fw2 asi - 2008-2009

The Presentation : 

The Presentation Fieldwork 2: Community Organizing and Group Work 27 March 2009 Asian Social Institute, Center for Community Services – ASoG, and Brgy. 599 Sta. Mesa, Manila

The Agency : 

The Agency The Community Services program of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) is implemented by the Center for Community Services (CCS). CCS is a social development unit of the Ateneo de Manila University which was established in 1978 in response to the emerging societal challenges of the period. It was integrated into the ASoG in 2006 to support social development especially in addressing poverty and community-related issues. The program links community development and local governance processes through multi-stakeholder and collaborative approaches. Through this, the program hopes to instill local governance marked with a community development perspective, utilizing collaborative, participatory, and multi-sectoral strategies.

Programs and Services : 

Programs and Services Child and Family Development Program (CFDP) The Child and Family Development Program which started in 2002 and currently being implemented by the Center for Community Services (CCS) operates in a four-barangay community in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila, namely: Brgy. 598, Brgy. 599, Brgy. 600 & Brgy. 601 General profile of these Communities: Urban Poor Densely populated Average Family members: 6-8 Lack Access to Basic Social services like, Education, Health, & Livelihood At present, the project directly provides development assistance to 200 children (Elem to Post Secondary).

Goal: : 

Goal: To help improve the children’s chances to obtain quality life particularly their intellectual, physical, social and emotional conditions through: a) formal and educational support interventions; b) appropriate and on-site value formation activities; and c) medical and supplemental feeding support. Another purpose of the project is to stimulate livelihood improvement for existing partner families to ensure sustainability and continuity of support to the children

Three Major Components of the CFDP1. Child Development Program : 

Three Major Components of the CFDP1. Child Development Program Aims for the full development of the child’s physical, spiritual, social and intellectual potentials. This is accomplished through Educational Assistance (200 Sponsored Children[68 Elem, 128 HS, 4 PSS], Tutorials, Values Formation, Feeding Program, Art Workshop, Sports, Health). CCS’s core program is the education of children, and Child Fund Japan (CFJ) is their main sponsor. This is CFJ’s 45th center along with others established in other places, hence, Center 45.

2. Family Development : 

2. Family Development Seeks to build, restore and strengthen the parent’s capacities to assume the basic responsibilities for the survival, growth and development of all the members of the family. This is done through Livelihood projects, Values formation, Family Life, Education, Skill’s Training.

3. Institutional Building : 

3. Institutional Building Hopes to build and strengthen community-based sustainable structures with proven capabilities to respond to the needs and issues of the children alongside community problems. Programs include Organizational Building, Education, Health, Anti-VAWC, Livelihood, Youth.

Slide 8: 

Picture from the left: Sir Adel, Jet, Ms. Tess, Raymond, Fam and Angel Standing from left: Fam, Arriane, Angel. Sitting from left: Jet, Raymond and Evelyn.

Purok 11, Barangay 599 Zone 59 Old Sta. Mesa, Manila : 

Purok 11, Barangay 599 Zone 59 Old Sta. Mesa, Manila The Profile

Lungsod ng Maynila : 

Lungsod ng Maynila Country Philippines Region National Capital Region Districts 1st to 6th districts of Manila Barangays 897 Incorporated (city) June 10, 1574 Government - Mayor Alfredo Lim (2007-2010; GO)  - Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso ("Isko Moreno") (2007-2010; (AM/PDP-Laban/GO) Area - City 38.55 km2 (14.9 sq mi) Elevation 16.0 m (52 ft) Population (2007) - City 1,660,714 Density 43,079/km2 (111,575/sq mi) Metro 11,553,427 Time zone PHT (UTC+8) ZIP code 0900 to 1096 Area code(s) 2 Demonym Manileño (Often spelled as Manilenyo) Song Manila Website www.manila.gov.ph/ "City by the Bay"; "La Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City)“

Sta. Mesa : 

Sta. Mesa Santa Mesa, Manila is a district in the city of Manila, a component of Metro Manila, the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. The name is derived from the "Santa Mesa de la Misericordia", the owner of the land during the Spanish colonial period, which was an "obra pía", meaning "pious work", and provided social services. The original town center, known as a "poblacion", is on Old Santa Mesa Road, from Stop and Shop to V. Mapa. However, the town was enlarged and has come to include the streets of Ramon Magsaysay, Anonas, Santol, Maganda, Pureza, Paltoc, Bataan, M.H. Dela Fuente, Bacood, and V. Mapa. The town was merged with Sampaloc and the combination merged with Manila, as districts.

