By Czarina M. Agustin 

To keep Ilocanos informed and empowered, a PTV Transmitter Station will soon rise in MMSU.

Officials of the People's Television Network, Inc. (PTNI) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) jointly held today, June 14, a groundbreaking ceremony at Brgy. Quiling Sur, City of Batac. 

In a 500 square-meter lot where the PTV tower will be built, PTNI General Manager Ms. Katherine Chloe S. De Castro and MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis led the program, together with them were Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia A. Marcos and other officials. 

De Castro said the PTV Ilocos Norte, which is expected to be operational by December this year, will soon cater to over 400,000 residents in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Apayao. It will broadcast relevant information and updates about national and regional development projects, especially highlighting that of Ilocos Norte. 

“With this station, we will be bringing government information dissemination closer and strengthen our reach in Ilocos region. We bring you the PTV that is at the forefront of news and public information in the country, inspiring filipinos to be partners in nation building,” De Castro said. 

She also emphasized that MMSU, being PTNI’s ally in developing an informed and empowered Ilokanos, will also primarily benefit from said venture, stressing “a 30-minute TV segment will also be provided for the University to feature its technologies and innovations.”

MMSU President Agrupis expressed delight in this unfolding project, saying the university continues to be a strong partner for nation-building. 

She added the partnership “shall fuel our information dissemination activities, enabling us to reach more people and to advocate our practices and discoveries which are beneficial to our communities.” 

President Agrupis also thanked PTNI for giving MMSU an avenue to train its students under the BA in Communication, BS in Development Communication, BS in Electronics Engineering, and other related programs.  

“The promise for internship and other learning opportunities for our students helps us sustain academic excellence, one of our ACHIEVE Agenda,” she expressed. 

Also gracing the event, Vice Governor Cecilia A. Marcos said the provincial government of Ilocos Norte lauds the effort of MMSU and PTNI, saying "I am confident that this project will yield positive outcomes and truly contribute to the efforts of the PGIN to serve the people of Ilocos Norte.” (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)