PAGADIAN CITY, July 8 (PIA)-The Office of Civil Defense (OCD-9) has recognized the importance of the role of journalists in disaster prevention and mitigation.
At a recent press conference, Atty. Ruel Halanes, chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division said that it is not possible for the government communication channel to inform the public of information especially on disaster prevention and mitigation if they only rely on their information officers.
He stressed the government needs the help of media organizations to disseminate information on disaster management because they are the established institutions and they have communication channels, diverse audiences, and followers where they can facilitate the delivery of information regarding government projects, programs and activities.
“In delivering information, the government desperately needs the cooperation of journalists so that validated and credible information can be made available to the people.”
He also thanked the journalists who actively attended the press conference noting it as a partnership between government agencies and the media to expedite the delivery of information to the people.
At the event, panelists from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSED) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) announced significant achievements of their respective offices in implementing disaster management efforts.
The DOST talked about disaster prevention and mitigation, the DILG discussed on disaster preparedness, the DSWD shared on disaster response, while NEDA shared about disaster rehabilitation and recovery.
OCD also announced that they will conduct a one-day virtual training for media practitioners, information officers of NGAs and LGUs and Barangay Information Officers' Network (BION) on July 13, to capacitate participants in disaster risk awareness and communication, hoping to eliminate the proliferation of false information and strengthening public resiliency. (RVC/EDT/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)
