Cebu TV’s fate up to new PIO head

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Hilario Davide III would have to decide based on the recommendation of his new chief of the Provincial Information Office if he would retain the Cebu TV operations.

In his press conference yesterday, Davide said he is just waiting for the recommendation of Ethel Natera, his newly appointed PIO head.

Natera, in a phone interview with The Freeman, said that she also has not decided on the matter yet since she still has to review the expenditures for the operation of Cebu TV.

Formerly Sugbu TV, the TV-program of the Provincial Government was ordered shut down by then Acting Governor Agnes Magpale last December due to the high costs of its operations. The TV program was a project of former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

It was re-opened and re-established last February with the name Cebu TV but at a lower cost. This was the same for Sugbu News, the newsletter of the provincial Capitol which was also renamed as Cebu Monthly.

Natera said she already requested for the breakdown of expenses for the operation of Cebu TV and would study it carefully before she makes a recommendation.

Provided that the Provincial Capitol is taking austerity measures, Natera said she would have to determine if the costs can be cut down or if there are other means to still be able to deliver information to the people but need not spend much.

Last December, Magpale asked the capitol-run TV, radio and print programs to be halted following the review of the coffers of the Provincial Capitol which reportedly had a debt of almost a billion pesos. — (FREEMAN)