Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office VI attends the DOST-PHIVOLCS InfoPress: Understanding and Communicating Kanlaon Volcano Hazards and DOST-PHIVOLCS Information Products on February 19, 2025, at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol, Bacolod City.
MGB Region VI Geologist II, John Eric N. Ramos and Administrative Clerk III, Catherine A. Española who assists in implementing the Bureau’s Communication Plan attended the Seminar as representatives of MGB Region VI. DOST-PHIVOLCS spearheaded the activity with goals of improving public understanding, preparedness, and response to volcanic hazards posed by Kanlaon Volcano to all media practitioners and public information officers based in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
The seminar commenced at 8:00 AM with an opening message by Engr. Allan Francis P. Dara-ug, DOST Negros Occidental PSTO Provincial S&T Director, followed by the Rationale and Introduction of the DOST-PHIVOLCS by Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, DOST-PHIVOLCS Director. According to Dr. Bacolcol in his message, “We’re gathered here today for a very important reason, to make sure that the information we share about natural hazards and earthquakes, volcanic hazards and tsunamis is accurate, timely and easy to understand. Why? Because clear and correct information saves lives”.
With emphasis on clear and correct information, the DOST-PHIVOLCS InfoPress is a timely respond to the need in communicating effectively the volcanic hazards posed by Kanlaon Volcano. It enriches the knowledge and in-depth understanding of media practitioners and information officers about volcanic hazards in time of crisis and how they relay this to the public. At the seminar’s session, various topics were discussed by the speakers from DOST-PHIVOLCS. On the first half of the activity, Chief Science Research Specialist, Ms. Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, discussed the topic on Understanding the Kanlaon Volcano and Science Research Specialist Ms. Mari Andylene Y. Quintia, on Understanding and Communicating Volcano Information.
The next set of discussions was headed by Science Research Specialist I, Ms. Marie Thess D. Quilalang-Gema, in the familiarization of the volcanic hazard map wherein participants were introduced with the details and how to read and understand types of volcanic hazard maps thoroughly. Following this, Supervising Science Research Specialist, Mr. Jeffrey S. Perez, delved into Communicating PHIVOLCS Information Materials citing information materials and packages, websites and accessible apps provided by DOST-PHIVOLCS.
The seminar was in collaboration with PIA Western Visayas wherefore on the later part of the activity, Ms. Liez’l Marie Lamasan-Ejeda, PIA Western Visayas Information Officer, took the floor in promoting the MagingMapanuri Campaign through her discussion on Dismissing Disinformation in Times of Volcano Crises. After the discussions, an open forum was held to cater questions from the online and face-to-face participants and to address various matters regarding the Kanlaon Volcano Hazards.
The DOST PHIVOLCS Infopress was a platform to promote better understanding of Kanlaon Volcano hazards and how to communicate them effectively to the public as media plays a big role in disaster communication. The seminar concluded with a closing remark from DILG-NIR Regional Director, Ms. Lailyn A. Ortiz leaving a message to all the participants, “To all of us, to all of you, we recognize your critical role in disseminating timely, accurate, and reliable information. Your commitment to responsible journalism helps combat misinformation and empowers the public to make informed decisions especially during times of crises”.
