By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Emergency Management Office had a smooter operation during last week’s tsunami watch because its coordination with the media was better, according to EMO Director Gregorio A. Deleon Guerrero.
Deleon Guerrero noted that unlike what happen with the tsunami warning on Jan. 13, the media last week, particularly the radio stations, properly coordinated with EMO in monitoring and disseminating information to the public.
He recalled that during the Jan. 13 tsunami warning, EMO’s telephones rang continuously as anxious residents called for an update on the tsunami warning.
Local radio stations later announced an “all-clear” notice that did not come from EMO’s official announcement bulletin.
Deleon Guerrero said “if something worse had happened that day, the media would have been liable for it.”
Due to the confusion, EMO’s handling of emergency situations was questioned.
Things improved a lot in terms of last week’s tsunami watch, Deleon Guerrero said.
EMO, he added, did not receive a lot of calls from people because they were given accurate and timely updates with the help of the radio stations.
“Things are working well now,” Deleon Guerrero said, as he lauded the radio stations for closely coordinating with them.