Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The government will launch the country’s first state-run Muslim channel any time by June this year.
In a press release from the Presidential Communications Office, PCO Secretary Martin Andanar bared the plans to launch Salaam TV to his counterpart, the Minister of Culture and Information, Dr. Adel bin Zaid al-Toraifi in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit.
“This is one avenue they (Muslims) can voice out,” Andanar said.
Andanar requested for technical assistance and training for PCO personnel from Toraifi who committed help to the Philippines.
“We are happy to assist, committed to help because it is between the benefit of the sides,” Toraifi reportedly said.
“We make sure it happens. We want to give full assistance,” he said.
The PCO said a series of follow-up meetings is expected to take place leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries in the area of information and communication.
The Philippine government also plans to have Salaam Radio and Salaam films.
Duterte first mentioned the government plans to have Salaam Television during his first State of the Nation Address on July 25 last year. He also said Davao City will be “the first site of the first Muslim channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the first Lumad channel.”
Duterte also offered airtime of the state-run PTV-4 to protesters and the rebels during the inauguration of the PTV-4 Cordillera Hub in Baguio City on March 12.
“Use it. It’s the people’s money and the people would gladly hear you,” Duterte said. (davaotoday.com)
