The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was founded on Christmas Eve of 1986 through Executive Order No. 100 signed by President Corazon Aquino.

In the EO’s first paragraph, it noted:

“WHEREAS, there is a need for an agency in government with a means to communicate with the people, and in turn for the people to vigorously express their opinions, views and beliefs to the President; and in the same manner, a need for efficient flow of public information required by the people to assist them in decision making to improve overall quality of life.”

The PIA's aim is to disseminate information about government programs, projects, and services to the Filipino public, with the final goal of seeing the quality of their lives improved and empowered to participate in the country’s democratic processes.

As the only government information network that can reach the grassroots—spanning 16 regional offices and 78 provincial information centers—the PIA is the country’s chief information arm. Its expertise is development communication. PIA also serves as a public relations firm for specific communication campaigns as requested by agencies under the Office of the President, national government agencies, local government units, government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), special inter-agency committees/councils and government task forces, among others.

The Agency is headed by a Director-General at the Undersecretary level, appointed by and co-terminus with the President, who reports directly to the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).