By PR | 11:22 PM October 12, 2023
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday has intensified its information education campaign on geohazards with a communication seminar workshop for Boholanos on proper response and information dissemination.
The seminar, entitled “PHIVOLCS InfoPress: Understanding and Communicating Geologic Hazards in Region VII,” was a whole-day event held at the New Capitol Building on Oct. 12.
Attended by various stakeholders, from private media, municipal information officers, and municipal disaster risk management officers, the InfoPress aimed to capacitate participants on effective science communication and understanding terms commonly used by scientists during hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes.
Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, Phivolcs director, stressed the significance of the attendees’ roles in communicating the danger of geohazards and reminding them about past disasters through education and information dissemination.
“In the passage of time, the impact of past disasters is easily forgotten. We must not be complacent of the lessons of Oct. 15, 2013. This is why through this event, we are reminded that despite the natural wonders around us, there are geological threats that loom and responsibilidad nato to alert their presence,” Bacolcol said.
Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite, who represented Gov. Aris Aumentado at the event, underscored the critical role of consistent messaging in informing the public about disasters. Balite also extended his gratitude to PHIVOLCS in their continuing awareness campaign to promote science-based risk communication during natural hazards.
PHIVOLCS urged participants to have a clearer understanding of the science behind hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis, identifying signs, learning correct terminologies, and proper communication response when calamities occur.
Science research specialist Melissa Tamayo conducted a review of common earthquake terms while supervising science research specialist Jeffrey Perez gave an orientation on understanding the science of earthquake scenarios.
Other topics covered included the science of tsunamis, presented by senior science research specialist Charmaine Villamil, on volcanoes by Dr. Ma. Mylene Villegas, chief science research specialist; and communicating geohazard information by senior science research specialist Lucille Rose Sanico.
In a workshop, participants created action plans for effective communication on the dangers of hazards through simplifying technical terms and repeated information education campaigns.
Phivolcs partnered with the provincial government through the Provincial Information and Media Office and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in organizing the event.
The Department of Science and Technology Central Visayas office and the Philippine Information Agency Region-7 also collaborated in the activity.
The activity was part of the 10th anniversary of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the province a decade ago, which claimed the lives of 209 people, 877 injured, and costed 2.2 billion pesos worth of infrastructure damage. (PIMO/GMC)
