The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is working to improve the government’s communication protocols for faster and more efficient information dissemination during disasters and other calamities.
In a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Friday, PCO Assistant Secretary and Natural Calamities and Disasters spokesperson Joey Villarama said the improved communication would include government state media, such as the Philippine News Agency (PNA), People’s Television Network (PTV4), Radyo Pilipinas, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
He said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order during the situation briefing on July 24 at the height of the monsoon rains intensified by Typhoon Carina, which affected many areas in the country.
VIllarama said that in a conference for the La Niña preparations at the Clark Freeport Zone with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other relevant government agencies, including the PCO, on Monday, the significance of the change of information and direct communication between agencies during disasters was tackled.
He said the PCO would work with relevant government agencies, especially in sending out warnings during calamities to save more lives.
“Kunwari nag-ulat ang PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), matatanggap ito ng dam operators. Tapos, kapag sinabi ng dam operator na ‘O, magpapakawala ng tubig at magbabaha doon sa lugar ninyo,’ dapat diyan intensive iyong communication hindi lamang sa SMS, hindi lamang sa pagpapadala ng alert sa telepono kundi pati na rin iyong actual na pag-iikot (Say PAGASA reports and the dam operators will receive it. When the dam operator says, ‘Look, water will be released and there will be flood in your area,’ communication should be more intensive, not only in SMS, not only in sending an alert on the phone, but also in actual dissemination),” VIllarama said.
He noted that the President’s specific instruction is the immediate evacuation of residents in affected areas, the use of government resources such as vehicles, and the reduction of disaster damage and loss of lives.
He said all these may be attained with the effective and timely dissemination of relevant information.
With the help of government media, under the leadership of PCO, the message will be amplified faster, Villarama said.
Meanwhile, he said the PIA has requested relevant agencies, such as the Department of Science and Technology, PAGASA, the DILG, and the dam operators, for direct access to information in times of emergency situations.
He added that all state media also have regional and provincial bureaus, which may be utilized, especially when there are disruptions in communication lines, as they are closer to the people.
“Maa-amplify kasi mayroon tayong PTV, mayroon tayong Radyo Pilipinas, may Philippine News Agency, at mayroon ding PIA na hindi lamang siyempre in broadcast and print, pero may social media pages, as you mentioned. So, maa-amplify iyong message at mas maraming makakatanggap ng mensahe (It will be amplified because we have PTV, Radyo Pilipinas, the Philippine News Agency, and PIA, which are not only in broadcast and print but also have social media pages, as you mentioned. The message will thus be amplified to more people),” Villarama added. (PNA)