Brgy. 599. Zone 59 : 

Brgy. 599. Zone 59 In the 1980’s, when the first settlers moved into the place, it was known before as “the Kangkungan”, there are few prominent families who are staying around .The place is a small body of water where people fish and get there kangkong ( a vegetable} which is good to eat. According to the old folks, they used to enjoy fishing, but later on people begun to apply for the “rite” inspite for the water. Only Barangay 599 was existing ,the people in the brgy. formed an association known as “DAMKA”, meaning “damayan ng mga magkakapit-bahay”. In 1986, during the time of former Pres. Corazon C. Aquino, the NHA census the Brgy. and that was the time when the government give the rite to the people.

The Brgy Council : 

The Brgy Council In action!

Purok 11 Sampaloc St. : 

Purok 11 Sampaloc St. Purok 11 is located at Sampaloc St. There are 59 household interviewed and out of that are 330 individuals tallied. The age bracket of 18 – 40 years old dominated the population of Purok 11 with 42% out of 330. Head of the family are mostly male. Average size of the respondents’ family is 5 The vernacular language used is Tagalog though the residents came from different provinces and speaks Ilonggo, Cebuano, Ilocano and Bicolano and other local dialects. Residents are predominantly Catholics.

Slide 15: 

Literacy rate is high at Purok 11 such that almost everyone from 10 above can read and write. Residents are mostly high school graduates. Only 61 persons have known to have PhilHealth, 9 has Private HMO, and 83 have none. Common diseases are cough, colds and stomach ache though there were 3 persons identified blind and 1 deaf. Permanent jobs is identified by the residents who have been lacking. There is almost breakeven proportion of those currently looking for jobs and not looking for one. Some reasons given for not looking for jobs are housekeeping, schooling, and too old or too young.

Slide 16: 

51 of 56 who responded says they are having 3 meals a day. 47 out of 58 who responded wants to have additional skills and be trained. On the household expenditures, expenses for education came up a number 1, followed by cell phone load and food came only at 3rd place.

Community Organizing Process : 

Community Organizing Process

Entering : 

Entering BSSW students had orientation with the Barangay Councils in the Barangay 599 together with Ms. Cayas and Ms. Fam from CCS – ASoG. At first students were planned to have a survey at Purok 1, but the Barangay council decided to have the survey at Purok 11 headed by Purok Leader Ray Cartagena. We introduce ourselves with the Purok 11 Leader Kuya Ray and Ate Monet (CCS-Asog parent leader /AVWC of leader) in the Purok 11. Ate Monet lead our group of Social Research and BSSW student to interview the households in the Purok 11. It was during our interviewing for the survey that we had the chance to build relationship with the respondents and his/her families members.

Slide 19: 

With the survey being conducted, it have shown the students a view of how daily life in Purok 11 goes by. Memorizing the alleys and whose house is who’s is also realized at this part. As these have been a crucial part because in relating with the people in the community it starts with these understanding the situation of the community and thereby be effective in organizing the community.

Integration : 

Integration “Planting rice is never fun” that is why one has to be prepared for the hard work. Eventually, one learns the proper way of Planting, weeding, and harvesting. One soon overcome slips at the muddy paddies and skin irritations at the touch of hay and grass. Being integrated in the community is the core being a community organizer. In brgy.599, integration was in the form of being with the barangay helping out in the construction of the hall, visit and talk with the mothers while selling and washing their clothes, listening to their stories and believing their dreams Nevertheless, we realize integration is not just being with them, but journeying with them in their dreams and aspirations, struggles and challenges. Integration is not just an overnight activity.Its a long process. One may not be integrated even if he stays in the community for the longest time. One can be integrated even if he stays there for two weeks but never fails to listen and open his heart to the people.

