MODULE I The Republic Act 9163: An Overview of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 Part I. Looking Back: The Expanded Reserve Officers’ Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program The Expanded Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program Experience
The Expanded Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program was mandated by the basic constitutional provisions that the state shall promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of its citizenry. citizenry. The Head Quarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippines directive dated June 1994 established the Expanded ROTC Program. The implementation of the Expanded Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program started during the School Year 1996-1997. On February 9, 1996, the Commission Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issu issued ed CHED CHED Memo Memora rand ndum um Orde Orderr No. No. 10, 10, Seri Series es of 1996 1996 on the the “Rev “Revis ised ed Guid Guidel elin ines es in the the Implementation of the Expanded Expanded ROTC Program. The offering of the three components of the Expanded ROTC Program namely, Military Training Service (MTS), Law Enforcement Service (LES) and Civic Welfare Welfare Service (CWS) (CWS) was declared declared mandatory mandatory for all Higher Education Education Institutions Institutions (HEIs). (HEIs). The Expanded ROTC Program enables the cadets who are in the last year of the basic military training to choose from the three components. Article 3, Section 7 of RA 7077 stated that “the mission of the Citizen Armed Force, alternately referred to as the Reserve Force, is to provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of war, invasion or rebellion, to assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities, to assist in socio-economic development and to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.” Likewise, the Expanded ROTC Program was established to sustain the ROTC Program as one of the fertile sources of manpower for the AFP Reserve Force, to provide the students enrolled in the initial baccalaureate degree programs with options other than military training to satisfy the requirement for graduation thereof and to provide a forum for the implementation of the National Service Law. The three components of the Expanded ROTC Program: 1. Cadets who were enrolled in Military Military Service (MS) underwent underwent basic training on parade drills, military courtesy and discipline and combat training. 2. Those who opted for Law Enforcement Service Service (LES) were given training on law enforcement enforcement services. 3. The Civic Welfare Service Service (CWS) option was consisted of activities activities designed to encourage the youth to contribute in the improvement of the general welfare and the quality of life for the local community. Emphasis here was given given to health, education, safety, safety, livelihood, and morale morale of the citizenry. citizenry. Lectures focused on loyalty, patriotism, nation building, civic-consciousness and other values. Part II. A New Beginning and Beyond: The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001
The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, RA 9163, has been signed into law by her Excellenc Excellency, y, President President Gloria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Arroyo on January January 23, 2002, in response response to the public clamor for reforms in the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program.
Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Twelfth Congress First Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand one. [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163] AN ACT ACT ESTA ESTABL BLISH ISHIN ING G THE THE NATI NATION ONAL AL SERVI SERVICE CE TRAI TRAININ NING G PROGR PROGRAM AM (NST (NSTP) P) FOR FOR TERTIARY TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS. AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1706 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) (NSTP) Act of 2001.” SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. affirmed the prime duty of the government government to serve and Policy . It is hereby affirmed protect its citizens. In turn, it shall be the responsibility of all citizens to defend the security of the State and in fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal, military or civil service. Recognizing the youth’s vital role in nation building, the State shall promote civic consciousness among the youth and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism, and advance their involvement in public and civic affairs. In pursuit of these goals, the youth, the most valuable resource of the nation, shall be motivated, trained, organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation. SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following are hereby defined as follows: (a) “National Service Training Program” (NSTP)” is a program aimed at enhancing civic consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components. Its various components are specially designed to enhance the youth’s active contribution to the general welfare. (b) “Reserve Officers’ Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)” is a program institutionalized institutionalized under Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 designed to provide military training in tertiary level students in order to motivate, training, organize and mobilize them for national defense preparedness. (c) “Literac “Literacy y Training Training Service” Service” is a program program designed designed to train train students to become become teacher literacy literacy and numeracy skills to school children, out of school youth, and other segments of society in need of their need (d) “Civic Welfare Welfare Training Service” refers refers to programs or activities contributory contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry. (e) “Program Component” shall shall refer to the service components of the NSTP as enumerated enumerated in section 4 of this Act. SECTION 4. Establis Establishmen hmentt of the National National Service Training Training Program Program.. There is hereby established a National Service Training Program (NSTP), which shall form part of the curricula of all baccalaureate
degree courses and of at least two (2) year technical – vocational courses and is a requisite for graduation, consisting of the following services components: (1) The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which is hereby made optional and voluntary upon the effectivity of this Act; (2) The Literac Literacy y Traini Training ng Servi Service; ce; and (3) The Civic Welfare Training Service The ROTC under the NSTP shall instill patriotism, moral, virtues, respect for rights of civilians, and adherence to the Constitution, among others. Citizenship training shall be given emphasis in all three (3) program components. The Commis Commissio sion n on Higher Higher Educa Educatio tion n (CHED (CHED)) and Techn Technica icall Educat Education ion and Skill Skillss Devel Developm opment ent Author Authority ity (TESD (TESDA) A),, in consul consultat tation ion with with the Depar Departme tment nt of Nation National al Defens Defensee (DND (DND), ), Philip Philippin pinee Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) and other concerned government agencies, may design and implement such other program components as may be necessary in consonance with the provisions of this Act. SECTION 5. Coverage. Students, male and female, of any baccalaureate degree course or at least two (2) – year technical – vocational courses in public and private educational institutions shall be required to complete one (1) of the NSTP components as requisite for graduation. Duration and Equivalen Equivalentt Course Course Unit . Each SECTION SECTION 6. Duration Each of the aforeme aforementi ntione oned d NSTP NSTP progra program m components shall be undertaken foe an academic period of two (2) semesters. In lieu of the two (2) – semester program for any of the components of the NSTP, a one(1) –summer program may be designed, formulated and adopted by the DND, CHED, and TESDA. SECTION 7. NSTP Offering in Higher and Technical-Vocational Educational Institutions Institutions . All higher and technical-vocational institutions, public and private, must offer at least one of the program components. Provided, that State universities and colleges shall offer the ROTC component and at least one other component as provided herein: Provided, further, that private higher and technical – vocational education institutions may also offer the ROTC if they have at least three hundred and fifty (350) cadet students. In offering the NSTP whether during the semestral or summer periods, clustering of affected students from different different educational educational institutions institutions may be done, done, taking taking into account logistics, logistics, branch of service service and geographical considerations. Schools that do not meet the required number of students to maintain the optional ROTC and any of the NSTP components shall allow their students to cross-enroll to other schools irrespective of whether or not the NSTP components in said schools are being administered by the same or another branch of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), CHED and TESDA to which schools are identified. SECTION 8. Fees and Incentives. Technical-vocational institutions institutions shall not collect any fee Incentives . Higher and Technical-vocational for any of the NSTP components except basic tuition fees, which shall not be more than fifty percent (50%) of what is currently charged by schools per unit. In the case of the ROTC, the DND shall formulate and adopt a program of assistance and/or incentive to those students who will take the said component. The school authorities concerned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure that group insurance for health and accident shall be provided for students enrolled in any of the NSTP components.
