#ProjectAgos to conduct social media workshop for disaster managers

MANILA, Philippines – How can local government units in Central Luzon harness social media and technology in preparing and responding to disasters?

This is the question that Rappler seeks to answer through a capacity building workshop for LGUs on Tuesday, February 17. The workshop, to be held at Holy Angel University in Pampanga, is aimed at equipping local government officials on the use of social media for disaster information management

Pampanga, home to at least 2 million Filipinos, is no stranger to flooding and heavy rain.

Seventeen barangays spread across four towns of Pampanga are prone to storm surge, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).

The hazard map of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) also shows that majority of the province’s land mass is highly susceptible to flooding.

In 2013, the province bore the brunt of Typhoon Maring’s onslaught, leaving at least P23,128,000 worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure. More than 130 barangays were also submerged in flood waters due to the combined effects of Typhoon Maring and the southwest monsoon.

Agos workshop

The event – to be attended by local executives, disaster managers and representatives of civil society in Pampanga and surrounding provinces, will highlight how social media can be used as a tool to improve disaster preparedness and response at the community level.

The workshop participants will receive training on how to use social media tools like Twitter and Facebook as well as how to use innovative online platforms like Project Agos. 

Project Agos

Launched in September 2013, Project Agos is an information and communications platform that combines top-down government action with bottom-up citizen involvement to help communities adapt to climate change, and become better prepared for disasters.

It is operated by MovePH in partnership with the Australian Embassy, the Philippine government and civil society organizations like the Philippine Red Cross and World Vision. (READ: #ProjectAgos: One-stop shop for climate change)

Rappler held its first LGU capacity building workshop in Metro Manila in November 16, 2014. (READ: #ZeroCasualty: How good governance saves lives)

Project Agos partners include national government agencies, international and local non-governmental organizations, local government units, and private groups.

For interested participants, please email: Renee Karunungan renee.karunungan@rappler.com for more details. – Rappler.com