TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Information officers of national government agencies and local government units in Kalinga enhance their knowledge and skills in public communication and information dissemination during disasters
Organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Cordillera through the PIA-Kalinga, the capacity building session on risk communication held on Dec. 3, 2024, aimed to capacitate the participants in their role of helping the public make well-informed decisions during disasters, enabling them to mitigate the threat to their lives and take protective and preventive measures.
In her message, PIA-Cordillera Regional Director Helen R. Tibaldo stressed the importance of timely, truthful, and clear information during disasters, especially on social media where misinformation and disinformation are rampant.
“Social media has democratized the spread of information but it has also amplified the risk of misinformation and disinformation, especially during disasters when lives and livelihoods are on the line. This calls for us to adapt, innovate, and remain steadfast in upholding the principles of truth, clarity, and urgency in all our messaging,” Tibaldo said.
“Let us remember that risk communication is more than just information dissemination. It is about fostering trust, building resilience, and empowering communities to take informed action,” she emphasized.
Resource speakers were Frankie Cortez, Operations Section Head of the Office of the Civil Defense Cordillera, and Jamie Joie Malingan of PIA-Abra.
Participants noted that the activity was a timely and crucial learning opportunity following the successive typhoons that affected the province recently which highlighted the life-saving function of information during emergencies.
“Thank you for hosting this timely event which is invaluable information for officers in enhancing the role of communicators especially during disasters,” said Aurora Amilig, Tabuk City Information Officer and president of the Ikalinga Network of Information Officers and Workers or IKNOW.
“This forum is critical in educating us about what we need to accomplish,” Amilig said. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