SECTION 9. Scholarships. There is hereby created a Special Scholarship Program for qualified students taking the NSTP which shall be administered by the CHED and TESDA. Funds for this purpose shall be included in the annual regular appropriations of the CHED and TESDA. Components . The school authorities SECTION 10. Management of the NSTP Components. authorities shall exercise exercise academic and administr administrative ative supervision supervision over the design, design, formulati formulation, on, adoption adoption and implement implementation ation of the differen differentt NSTP components in their respective schools. Provided, That in case a CHED – or TESDA – accredited non-government organization (NGO) has been contracted to formulate and administer a training module for any of the NSTP components, such academic and administrative supervision shall be exercised jointly with that accredited NGO. Provided, further, that such training module shall be accredited by the CHED and TESDA. The CHED and TESDA regional offices shall oversee and monitor the implementation of the NSTP under their jurisdiction to determine if the trainings are being conducted in consonance with the objectives of this Act. Periodic reports shall be submitted to the CHED, TESDA and DND in this regard. SECTION 11. Creation of the National Service Reserve Corps. There is hereby created a National Service Reserve Corps, to be composed of the graduates of the non-ROTC components. Members of this Corps may be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare activities through the joint effort of the DND, CHED and TESDA. Graduates of the ROTC shall form part of the Citizens’ Armed Force, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077. SECTION 12. Implementing Rules. The DND, CHED and TESDA shall have the joint responsibility for the adoption of the implementing rules of this Act. These These three three (3) agencies shall consult consult with other concerne concerned d government government agencies, agencies, the PASUC and COCOPEA, NGOs and recognized student organizations in drafting the implementing rules. The implementing rules shall include the guidelines for the adoption of the appropriate curriculum for each of the NSTP components as well as for the accreditation of the same. SECTON 13. Transitory Provision. Students who have yet to complete the Basic ROTC, except those falling under section 14 of this Act, may either continue in the program component they are currently enrolled or shift to any of the other program components of their choice: Provided, that in case he shifts to another-program component, the Basic ROTC courses he has completed shall be counted for the purpose of comple completin ting g the NSTP NSTP requir requireme ement: nt: Provi Provided ded,, furthe further, r, that that once once he has shifte shifted d to anothe anotherr progra program m component, he shall complete the NSTP in that component. SECTION 14. Suspension of ROTC Requirement . The completion of ROTC training as a requisite for graduation is hereby set aside for those students who despite completing all their academic units as of the effectivity of this Act have not been allowed to graduate. SECTION SECTION 15. Separabili any sect sectio ion n or prov provis isio ion n of this this Act Act shal shalll be decl declar ared ed Separability ty Clause. Clause. If any unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 16. Amendatory Clause. Commonwealth Act No.1, Executive Order Order No. 207 of Clause . Section 35 of Commonwealth 1939, sections 2 and 3 of Presidential Decree No.1706, and sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077, as well as all laws, decrees, orders, orders, rules rules and regulations regulations and other issuances issuances inconsistent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended and modified accordingly. SECTION 17. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of national circulation, but the implementation of this Act shall commence in the school year of 2002-2003. The National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC)
Section 11 of RA 9163 of the National Service Training Program Act of 2001, specifically provides for the creation of a National Service reserve Corps (NSRC), composed of graduates of the nonROTC components: the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS). Members of this Corps maybe tapped by the State of literacy and civic welfare activities, through the joint efforts of DND, CHED and TESDA. 1. Mission To provide a trained and motivated manpower pool that can be tapped by the State for civic welfare, literacy and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation. 2. Functions a. To assist in the disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and rehabilitation programs; b. To serve as an auxiliary to the Disaster Coordinating Council (DCC) response units; c. To assist in the promotion of civic welfare activities; d. To assist in the implementation of literacy programs; e. To assist in socio-economic development; f. To assist in environmental protection; and g. To perform other similar endeavors. 