Several personalities and journalists can’t help but bring in the issue of the ABS-CBN shutdown amidst the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
In a post, a human rights lawyer and senatorial candidate Chel Diokno shared the importance of the Kapamilya network in times of disasters and calamities.
In his tweet, Diokno said the shutdown of the ABS-CBN regional network group hampered the storm warning in the far-flung areas which only ABS-CBN can reach.
Sa panahon ng sakuna, mahalaga na mayroong maayos at maaasahang linya ng komunikasyon. The shutdown of regional ABS-CBN stations hampered storm warnings to far-flung areas as well as real-time updates from affected LGUs. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/cDvYcre7S2
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) December 17, 2021
Outspoken OPM icon Jim Paredes also shared his thoughts on Twitter, saying many people are missing the wide reach of ABS-CBN. He also chided politicians who voted not to renew the network’s franchise saying, a presidential candidate was one of them.
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1471750895880716289
Meanwhile, Kapamilya broadcast journalist Karen Davila shared a viewer’s sentiment regarding the absence of ABS-CBN on free TV.
According to Karen, a viewer felt helpless with the loss of ABS-CBN on air which was a great help in tracking the effects of typhoons.
What having ABSCBN on free TV means to the public. #TyphoonOdette
VIEWER: I just wanted to say I am feeling the loss of abs on air. I feel helpless as I want to track the effects of the typhoon pero no coverage. How sad because so many of my friends are affected.
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) December 17, 2021
Another journalist RJ Barrete on the other hand, slammed Duterte for his role in shutting down the country’s largest TV network.
According to Barrete, social media can only inform the public, especially during calamities. He said that is the price of having no ABS-CBN on-air, which Pres spearheaded. Duterte was supported by Marcos Jr.
This is why social media can only do so much and this is the price we pay after Duterte shut down ABSCBN… Lahat nagkakapaan ng updates tungkol sa bagyo! And oh btw, Marcos supported it.
Nakakagigil.
— RJ Barrete (@rjamesbarrete) December 17, 2021
Since the ABS-CBN shutdown in May 2020, many people have felt lost with their source of information, most especially during disasters and emergencies.
Last year, many netizens also shared their thought about the importance of ABS-CBN during typhoons. As typhoon Rolly is about the ravage the country, netizens can’t help by missing ABS-CBN’s broadcast because they have the widest reach in the country.
Kapamilya journalist Jeff Canoy meanwhile in one of his assignments during Typhoon Ambo shared how people clamored for the ABS-CBN comeback saying the Kapamilya network is the only station that has signal in the far-flung areas of the country.
Here are other reactions from social media personalities regarding the effects of the ABS-CBN shutdown during calamities.
For Vice Presidential candidate Walden Bello, the ABS-CBN shutdown cost the country its most effective early-warning system.
We are once again paying for the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which provided the most effective early-warning system. Self-serving authoritarian politics has combined with the activities of big polluters to create disaster in a country that is extremely vulnerable to global warming.
— Walden Bello (@WaldenBello) December 17, 2021
For James Banaag, the ABS-CBN Regional Network group could be the people’s source of blow-by-blow updates if they didn’t shut down.
kung may abs-cbn regional network group pa sana, baka blow-by-blow ang updates na nakukuha natin mula sa visayas at mindanao lalo sa ganitong panahon na may matinding bagyo. hay nako, #IbalikAngABSCBN!
— James Banaag (@dearscarjames) December 17, 2021
Cathy Alvarez shared the sentiments regarding the ABS-CBN Regional Network group and cursed Rep. Marcoleta, who was one of the main opposition of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal in congress.
https://twitter.com/katipunera/status/1471330321933111296
