Editorial: To know is to love

Sunday, February 12, 2012

BEING informed is romantic, too.

We must put a premium on getting accurate information to save and improve our lives. This is the valuable insight from Feb. 6, 2012, when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake and rumors of a tsunami spread panic among crowds in Cebu.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

In the analyses over how the community can better be prepared to deal with disasters, two bottlenecks causing misinformation and panic were identified.

There must be a center of information that the authorities can use to relay immediate and accurate updates and advisories. The right information can also be channeled through the mainstream media, as well as alternative sources like citizen-journalists and bloggers.

Complementing the centralized flow of information from official channels to the grassroots is citizens’ responsibility to seek, verify and transmit right information.

During crises, it is civic irresponsibility to add to uncertainty, fears and hysteria by spreading rumors.

Make love, not war

Educating the public about handling information with responsibility should not focus only on emergencies and crises but also on controversial events that divide the public.

Valentine’s Day is one such event.

Traditionally, Feb. 14 highlights the expression of love in all forms.

However, in recent years, the date resurfaces the bickering between parties that advocate for lovers’ responsibility in preventing unwanted pregnancies and parties that denounce these campaigns for promoting immorality, teenage sex and promiscuity.

In the Information Society, stakeholders must realize all messages compete for attention. Thus, advocates should better concentrate in strategizing and implementing an effective campaign to information, educate and communicate (IEC) their desired messages, rather than counter and obstruct other claims.

For instance, peers can strengthen the advocacy to make abstinence and sex-after-marriage more attractive and acceptable than sexual experimentation and promiscuity among the young. Religious groups should reinforce their campaigns for abstinence among single persons and fidelity to one’s spouse to counteract the perceived loose morality among couples.

There are numerous concerns that need to be prioritized in IEC campaigns that can be targeted for Valentine’s Day or the month of February, the so-called “Love Month.”

Responsibility is key

While premarital and extramarital sex are denounced by traditional morality, the possibility of such occurring during Feb. 14 is high, based on reports of past Valentine’s Day monitoring.

An article posted on The Philippine Daily Inquirer last Feb. 7 cited the higher sales of condoms and contraceptive pills during Valentine’s Day, according to a 24/7 online retail service.

Campaigns can focus on preventing such from occurring, as well as preventing their consequences, such as unplanned pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially HIV and Aids.

Government workers’ distribution of condoms to the public should be accompanied with peer education on abstinence, condom use and other ways that shield persons from risky behavior, including the abuse of drugs and alcohol and sharing of needles for intravenous drug use.

Lack of the right information, perception of misconceptions and the inability to seek information from credible sources afflict vulnerable groups, such as minors and out-of-school youths.

Aside from disseminating sexually responsible behavior, the authorities should also strictly implement the closure of restobars, karaoke bars and other beer joints operating within 100 meters from schools.

Penalizing establishments that sell liquor to minors is also a priority.

Aside from violating Cebu City Ordinance 1413 or the Liquor Licensing Ordinance, these establishments increase the incidence of class-cutting and drinking among minors.

Anecdotal evidence point out to date rapes and teenage pregnancies resulting from drinking sessions among minors. Parents and school authorities should complement the government’s drive by informing and educating the youth on responsible behavior.