Sustainable Development Goals Communication Policy on Local Government Units through Four Discourses in Communication Research

Abstract This paper critically examines how local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental, Philippines, can articulate their engagement with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) communication policies. The analysis uses Mumby’s (1997) four discourses of communication research—representation, understanding, suspicion, and vulnerability—as a theoretical lens. It challenges traditional technocratic and hierarchical paradigms that view participation primarily as a consultative process, thereby obscuring the underlying power dynamics that shape such interactions. The discussion emphasizes the complex temporality of participation, highlighting its multifaceted nature as experienced, negotiated, and sometimes simulated within social, political, and cultural contexts. The argument suggests that participation should be understood not just as measurable engagement but also as a discursive, contested, and emotional process rooted in power relations. The essay calls for more inclusive, regenerative, and future-oriented communication strategies that amplify marginalized voices and support democratic governance. It contributes to the field of sustainability communication by proposing an integrated analytical framework to enhance understanding of participation in local governance and policy implementation.