- The Bureau of Broadcast Services and the Philippine News Agency are authorized to sell their services at rates not less than those offered by comparable private firms, with income realized to be deposited with the National Treasury and accrue to the General Fund, and to be used to upgrade and update facilities, equipment and services, and to augment maintenance and other operating expenses for network operations, upon submission of a special budget subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.
- In case of merger or consolidation of government units, the new or surviving unit shall exercise the functions, acquire the appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, liabilities, if any, and personnel, as may be necessary.
- Personnel shall continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity, unless their position is not included in the new position structure and staffing pattern or they are not reappointed, in which case they shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided.
• Position Structure and Staffing Pattern: (Sec. 19)
- The new position structure and staffing pattern of the Office shall be approved and prescribed by the Secretary within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Executive Order.
- Authorized positions created shall be filled with regular appointments.
- Incumbents whose positions are not included or who are not reappointed shall be deemed separated from the service and shall receive retirement benefits or the equivalent of one month basic salary for every year of service in the government, or fraction thereof, computed on the basis of the highest salary received, but in no case shall such payment exceed the equivalent of twelve (12) months salary.
• Periodic Performance Evaluation: (Sec. 20)
- The Office is required to formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and objectively the performance of the Office and submit the same annually to the President.
• Prohibition Against Change: (Sec. 21)
- No change in the reorganization herein prescribed shall be valid except upon prior approval of the President for the purpose of promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.
• Funding: (Sec. 22)
- Funds needed to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be taken from funds available in the Office, provided that no funds shall be allocated for People's Television 4 and its affiliate stations.
• Implementing Authority of the Secretary: (Sec. 23)
- The Secretary shall issue such rules, regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.
• Separability: (Sec. 24)
- Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
• Repealing Clause: (Sec. 25)
- All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts hereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
• Effectivity: (Sec. 26)
- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.