State-of-the-art Bagong Pilipinas Studios Visayas unveiled

Local

GONE are the days of long queues and juggling multiple government offices—or searching for a place to record your podcast.

Bagong Pilipinas Studios Visayas, located in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, opened its doors for a soft launch on Dec. 12 and will be fully operational by January 2026.

The five-story facility combines a modern multimedia studio and a one-stop government service center, making it the first of its kind in the Visayas.

Visitors can now handle multiple government transactions in a single visit through the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Bagong Pilipinas EGov Serbisyo Hub, located on the ground floor.

DICT-Central Visayas Director Frederick Amores said the hub solves a common problem in government offices: long lines and repeated trips caused by incomplete documents.

“You may still go directly to the agencies, but the hub is more convenient because you can book online, secure a schedule, and be assured of service,” he said.

Users can upload supporting documents ahead of time through the EGov app, schedule appointments, and select services ranging from medical and financial assistance to employment support and burial assistance.

Jesra Polinar, operations lead of the EGov Serbisyo Hub, said more agencies will join soon, further expanding public access.

“The setup allows the public to access multiple services in one visit,” she said, noting that walk-ins are welcome, but the EGov app is required.

Above the service hub, the facility features fully equipped news studios on the second and third floors and PCO and DICT offices on the fourth floor.

The fifth floor hosts podcast studios for content creators, complete with cameras, lighting, storage, and a makeup room.

Trisha Mae Apa-ap, operations head of Bagong Pilipinas Visayas Studios, said the facility was designed to support creators in producing professional-level content.

“These are among the things we can be proud of— a state-of-the-art facility,” she said, quoting PCOO Undersecretary Gerald Baria.

The podcast studios are free to use for up to two hours per creator, with bookings made via Facebook or email.

A project brief with the topic and guest details is required. Apa-ap said the studios currently accept two bookings per day, which may increase to four as staffing grows.

“All equipment is provided; guests and hosts only need to bring their topic,” she said. PCO personnel can assist with editing at no cost, and creators maintain full ownership of their content.

The facility operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also includes a multipurpose studio, broadcast studio, newsrooms, and a press briefing room for visits by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Apa-ap stressed that content is uncensored, though precautions are taken because it is a government space.

“We don’t do censorship here. All content is yours, as long as it avoids backlash,” she said.

The Visayas studio is the second Bagong Pilipinas facility, following the Mandaluyong City hub, which has been operating for more than a year.

The P300-million Visayas Media Hub was inaugurated on February 24, 2022, with former PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar leading the groundbreaking ceremony.

By combining cutting-edge media studios with a modern EGov service center, Bagong Pilipinas Studios Visayas aims to streamline government transactions and empower content creators in the region.(MyTVCebu)