Baguio city: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) has called on residents in the region to make use of transistor radios as an effective tool for information dissemination during calamities, especially in remote areas.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jose Ignacio Valera, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) officer of OCD-CAR, emphasized the importance of transistor radios in a media interview aired over a local radio station. Valera pointed out the challenges in conveying crucial safety information to all residents during calamities, particularly when conventional communication methods like cellular phones and televisions become unreliable due to power outages or disrupted internet signals.

Valera highlighted that many residents in remote areas depend on the ‘observation method,’ continuing their daily activities without realizing the potential dangers they face during adverse weather conditions. He noted the significant advantage of using radios, which can transmit information even in distant locations where radio stations are accessible.

Transistor radios, Valera mentioned, offer flexibility as they can be solar-powered, battery-powered, or rechargeable when electricity is available. Their portability makes them convenient for farmers who can listen to broadcasts while working in the fields.

Previous studies by the then-National Economic Development Authority in CAR, focused on promoting Cordillera autonomy, showed that radio remains the most effective medium to reach the public. It allows individuals, including farmers, to stay informed while engaging in their daily routines.

Valera concluded by stating that transistor radios operate independently of electricity and the internet, making them an affordable and accessible resource for the community.