21/07/2025
" To help communities access reliable, timely, and life-saving information—especially in times of crisis—the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 1 launched the DSWD Uno Information Press (Info Press) on July 15 in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. "
To help communities access reliable, timely, and life-saving information—especially in times of crisis—the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 1 launched the DSWD Uno Information Press (Info Press) on July 15 in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
The initiative, which brought together 29 local government information officers and media practitioners, seeks to strengthen coordination between the DSWD, local governments, and media outlets to improve how accurate information about social protection programs, disaster response, and other services reaches the public.
Kristine Shiela Amoroso, regional information officer and head of the Social Marketing Unit, said, “This platform brings us together to ensure that the information people receive is not only fast but also accurate. During disasters, there are many questions on social media that the LGU or the media alone cannot fully address. Through Info Press, we clarify roles and align our messages so we can better serve the people.”
Held in line with the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration, the first Info Press session was led by DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), which discussed the agency’s role in disaster preparedness and response, how to access emergency aid, and the importance of using correct terms and visuals in communication.
Participants learned about DSWD’s branding and communication standards, as well as practical distinctions such as the proper use of “supplementary” instead of “supplemental” feeding and the difference between “solo” and “single” parent classifications—clarity that helps prevent confusion in news reporting and public messaging.
To formalize their commitment, the participants signed a memorandum of understanding to work more closely in delivering consistent, verified information to the public.
This includes coordinated communication during disaster response operations, joint press releases, and clarification of circulating misinformation.
By Joyah Quimoyog