AS THE nation braced for super typhoon Rolly last weekend, GMA Network ensured the timely and comprehensive delivery of “Serbisyong Totoo” to the public — even amid the pandemic — across all of its platforms.
At the height of the super typhoon’s onslaught last Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, GMA-7 and GMA News TV reached 18.1 million viewers, based on data from Nielsen Media Phils.
On air, GMA News regularly provided updates on the super typhoon even before it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). As it made its landfall, reports on the latest situation in different parts of the country via extended newscasts and news bulletins were aired on both GMA-7 and GMA News TV and on radio DZBB.
With GMA News reporters deployed in hard to reach affected areas of Rolly’s path, the viewing public was kept updated on the biggest news happening nationwide. Further, GMA News reporter Ian Cruz and his team were also on the first seacraft that reached Catanduanes on Tuesday morning — enabling GMA to be the first network to report live from the province.
On top of its news reports, GMA News also aired “Panawagan” where affected residents were able to let their relatives know their current situation. With the communication lines still down, this served as their only way of sending word out of the province.
Likewise across the regions, GMA Regional TV (RTV) remained true to its commitment of bringing local news that matters through its various local newscasts in North Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern, Central and Southern Mindanao.
Days before landfall, GMA Regional TV already deployed its local news teams and mobilized its pool of stringers — including its RTV Bicol news team in Naga City — to areas expected to be hit by the super typhoon.
Ably complementing the Network’s TV coverage was its flagship AM radio station Super Radyo dzBB, which delivered a full 24-hour special coverage via the dzBB Bantay Bagyo. DZBB’s non-stop coverage began as early as Saturday (Oct. 31) until Monday (Nov. 2), where programs were preempted to feature updates on the typhoon path.
With homes destroyed and thousands of families displaced in the aftermath of the super typhoon, GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) has also immediately delivered relief goods in the Bicol Region as well as in other affected provinces. So far reaching more than 17,300 individuals in different areas, GMAKF’s Operation Bayanihan continues to accept donations from the public. (PR)