PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 01, 2012

PIA-Caraga, NorMin on heightened alert for another LPA

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PIA) -- With another low pressure area (LPA) threatening Central Mindanao Region, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) personnel in Caraga and Northern Mindanao Regions are directed to be on alert.

In a text message sent to PIA personnel in the two regions, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Information cluster head Abner Caga directed the personnel to be “on-call” as the LPA is again threatening Mindanao.

Caga emphasized the need for the PIA to provide communication support not only to stakeholders but more importantly, to the public.

The official underscored the importance of “Text Blast or SMS” strategy for which PIA has been conducting as one of its information and communication dissemination strategies, making the agency more significant to the society.

“It is through SMS or Text Blast that we could be able to provide communication and information support to the public especially in times of calamities and disasters,” Caga said.

RD Caga added the power of Text Blast has been proven for many times. He said that during the recent calamities in the country, lives and properties were saved because of this information dissemination strategy.

“Thus, we need to embrace this communication technology to be of service to other people,” Caga added.

In a related development, Caga said for those who want to be a recipient of the Text Blast, just email your name and mobile phone number to piacaraga@gmail.com.

Also, Caga said information on Text Blast can also be accessed through FaceBook. “Just find and like the ‘PIA Caraga Updates’ Facebook account… You may also browse the PIA Caraga blog at http://piacaraga.blogspot.com... So, what are you waiting for?... Keep posted and be one of those who are not left behind… Be informed,” Caga said.

As of 5:00 a.m. today, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of 2:00 a.m., an LPA was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400 km East Southeast of General Santos City in Central Mindanao. (PIA-Caraga)