With nonrenewal of ABS-CBN franchise, Andanar hopes PTV can compete in the ratings

MANILA, Philippines — With the nonrenewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar hopes that state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV) could compete with other networks in the ratings.

During the House hearing on PCOO’s budget, House committee on appropriations chairperson Rep. Eric Yap asked Andanar whether PTV aims to compete with big networks, such as GMA Network when it comes to ratings since ABS-CBN is now shuttered since it was denied a franchise.

“Ngayong wala na ang ABS-CBN, mayroon ba tayong pangarap, may goals ba tayo sa PTV-4 na maging isang kalaban ng GMA, makapagcompete tayo sa kanila?” Yap asked.

(Now that ABS-CBN is out, do we have aspirations, goals for PTV-4 to compete with GMA, other networks?)

To which, Andanar answered: “Yes, we have a plan to at least be able to compete as far as ratings are concerned.”

“The PTV, being a government-owned and controlled corporation, it also has to make its own money from advertisers.”

Andanar said the PTV has likewise “beefed up” its news from morning to evening.

House appropriations panel chairperson Rep. Eric Go Yap questioned the qualifications of the current officer-in-charge of PTV, which he claimed is a production assistant “with no managerial experience.”

Yap likewise questioned the alleged poor working conditions and the wages of PTV employees.

“Ang gobyerno ngayon, natutulungan pa ‘yung employado nila. Ang sa akin, bakit natin hahayaan na yung mga cameraman P17,000 lang ang sahod tapos kulang sa PPE, kulang sa gamit?” Yap asked Andanar.

In response, Andanar said his office has been trying to address the labor issues inside PTV.

The PCOO was supposed to present its P1.59 budget for 2021, however, the hearing was suspended after lawmakers lambasted the red-tagging activities of one of its officials. [ac]