Million People March
Million People March against Pork barrel via FacebookOn the other hand, a new information and communications technology (ICT) - the mobilephone - was the symbol of the People Power II revolution in the Philippines. Arguably,the most lasting image of Ms Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s new Presidency was when, onbeing asked in a news conference whether a Lt. Gen. Espinosa was planning a coup, shecalled him up on her mobile phone. In moment of high drama she asked him directly ifthis was the case and after a brief conversation reported it wasn’t.
The so-called Million People March was the first of an ongoing series of protests in the Philippines calling for the total abolition of the Pork Barrel fund, triggered by public anger over the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. Initial calls circulated through social media (mainly on Facebook and Twitter) to convene a protest on August 26, 2013 at Luneta Park in Manila as well as other cities nationwide and overseas. Some media commentators consider this as the first ever massive rally in the Philippines called and organized mostly through social media channels.
All disaster emergencies and crisis events are by nature chaotic and highly dynamic, creating physical, emotional,and social disorder. In such crisis events and emergencies, communications is critical at all phases of disaster management. Communications during emergencies incorporates a wide range of measures to manage risks to communities and the environment.Drawing from various sources that include telecommunication satellites, radar, telemetry,meteorology and remote sensing, early warning is made possible.