3. Composition The NSRC shall be composed of the graduates of the Civil Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS) components of the NSTP. 4. Organization The NSRC is organized under the umbrella of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). It shall have a national, regional, provincial and city/ municipal level of organization parallel to the Disaster Coordinating Council (DCC) structures structures at all levels. The DCC centers shall serve as the headquarters of the NSRC NSRC at respective respective level level of organizati organization. on. Its National National Center shall be based based at the NDCC NDCC Disaster Disaster Preparedness Center, Camp Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon Quezon City. A secretariat secretariat at all levels shall be organized and composed of representatives from CHED and TESDA. 5. Inter-Agency Relationship Relationship of the NSRC NSRC Concerned Agencies Agencies Legend: RDCC – Regional Disaster Coordinating Council PDCC – Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council CDCC – City Disaster Coordinating Council MDCC – Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council BDCC – Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council CHEDRO – CHED Regional Office TESDA RO – TESDA Regional Office TESDA PO – TESDA Provincial Office HEI – Higher Educational Institution
NDCC (DND-OCD)
CHED and TESDA
RDCC (DND-OCD RCs)
CHEDROs and TESDA ROs
PDCC/MDCC CDCC/BDCC
HEIs and TESDA PO
TESDA Schools
6. Duties and Responsibilities Responsibilities a. NDCC through DND: DND: 1. Shall act as the lead agency in the administration, training, training, organization, development, development, maintenance and utilization of the registered NSRC members; 2. Maintain an official masterlist masterlist of registered NSRC members; members; 3. Coordinate with concerned concerned agencies for the efficient and proper administration, training, training, organization, development, maintenance maintenance and utilization of NSRC members; 4. Conduct performance assessment assessment of NSRC members mobilized mobilized for the purpose and furnish the three (3) implementing agencies results thereof; 5. Formulate specific specific guidelines for the administration, training, training, organization, development, development, maintenance and utilization of the NSRC members; and 6. Do related related work. work. b. CHED/ TESDA 1. Central Offices: (a) Provide Secretariat services for the NSRC; (b) Prepare consolidated national masterlist of officially registered CWTS and LTS graduates per school year; (c) Submit official national masterlist of registered NSRC members, with corresponding centrallydetermined serial numbers to NDCC through DND per school year; (d) Assist in administration, administration, training, organization, development, maintenance and utilization of the NSRC members; (e) Coordinate with NDCC through DND regarding NSRC concerns and activities; and (f) Do related work.
2.
Regional Offices:
(a) Prepare consolidated Regional list of CWTS and LTS graduates from HEIs and in the case of TESDA from the Provincial Office to the schools, for submission to CHED/TESDA Central Offices; (b) Coordinate with RDCC (OCD RCs) on matters relative to NSRC concerns; (c) Maintain a Directory of CWTS and LTS graduates for reference; (d) Prepare reports as maybe required; and (e) Do related work. 3.
Higher Education Education Institutions Institutions (HEIs), TESDA Provincial Offices and Schools: Schools:
(a) Prepare and submit a certified masterlist with complete addresses and contact numbers, of CWTS and LTS graduates to respective Regional Offices. In the case of TESDA, the same shall be submitted through its Provincial Offices; (b) Provide information on CWTS and LTS graduates as may be officially requested by authorized concerned agencies; (c) Coordinate with PDCC/CDCC/MDCC/BDCC, as the case may be, on matters relative to NSRC; and (d) Do related work. 4.
NSRC Members:
(a) Report to the call of NSRC for training and respond immediately for utilization incase of disasters/calamities disasters/calamities and other relevant socio-economic service concerns as the needs arise, through its Centers (RDCC/PDCC/CDCC (RDCC/PDCC/CDCC/MDCC/BDC /MDCC/BDCC) C) nearest the member’s residence and/or workplace at the time of the call; and (b) Register at the said Center and get instructions/briefing instructions/briefing for specific duties and responsibilities. responsibilities.
MODULE II The Civic Welfare Training Service Program (CWTSP) Component of NSTP: An Option of Colegio de San Juan de Letran
A. Life of St. Dominic de Guzman: Guzman: Founder of the Order of Preachers
St. Dominic de Guzman was born in Calaruega, Spain in 1170 from an illustrious family of Don Felix de Guzman and Doña Joana de Aza. He began his studies for the priesthood at the University of Palencia. During an outbreak of famine, he sold his precious books and gave the money he earned to the poor. He was ordained priest in 1195 and performed his priestly duties as Canon in Osma, Soria, Spain. In 1206, he decided to stay in Narbonne and undertook undertook the mission of the Conversion Conversion of the Albigenses. Albigenses. He founded the community of nuns at Prouille which he made as his base of operations. He established the new community at Toulouse which is considered as the cradle of the Dominican Order.
