While disaster response is an important component in building resilience, he pointed out that other pillars of disaster management such as prevention and mitigation, preparedness, and rehabilitation are also crucial.

“As the regional director, ang akong appeal sa inyo (my appeal to you), let’s work not only on disaster time, let’s work on promotion of prevention, mitigation, preparedness; and rehabilitation and recovery,” he said.

He banked on the information officers to educate the public regarding the disaster risks in their locality and make them understand the need for them to relocate.

“We have to start educating the people and your role is very important as information officers because you will be the one doing the strategic communication plan, and come up with plans on ways for people to know and understand disaster resilient information,” he added.

During response and rehabilitation stages, Dayanghirang noted that information officers can be of immense help in making known to the public and concerned  agencies that a particular area has yet to receive assistance from the government.

“Kung makalimtan na, kaluoy ang public (if  forgotten, what a pity for the public).  Ang balita kadto (The news usually is the ) current. We forget that we also need to continuously talk about advocacy agenda,”  he said, referring to building resilient communities.

“I hope mahimo ninyo nga (you can make as) advocacy agenda in your respective offices the agenda on disaster resilience," the OCD-XI regional director said. (RVC/RIA/JMDA/PIA Davao del Norte)