PCO Secretary Commits to Fix PTV Facilities
MANILA — Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez has pledged to urgently address the poor condition and dysfunctional facilities of the government-owned People’s Television Network (PTV4). This came just days after veteran broadcaster Mike Abe aired harsh criticisms about the network’s deteriorating infrastructure and alleged corruption issues.
During his first visit to PTV4 at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Gomez personally witnessed the facility’s problems, including leaking roofs and broken air-conditioning units. “This is my first visit to PTV4, and I immediately saw the reported leaking roofs and broken air-conditioning units. That’s true,” he said in Filipino. He emphasized that he had already pushed for rehabilitation funding during his recent budget defense before Congress.
Assessment and Rehabilitation Plans Underway
Sources close to the PCO revealed that Gomez has instructed the new management team, led by General Manager Malou Choa-Fagar and Chair Vivian, to prepare a comprehensive proposal outlining the necessary repairs and improvements. Gomez confirmed, “I already received their proposal last week, so it’s with me now. It details how much will be needed and what should be done at PTV4. We know the situation, and we are addressing the problem—we will fix it.”
Officials reported that the proposal covers key issues such as structural repairs, air-conditioning replacements, and general maintenance to restore the network’s facilities to operational standards.
Broadcast Veteran Calls Out Poor Maintenance
Mike Abe did not hold back during his September 4 broadcast, describing the PTV4 building as severely neglected. “Where have you seen a building with leaks from the top floor all the way to the ground floor? Why are there leaks? Poor maintenance! Here, the rooms don’t even have air-conditioning,” Abe said in Filipino, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Community members and employees of PTV have also voiced concerns about delayed allowances, particularly for those covering the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. Abe highlighted this issue as well, lamenting the network’s failure to provide timely support to its staff.
PCO Responds to Calls for Transparency
In response to Abe’s challenge to investigate alleged fund misuse within PTV, Gomez assured that transparency and proper use of resources are priorities moving forward. Local leaders noted that the administration aims to restore public trust by ensuring that allocated funds are used effectively for the network’s rehabilitation.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to upgrading PTV4’s facilities and addressing all operational deficiencies as part of a broader effort to improve government media services.
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