Social Analysis : 

Social Analysis Relationships/ Interaction Gender-equality Household concerns, do not belong only to the women’s role, men do Stereotyping not pronounced Age majority are youth Dynamism majority are young so it’s marked by forceful, energetic individuals. There’s desire for change. High in literacy (read, write) Computer literate Participation – level of involvement in City of residents low/ No cooperation General Assembly few residents attended

Slide 22: 

Decision-making Processes – High probability of having jobs that could support their families needs & support indications that they are able to decide themselves & participate in sustaining & developing the community & barangay. Values: Education is a value & the highest among the expenditures A number who do not desire or refuse to work. vs a number who do not desire or refuse to work.  The need to improve household/ food recreation activities & other basic needs.  A number who participates in drinking & other crime related activities. Level of conscience, cooperation and awareness. Participation in community activities seemed wanting.

Slide 23: 

Unifying Factors: Innovative approaches to broaden access to education have been felt Attainment of higher education that would qualify them to get better jobs. The capability building measures such as livelihood projects, skills training. Phil Health insurances that aims to cover the medical needs of every citizen. Disunifying Factors – the indifference of many who minimally participate in community activities. Cell phone snatching Drainage & disposal system needs improvement Legitimate residents Vs transient (renters)

Spotting/Developing Leaders“Pagtukoy ng mga may Kakayanan Mamuno sa Pamayanan” : 

Spotting/Developing Leaders“Pagtukoy ng mga may Kakayanan Mamuno sa Pamayanan” As we conduct our survey in Purok 11 we have two goal that is to get information about Purok 11 and to come up a simple community profile of it and to identify potential leader who will help us to facilitate the community. Its an individual who has the ability to lead the community. By interviewing with the people and a kin observation we were able to identify potential leaders. This observation of ours was affirmed during our General Assembly.

Slide 25: 

They were the people who have a firm gasp of the community and who participate well during the presentation and discussion of the survey we conducted in their community. They even choose to where group or program they would like to join based on the needs identified when survey was conducted. After the identification of those potential leaders, we the Intern have agreed to conduct some training and meetings to build their own confidence through certain values formation that we did every week. This activity could help them to enhance their knowledge and skills for leadership and eventually can help the Social Worker in community organizing. These identified leaders need more training that is why it was suggested to continue the on going meetings and value formation to be facilitated by the SW of the agency .

Core group building : 

Core group building In presenting and validating the survey results with the community, the community’s issues and concerns were identified, the core group was created. From the issues and concerns identified, the Purok 11 residents volunteered to become a member of one group who will focus on certain issues. Four issues emerged from the validation and these are health, education, security and livelihood issues. Each group was facilitated by fieldworkers.

Slide 27: 

However, only the Livelihood and Health groups remained since the members of the other two joined the remaining two groups. Nevertheless, the groups continued to meet and were continuously strengthened. Every week, members of each group went through self-awareness activities, problem and objective analysis and values clarification sessions. From these groups, leaders also emerged and formed. For the health group, they were able to link with kagawad choy the health concerns of the purok which led them to impement a once-a-month canal cleaning which they actually did. They were also able to cement portions of the canal and made post signs concerning cleanliness.

Slide 28: 

The livelihood group was able to facilitate a FAITH training which allowed mothers to plant vegetables even at their own houses. The group also started a small enterprise through manufacturing and selling powder soap after they were given a skills training on soap making facilitated by the barangay and the fieldworkers. The group went through entrepreneurship sessions also.

Recommendation : 

Recommendation To the Community: Be more open and critical to the issues concerning not just themselves but the community as a whole. Increase level of participation Do not hesitate to initiate communication with the Barangay Council. To the Barangay: Linkage between the people and the Barangay should be strengthened and facilitated more.

Slide 30: 

To the CCS – ASoG: The CO (a must) together with the members of the people’s organization needs to continue to bridge gap between the people and the barangay. The partnership between the barangay and CCS-ASOG should be deepened and strengthened more to enable barangay to continue to deliver basic services to its constituents.

Our journey in motion : 

Our journey in motion