Philippine E-Journals

Risk and crisis communication on COVID–19 in Marikina and Pasig: The case of two Philippine cities

Ma. Pamela Grace C. Muhi | Rosa Bella M. Quindoza

 

Abstract:

The COVID – 19 Pandemic is the greatest health crisis of our time which showcased the dynamism of governments around the globe as rapid response has become the key in addressing such health crisis. In the Philippines, it was a test of leadership, especially to local governments, to ensure public health and safety while ensuring the continuous provision of social services among its constituents. Health communication as an instrument of risk and crisis management has proven to be the most crucial aspect of governance in this time of global crisis. This study aims to shed light on the good practices and lessons learned from local executives’ efforts which will serve as benchmark for communication strategy and framework in the formulation of health crisis communication plan of local governments. Data on best practices of two Philippines cities – Marikina and Pasig – were drawn from interviews with city personnel and twenty (20) other informants who are residents of said cities. Likewise, news content analysis was conducted to support the interviews. The disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) framework currently used in the Philippines and the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Model guided the analysis of local government’s communication strategies for health risk and crisis communication. Findings point to the need for informational, instructional, influential and institutional messaging and corresponding strategies, medium, tools throughout the phases of risk and crisis situations. This is in the context of responding to the current crisis as well as in future emerging health crisis focused on recovery, resiliency and integration of proactive risk/crisis/disaster communication in all government processes, as well as in public health information, education and communication.