The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) held two seminars to help 126 media practitioners and public information officers communicate volcanic hazards and risks concerning the active Kanlaon Volcano. The seminar, called PHIVOLCS InfoPress: Understanding and Communicating Kanlaon Volcano Hazards and DOST-PHIVOLCS Information Products, took place on February 19, 2025, at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City and online via Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live and on February 20, 2025 at the Girl Scout of the Philippines Office in Dumaguete City.
The PHIVOLCS InfoPress underscores the importance of clear and accurate information exchange among DOST-PHIVOLCS, local government, the media, and other key stakeholders for timely and appropriate preparedness and response actions of communities at risk. This initiative is in
partnership with DOST Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTO), DOST Negros Island Region (NIR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG NIR), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) VI and VII.
DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol reinforced how crucial good science communication is. "By giving public information officers and the media the right tools, we can make sure messages about volcanic risks and safety are clear and easy to understand," Bacolcol said.
Chief of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD), Ms. Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, gave a session on Volcano 101: Understanding Kanlaon Volcano, where she discussed the volcano’s history and eruption scenarios. Ms. Mari Andylene Y. Quintia, Resident Volcanologist of Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, spoke on Understanding and Communicating Volcano Information, explaining how to utilize the various volcano information, especially during volcanic unrest.
Ms. Marie Thess D. Quilalang-Gemal, Science Research Specialist (SRS), led a discussion on Volcanic Hazard Map Familiarization, detailing how hazard maps are useful for disaster preparedness and response planning. Mr. Jeffrey S. Perez, Supervising SRS, showed in his lecture on Communicating PHIVOLCS Information Materials how PHIVOLCS resources help educate the public and guide authorities during emergencies. Ms. Liez'l Marie Lamasan-Ejeda of PIA promoted the #MagingMapanuriCampaign: Dismissing Disinformation in Times of Volcano Crisis and highlighted the media's role in stopping false information during volcanic crises and helping the public discern fake news.
