How Has Social Media Helped Your Community?

During the heavy flooding in the Philippines by a monsoon we just called "Habagat", I used Facebook to post pictures and status of flooded areas on my page so that the people who do not have access to computers but have mobile phones with Internet capabilities were able to see the status of the flooding in Manila. It also helped the Filipinos who were based abroad or out of the country during that time and were concerned of the conditions of their families and relatives here in the Philippines.


I concentrated not just on our community but of other locations too. I also shared every critical or important information or directed it to the concerned parties or people involved in the rescue and evacuation.

With my Facebook status updates, which went on for almost two days non-stop pausing only during toilet breaks, the people within my network were able to get important information like which flooded streets to avoid, where is the nearest evacuation center, contact numbers of rescue and relief centers, etc.

I was also able to use Facebook, along with its integration with my Twitter account, to send the message, names, addresses, etc., of the people trapped or stranded to the authorities paving the way for their rescue.

Because of this effort during those two days, members of the community were able to recognize my undeniable concern towards our community, and many of the people already identified me as the epitome of a concerned citizen. Many of the people based abroad thanked me for the public service.

Indeed social media has "connected" and effected strong communication ties on each and everyone of us that the world seems so small now. Everyone can unite as one for a specific purpose like helping those in need during times of emergencies and disasters.

I'm sure soon enough almost everyone will totally be "connected" due to the growing affordability of advance technology available to the public. Thank you to social media, specifically Facebook!