Strengthening Disaster Response: A Scoping Review of Communication and Coordination Training Programs in the Philippine Higher Education Institutions

This scoping review explored communication and coordination training programs for disaster response in Philippine Higher Education Institutions. Drawing on 5 publications from 2019 to 2025 focused on communication and coordination training for disaster response in Philippine HEIs, a comprehensive literature search was conducted. The data were extracted and synthesized into three thematic clusters: Types and Implementation of Communication and Coordination Training Programs, Challenges in Implementing Effective Communication and Coordination Training, and Recommendations for Enhancing Communication and Coordination Training. The review revealed a paucity of formal training programs specifically designed for disaster response in Philippine HEIs. Several impediments to effective communication and coordination during disasters were identified, including limitations in communication infrastructure, unclear information dissemination, inflexible communication systems, and a lack of disaster risk reduction and management training. Recommendations for improving training programs include strengthening communication infrastructure, promoting student engagement, utilizing diverse communication channels, developing comprehensive communication plans, and fostering stakeholder involvement. This review underscores the need for increased investment in formal training programs, robust communication systems, and collaborative approaches to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities in Philippine HEIs. Future research should focus on evaluating training effectiveness, exploring context-specific needs, and examining the long-term impact of training programs on HEI resilience and community recovery.