In 1216, Pope Honorious III confirmed the Order of Preachers (O.P.) after which St. Dominic dispersed the brethren brethren to the Theological Theological centers centers of Christendom. Christendom. He died in 1221 at Bologna on the feast of St. Sixtus. He was elevated to the altar by Pope Gregory IX in 1234. B. Life of San Vicente Liem dela Paz: The Colegio’s Foremost Foremos t Alumnus
Vicente arrived in Manila from Tongkin (Vietnam) (Vietnam) on May 21, 1947. He was 16 years of age. He enrolled on the same day as one of the six scholars from Vietnam under the Patronato of the King of Spain. He was an intern student. From the time of his arrival to the opening of school year 1747-1748, Vicente studied the intricacies of the Spanish language. Once classes “opened”, he joined the “curso infimo” whose students were known as “escolapios”. Vicente was so bright and diligent that in three years he learned Latin and spoke Spanish to perfection¸ and passed with high marks all the subjects of the Latinidad and Philosophy courses. After graduation, he continued in Letran, but this time it was to help the students with their lessons. He was enrolled in the University of Santo Thomas for the higher Philosophy and Theology courses. He completed these superior courses in another three years. And then left Letran for Santo Domingo convent to enter the religious life and prepare himself for the priesthood. Vicente was missed very much when he left Letran. He was so good and understanding to his companions, most condescending in games, very punctual in his obligations and above all, very diligent in his studies. He became a model to others. He tutored the slow learners and acted as an assistant to the superior after the “decano”. This position was reserved to the brightest student but there was a ruling that only Spaniards or Filipinos could be appointed. Vicente took this ruling in stride and in no manner changed his humble disposition and attitudes. He then joined the Dominican Order and on September 9, 1754 and made his religious profession. After four years, he was ordained to the priesthood and in 1758 left for Tongkin (Vietnam), his homeland. When Vicente left the Philippines and returned to his native country, Christianity was being cruelly persecute persecuted. d. For fifteen years he worked worked among his countryme countrymen, n, preaching preaching the Gospel Gospel and bringing comfort to the oppressed Christians. On September 9, 1954, he received the Dominican habit at the Santo Domingo Convent. After 4 years, he went back to Tonking, where Chistians were being cruelly persecuted. There, he spent days and nights giving giving spiritual spiritual direction direction and administ administering ering the sacrament sacraments. s. Someone Someone revealed revealed his activitie activitiess to the authorities and he was immediately arrested together with Fr. Jacinto Castaneda, a Spanish-Dominican. They were put into a cage like animals. The King was disposed to be lenient for he was not a foreigner but Vicente pleaded that there should be one judgment for priests, whether foreign or native. They accused him of treason and the King pronounced the death sentence. Vicente was tied to the stakes and beheaded on November 7, 1773. Before he died, Vicente gave thanks to God for the victory that had recently been granted to him. A short time later, the news of the martyrdom of Vicente reached Letran. There was sadness and joy. Sadness because a son had been killed; joy because he died the glorious death of a martyr of the faith. It appears that Vicente wanted to continue making his presence felt in Letran. Immediately after his marytrdom, the Christians kept some parts of his body for relics. One of the major relics - a humeral bone - was sent to Letran. This relic has been the center of veneration throughout all these years, specially during college day celebrations when the students and alumni honor him as their foremost alumnus and heavenly patron. When Saint Pope Pius X beatified him in 1906, the Letran community put up a marble monument in one of the quadrangles of the college. This monument was destroyed during the war. In 1953, another statue was put up. It stands as a beacon for students and alumni to emulate.
Would Saint Dominic and San Vicente be relevant in our day and age? The reply is is a categorical: categorical: YES!
