Hackers hit NDRRMC project's website

MANILA, Philippines - The server of a government project that uses videos to inform the public about disasters has been penetrated by hackers, with the website’s address directing its visitors to adult web pages.

The address of DINA (Disaster Information for Nationwide Awareness) Project will bring mobile phone users to a Russian models’ website or a porn video sharing page.

The problem came as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is stepping up measures to enhance awareness on disasters.

NDRRMC Executive Director Eduardo del Rosario advised the public to access the DINA Project website through desktop computers or laptops while they are fixing the problem.

“Do not use mobile phones because government websites are being hacked now,” Del Rosario said during the launch of the DINA Project on Wednesday.

Fortunately, there were no glitches when the videos were presented during the project launch, which, incidentally, was attended by minors.

Del Rosario said it is possible that Anonymous Philippines, the group behind the defacing of more than 30 government websites, is behind the technical woes.

DINA project features eight audio-visual presentations that tackle earthquakes, tropical cyclones, tsunami, floods, landslides, fires and emergency survival kits.

The videos seek to inform viewers about the nature of disasters as well as ways to prepare for them.

The project costs P1 million, with the government contributing P400,000 and Ube Media Inc. of the Lina Group of Companies shouldering P600,000.

“This is very important. We can now educate all of our countrymen who have internet access,” del Rosario said.

The NDRRMC will work closely with other government agencies so that the videos can reach a wide audience. The DINA videos may also be shown in theaters, buses, schools, vessels, train stations, government and private offices.

“The whole government machinery will help each other (to ensure) the widest dissemination of the public awareness and education campaign of project DINA,” del Rosario said.

The project was made possible by the cooperation between the NDRRMC and Ube Media, the company behind the weather channel Panahon TV.