Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan has pledged to advocate for a significant budget increase for the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and its attached agencies, including PTV-4, in the upcoming 2027 national budget.
Yamsuan emphasized that adequate funding is crucial for the PCO to effectively inform the public about government programs and services, especially given the rapid spread of information and misinformation on social media platforms.
This commitment comes as PCO Secretary Dave Gomez revealed a proposed 2027 budget of only ₱2.62 billion for the PCO and its attached agencies, representing a 6.68% reduction compared to the 2026 proposal.
PTV-4, a key government media outlet, faces a drastic cut with only ₱138.34 million allocated, a substantial decrease from its original budget proposal of ₱1.7 billion, which could severely hamper its operational capabilities and content production.
Meanwhile, IBC-13 received no budget allocation as it is currently under consideration for privatization, a long-standing government initiative aimed at divesting from financially struggling state-owned media assets.
New PTV-4 General Manager Lino Cayetano has publicly appealed for the restoration of the network’s original budget, underscoring PTV-4’s vital role in public information dissemination and the inherent costs associated with creating and distributing content, even on social media.
As a member of the House Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee, Rep. Yamsuan affirmed his dedication to not only restoring the proposed budget cuts but also securing additional funding for both the PCO and PTV-4 to strengthen their public service mandate.
The PCO, as the primary communication arm of the Philippine government, plays a critical role in promoting transparency, combating disinformation, and ensuring citizens are well-informed about national policies and developments, making robust funding essential for its mission in the digital age.