MANILA – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has bagged a Philippine Quill Award for launching “The Virtual Presser,” an interactive online platform that promotes foreign media’s engagement with the Philippine government.

The PCOO received an award under the Communications Management category during the 19th Philippines Quills Award, the agency announced in a Facebook post on Saturday.

“Another win for PCOO,” it said. “The Presidential Communications Operations Office – Office of the PCOO Global Media Affairs and Public Affairs’ (OGMPA) ‘The Virtual Presser’ won at the 19th Philippine Quill Awards in the Communications Management Division – Media Relations category.”

The TVP program, which was launched in 2018, won out of 800 entries in the 19th Philippine Quill Awards, the PCOO said.

“The innovation that TVP provided was fully utilized during the pandemic. It was repurposed for many other virtual pressers from other government agencies during the pandemic,” it said.

The Philippine Quill is considered the country’s most prestigious awards program that honors the best communications programs, tools, and research projects across various industries.

The Philippine Quill Awards is organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a global membership association of top business, industrial and organization communicators and professionals.

The award giving body supports the highest professional standards and practice of exceptional quality and innovation in organization and business communication.

It likewise advocates for continued professional growth and learning and communication excellence, linking Philippines practitioners with colleagues and practices worldwide.

The TVP is an online video platform introduced by the PCOO-OGMPA headed by Assistant Secretary for Global Media and Public Affairs Jusan Vincent Arcena to allow international journalists to interview top Philippine officials.

The program aims to bridge the gap between the Philippine government and foreign correspondents, as well as to ensure the current administration’s immediate response to queries on issues confronting the country.

“The TVP aims to bridge the gap between the government and the media and respond to pressing issues in the Philippines relevant to the international stage, even before the pandemic. It is the fastest and the cheapest way to interact with the international media based abroad. It helped prevent disinformation and misconceptions on government policies and actions,” the PCOO said. (PNA)