Communications Secretary Martin Andanar ordered the abolition of the Strategic Communications Office (SCO), formerly Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) mandated to lead the strategic communication of the government through the production of video, photo and press releases.
“In the interest of the service, the Strategic Communications Office shall be abolished effective immediately,” Andanar said.
In the Office Order No. 26 which Andanar signed on Wednesday, 20 employees were transferred to two other units under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) as part of efforts to streamline the government’s communications strategy.
“The main reasons are to streamline and to adjust to our new comprehensive communications strategy in promoting the policies of the different executive departments,” he said.
“The recent communications programs led by PCOO; DuterteNOMiCs, Real Numbers, Extremism & Martial Law and other upcoming events, increased the demand for the PCOO Team to assist other departments. Thus the need to restructure our manpower assignments,” he added.
Andanar also denied reports that he may have fired some Strategic Communications personnel.
“The news that 40 people were fired is very inaccurate. I did not fire anyone,” he said.
The dissolved unit is responsible for devising the communications strategy to promote the President’s agenda throughout all media, and among the many publics with which the administration interacts.