BAYBAY CITY – As disasters and public emergencies continue to pose challenges in the delivery of government services, the need for trained and upskilled government information officers has never been more urgent.
This was the resounding message from the recently concluded Orientation on Crisis Communication for Government Information Officers and Media Practitioners held this week by the Philippine Information Agency in Eastern Visayas held in Baybay City.
The activity conducted came in the heels of the onslaught of two typhoons, Typhoons Nando and Opong, and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu which rocked many regions including Eastern Visayas.
The government information officers who were from different provincial government agencies in Leyte and regional government offices participated in the one-day activity that introduced them to crisis communication and familiarized on effective communication strategies during high-pressure situations to manage public perception and media relations during crises
PIA-8 Regional Head Reyan Arinto said during the activity that crisis communication is about protecting public trust, managing fear, and guiding communities to safety during crises such as natural disasters, health outbreaks, security threats, and misinformation incidents.
“We endeavor to capacitate our government information officers with crisis communication strategies to ensure that the right message reaches the right people at the right time,” Arinto said.
It was stressed that in high-stakes situations such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or civil unrest, government information officers must coordinate with multiple agencies, verify facts quickly, and use every available channel—from social media and press briefings to SMS alerts—to keep the public informed.
Civil Defense Officer Maria Lourdes Dela Calzada from the Office of Civil Defense in the region who served as one of the resource speakers emphasized that clear, coordinated, and compassionate communication is a key component of disaster response and recovery.
One of the critical takeaways was the importance of pre-crisis planning — having communication protocols, pre-drafted messages, and designated spokespersons ready even before a disaster hits.
Meanwhile Leyte 5th District Board Member Carlo P. Loreto, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on public information stressed that government information officers are not just messengers but “strategic responders” who must work closely with decision-makers, technical experts, and the media to ensure that the public receives accurate and coordinated updates.
With social media reaching people faster than other medium of communication, one of the biggest challenges these days is combating misinformation, he said.
“Misinformation spreads faster than floods. If we are silent or delayed, we allow fear and rumors to take over,” Loreto said.
He called for stronger inter-agency coordination and the establishment of localized communication protocols while urging the government agencies to invest in training and equipping their information officers with the tools and authority needed to act swiftly during crises.
(AHLETTE C.REYES,PIA-8)
