Arroyo creates new office

President Arroyo signed Executive Order 348 yesterday creating the new Office of the Communications Director (OCD), which is expected to be handled by Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Silvestre Afable Jr.

Afable is on leave and, upon his return, he will assume the functions of the press secretary, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

Afable will also exercise control and supervision over Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and the News Information Bureau (NIB).

Also created under EO 348 was the post of Group Head for Government Mass Media. The official who will be assigned to head this new agency will handle all government-owned media entities, including the Bureau of Broadcast (BBS), which operated the state-run Radyo ng Bayan, and the Bureau of Communications Services (BCS). — Marichu Villanueva