Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles revealed that media workers risk losing their jobs if the IBC-13 (Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation) is not funded.
IBC-13 is a government sequestered broadcast firm under the Office of the Press Secretary. It is tasked with handling education, culture, and the arts.
Based on a report by ABS-CBN News on September 2, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that IBC-13 will shut down in January 2023, causing media workers to lose their jobs if the firm does not receive funding.
“Sa IBC po ito po makikita na natin, na humingi kami sa personnel services, MOOE at capital outlay para maituloy natin ang pag-broadcast ng IBC pero na-zero na po sila completely.
“Meron kaming konting apela. Kung hindi po malagyan ang IBC, mawawalan po ng trabaho ‘yung ating workers at by January close operation na po tayo,” said Cruz-Angeles.
She also explained that apart from IBC’s funds, PTV’s funds were also cut.
“Humihingi kami ng MOOE na P240 million para maiangat nang konti ‘yung antas ng suweldo ng aming mga workers sa PTV ngunit ang nabigay po sa atin ay P125 million.”
She further explained, “Kaya po ito nabigyan ng zero ay dahil ang categorization ng IBC is for privatization. Ngunit base doon sa batas, kailangan ‘pag prinivatize natin ang IBC maka-deliver siya ng at least P1 billion para sa modernization ng PTV natin.
“Hindi po makaka-raise at the current state ang ating IBC. Kailangan palakihin natin ‘yung value niya pero di natin magagawa ‘yan at this stage lalong-lalo na pag mag-force to close ang ating IBC.”
The Office of the Press Secretary’s (OPS) appealed for a P473.173 million budget for 2023, of which P275.582 million will go to maintenance and other operating expenses, P192.53 million will go to personnel services, and P5.05 million will go to capital outlay.
In 2022, the agency’s budget stood at P840.62 billion.
