PLDT and Smart supported the media safety training for journalists in Northern Mindanao, organized by Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), Hanns Seidel Foundation, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, helping equip journalists with the skills and resources to respond to emergencies they may encounter while covering stories in the field.
The three-day training program led by COPC Journalism Institute and the AFP’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) featured sessions on tactical, digital, and legal know-how to help field reporters and photojournalists manage risks and stay safe while covering stories, particularly in challenging or high-risk areas. Participants also underwent rigorous scenario-based exercises designed to build their readiness to safely navigate high-risk field coverage.
Louie Domingo, Executive Director of Emergency Management Center, shared practical approaches to emergency preparedness and having a survival mindset during high-risk field coverage. Participants learned to make the most of everyday items they already carry and how these can be safely repurposed during emergencies.
AFP 4ID Spokesperson Major Joe Patrick Martinez highlighted how the training would help journalists become more prepared and resourceful during field coverage. “We are very grateful to be equipped with additional knowledge. This enriched our information about the basics, opened our minds to their alternative uses, and enhanced the resourcefulness of our media partners, which will be useful especially when they are on their own."
Hanns Seidel Foundation Program Coordinator Caroline Lee considered the training, simulations, and practical demonstrations that were made possible through collaboration with partners particularly relevant as community journalists prepared to cover the upcoming Bangsamoro elections.
“We thank the organizers for the opportunity to help keep our media partners safe and prepared in the field. Through our #KonektedForResilience advocacy, we hope to contribute not only connectivity and resources, but also practical knowledge and mindset that can help our partners make more informed decisions in times of risk and uncertainty,” shared Judee Chaves, Mindanao Relations Head at PLDT and Smart.
These efforts form part of PLDT and Smart’s commitment to building strong community partnerships and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, while creating a #SafeandSmartPhilippines as part of the #KonektedForResilience advocacy.
