DRRM SEMINAR. Eduardo Laguerta, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology resident volcanologist in Legazpi City, discusses the hazards of earthquake and volcano eruption during the one-day Disaster Risk Reduction Management seminar-workshop for mediamen at St. Ellis Hotel in Legazpi City on Tuesday (June 25, 2019). The activity was sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol. (Photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY -- A group of journalists from Albay province on Tuesday attended a one-day seminar-workshop here aimed at equipping them with knowledge and understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) that is very important during calamities.
The activity held at St. Ellis Hotel was sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol and participated in by 40 media practitioners.
Mar Arguelles, Philippine Daily Inquirer-South Luzon correspondent, said the seminar would improve mediamen's reporting by expanding the topic about disaster risk reduction.
"It is important that the media practitioners in Albay become aware and equipped with information in terms of DRRM. How can we report accurately if we don't know the basic," he added.
Claudio Yucot, OCD regional director, expressed gratitude to all participants for their support and interaction.
“Media has been the link of OCD in disseminating information to the public in giving factual, accurate and timely information regarding hazards and disasters,” he said.
Yucot noted that the media is important in making a disaster-resilient community.
Topics discussed during the training were Earthquake and Volcanic hazards; Updates on Mayon and Bulusan Volcanoes; Philippine DRRM System and Regional DRRMC-Bicol Operation Center.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said Alert Level 2 remains in effect on Mayon Volcano.
"This means that Mayon is at a moderate level of unrest," he noted.
Laguerta said the public must be aware of sudden explosions, lava collapses, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and ashfall, which can still occur and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of the volcano.
"People residing close to these danger areas are advised to observe precautions associated with rockfalls, PDCs and ashfall," he added. (PNA)
