Province inaugurates PIO bldg

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Government of Cebu formally inaugurated the new Provincial Information Office (PIO) building that will house all media arms run by the Capitol.

Yesterday, administrators of the PIO, Provincial Board Members Miguel Antonio Magpale and Arleigh Sitoy led the inauguration of the 2-story building located within the Capitol grounds.

Magpale,  chairman for the committee on arts and culture, said that the “rebirth” of the PIO is in line with “the responsibility of the government to keep the people abreast with relevant information such as the programs and different projects implemented for them.”

Two weeks ago, the Province launched “Cebu TV Ato ni”, the Capitol-run TV channel that replaced Sugbo TV which airs on Skycable Channel 31.

The Province also released the maiden issue for “Cebu monthly,” the official publication of the Provincial Government that replaced Sugbo News publication. Both defunct Capitol-run media arms were established by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

After requesting for the audit of the Province’s coffers, Acting Governor Agnes Magpale ordered for the halt of Sugbo TV, Sugbo news and all province-run radio programs, stating that the huge amount of money spent for the operation of all media programs is part of pending payables of the Province which have reached close to a billion pesos. 

The Province reportedly paid $14,000 a month for the satellite connection of Sugbo TV and P100,000 a month for Sugbo TV. Despite the Capitol spending a lot on the media programs, it was allegedly only used to promote the political party of Garcia and One Cebu, said Magpale.

Yesterday, Provincial Board Member  Sitoy said that the new PIO will be housing  he operation of the rebranded media outlets but said that they will be working on a limited budget and have found a way to cut down expenses compared to the previous operations.

“Let’s make do of what we have,” said Sitoy, saying that first of all they resumed the use of the new PIO building which started construction last year, under the management of Garcia.   (FREEMAN)