THIS corner is very happy for the 145 employees of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) who recently received their retirement pay.

The retirement pay came after over two decades since the employees left the state-run media corporation also known as IBC-13.

It was only in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the much-awaited retirement pay was released to the IBC workers.

At least 25 of the retirees have passed away before they could enjoy the fruits of their lives’ work. It took 22 years and 28 management teams before the payment was given under the Marcos administration.

IBC-13, along with government-owned media companies — Peoples Television Network and the Presidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services — form the media arm of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) led by Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

In her speech during the awarding ceremony, the PCO chief said settling the claims of the IBC retirees was one of the marching orders of President Marcos.

She said the President gave the instruction to help resolve the claims as addressing the welfare of media workers is one of the cornerstones of his administration and of the PCO.

The Palace official said it was a great honor for her to be able to be part of the much-awaited and much-deserved awarding of benefits to her colleagues in the media.

On the other hand, IBC-13 President and CEO Jimmie Policarpio said the development benefitted around 200 families. It was learned most of the remaining retirees are already on maintenance medicines or face a host of medical problems while some are “gravely ill.”

“With spirits of thanksgiving, they can now look forward to enjoying their waning years with dignity and pride in having served God, country and people,” the IBC-13 management said.

Policarpio thanked the government of President Marcos for providing the environment that helped facilitate the release of the retirement pay.

He also extended gratitude to the Senate of the Philippines especially to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Koko Pimentel, Jinggoy Estrada, and JV Ejercito who sponsored the bill sponsor that made the payment possible.

The IBC-13 management also thanked House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and the Governance Council for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) headed by Chairman Atty. Marius Corpus.

Thank you government!

Meanwhile, the President has recognized the bravery of journalists as he joined the celebration for the World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the press’ crucial role in combating misinformation and fake news.

“In Bagong Pilipinas, we celebrate our journalists for their courage in conveying unbiased reports, and we rely on them to continue being the stalwarts of truth and transparency,” President Marcos said in his message.

As the fourth pillar of our democracy, the Chief Executive said the journalists’ words serve as our strongest defense against misinformation and fake news. Now, more than ever, their commitment to their work is crucial, he added.

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or World Press Day to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

“A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” is this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme.

The 2024 celebration will be dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the current global environmental crisis.

More power to the fourth estate!

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