Fifty-two government communicators and information officers from various agencies and local government units (LGUs) gathered here on Thursday to enhance the Risk Communication Plan of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and local DRRMCs.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Caraga and the Philippine Information Agency in the region (PIA-13), the event aimed to improve strategic communication during disasters, ensuring accurate and timely information reaches the public.

PIA Deputy Director General Adolf Ares Gutierrez, who graced the event, underscored the role of communicators in combating misinformation, particularly during crises.

“Information officers, government media partners, and local DRRM officers are crucial in verifying and disseminating accurate information, helping us fight fake news,” Gutierrez said. He also highlighted the growing spread of misinformation for political and propaganda purposes, stressing the importance of unified messaging.

The event featured a workshop where participants reviewed and refined risk communication strategies for both regional and local DRRMCs. They also developed methods for processing, vetting, and disseminating information from multiple sources to ensure consistency in public messaging during disasters.

PIA-13 regional head Venus Lim-Garcia emphasized that collaboration among government communicators would ensure clear and effective public communication, helping communities better understand how to respond during emergencies. (PNA)