As Super Typhoon Rolly, recorded as the world’s largest storm so far this year, wreaked havoc on the Philippines, it became apparent how critical the dissemination of information is.
Several netizens, personalities, and even lawmakers then pointed out how ABS-CBN, with its wide reach, might have been helpful during the typhoon in disseminating crucial information.
In the article that she wrote for Bulgar Online, Senator Nancy Binay emphasized how Bagyong Rolly made us realize the importance of ABS CBN now that it’s gone, “Binigyang-diin ng Bagyong Rolly ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng mas maraming media at ang vacuum na iniwan ng pagkawala ng ABS-CBN.”
“Kasabay ng pagkawala ng ABS-CBN, ang network na may pinakamalawak na bandwidth at reach sa bansa, nagkaroon ng pagkukulang sa pagkukunan ng mga kababayan natin ng ora-oradang update tungkol sa bagyo.”
She pointed out how the loss of ABS-CBN’s regional radio and tv stations has been a major blow to the disaster response.
“Naging malaking dagok sa disaster response ang pagkawala ng mga regional radio and tv stations ng ABS-CBN.”
Other networks weren’t able to fill in the gap, which caused many Filipinos to rely on social media. “Hindi nagawang punan ng iba pang network, kasama ng mga government stations, ang pangangailangan sa balita at marami sa mga kababayan natin ang napilitang umasa sa social media dahil hindi sapat ang kakayanang makapag-hatid ng balita ng mga natirang stations,” Binay said.
In August, ABS-CBN revealed it would pull the plug on 12 local TV Patrol services.
For over three decades, ABS-CBN Regional has created local TV Patrol versions to air on the 21 regional network channels, providing provincial audiences with local and national news delivered in their own dialects.
“Kailangang magsilbing leksiyon ito sa pamahalaan sa tunay na halaga ng media bilang partner sa pagsiguro sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Buhay at ari-arian ang maaaring mawala dahil sa kawalan ng balita.”
But Binay then said that the overall issue here is the lack of preparation of the Disaster Risk and Response.
“Anuman ang maging desisyon ng collegial body ng Kongreso, kailangang mabigyang-diin ang pinaka-buod ng usaping ito—ang pagkakaroon ng overall coherent and actionable strategy sa climate change adaptation at disaster risk response.”
The senator hopes that this issue will be solved in no time since lives are at stake on every calamity that we will be facing, “Para sa atin, matagal nang lumipas ang limit na iyon. Hindi na tayo dapat magpatumpik-tumpik pa dahil buhay at kabuhayan ang nakapusta. Paalala lamang sa lahat na manatili sa loob ng bahay, ugaliing maghugas ng mga kamay, bigyang pahalaga ang kalusugan, at huwag kalilimutang magdasal.”
