A total of 88 participants consisting of media practitioners, public information officers, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) personnel from LGUs with monitored active volcanoes attended the PHIVOLCS InfoPress last 8 July 2021. The theme of the webinar was Understanding the Science of Volcanoes, a timely topic due to the recency of the Taal Volcano activities, the release of VolcanoPH Info App, and the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM).
PHIVOLCS InfoPress, a regular activity of the agency, is a venue where media practitioners and information officers learn about geologic hazards from the lectures given by the Institutes’ pool of experts.
In his opening remarks during the said InfoPress, DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., emphasized the importance of accurate volcano information dissemination. He also stated that effective communication played an important part during Taal Volcano’s persistent phreatomagmatic eruptions last July 2021.
Other speakers during the webinar included Ms. Ma. Antonia Bornas, Chief Science Research Specialist (SRS) of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD),who discussed the basics of volcanoes, volcano hazards, and eruption preparedness. She also described how the information from multiparameter volcano monitoring is used to formulate alert levels and daily volcano bulletins.
Dr. Winchelle Ian Sevilla, a Supervising SRS of VMEPD tackled the various volcano information materials developed by the Institute and how DOST-PHIVOLCS stakeholders can easily access them.
PCOO Director Ms. Ma. Florinda Princess Duque, who wrapped up the event, reiterated the importance of the roles of the government and the media in communicating to the public the essential information for disaster preparedness and response.
The webinar, which was conducted in partnership with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), was followed by an open forum moderated by Dr. Ma. Mylene Villegas, Chief SRS of the Geologic Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Division.
DOST-PHIVOLCS continuously aims to reach more stakeholders in order to deliver accurate and timely earthquake, volcano, and tsunami information. Stay updated for our latest webinars and events through our Facebook: facebook.com/PHIVOLCS, Twitter: twitter.com/phivolcs_dost, and official website: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.
