PIA chief highlights life-saving role of disaster communication at risk, crisis workshop
By NiΓ±a Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Usec. Katherine Chloe Sinsuat De Castro imparted a motivational message to the participating disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) focal persons of the agency in the Risk and Crisis Communication workshop held on August 4-7 at Legazpi, Albay.
“Ang komunikasyon ay hindi lamang simpleng pagpapasa ng balita. Ang komunikasyon, kapag nagamit ng tama, ay literal na nakapagliligtas ng buhay (Communication is not merely the act of disseminating news. Communication, when utilized effectively, can literally save lives),” said Usec. De Castro.
“Importante ang papel niyo bilang [DRRM] focal persons. Kayo ang magiging tagapagsala, tapaghatid, at tagapagtanggol ng katotohanan sa ating mga komunidad (Your role as [DRRM] focals is very important. You will be the one to filter, disseminate, and convey the truth down to our respective communities),” she added.
The workshop was spearheaded by PIA in collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which facilitated the training and provided expert resource persons.
Central to the workshop was the Risk and Crisis Communication training module—developed over several years to comprehensively address the complexities of disaster communication. This module served as the foundation for the entire training.
Recognizing PIA’s pivotal role in government communication, OCD prioritized the rollout of the module to PIA’s DRRM focal persons, making them among the first to undergo and complete the specialized training.
Romina Marasigan, chief of OCD’s Protocol and Events Management Office and one of the resource speakers, echoed the words of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: “One life lost is one too many.” This quote reinforced Usec. De Castro’s call for timely, accurate, and relevant information—especially during public emergencies.
By the end of the workshop, participants had gained essential skills and knowledge in risk and crisis communication. They also developed sample communication plans tailored to their respective areas of responsibility, equipping them to respond more effectively in times of disaster. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)
