COA: Phivolcs’ disaster preparedness info drive inefficient

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Siesmology (Phivolcs) failed to distribute the bulk of thousands of information and education campaign (IEC) materials on earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the Commission on Audit said.

In COA's disaster risk reduction management audit, the state auditors said Phivolcs only distributed 34 percent, or a total of 261,307 copies, of printed IEC materials nationwide for 2016 and 2017, thus leaving the rest of the nearly 700,000 copies idle.

"The very essence of public awareness campaigns is to provide largescale impact. This can be pursued through the dissemination of information through print and non-print information materials, among others. Seemingly, with the above statistics the very purpose of the program has been defeated," the COA said.

IEC materials seek to generate public awareness on disaster preparedness and risk reduction, especially once a major earthquake, often dubbed by Phivolcs as the "Big One," rocks Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to movements of the West Valley Fault.

However, the COA said this purpose is not fulfilled if Phivolcs does not distribute its disaster risk reduction materials to the public efficiently.

"To be able to fully realize its mandate and in order to assist the government in promoting public awareness and enhancing the capabilities of stakeholders in disaster preparedness and risk reduction, it is but imperative that IEC materials are widely disseminated among local, national, and regional stakeholders," the COA said.

In response, Phivolcs management said the dissemination of IEC materials is only done after a written request by stakeholders, during the conduct of trainings, and upon request of walk-in citizens, but only after the filling out of an evaluation form.

The agency said it maintains this practice to avoid wastage and ensure stakeholders will read and retain the information. It said a face-to-face interaction with Phivolcs staff is encouraged for stakeholders to better understand the IEC materials handed to them.

The COA recommended that Phivolcs collaborate with local government units, national government agencies, and private organizations instead for a larger distribution of its IEC materials to vulnerable communities.

The Phivolcs was also urged to tap students as information disseminators to friends and families and consider public places such as shopping malls or public transport terminals as venues to conduct information drives.

"We recommended to consider other strategies for mass distribution of information materials that would address its concerns on wastage, non-utilization, and cost effectiveness," the COA said.

Phivolcs management said it will review the proposals of the audit team. — BM, GMA News