BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 5 (PIA)--Some 60 information officers, local media and members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) in Negros Oriental are expected to participate in the training on “Disaster Preparedness vis a vis Climate Change Using Social Media” on July 10 at Negros Oriental Convention Center, Dumaguete City.
The wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) gather the members of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers, Dumaguete Press & Radio Club and PDRRMC to beef up their capacities on emergency communications.
This is in response to the growing concern to strengthen local government unit’s capability in disaster preparedness through effective information dissemination.
The training aims to enhance the Information Officers' use of social and digital media in early warning and disaster communication management along with identifying the disaster risks and appropriate mitigation.
“The information officers and the media plays an important role in disseminating information to the public especially before, during and after disasters. For communications to be effective, media practitioners must have at the very least basic information on disaster management,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.
The training program will also tackle the use of online media for emergency communications such as writing for the web, how to maximize social media for disaster management, cyber ethics, tips in creating infographics, and online media tools.
“Timely and accurate information, including media advisories, during disasters and emergency situations can help save lives,” said Isberto.
Smart is also conducting a series of training programs on emergency preparedness for its employees nationwide.
These are all part of the telco’s SafePh initiative to make the organization and its partners more resilient to disasters.
For its part, PIA intends to equip government communicators with information and knowledge on climate change and urges media to help the government in its advocacy on climate change adaptation and mitigation. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)