Governance Communication: A Primer

Author's experience about the impact of Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan in November 2013)--one of the most intense tropical storms on the record--led to the creation of this primer on governance communication (govcomm). This primer advocates strengthening communication in public governance for disaster risk reduction and management. It introduces a model a local government may adapt to keep its constituents informed about the disaster risks in their areas and their vulnerabilities for them to take proactive actions and eventually raise their disaster-preparedness capacities. This govcomm primer also provides a critical view of possible rethinking and restructuring of the local government units that may be necessary to properly address their constituents' actual and present needs. Governance communication uses a system approach that private or non-government organizations can also explore to achieve their organization's programs and projects desired goals.