COMMUNICATING RISK: DEVELOPING A DISASTER RISK COMMUNICATION MODEL FOR SCHOOL-INITIATED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Informed by the constructivist grounded theory, the research set out with the general goal of understanding disaster risk communication as experienced by extension workers from selected Lasallian schools in the Philippines. The research specifically looked at how research participants from these selected schools define and understand the communication process and purpose in three DRRM phases: disaster preparedness and mitigation, response, and rehabilitation and recovery. Findings show that communication processes are distinctive in the phases of disaster and these processes are affected by inflexible communication system, dated engagement framework, and lack of DRRM training and education. The findings led to the development of a proposed disaster risk communication model for school-initiated DRRM interventions.