MANILA, (PIA) — A disaster preparedness training course for Philippine Information Agency (PIA) officials and employees will focus on a critical theme discussing how Filipinos respond to emergency alert messages.
The training course, organized by the Human Resource Development Division (HRDD) and the Office of the Deputy Director-General for Regional Operations Adolfo Ares Gutierrez, aims to highlight the importance of preparedness in mitigating the impacts of natural hazards.
A key presentation during the event will be led by Ms. Kate Shiene A. Austria, an Information Officer III at PIA, who will share insights on the effectiveness of emergency alerts and public reactions during disasters. Additionally, the activity hopes to enhance awareness and improve response strategies in the face of natural disasters.
“As information officers of the government, our mission is to clarify, amplify, and storify the policies and programs of the government, especially regarding disasters. We need to understand these matters, particularly in the areas of communication,” said Gutierrez, also a long-time media and communications professional and a disaster resilience and public safety advocate.
“One of the priorities of risk communication is to explain the risks… This is what we want to strengthen here at PIA. We should work with each other and collaborate with other government agencies to effectively communicate the risks on the ground,” he added.
This initiative underscores PIA’s commitment to disaster preparedness and community resilience, equipping its personnel with the necessary knowledge to better serve the public during emergencies.
The training will also include discussions on lessons learned from past disasters and fostering a collaborative environment for sharing best practices among participants by DOST-Pagasa Senior Weather Specialist Rosalie C. Pagulayan. Another segment will include a reaction and open forum, allowing attendees to share insights and experiences.
Ms. Mayfourth D. Luneta, Deputy Executive Director of Operations at the Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation, will lead a session on community-based disaster risk management. This will also include a reaction and open forum for further discussion. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
