Phivolcs distribute communication toolkits in Bikol

By Sally Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Philvolcs) recently distributed the copies of communication toolkits in Bikol Language focused on two of the Bicol region’s most active volcanoes.

The toolkits, which contain sourcebooks about Mayon Volcano in Albay and Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon, were given to educators, disaster risk reduction officers, and media practitioners across the region.

The hazard descriptions are written in Bicolano dialects, allowing locals to relate more easily to the content.

Ma. Mylene Villegas, DOST-Philvolcs deputy director, explained that the toolkits were part of the DANAS Project, which was coined from the Filipino word DANAS, to integrate local knowledge and experiences into risk communication strategies.

The project seeks to enhance the community’s understanding of natural disasters and improve preparedness.

“Through these sourcebooks, we incorporated firsthand accounts from people who witnessed the eruptions of Mayon and Bulusan in their own dialects, so their communities can more easily relate and understand,” Villegas said.

Ladee Azur, disaster risk reduction and management officer of Legazpi City, expressed how valuable the toolkits are for the city’s information and education campaigns.

“The toolkit will help us develop materials in the local dialect, which is essential in our efforts to create an end-to-end early warning system. The key to this is ensuring that all information is accessible and understandable to the community,” Azur said.

For educators like Michelle Losañez, education program supervisor at the Schools Division of Legazpi, the sourcebooks will play a vital role in widening students’ awareness of volcanic hazards.

“We plan to use these sourcebooks as supplementary learning materials. They will provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of volcanic hazards, making them more resilient in the face of disasters,” Losañez said.

Cherry Mae Dacoro, information officer at the Albay Provincial Information Office, highlighted how the sourcebooks simplify technical terms for more effective communication.

“These resources will help us simplify complex terminologies, making it easier for the public to understand information during a disaster,” Dacoro said.

For journalism student and intern at the Philippine News Agency, Angelica Joyce Serrano, the toolkits offer invaluable support in creating disaster-related stories.

“As a student journalist, these sourcebooks are essential to help me produce stories that are clear and understandable, especially during calamities,” Serrano said.

The public can access the DANAS communication toolkit at the National Museum – Bicol, with digital copies to be made available on the DOST website.

The Bicolano sourcebooks are the final additions to a series of 12 sourcebooks in six other major dialects, including Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Kapampangan.

Through these initiatives, DOST-Philvolcs aims to empower local communities with the knowledge they need to face volcanic hazards, ensuring better safety and preparedness for all. (With reports from Raiza Lucido/PIA Albay)