Public awareness and advocacy as tools for transforming high-risk communities towards a culture of safety
This session will discuss the importance of raising public awareness on risks and how to address them to effect changes, transform values, attitude and behaviour toward disaster preparedness and building a culture of safety.
Public awareness and advocacy as tools for transforming high-risk communities towards a culture of safety
Presenters:
Barangay Kagawad Melchor Macabalitao of Potrero, Malabon City
Voltaire Tupaz, Rappler
This session will discuss the importance of raising public awareness on risks and how to address them to effect changes, transform values, attitude and behaviour toward disaster preparedness and building a culture of safety.
The story of Barangay Potrero in Malabon City highlights the role and responsibility of local government units in raising awareness of the general population especially those who are living in the most vulnerable and high-risk communities. The Potrero LGU will share the process they have gone through in planning and doing various public awareness activities, challenges, and what they hope to become of their barangay as they pursue DRR/CCA/EMR. They will also share on the on-going initiatives in pursuing the river basin approach, and in the process, advocate that other cities, government agencies and organisations use the same to analyse and address the risks faced by communities within the Tullahan River Basin.
Mass media, in all its forms are a very powerful means for communication. Information disseminated by the media reaches far and wide and easily picked-up by the audience. This places the media in the position to influence decision-making processes of individuals, communities and governments and advocate for positive change by providing correct and timely information. Rappler, a social news network, will discuss how they make use of their platform to inform and raise awareness on disaster risk reduction.
