On October 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) conducted a press briefing regarding the incoming Typhoon Rolly.
At the said conference, the Office of Civil Defense Director Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad urged the media to spread the news about the threat imposed by the strong typhoon to all communities possible.
He worries that far-flung areas only have access to radio as a source of their information, leaving them uninformed of such calamity.
With this, journalists and netizens reacted to this statement of Jalad as they remember how the government chose to shutdown ABS-CBN.
https://twitter.com/biancadava/status/1322430053242736640?s=20
https://twitter.com/kakiep83/status/1322421947993485315?s=20
But…. #ABSCBN https://t.co/Z0EqHJKRR7
— Goyo Y. Larrazabal (@GoyoYLarrazabal) October 31, 2020
Could’ve easily been done if ABS-CBN is still there but here we are, Marites https://t.co/oVM5G6LVv5
— Claudiopoi #StopKillingPalestinians!!! (@claudiopoy) October 31, 2020
DZMM sana eh, diba? @ all those who voted against ABSCBN franchise renewal https://t.co/ZdtUSOLEqA
— Aika Robredo (@aikarobredo) October 31, 2020
They also pointed out that the consequence is being faced by the citizens as the government politicized the ABS-CBN franchise.
… this is now one of the consequences of the obessesion of Pres. Duterte and his House allies to unjustly shutdown the country's largest network… taumbayan ang nagdusa in the end…. https://t.co/8SEK0ngxds
— Carlos I.T. Zarate (@kaloi_zarate) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/the_pearl_lover/status/1322410273081237504?s=20
You know what could have helped disseminate information about the incoming storm and how to get ready for it?@ABSCBNNews
But they were denied a franchise…
So now many people are in the dark…
— Goyo Y. Larrazabal (@GoyoYLarrazabal) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/the_pearl_lover/status/1322458660350689280?s=20
ABS-CBN regional network groups have a very wide reach and could’ve been a good source of news at these times.
The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group tho… https://t.co/7vInXqd6ap
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/jacquemanabat/status/1322424626442498050?s=20
If only our congressmen thought about the welfare of Filipinos, MORE journalists will be deployed in these far flung communities. https://t.co/GHw5WFO2hN
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) October 31, 2020
Not to discredit other news media outlets but ABSCBN regional really is the best go-to source especially in times of calamity/disasters.
Bilang isang Catandunganon, mas mabilis maintindihan at maiparating sa tao ang mensahe lalo na pagdating sa kahandaan at agarang pagresponde.
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/biancadava/status/1322506940027600896?s=20
ABS-CBN ceased its broadcast on May 5 after the expiration of its franchise. In July, Congress rejected the network’s bid for a fresh franchise signifying the shift of ABS-CBN to online platforms.
However, since online platforms like Facebook and YouTube require access to the internet, people from rural areas lack the opportunity to be informed and aware of the news and current affairs.
Recently, journalists also expressed their worry to the victims of Typhoon Quinta who seemed to be misinformed about it.
With the current rainy season, news sources like ABS-CBN could’ve played a significant role in spreading awareness and information, if only ABS-CBN is still being aired on free TV.
