Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024): The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development
Articles

Effectiveness of Social Media Platforms as a Reporting Tool in Disaster and Incident Response of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Region III

  • Divina Bulan,
  • Vilma Ramos
Divina Bulan
Department of Public Works and Highways
Vilma Ramos
Nueva Ecija University Of Science and Technology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v3i1.174

Published 06/30/2024

Keywords

  • Disaster Management; Infrastructure Maintenance; Public Administration; Social Media Platforms; Reporting Tools

How to Cite

Bulan, D., & Ramos, V. (2024). Effectiveness of Social Media Platforms as a Reporting Tool in Disaster and Incident Response of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Region III. The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v3i1.174

Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of social media platforms as reporting tools for disaster and incident response within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Region III. Through a mixed-methods approach, demographic profiles of clientele and DPWH Public Information Officers (PIOs) were analyzed alongside reports received and perceived effectiveness of social media platforms. Purposive sampling was employed to gather responses from 13 clienteles and 33 DPWH PIOs. The demographic analysis revealed that clienteles primarily aged between 25 and 44 years old, with a majority having attained graduate or college degrees and residing in urban areas. DPWH PIOs predominantly fell within the 25 to 34 age range, with most being college graduates and contract-of-service employees. Despite variations in demographics, both clienteles and PIOs perceived social media platforms as effective tools for disseminating information and addressing concerns related to disaster and incident response. Reports received by DPWH Region III through social media platforms highlighted various infrastructure-related issues, including road erosion, drainage problems, and impassable roads due to heavy rainfall. Actions taken in response to these reports included cleaning operations, patching of potholes, and requesting additional funding for infrastructure projects. The perceived effectiveness of social media platforms varied among different demographic groups but generally leaned towards positive evaluations. Challenges encountered in the use of social media as reporting tools included managing the volume of information, ensuring data accuracy and verification, addressing data privacy and security concerns, and managing public expectations. Despite these challenges, both clienteles and PIOs emphasized the importance of social media platforms in facilitating timely communication and response during disaster and incident scenarios.

Full Paper

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