Andanar meets Saudi info minister, assistance for Salaam TV sought

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar met his Saudi counterpart Dr. Adel Al Toraifi on the sidelines of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s state visit to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo: TOTO LOZANO/PPD)

RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar met his Saudi counterpart Dr. Adel Al Toraifi on the sidelines of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s state visit to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was friendly and cordial and lasted for more than 30 minutes.

Secretary Andanar told Minister Adel his plan to launch the country’s first government-run Muslim channel, Salaam TV, in June of this year.

“This is one avenue they (Muslims) can voice out,” Andanar said as he cited the situation in Mindanao as an offshoot of “lack of communication.”

Apart from Salaam TV, Secretary Andanar plans to have Salaam Radio and Salaam films.

The President ordered the establishment of Salaam TV during his first State of the Nation in 2016.

Minister Adel of the Saudi Culture and Information, on his part, congratulated the head of the Philippine Presidential Communications for working on Salaam TV as the former underscored the importance of “sending the right message,” especially one that is about peaceful co-existence.

The dynamics of Salaam TV is something novel to Philippine broadcasting, thus, the Philippine Presidential Communications Chief requested for technical assistance and training for Presidential Communications Office (PCO) personnel.

“We are happy to assist, committed to help… to assist because it is between the benefit of the sides,” Adel explained.

A series of follow-up meetings are 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.

“We make sure it happens. We want to give full assistance,” Adel ended.