In support of the National Unified Information, Education and Communication Program of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Philippine mining industry, the 2nd Series of the Public Relations and Crisis Management Training was conducted on February 28 to March 4, 2023 at the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Information Officers, Community Affairs Officers and key personnel of the Social Development Section from the MGB Central and Regional Offices, together with select participants from mining companies, took part in the said training which was organized by the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division of MGB Central Office in cooperation with the NUIECP National Steering Commitee.
The program started with the Welcome Remarks of Ms. Angelita Lee, Co-Chair of the NUIECP National Steering Commitee. It was then followed by the Inspirational Message of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Executive Director and NUIECP National Steering Committee Chair, Atty. Ronald Recidoro who laid emphasis on the importance of a multi-series effort to improve collective capacities to communicate during times of crises in the mining industry. “Succeeding in managing crises in the mining sector requires a preparedness that is far more meticulous than for other sectors. Our challenge is not just the crisis that may confront us. It is not just giving assurance to the impacted communities… We in the mining industry, therefore have to double our preparedness in order to be ready,” he stated.
Ms. Ma. Teresa Pacis, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communication of Apex Mining Corporation, facilitated the training which comprised lectures, discussions, exercises and workshops.
The first part of the training centered on Crisis Communication called The People Maketh a Crisis, the People Unmaketh a Crisis which tackled the following topics: Setting up the Crisis Communication Team, The PR Person with a Crisis Communication Team and The Stakeholders’ Map. As for the second part of the training, in-depth lectures on The Community Relations Person with the Crisis Communication Team and the Spokesperson who is not in front of a camera were discussed at length. In the afternoon, the participants took a tour of the abandoned mine site of Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City where they saw the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Lectures and workshops on crafting and developing corporate messages, press releases, holding statements, social media posts, and FAQs for a crisis situation took place on the third part of the training called Words Hath the Power.
The last part of the training centered on Crisis-Ready Mindset in Action. Some of the strategies include the use of media monitoring and social media listening to understand the world; stakeholders’ engagement as a means to gather intelligence; hitting the ground running with an evolving plan; and the crisis management manual. In addition, Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Chief of MGB Central Office Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, shared his experience in media interviews in times of mining crisis and other issues. This took place after the video documenting his interview with broadcast journalist Ted Failon was viewed by the participants. The training concluded with a synthesis and sharing of insights. It was then followed by the Closing Remarks of Engr. Mateo in which he acknowledged the keen cooperation of the participants and the success of the activity.