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they would still be the friars who “spoke only to God or about God”, they would continue to cry out during their vigils: “Lord, what will become of sinners?” they would be sensitive to and filled with compassion for the afflicted, the poor and the downtrodden”; they would live in accordance with the teaching of Vatican II which states that religious give witness to their poverty by working for their living”; they would use modern modern means means for communicatio communication n and transport transportation ation in their preaching preaching ministry. they would preach against all forms of injustice and insist on restitution as they did to usurers of their time. they would urge those “who have” to make sacrifices to help those “who have not”; they would respect the competence of women to work in and for the Church; they would show confidence in the ability of their fellow men; they would visit and endeavor to help those in prison; they would proclaim their trust in the youth of this age.
History of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran The Colegio de San Juan de Letran emerged from the fusion of two similar institutions both located in Intramuros. The first was founded in 1620 by Don Geronimo Guerrero, a retired Spanish Officer, who transformed his hermitage hermitage home into an orphanage called called the Colegio Colegio de Ninos Huerfanos Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran. Letran. Its purpose was to educate and to mold orphans into good Christian citizens. At about the same time, another institution by the name of Colegio de Huerfanos de San Pedro y San Pablo was established by the Dominican brother Diego de Santa Maria at the Convent of Sto. Domingo. The founders of these two institutions with identical origin and purpose did not only share a common concern for the children of Intramuros but they were were also linked by the strong bond of friendship. It was not surprising therefore that their two institutions were merged into one even in their lifetime in 1630 and became known simply as the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. The name San Juan de Letran was inspired from the major Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, mother of all Christian churches. Early in the history of the College, College, its chapel was granted many of the privileges privileges enjoyed by the major Basilica. St. John the Baptist for whom the Basilica is named, is also the patron saint of the College. In 1690, Letran was declared an ecclesiastical college. In 1738, six scholarships were granted by the King of Spain for Chinese, Japanese, and Tongkinese Tongkinese (Vietnamese) students. Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz was among the students who enjoyed this scholarship. A royal decree of May 1865 pronounced Letran as a College of the first class. The school's curriculum was reviewed reviewed and revised according according to European European and American American patterns patterns in 1886. Further Further expansion expansion took place in 1894 and adjustments were made with the arrival of the Americans in 1900. In 1937, a three-storey building replaced replaced the old structure. The growth of the College was temporarily temporarily arrested when the building was bombed in 1941 and then turned into a garrison by the Japanese army in 1994. The College was temporarily temporarily housed in the Dominican church and convent convent of San Juan del Monte. After the war in 1946, Letran returned to its home in Intramuros.
In a span of more than three centuries, Letran produced alumni who became the builders of the Filipino nation. The names Quezon, Osmena, Osmena, Mabini, Del Del Pilar, P. Gomez, Gomez, Balagtas and Aguinaldo, and many others are enshrined in the hearts of every Filipino. Part I. The Foundations of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran The Filipino Dominican Philosophy of Education
Education is one of the priorities of the Dominican Province of the Philippines because it is among the most important means of evangelization and has been, historically and by God’s providence, an integral element of the mission of the Dominicans in the Philippines.
1. Purpose of Education Education encompasses religious, personal, and social goals. Education is an extension of the Church’s mission of evangelization. As such, its purpose is to bring out the salvific dimensions of the arts, science, technology and culture. It aims at the synthesis of faith and culture, of faith and life. It seeks to deepen faith as it develops reason leading to an appreciation and living of Gospel values. For the society, education nurtures culture and serve as catalyst of change and development. For the person person,, educat education ion is meant meant to bring bring out his/ his/ her total total and integr integral al develo developme pment. nt. Ultima Ultimatel tely y education enables the person to attain the purpose for which he/ she was created, namely, union with God, communion with others, and harmony with creation. As a Dominican mission, education is a form of preaching ministry borne out and nourished by the pillars of the Dominican life: study, prayer, community life, and service.
