During a Monday briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied that there was an information gap that left the officials and residents of Cagayan in the dark as floodwaters almost submerged the province after typhoon Ulysses hit the country.
“Maninindigan po ako, walang information gap,” Roque said after he was asked why Cagayan residents were caught unaware of the typhoon even though it did not directly hit the province.
“So sa tingin ko po wala namang vacuum at nandiyan din po ang ating mga pribadong mga news agencies nandiyan po ang TV5, nandiyan po ang GMA 7 at nandiyan po yung mga matatapang at magagaling, masisipag na reporters ng radyo,” he said last November 2.
However, ABS-CBN journalists previously expressed their worry as to how far-flung areas in the Philippines will be informed of incoming storms. According to them, since the Kapamilya network, which had the widest reach in the country was shut down, there were no other means for those in provinces who solely rely on ABS-CBN to get news.
Kevin Manalo was concerned about how provinces that were affected by heavy rains were doing.
Kumusta kaya sa mga probinsya na apektado ng malakas na ulan? Sana meron silang nakukuhaan ng tamang impormasyon para makalikas kung kinakailangan.
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) October 26, 2020
Jamela Alindogan emphasized that ABS-CBN could have been a big help to inform those who were living in remote areas that were affected by typhoons.
Sa mga ganitong panahon na may sakuna mararamdaman ang kakulangan sa pagbabalita sa maraming mga probinsya.ABS-CBN Regional ang may pinakamalawak na sakop,updated na pagbabalita…abot nito dati ang mga kasuluk-sulukang komunidad na apektado ng bagyo.
Taumbayan ang napagkaitan.
— Jamela Alindogan (@jamelaaisha) October 25, 2020
Even Senator Nancy Binay admitted the fact that the closure of ABS-CBN has had a huge impact when it comes to information dissemination. In an article she wrote for Bulgar Online, she emphasized how important the network was during times like this after Rolly ravaged the Philippines.
“Binigyang-diin ng Bagyong Rolly ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng mas maraming media at ang vacuum na iniwan ng pagkawala ng ABS-CBN,” she said.
She also added, “Kasabay ng pagkawala ng ABS-CBN, ang network na may pinakamalawak na bandwidth at reach sa bansa, nagkaroon ng pagkukulang sa pagkukunan ng mga kababayan natin ng ora-oradang update tungkol sa bagyo.”
Adding to the weight that the information gap is really existing thanks to ABS-CBN’s termination, Ex-VP Jejomar Binay also felt that the loss of the broadcasting company to operate created a huge disadvantage when it comes to giving information to the masses.
In his tweet last November 2, he wrote, “Sadly, the closure of ABS CBN, including its radio and regional network, has left a noticeable void that has yet to be filled by the other networks.”
such information from media can spell the difference between life and death.
Sadly, the closure of ABS CBN, including its radio and regional network, has left a noticeable void that has yet to be filled by the other networks.
— Jejomar C. Binay (@JojoCBinay) November 2, 2020
Now that Ulysses devastated Cagayan, even Isabela governor, Rodolfo Albano III, who is the brother of Antonio Albano, the Vice-Chairman of House Committee on Legislative Franchises, admitted the fact that ABS-CBN left a void on information distribution.
“Sana kung meron kayong mga crews dito. ‘Yung crews nga ng ibang station pinalipad ko pa para tignan ‘yung damage dito sa Isabela and Cagayan,” Albano said.
During deliberations for the broadcasting company’s franchise renewal application, the Isabela governor’s brother was among the 70 congressmen who voted ‘No’.
Despite these concerns being addressed, Roque still held his ground that there was no gap when it comes to disseminating information. Even though many have been affected when super typhoon Rolly and Ulysses hit the Philippines, Roque still denied that the information gap exists after ABS-CBN closed.
