Roughly two years after its launch in 2010, Tulong Muna Bago Balita recently caught the fancy of UP Manila students. Translated as Rescue First, Report Later, UNTV’s news advocacy reaped high praises from the constituents of UP Manila, particularly its scholars.

“UNTV’s Tulong Muna Bago Balita exemplifies the kind of public service by the media men which is just what the people need,” said Patricia Louise Magalong, a first year nursing student. Ms. Magalong also added that such a notion of public service is admirable and praiseworthy.

“I believe it is a good policy that should be adopted by the whole media and should be practiced by the people especially those who witnessed the tragedy themselves. UNTV’s advocacy should be supported by all,” said physical therapy student Karen Nuestro.

“I was rather impressed by Daniel Razon’s initiative to help others before doing newscasting. It is just appropriate that the media help save life first and then present the news,” said Maike Louise Bugante of the physical therapy department.

While not present in the said event, Kuya Daniel Razon who broached and launched the advocacy also gained praises from the students.

The Iskolars ng Bayan took notice of UNTV’s Tulong Muna Bago Balita initiative when the UNTV News and Rescue team, in cooperation with Bible Readers Society, conducted a disaster preparedness discourse in UP Manila. This was during the university’s Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) held last February.

The Tulong Muna Bago Balita was launched in July 2010 and prioritizes reporting news exclusives so long as they put people’s safety and welfare principal.

With almost 170 Iskolar ng Bayan who participated, the lecture touched on the importance of disaster preparedness and management on specific cases like earthquakes, landslides, and fire troubles.

( Writing by Neil Kristoffer Dizon; Editing by Jane Abao )