The Epal Effect: A Theory-Based Assessment of the “Bawal ang Epal Dito” Campaign for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Article
The “Bawal ang Epal Dito” (BAED) was implemented to protect the government’s 4Ps program from politicking. This communication campaign was assessed in preparation for the 2016 national elections according to the: (a) extent of stakeholders’ awareness, knowledge, and behaviors; (b) channels and messages; (c) efficiency; (d) and participation in its implementation. The following theories were used in the analysis: the Transtheoretical Model, Social Cognitive Theory, Framing Theory, and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. The study shows the varying levels of awareness, knowledge, and behaviors among the campaign’s audiences. Assessing campaign channels revealed the most favorable evaluation, while efficiency and participation fared worst. The use of the word epal in the framing of the campaign’s messages resulted in positive and negative consequences.
Bridging Health: Exploring Participatory Communication among Health Communication Planners and Implementers in the Philippines
Article
This study explores a framework for theorizing the participatory media approach by examining local experiences on communication and development through the perspectives of health communication technicians, their relationships with senders and receivers in health programs and projects, and how they conduct the process of communication planning, implementation, and evaluation. The study addresses the following three main questions: (1) Who are the health communicators and what are their roles in participatory communication? (2) What is the level of participatory communication in health programs and projects? and (3) What are the approaches and characteristics of participatory communication in health programs and projects in the Philippines? The study reveals that communication technicians perceive their communication strategies as long-term processes that address the felt needs of communities with the participation of beneficiaries in planning communication that is sensitive to the culture of, beneficial to the majority of, and owned by the community.
