DISCUSSION
This study is aimed at analyzing the effect of a Social Behavioral Change Communication plan on the level of intention of selected BASECO residents towards proper solid waste management using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) through analyzing their personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on solid waste management. The communication plan contained a worksop program consisting of activities each catered towards the theoretical values.
With the conducted intervention, the activities served as the mediums of communication aimed to facilitate social and behavioral change towards proper solid waste management. While the infographic brochure was not implemented due to time constraints, the workshop still served to be effective in initiating change regardless of the pre-existing high awareness levels before the intervention as displayed by the significant increase in the mean scores.
The keynote talk given by the DENR representative served as an aid in providing knowledge to the participants regarding the current environmental situation in their community, as well as the significance of proper solid waste management and the necessity of solutions in the form of interventions such as the workshop being conducted on the day. The brief discussion was vital in strengthening their personal attitudes towards their responsibility in environmental action, which resulted in the mean increase of 3.53 to 3.87 post-intervention.
The community planning in which the participants gathered to discuss vulnerable areas and challenges faced by BASECO highlighted the importance of community participation in providing solutions. Through collective planning, their understanding of the influence of social norms in solid waste management was deepened, which was evident in the mean scores rising from 3.25 towards 3.67.
The segregation game in which participants had to categorize cutout pictures of common waste items in the area under the classifications given by RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) helped in raising their awareness towards existing laws and regulations, as well as their confidence in properly following them. The activity helped in mobilizing perceived behavioral control, raising the mean score from 3.47 to 3.66 in the post-test.
The pledge between residents that was carried out contained their promises of acting towards solid waste management, highlighting their general intentions to act as a part of the solution within their community.
Overall, the activities were able to push for Social Behavioral Change among participants, displaying how effective communication and interactive forms of information dissemination serves as a crucial step in promoting long-term changes within the community.
Conclusion
The study explored how the implementation of a Social Behavioral Change Communication plan affects the level of intention of selected BASECO residents towards solid waste management through Icek Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior. The locals’ level of intention pre and post-intervention could be described as strong upon assessment of personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Results show that there is a significant difference among the level of intention in terms of personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control before and after the communication plan was carried out, displaying an increase in the participants’ level of intention from the pre-test to the post-test. Findings highlight the significance of communication strategies and interactive workshop activities in mobilizing solid waste management.
Recommendations
The researchers recommend the implementation of communication plans in communities that face similar challenges in terms of solid waste management. Communication plans may be utilized as information dissemination and education strategies to push for certain agendas depending on the context. Additionally, future interventions may explore the implementation of infographics and other visual aids as part of the communication plans in pursuit of maintaining long-term impact, serving as supplementary aids for interactive workshops.
Future research may also explore the intersection of resident demographics and intentions to delve deeper into the dynamics of demographic variables and individual behavior within the context of solid waste management and environmental action. Lastly, follow-up studies may be conducted to measure the long-term efficacy of conducted workshop activities.
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APPENDIX A:
Invitation Letters to ABM-R Strand Coordinator and Barangay Captain
