PIA to help mitigate impacts thru service continuity

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of communication services during disasters and emergencies, key officials of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) underwent training focused on risk assessment and service continuity planning.

Conducted in Albay province, the training is part of a five-day Public Service Continuity Planning (PSCP) workshop aimed at equipping PIA leaders with tools to identify essential functions and maintain operations during disruptions.

Gremil Alexis Naz, chief of the capacity building and training section of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol, emphasized the importance of risk assessment in developing an effective continuity plan.

“Once the risks and essential functions are identified, it will not be hard for the PIA to ensure uninterrupted service delivery even during major disasters,” Naz said.

He recommended that PIA complete and institutionalize its continuity plan to guarantee that vital information reaches the public, regardless of circumstances.

Santiago Mella Jr., disaster risk reduction and management officer of Daet, Camarines Norte, highlighted the importance of local risk identification.

He warned that failing to anticipate and mitigate risks, whether natural or human-induced, could harm operations and damage public trust.

“Risks can affect the building, the people, the clients, the services delivered, and the ICT facilities. These must be identified and analyzed to develop the right strategies for continuity,” Mella explained.

He added that during the workshops, participants evaluated potential hazards and crafted initial strategies to ensure sustained operations during disruptions.

Oliver Baccay, officer-in-charge of PIA in Cagayan Valley, noted that the training offered critical insights into evaluating the capacity of regional offices and personnel, which is a vital step in formulating their continuity plans.

“For us in Cagayan Valley, which often faces disasters, it’s crucial to evaluate our capacity to withstand and continue operations. We must ensure our services remain unhampered,” Baccay said.

PIA Caraga Regional Head Venus Garcia echoed this, noting that their region frequently experiences typhoons and earthquakes.

“Through the training, we were able to identify essential supporting activities that must continue during and after disruptions. This is vital to ensure the delivery of essential services,” Garcia said.

The PSCP training supports PIA’s mission to deliver timely and accurate information that enhances citizens’ decision-making, especially during crises.

The agency aims to enhance resilience in its communication services, ensuring that Filipinos stay informed regardless of the situation. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this story/PIA Bicol/Albay)