The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod officially moved to fortify the city’s defense against the chaos of digital misinformation by approving a landmark ordinance on its third and final reading this July 15. Spearheaded by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Psyche Marie Sy, the new legislation mandates the establishment of official emergency information and public warning protocols. By formalizing these procedures, the city government aims to replace the current fragmented state of information sharing with a robust, centralized framework designed to protect the public during critical moments of crisis.
The urgency behind this legislative action stems from the growing threat posed by the rapid spread of unverified content across social media platforms. Councilors Distrito and Sy highlighted that during health crises, natural calamities, and public disturbances, the rampant proliferation of misinformation often acts as a catalyst for unnecessary panic and social disorder. Recognizing that confusion can be as debilitating as the emergency itself, the city leadership determined that a coordinated system is essential to ensure that residents receive timely, accurate, and actionable guidance when they need it most.
Central to this initiative is the creation of the Bacolod Emergency Communication System (BECS), a specialized unit that will operate under the direct supervision of the City Mayor. The system will be managed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in close partnership with the City Information Office and other vital municipal agencies. This collaborative organizational structure is designed to bridge bureaucratic gaps, ensuring that all emergency communications are synthesized, vetted, and released through a singular, credible government channel that the public can trust implicitly.
The mandate of the BECS is broad and strategic, positioning it as the primary authority for all city-issued emergency advisories. Beyond merely broadcasting news, the system is tasked with establishing a unified communication protocol that standardizes how information flows from the city government to barangays, schools, hospitals, and local law enforcement. Furthermore, the BECS is empowered to act as a watchdog, actively monitoring various media outlets and digital platforms to identify and debunk false or malicious reports that could jeopardize public safety during unstable times.
The ordinance also introduces a strict accountability mechanism for those within the city government who violate the integrity of this communication system. Any officer, employee, consultant, or contract worker found to be deliberately spreading false information—or sharing it with reckless disregard for the truth—will face significant consequences. By holding city personnel to a high standard of communication discipline, the legislation aims to cultivate a culture of responsibility, ensuring that those tasked with public service do not exacerbate crises through the propagation of untruths.
Ultimately, this move by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod represents a proactive approach to modern governance, where the control of information is recognized as a vital component of disaster management. By codifying these warning protocols and establishing the BECS, Bacolod City is taking a definitive stand against the digital era’s “infodemic.” As the ordinance moves toward full implementation, the city hopes to cultivate a more resilient community that is shielded from the destabilizing effects of disinformation and better prepared to navigate future emergencies with clarity and calm.