THE coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has made a sudden standstill in Mindanao's busiest city. At this point, accurate information and awareness is a vital key in breaking the chain of viral transmission.
When the Philippines had its first case of local transmission early March this year, it wasn't that long before the dreaded Covid-19 reached Davao City.
Maymay Benedicto, programming-in-charge of the city government-owned 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), recalled how the usual busy metro became paralyzed following the declaration of the public state of health emergency.
Barely a month since DCDR was launched in February this year to boost the city's disaster information drive, the station had been repetitively airing public service announcements on how Dabawenyos could mitigate the further spread of the virus.
"I wouldn't say that DCDR, opening only earlier this year, is very timely. But I would say our presence is very important, especially that at this, there is a need for vital information to keep them guided," she said.
As old-fashion as it can be, Maymay did not discount radio as a formidable medium of information source and communication tool, despite the dominance of social media platforms, which technically has a wider range of audiences.
While it can be said true, but as beneficial and advantageous as it can be, the internet has also been attributed as the primary cause of panic brought about by false information.
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) had also warned the rapid spread of mis/disinformation and rumors during a health emergency can hamper an effective public health response and create chaos and distrust among people. This problem was coined as "infodemic".
Indeed, infodemic had caused a bit of disorder in the city. People were starting to hoard food, toothpaste, tissue papers, and supplies in groceries and markets. People were even hoarding bananas, believing its therapeutic effect against Covid-19.
Online chain messages of unverified reports and hearsays have started to circulate, causing panic and even more confusion.
Before anything else could happen, Maymay bared that this had led Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to report to her constituents on a daily basis through DCDR.
"Before the Covid-19 had reached the city, Mayor Sara and I would go live on air once a week on Wednesday, wherein she personally delivers all the latest updates and developments in the city. But when the Covid-19 situation had worsened in Luzon, that was when she willingly decided to give updates on a daily basis," she said.
She said it was on March 14 when the daily interview with the mayor started airing.
For two months, the station's daily live interview with Mayor Sara was an avenue for city announcements on executive orders, policies, and control measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The radio show, since the community quarantine in the city, has been one of the most-listened shows on-air and online, as it is also being live-streamed over its official Facebook page.
Aside from the serious discussion, and the question and answer portion from the media and netizens, people also saw the comic and jolly side of the mayor, giving relief and joy from the stressful crisis.
Netizens likened the radio show to the mayor's father, now President Rodrigo Duterte, who previously had a weekly TV show "Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa".
Netizens had also praised the show for being informative yet entertaining, and that the tandem of Mayor Sara and Maymay has been most sought.
Prior to joining the City Information Office (CIO), the department that handles DCDR, Maymay was once a Kapamilya for 13 years. She was a radio anchor and reporter for DXAB 1296, and a Davao correspondent of DZMM. She was also a former local TV segment producer for ABS-CBN Davao for three years. Unfortunately, she was one of those included in the mass retrenchment in 2018.
Shortly after, she joined CIO and landed as news director and news desk for Byaheng Do30.
Despite being in the media industry for more than 15 years, Maymay admitted that she still feels a bit stiff whenever she goes on board with the mayor on the other side of the booth.
"I have been in the radio industry for years, and this has become my long-time turf and comfort zone. But hey, interviewing your boss, and the mayor of the entire Davao? It's a bit weird but more of a flattering to be one of the interviewers, so I have to really be good," Maymay admitted.
But things went well in the long run, with the mayor's comic antics on occasion, Maymay has since adjusted, making their on airs natural and spontaneous.
Now working for the government, she has since widened her point-of-view when it comes to the role of the media at these crucial times, and the need to inform what the government is doing to control the situation.
But as the quarantine prolongs, Maymay admitted she had a fair share of exhaustion especially when handling or addressing complaints or queries, even negative "all caps" remarks on the supposed slow action of the local government.
So what keeps her sane from all these negativities? Simple. She is in awe with the mayor.
"If the mayor is not panicking, then why should I? Just like anyone else, I am also one of her constituents," Maymay shared.
While she cannot picture what would have been the real scenario if the mayor had not initiated such daily broadcast, one thing is for sure, radio had given the public real-time answers and information, which is of big help in informing the public.
"Our hotline centers would have been bombarded with a large volume of traffic calls," she said.
"The allotted time that the mayor alloted or the daily broadcast had played a huge role in controlling the behavior of the people, and the situation of the city," Maymay shared.
In spite of the challenges and barriers in information dissemination, Maymay is thankful that the station has made an impact, not only in the city, but also the entire region.