Disaster Media Tools, Community Influencers, and their Effectiveness in Disaster Risk and Reduction Management in Tiwi, Albay

Abstract

Traditional and non-traditional media have become essential communication tools or channels for disseminating, informing, mobilizing, and coping with disaster-related information/messages. They provide real-time data and information for use in the different phrases of the disaster to help spread awareness, support, and warnings in relief for victims. This study examines the various traditional and non-traditional communication tools available as disaster media. it identifies broadcast (TV and radio), print (newspaper), digital (cellphones) and social media as sources of disaster information/messages and their effectiveness for Tiwi, Albay's Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (DRRM). Six (6) sets of data were utilized to examine and determine the quad media as sources of information/messages. This includes the effectiveness of the identified sources of information as regards timeliness, accuracy, relevance, and understandability, the existing disaster media communiccation networks, the issues or challenges encountered by the residents and community during a disaster and during the Tropical Depression (TD) Usman, as well as the preparations made by the local government to maintain communication and activity of information channels.

This research employed an explanatory-sequential design using a mixed method approach by combining empirical surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with the select heads of the families and communities as the main respondents. It utilized stratified and purposive sampling from the most affected barangay and the least affected barangay as the strata. Purpose sampling was used in the selection of the study locale, with the town of Tiwi in Albay identified as the hardest-hit town during the occurrence of TD Usman.