MANILA, Philippines — Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Ramon “RJ” Jacinto has been chosen to lead the digitalization of the government’s broadcast entities and entertainment industry.
In a statement, DICT said Jacinto was appointed as undersecretary for government digital broadcast television and the digitization of the entertainment industry sector.
According to the agency, Jacinto is tasked to assist government-owned and controlled television broadcasting entities, the Presidential Communications Operations Office, and the Department of Education (DepEd) in broadcasting basic education content.
DepEd will undertake a blended approach for the coming school year in which various distance learning modalities will address distancing protocols and ensure the protection of learners and teachers.
The DICT is closely working with DepEd and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in ensuring the education sector’s access to broadcast, connectivity and digital security in the upcoming school year 2020 to 2021.
Jacinto said he is in talks with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) regarding the government’s initiative to utilize broadcast resources for the continuance of education.
Jacinto earlier said he has reached out to the KBP for the use of TV and radio stations to supplement modular learning.
The DICT, in a letter last July 29, directed the NTC to provide information, technical support, and assistance necessary to implement President Duterte’s directive to ensure provision of uninterrupted quality education by utilizing available broadcast frequencies using the broadcast facilities of the People’s Television Network (PTV-4).
The NTC on Aug. 13 responded to the DICT and submitted the list of radio and TV stations of PTV-4 and the Philippine Broadcast Service.
The DICT said the NTC also provided a technical framework to implement PTV-4’s use of available broadcast frequencies to deliver educational content from DepEd to the different parts of the country.
Last June, the DICT also issued a formal request to the NTC to secure the cooperation of broadcast stations, channels, and cable television providers in allocating broadcast hours for DepEd learning and instructional materials free of charge as part of the basic learning continuity plan.
In response, the NTC released a memorandum directing radio and TV broadcast networks and operators to assist DepEd in ensuring continuity of providing quality education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aside from leading the push for education through broadcast, Jacinto was also put in-charge of assisting the Philippine entertainment industry toward digitalization.
He is tasked to coordinate and collaborate with various entertainment industry organizations, as well the public and private sector institutions involved in the country’s entertainment industry.
Jacinto, a musician and broadcaster, served as presidential adviser on economic affairs and information technology communications prior to his appointment as DICT undersecretary in May.