The history of the Philippine Information Agency

Summary

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was established in 1986 through Executive Order 100 by President Corazon Aquino. It evolved from previous media bodies and has grown into a key government agency for providing timely, relevant information to Filipinos. Over the years, PIA has played significant roles in national development, supporting initiatives like the Philippines 2000 Vision and the Centennial Celebration. It underwent restructuring and executive orders from various administrations, including the integration of communications arms and services. Today, PIA continues to enhance public service through its information centers and outreach programs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was created through Executive Order 100, signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on December 24, 1986.
• 😀 PIA emerged from the Office of Media Affairs and the National Media Production Center (NMPC), which were established after the declaration of martial law in 1972.
• 😀 The Department of Public Information (DPI) was initially created during the martial law era and later merged with NMPC in the 1980s.
• 😀 PIA’s mission is to provide accurate, relevant, and timely information to improve the quality of life for Filipinos.
• 😀 The agency has expanded with 14 regional information centers and 45 provincial information centers across the country.
• 😀 PIA organized Community Development Information Centers (CDICs) in 370 cities and municipalities to further promote its mission.
• 😀 President Fidel V. Ramos restructured the Office of the Press Secretary in 1996, and PIA’s regional and provincial centers played key roles in promoting national initiatives like the Philippines 2000 Vision and the Philippine Centennial.
• 😀 In 2000, President Joseph E. Estrada abolished the position of presidential spokesperson, transferring its functions to the Press Secretary.
• 😀 Executive Order 348, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004, transferred the functions of the Press Secretary and established the Office of Communications.
• 😀 PIA evolved into a communications powerhouse, becoming the government’s advertising arm through the creation of the Communications Group in 2006 and establishing its Director General at the Cabinet level.

Q & A

What was the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) created by?

The Philippine Information Agency was created by Executive Order 100, signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on December 24, 1986.

What was the PIA an offspring of?

The PIA is an offspring of the Office of Media Affairs and the National Media Production Center (NMPC) in 1972, following the declaration of martial law.

What key event led to the creation of the Department of Public Information (DPI)?

The Department of Public Information (DPI) was created in 1972 after the declaration of martial law.

How did the PIA evolve during the 1980s?

During the 1980s, the DPI merged with the NMPC, and President Ferdinand Marcos appointed Gregorio S. Sandanya as the minister of the Ministry of Information, which later became the Office of Media Affairs.

How many regional and provincial information centers did the PIA establish?

The PIA built 14 regional information centers and 45 provincial information centers. Later, the Caraga and Mimaropa regional centers were also established.

What was the PIA's centerpiece project?

The PIA's centerpiece project was the establishment of Community Development Information Centers (CDICs) in 370 cities and municipalities.

What role did PIA play in the Philippines 2000 Vision and Centennial Celebration?

PIA's regional and provincial centers played a significant role in promoting the Philippines 2000 Vision and the Philippine Centennial Celebration.

What major change occurred during President Joseph Estrada's administration regarding the presidential spokesperson?

President Joseph Estrada abolished the position of presidential spokesperson and transferred its functions to the press secretary via Memorandum Order No. 97, dated April 24, 2000.

What was the impact of Executive Order 348 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?

Under Executive Order 348, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo established the Office of Communications Director, which transferred the functions of the press secretary to the presidential spokesperson and included the National Printing Office and Audio-Visual Production Unit under PIA.

What was Hotline Gawain1345 and what purpose did it serve?

Hotline Gawain1345 was created to answer public queries and provide public information assistance.

How did the restructuring of the Communications Group impact the PIA in 2006?

In 2006, the Communications Group was established by Executive Order 511, which made PIA the advertising arm of the government. Additionally, the powers of the Communications Director were transferred to the press secretary.

What was the significance of Executive Order No. 4 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III?

Executive Order No. 4, signed on July 30, 2010, renamed the Office of the Press Secretary to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), placing the PIA under its supervision.