OCD rolls DRRM Caravan in Pangasinan

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2461464758193/ocd-rolls-drrm-caravan-in-pangasinan
• Wednesday, June 1, 2016

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO (VHS/PIA-1/Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, June 1 (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the Ilocos Region, rolled out its Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Caravan for government information officers and media in Pangasinan.

Regional Director Melchito Castro said OCD recognizes the important role of media and information officers especially in times disasters.

“Information is vital during disaster operations. Mahalaga ang mga reports na mula sa media at mga information officers para makapagbigay kami sa OCD ng tamang intervention during disasters,” Castro said.

The activity aims to uphold the connection of Regional DRRMC to media and to bridge the gap of information dissemination, he added.

“We must really work together for safer, adaptive and resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development,” Castro said.

Castro clarified that the Regional DRRM Council does not only refer to OCD alone but to the entire council which has various line agencies as members. These member-agencies collate and verify information submitted by authorities before sending these to the national council and to the public.

“The report from RDRRMC is the official report that is why we do not release unverified reports,” he explained.

Mike Sabado, chief of operations of OCD-1, said reports, especially casualties and damages, should be verified and validated from all levels before it could be released to the public.

“This is to avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding. We also do not want to sow panic and confusion among the public,” he said.

The Pangasinan caravan is the second leg of the activity. The first was held in La Union province on April 26. The third leg will be held in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in June. A DRRM Radio Program was also launched on May 4 with OCD Undersecretary Alexander Pama as guest.