Communication platforms and compliance with environmental protection regulations among fishcage operators in Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Batangas, Philippines

The study studied the role of communication platforms in the compliance of fishcage operators to the regulations of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape or TVPL in five selected coastal municipal communities in Batangas [Philippines]. A total of 351 fishcage operators from 18 villages were selected by stratified proportional sampling and surveyed. A total of 13 key informants from the TVPL Executive Committee were purposely chosen for key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the Chi Square (X sup 2) and Pearsons correlation analysis tested the relationships of the variables. Almost all of the respondents were male (88%); married (84%); between 29-48 years old (65%); high school graduates (58%); residents of their barangays [villages] from 21 to 61 years and above (61%); and not members of any Taal lake-related organization (53%). Majority used interpersonal or group communication platforms such as 1) conversation with group members or their co-organization mates (75%); 2) meetings (71%); 3)face-to-face conversation (69%); 4) conversation with family members (68%); and 5) informal conversation with other residents (59%). Only a few used mass media and the new media platforms, except for television that was watched by almost half (43%) of the respondents. Majority (64%) of the respondents used the communication platforms only as needed. Statistical tests showed a significant relationship between the compliance to the TVPL regulations and the use as well as the frequency of use of the different communication platforms. Compliance was more dependent on the use of interpersonal communication platforms such as face-to-face conversations with family and peers; group communication such as seminars. However, the more frequent use of mass media platforms (magazine, newspaper, radio, television) and new media platforms (texting, calling, and use of internet) can also enhance the compliance to the TVPL regulations. Results indicate that the uses of communication platforms that are quite relational with people (interpersonal, group, public) were statistically related with compliance. On the other hand, the frequency of the use of communication platforms that were more impersonal (mass media, new media) were statistically related with compliance. Endeavors to protect and conserve the TVPL can be more effective with interpersonal communication platforms in communicating with the fishcage operators. However, the TVPL officials, especially the mayors or municipal officials, can try new media platforms and use these often enough to make a difference.