Philippines: PIA 8 chief recommends use of maps by local DRR and management councils

PIA press release by Leonilo Lopido

Tacloban City - Local disaster risk reduction and management councils are encouraged to secure a map of their respective municipalities with all the barangays indicated.

Philippine Information Agency Region 8 Director Olive Tiu made the pronouncement as guest in the media forum of the Certified Media Practitioners held at the PIA Regional Office in the morning of January 7.

The Lady Director disclosed that the Philippine Information Agency has a big map of Eastern Visayas showing the provinces and the various municipalities.

In times of calamities just like now, as soon as a report is received that a certain municipality is flooded, had landslide, road slips or outbreak of diseases, the PIA immediately tacks a colored pin in the particular municipality.

Just by glancing at the map, Director Tiu said that the beholder will immediately know the extent of the calamity in the region: How many provinces are involved; how many municipalities per province, and what type of disaster.

Director Tiu said that for flood, a red colored pin is used; for landslide, white; for road slips, yellow and for disease outbreak, blue.

Thus, when members of the media call, Director Tiu just look at the Eastern Visayas map and she will immediately know the answer to the questions regarding the current calamities.

The lady director said that PIA will introduce more data in the map like the amount of damage in infra and agriculture, the number of families affected and number of individuals affected.

Director Tiu expressed gratitude to all partners both from the government and private sectors for putting their trust on PIA by texting the important updates in their respective areas.

She assured the partners that all information sent to PIA 8 are sent to the RDRRMC, the media, the PIA Central Office which send the same to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. (PIA 8)