'Safe ka ba?' launching marks July disaster Consciousness Month celebration

This coming July 8, RDCC VI will launch a communications campaign on disaster preparedness dubbed “Safe Ka Ba?” as one of the highlights of this year's July National Disaster Consciousness Month celebration. 

Rosario Cabrera, Office of Civil Defense VI (OCD VI) Director and RDCC VI Vice Chair said “Safe Ka Ba?” is a Strategic Communications Plan that focuses on preparedness against natural hazards such as: typhoons that cause flooding and landslides; earthquake that cause collapsed buildings, homes and structures; volcanic eruptions that cause pyroclastic flows, ash fall, lahar and lava flows; and tsunamis that cause widespread destruction of coastal areas.

The campaign aims to enhance public awareness and greater understanding of hazards and specific vulnerabilities; institutionalize measures to mitigate hazards and prevent disaster by educating action agents and target population; generate optimum support for government through promotion of mechanisms for cooperation among stakeholders; and institutionalizing disaster management as a security enhancer and a nation building effort.

“Under the project, we shall utilize the tri-media and interpersonal communication in the delivery of messages to target audiences who are the Action Agents, consisting  local government officials, government agencies/force providers, information workers/media and legislators; the Beneficiaries, who are primarily the general public both the highly vulnerable and less vulnerable groups; and the Supporters that consist the volunteer and donor groups”, said Cabrera.

The mechanisms that will be used in delivering the message include primer, comics, posters, pamphlets, TV & Radio ads, print ads, messages in movie houses and inclusion of disaster preparedness in school curricula. Target venues will be schools, workplaces, government offices and buildings, churches, malls and community organizations.

Messages themes include “Detect, React & Evacuate” and “Be prepared. Don't Panic”. Information campaign to be done annually during the dry season from January to May in preparation for the onset of the wet season when most weather related hazards occur.

Cabrera said this national public information plan is one of the 4-Point Action Plan finalized by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and was given go-signal by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for immediate adoption and execution.

The other three components of the said action plan include upgrading of PAGASA and PHILVOCS' forecasting capability, capacity-building for local government units particularly in identified vulnerable areas and mechanisms for government and private sector as partner in relief and rehabilitation.

The Disaster Month celebration will be capped, said Cabrera by a safety drill to be conducted particularly in schools in the region to test the knowledge and response of beneficiaries in terms of evacuating themselves to safer places in the eventuality of disaster or calamities. (PIA)