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. 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 X2 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 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 with colleagues and residents and meetings and with public 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 use 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 TVPL officials especially the mayors or municipal officials can try new media platforms and use these often enough to make a difference.