resident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded Filipinos to be wary of fake news during disasters and to rely only on information from reliable official government sources—such as PHIVOLCS and PAGASA—as well as local authorities.
In a vlog post released on Sunday, October 19, Marcos warned the public against fake news, citing past incidents in Davao and Cebu, where the spread of false information caused panic and injuries among residents.
The President said fake news complicated disaster response measures during the recent earthquakes in Davao and Cebu, where panic-stricken people got injured while running in search of safer grounds.
“Beware of fake news,” Mr. Marcos said. “Just listen to the news coming from the official websites of our government agencies—either local or national—the police, PHIVOLCS or PAGASA… Don’t pay attention to news and information, which you have no idea where it came from.”
President Marcos said the government has intensified its information campaigns and stressed the strict enforcement of building policies and safety standards, emphasizing that the safety of Filipino families depends on compliance with these measures.
He also urged Filipinos to prepare for disasters by having a clear family emergency plan, knowing evacuation areas, and identifying meeting points during emergencies.
Mr. Marcos said the government’s disaster response must remain strong, noting that the Philippines’ location in the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
“Our countrymen have suffered a lot. The damage was enormous because the earthquakes destroyed buildings, homes,” he said.
“That’s why we respond differently. Because the Philippines is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, we are very prone to such disasters and calamities. Whether it’s an earthquake or a volcanic eruption, we need to further strengthen our disaster preparedness and response,” the President added.
The vlog post came after a series of earthquakes hit parts of the country in recent weeks, including Cebu, La Union, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Zambales, and Davao del Norte.
