SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Ilocos (RDRRMC-1) recognized the contribution of both the state and private media in disseminating timely and accurate information during disasters.
RDRRMC-1, in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Ilocos, remains steadfast in staging press briefings amid threats of disaster where local media are regularly and actively participating.
Office of Civil Defense officer-in-charge Carmelita Laverinto said the advisories, warnings, and other messages of the government were able to reach a wider array of audiences through the media.
“With your help and assistance, we were able to cascade our messages to communities and our kababayans effectively,” Laverinto said in a virtual press briefing organized by PIA on Oct. 24.
Evident to this, Laverinto cited that more residents adhered to their call for pre-emptive evacuation before severe tropical storm Kristine hits the Ilocos Region.
As of 8:00 a.m. of Thursday, a total of 1,021 families, or equivalent to 3,273 individuals, were pre-emptively evacuated.
Of which, 563 families or 1,948 individuals are from Pangasinan; 337 households or 967 persons from La Union; 95 families or 265 people from Ilocos Norte; 14 households or 41 individuals from Ilocos Sur; and 12 families or 52 residents are from Dagupan City.
Laverinto shared that one of the challenges during disasters is convincing people residing in hazardous areas to temporarily move out of their houses during calamities.
She also thanked the public for their cooperation and emphasized how vital their positive response is to prevent further untoward incidents, or worse, casualties. by Caren Grace R. Cabanayan-Carbonell