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Students, staff, and information officers from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) participated in a training workshop led by two USM experts on September 19, 2025. The session focused on risk and crisis communication in the context of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), with the goal of equipping participants with the skills to handle high-stress communication scenarios.
The workshop, featured insights from two USM experts: Ms. Marry Grace Balbuena, Education Program Specialist II, and Ms. Janice Bangoy, Senior Science Research Specialist. They shared their expertise on foundational concepts of risk communication, managing communities in high-concern situations, and the implications for organizational communication and change.
Participants moved beyond theoretical concepts and applied their learning through practical exercises including a role-play in a public forum scenario, workshops on stakeholder and message mapping, and crafting an Issue Management Plan and a Risk Communication Plan. These hands-on sessions were designed to prepare them to manage public perception and combat misinformation effectively.
The program concluded with a closing message from Dr. Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua, Director of the Extension Services Office. In her address, she emphasized the importance of the training in equipping participants with the skills to provide accurate and timely information.
“This training has basically equipped you with the ability to manage public perception, navigate misinformation, and ensure that the communities we communicate with receive the timely, accurate information needed to make informed decisions,” Dr. Magbanua stated in her message. “I encourage you to carry this knowledge forward and integrate it into every aspect of your work.”
The workshop highlighted the critical need for a deeper appreciation of risk and crisis communication, particularly for uncommon concepts like GMOs. It underscored how widening perspectives can help address complex challenges and build trust within communities.
