First Lady to renovate OPS, press working area

MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos yesterday made a surprise visit to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) and the press working area, from where journalists cover President Marcos, and committed to improve the facilities in the two offices.

Marcos, wearing a printed blue dress, toured every room in the New Executive Building at Malacañang, including the restrooms, which she promised to renovate by Dec. 10.

“I’m here to make your press working area really nice,” the First Lady told reporters and cameramen.

“I promise before Christmas this will all be better,” she said.

Marcos also gamely posed for photos with the OPS staff and media workers.

In a speech at a Manila Overseas Press Club event early this month, the President said his government would continue to listen to the concerns of journalists, whom he considered “partners” in development.

“Whatever difficulties we may encounter from this point on, the government will always be ready to lend an ear and to listen to your concerns and to answer all that you may want to know,” Marcos said.

“We will not be your leader but we will be your partner, as we work together to see the full promise of the Filipino nation fulfilled in the days and in the years ahead,” he said.

Marcos also urged the media to effectively communicate to the public the government’s efforts and initiatives toward the country’s development.

“This is the partnership that we must – another partnership that we must continue to strengthen. It is the job of our media practitioners to not only analyze, to not only make –give their opinion but to also inform and let our people know what the government is doing and how it will help their lives and how they can be part of that progress, that process of progress that we have started,” he said.