Needs Assessment and Stakeholder Consultation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Communication in Schools

This study sought to assess the effectiveness of school-based disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) communication practices in enhancing preparedness and response among stakeholders in selected schools in the City of Masbate for School Year 2024–2025. It aimed to identify good practices, examine the functionality of existing communication systems, determine communication challenges experienced by teachers, learners, parents, and DRRM coordinators, and recommend strategies to strengthen DRRM communication. This research utilized a qualitative design supported by quantitative data to supplement and triangulate findings. Interviews, focus group discussions, and a short survey were used to validate perspectives from multiple stakeholders. Data were analyzed to assess current DRRM communication strategies, their perceived strengths and weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Findings revealed several good practices contributing to effective disaster preparedness and response. These included the use of clear and age-appropriate messages, timely dissemination of information through both traditional and digital platforms, effective use of tools such as SMS and social media, role clarity among stakeholders, and inclusivity through multilingual and participatory approaches. Existing practices demonstrated moderate to high levels of functionality, particularly in keeping students and parents informed. However, gaps were noted in timeliness, consistency of dissemination, and real-time reliability during actual disasters. Major communication challenges identified were power outages, weak or absent internet and mobile signals, confusion regarding procedures, and failure of some students or parents to receive critical updates. Based on these findings, the study concludes that while schools in Masbate demonstrate commendable DRRM communication practices, persistent infrastructural and procedural gaps undermine overall system resilience. Effective DRRM communication requires redundancy in communication channels, inclusive strategies for diverse stakeholders, and stronger collaboration with local government and community partners. The study recommends institutionalizing standardized communication protocols, adopting layered and redundant systems, decentralizing information dissemination, strengthening ORIGINAL ARTICLE Authors retain copyright. Articles published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY) International License. This license allows this work to be copied, distributed, remixed, transformed, and built upon for any purpose provided that appropriate attribution is given, a link is provided to the license, and changes made were indicated. 588 partnerships for technology access, conducting inclusive drills with feedback mechanisms, and developing localized DRRM communication policies aligned with national frameworks. These measures are expected to enhance preparedness, ensure continuity of education, and safeguard the well-being of school communities during disasters.