Join the World Summit on Information

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said he is leaving for Paris, France to join the World Summit on Information this Sunday.

"Actually, magkatono itong tema ng EDSA at 'yung dadaluhan natin sapagkat 'yung United Nations sa pamamagitan ng UNESCO o United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, ten years ago, naglunsad ng tinatawag na Knowledge Society," Coloma said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday.

"Kaya ang idaraos sa Paris sa darating na Linggo, kasabay nung ating EDSA celebration ay 'yung World Summit on the Information Society Plus Ten. Ibig sabihin, ten years after," he added.

The concept of UNESCO's Knowledge Society is anchored on a free society having free-flowing knowledge and information, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in addition to other freedoms to raise people's awareness.

The event in Paris is related to the 27th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution because it deals with rights and freedom that Filipinos fought for a few decades ago, Coloma said.

"Ganoon din naman 'yung pinagdiriwang natin sa EDSA, kung maaalala natin, noong panahon ng Martial Law, ay nabalam ang paggamit ng kalayaan sa pamamahayag, 'yung kalayaan ng pagtitipon-tipon, 'yung freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression ay hindi naramdaman at hindi naganap sapagkat tinitigil ito ng batas-militar," Coloma explained.

"At noon namang nagtagumpay ang EDSA People Power Revolution, muling naging laganap ang paggamit ng mga kalayaang ito, kaya nga't sa buong rehiyon ng Asya, masasabi natin at maipagmamalaki natin na sa Pilipinas, pinakamasigla, pinakamalusog, pinakalaganap ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag," he added.

Coloma said he will highlight the country's EDSA revolt anniversary when he joins the World Summit on the Information Society in France this weekend.

He said he will report to the members of the United Nations the progress of the Philippine's push for media and information literacy, which is the country's task in UNESCO.