Aquino leads 25th Anniversary rites of the Philippine Information Agency

President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the importance of cooperation in the formulation of solutions to the challenges rather than being part of the problem as he urged them to continue supporting the government's various efforts to effect reforms towards achieving sustainable progress and development in the country. In his speech during the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at its main office at the Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, the President cited the relevance of proper information handling and dissemination. "Muli't muli po nating ididiin ang halaga ng ating pagkakaisa sa pakikibahagi sa solusyon, sa halip na dumagdag pa sa problema. Kakambal ng isinusulong nating katarungan sa lahat ng antas ng pamamahala ang pagtataguyod ng pangmatagalang kaunlaran sa ating bansa," the President said. "Patuloy po nating palaganapin ang liwanag ng pagbabago, at patibayin pa ang ating pagkakapit-bisig tungo sa pagkakamit ng tunay na kasaganahan sa ating bayan," he added. The President acknowledged the PIA's role in efforts to ferret out the truth for the benefit of the country and the Filipino people. "Ito (PIA) ang magiging kasangga natin sa paglalabas ng katotohanan hindi paminsan-minsan kundi palagian… at iyon po ang inaasahan natin sa kanila… na talagang mabibigyan ang ating mga kababayan ng tunay at tamang impormasyon sa tamang oras para naman po maka-desisyon ang ating mga mamamayan ng tama parati," President Aquino said. He added that through the PIA, significant data are made known to the people, eventually making them equipped to decide on matters of national interest. The Chief Executive also expressed high hopes that the launching of PIA's newest technological tools in information management would lead to a better and more intelligent citizenry. "Iyan po ang palagay kong buod ng inyong mandato, hindi po magpa-pogi kanino man, kundi para tulungan na mabigyan ng kakayahan at kapangyarihan ang ating mga mamamayan maka-desisyon ng tama sa lahat po ng panahon. Inaasahan ko po na iyan ang mangyayari sa inyong mga bagong pamamaraan," the President said. During the event, President Aquino led in launching the agency's new website, text blast system and art gallery. Witnessing the simple ceremonies are cabinet officials led by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio "Sonny" B. Coloma Jr., Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Environment and Natural resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanuevaa and Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Etta Rosales. Also in attendance were Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, PIA Director General Jose Fabia and Philippine Broadcasting Service Director Tito Cruz, among others. President Aquino also witnessed the turn over of the symbolic discs by Fabia to Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III. The discs contain PIA's collection, which were handed over to the Presidential Museum and Library under the PCDSPO. The New PIA Website (www.pia.gov.ph) is the new face of the Agency in the online microcosm. It is a vast improvement from the previous website as it incorporates an interactive feature allowing real-time feedback mechanism while providing access to timely news and photos around the country, updates on government programs and projects, official pronouncements, and links to other government portals. The PIA Text Blast is a Public-Private Partnership project of the PIA and the National Telecommunications Commission with the major telecom companies. It serves as a platform for sending free short messaging system (SMS) on vital government information to mobile phone users nationwide. Among the SMS that will be sent for free include Presidential pronouncements, information on people's health, updates on government programs, services and news advisories. The PIA Art Gallery provides a venue for budding artists to showcase their outstanding works of art and at the same time, inspire others to promote Filipino culture through different art forms. (jcl/12:58 p.m.)