THE PHILIPPINE Information Agency’s office in Basilan briefed 60 learners of the Department of Education – Alternative Learning System on disaster preparedness during the Youth Alumni gathering of the United States Agency for International Development – Education Development Center Opportunity 2.0 program in Isabela City.

The PIA stressed the importance of being well-informed on early warning signals and alert messages from reliable sources on various threats and potential disasters.

The participants heard a lecture on the role each family and the entire community play in preparing for any disaster, whether natural or man-made.

“Disasters can strike at any moment and in order to protect your home and your family, it’s important to be prepared and have your family disaster plan in place, which contains necessary steps where your family should be ready for any disaster,” the agency said.

It underscored the need of family communication and for individuals who live in disaster-prone locations to plan ahead for emergencies.

The learners were urged to research local evacuation routes, take part in training for disaster preparedness and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood to the appropriate authorities.