NDRRMC laments social media bashing for text alerts sent

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center expressed sadness Wednesday over the bashing they received for the emergency alert messages they sent during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Maring.

“Sa kabila ng ginagawa na efforts ng ating National Council para makapagbigay tayo ng babala, abiso sa mga kababayan, mayroon pa ring iba na nagreresort sa social media at sisiraan ang ating inisyatibong ito,” NDRRMC spokesperson Mina Marasigan told reporters.

She said some netizens were sending them messages and emails stating that the alerts sent by NDRRMC were creepy and annoying as they received it while they were sleeping.

Marasigan said the messages maybe annoying but it is intended to save the lives of the people.

“‘Yung mga babalang ibinibigay natin bagama’t naiistorbo po kayo sa iba madaling araw, ang iba ang sarap sarap ng tulog, nanaginip pa, alam mo nakakalungkot pero ang babalang ito ay para sa kanyang kaligtasan at kanyang mahal sa buhay,” Marasigan said.

“Malamang hindi siguro flood-prone area ang kanyang tinitirhan kaya siguro hindi niya nakita na importante  itong mga babala,” she added.

Despite this, Marasigan said there were other netizens who appreciate their effort.

“Karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng mga mensahe ng pasasalamat, ‘yung mga nagkaroon pa ng inisyatibo na magkaroon ng pictures at memes sa atin sa Facebook. Nagpapasalamat po ang ating national council sa suporta ng ating mga kababayan,” Marasigan said.

She expressed optimism that their bashers would realize later on the importance of the alert messages.

“Sana po iwasan na ng ating mga basher, kung sila ay naiistorbo sa babala na ito, dahil darating ang araw, I am sure na sasabihin mong buti na lang nakapagbigay kami ng babala dahil nakapunta siya sa mas ligtas na lugar,” Marasigan said.

She said they crafted the messages as mandated by Republic Act 10639 or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. —NB, GMA News