The Philippines is keen to learn and seek assistance from Malaysia’s success in disseminating news to its multiracial and multi-religious society, says its Undersecretary for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations and Good Governance, George Apacible today.

He said it could be done via government-to-government approach as Manila was taking a big step in uniting its Christian and Muslim communities.

"Having the same culture, we would like to ask for help from Malaysia, to see how you have been able to disseminate news to your fellow countrymen," he said, adding the cooperation could be carried out between the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Apacible was speaking to Bernama after an hour-long meeting with Bernama General Manager, Zulkefli Salleh at Wisma Bernama here today, to discuss possible partnership and collaboration between the two news agencies.

Explaining PNA's effort to create unity, he said a department had been established to ensure information could reach everyone in the country.

“We are dedicating a department in PNA just for this…it shows how aggressive we are becoming right now, in spite of the short term that we are having in the administration.”

Apacible believed any possible collaboration between PNA and Bernama would benefit their Overseas Philippine Workers (OPW) in Malaysia, in terms of getting the correct news, facts, and information relating to both governments.

- Bernama