MORE than 20 members of the media from Western Visayas recently attended the one-day Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Training for Media Personnel in Iloilo City.
Aletha Nogra of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Western Visayas said the activity is a course for the media designed to inform and educate the reporters, writers and news editors on DRRM in the Philippine context.
OCD is the country's lead agency in reducing vulnerabilities and hazard risks in communities under Republic Act 10121.
“OCD is also tasked with ensuring the public is provided with accurate, timely and relevant information on hazards and disaster risks,” Nogra said.
To achieve this, OCD must harness the power and reach of the mass media, which is the most influential source of information for Filipinos, she added.
Among the topics discussed include Philippine DRRM system, disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, response and rehabilitation and recovery.
Romina Marasigan, chief of OCD Central Public Affairs Office, gave a talk on DRRM for media.
OCD-Western Visayas director Jose Roberto Nunez stressed the importance of maintaining a good rapport with the media that goes with an effective delivery of DRRM goals. (PR)