Community Based Information Dissemination and Communication Strategies for Flood Disaster Planning in the Philippines : A Case Study of Bacolor, Pampanga <Research Note>

Effective information dissemination and communication strategies have been identified as important components in flood disaster planning. This paper presents a case study in the Philippines, specifically in Bacolor, Pampanga to determine the existing framework of communication strategies and information dissemination in a rural setting. A site visit was arranged to Bacolor where first hand data and information were obtained through interviews and an open forum with key officials in the municipality. Relevant thematic and risk maps were also collected and validated through a windshield survey. In addition, a general inventory of the physical communication infrastructure and existing social structure for information dissemination was completed. A textual review of Bacolor's current disaster preparedness plan, specifically their early warning system, was undertaken. The research found that Bacolor has difficulties in effectively informing residents with regard to flooding risks. Factors identified causing the difficulties include the lack of funding for information dissemination and their top-down structured system for flood communication warnings. Some initial recommendations are to employ low-budget, low technology communication strategies, in addition to encouraging and building the capacity of constituents and non-government organizations to actively participate in emergency information dissemination.