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Filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana has stirred debate on social media after suggesting that reports of typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) should be limited, claiming such reports often “cause confusion and panic” among the public.
In a Facebook post on October 26, Laxamana stated that PAR alerts are primarily technical and should be reserved for meteorologists, arguing that these announcements may lead the general public to assume an immediate threat. His comments come in the wake of Typhoon Kristine’s impact on the Bicol region and ahead of Super Typhoon Leon’s approach.
“Hot take: a typhoon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility shouldn’t be announced as news, [because] it causes confusion/panic to regular people who assume that PAR = landfall. Pang-meteorologist lang dapat ang info na iyon (That information should only be used among meteorologists),” Laxamana wrote.
While some supporters agreed, many netizens and professionals argued that early announcements help people prepare in advance.
Others pointed out that meteorological terms, such as PAR, are familiar concepts taught in schools and essential for disaster readiness.
In his replies, Laxamana clarified that he does not oppose typhoon reports but suggests simplifying terms for public clarity, saying, “PAR is a technical term for scientists, not the common tao,” and emphasizing that reports could avoid technical terms, stating it’s “enough to say [the typhoon] is being monitored, along with its chance of making a landfall.”
Laxamana later posted about good communication practices, stating, “Good (mass) communication is not about dumping technical info on people. It requires digesting specialized info so they can make better, informed decisions.”
