By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

ALTHOUGH the Emergency Management Office says it did things correctly during the Jan. 13 tsunami warning, Director Gregorio A. Deleon Guerrero admits “there are still things to correct.”
The EMO director was preparing his reply to a letter from Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, Covenant-Saipan, urging him to reassess their emergency plans and find ways to disseminate information in a “timely fashion.”
Deleon Guerrero said they have already met with members of the broadcast media to discuss the issue.
He said the media was told that although their help was needed, EMO remains the only agency responsible for issuing emergency warnings.
Dela Cruz, in his Jan. 19 letter, told EMO he was “surprised” to find no announcements on the radio or television about the tsunami warning.
Dela Cruz, who chairs the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications, said Deleon Guerrero should reassess EMO’s emergency plans, and possibly “set up a task force of which media companies can be members (cable TV, radio and newspapers) as well as pertinent government agencies such as Public Safety and Public Health.”
According to Dela Cruz, he “will be more than willing to assist the task force.”
He added, “The people of the commonwealth will not be satisfied with anything less than information that is current and conclusive…and I and my colleagues in the 15th Legislature will be more than happy to assist your office should the need arises.”