2. Nature of of the learner
The learner is God’s creation, made to His image and likeness, therefore, basically good. He/ she was entrusted the task of being a steward of creation. Although wounded by sin, he/she has been redeemed and endowed with the grace to live a life in Christ. The learner is a person, an individual unique in him/ herself but with an inherently social nature. pakikipagkapwa , As a Filipino learner, he/she is characterized by a set of traits or asal : dangal, damdamin, pakikipagkapwa, and distinguished by a set of values: utang na loob, palabra de honor, pakikisama, hiya, bayanihan, etc., challenged existentially by the widespread poverty and injustice. The challenge for the Filipino learner is to develop kagandahang loob by becoming more and more makadiyos, makatao, makabayan and makakalikasan. makakalikasan. Moreover, he/ she is challenged to cope with the demands of the times triggered by a global, highly technological, and materialistic materialistic culture.
3. Nature of Education
Education is integral, concerned with the total formation of the human person in all dimensions.
Education is self-initiated and self- motivated process. It occurs in the learner and ends in the learner. The teacher is but a facilitator of learning. Education is about learning to learn, to live, to love, and to leave a legacy. The Heritage of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Letra Letran n starte started d from from a very very humble humble beginnin beginning g as an orphan orphanage age cateri catering ng to the orphans orphans of Intramuros Intramuros.. Its purpose purpose was to educate educate and mold the children children of Intramuros Intramuros to become good Christian Christian citizens. After 400 years of existence, Letran Letran has formed pious saints and martyrs. Letran's most illustrious illustrious alumnus alumnus is St. Vicente Vicente Liem dela Paz, O.P. O.P. Other Other Alumni who were martyred martyred for their faith as they propagated the teachings of Christ in Japan were Bld. Vicente Shiwosuka dela Cruz, O.P., Bld. Jacobo Kyushu Tomanaga, O.P., Bld. Pedro de Sta. Maria, O.P., Bld. Tomas de San Jacinto and Bld. Francisco Shoyemon de San Jose. Most heroes and leaders of our country, who have guided our people in converting the country's agony into glory, have been cradled cradled from the bosom of the Colegio. From the ranks of heroes and patriots patriots came Antonio Regidor, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Felipe Agoncillo, Fr. Jacinto Zamora, Fr. Jose Burgos, Gen. Manuel Tinio, Gen. Artemio Ricarte, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, the Pardo de Taveras and a host of others. others. From the servants of the Filipino Filipino people came Emilio Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmena, Sr., Jose Laurel and numerous Letranites in public service. Deus . . . Patria . . . Letran. In propagating and living the faith, in the struggle struggle for honor, valor and glory of the nation, Letran Letran losts her sons. But from the painful painful grief she rose victoriou victorious, s, radiant and jubilant. Through the centuries, centuries, her magnificense magnificense will shine in how she molded her children. She will be perpetuated on how her children have influenced the lives of other people. people. Her legacy to her children . . . the power to uplift himself and humanity in mind, body and spirit! The Mission-Vision of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The goal of education is the total integral formation of the human person that would lead him to attain the purpose for which he was created, union with God, community with others and harmony with creation. Letran, characterized characterized by the formation of the youth, is guided by her Vision-Mission: MISSION We, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a Dominican institution of learning, commit ourselves to the quality formation of integral human persons in our noble tradition of excellence and the supreme ideal of Deus, Patria, Letran. Specifically, we endeavor to form the Letran Community to become:
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staunch defenders of the Church; faithful devotees of Mary; ardent lovers of Truth; dynamic builders and and leaders of communities; communities; and development of self-reliant communities.
VISION By 2020, we envision a Christ-inspired, nationally-responsive and globally competitive Colegio de San Juan de Letran at the threshold of being a University, evidenced by quality academic standard, strong research culture and sustained community service. service. Specifically, we see Letran as a leading center on the:
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creative use and applicant of information and communications technology in education; values-oriented communication communication and media education;
historical studies and research, particularly on Intramuros; and development of self-reliant communities. Institutional Core Values of the Colegio Col egio de San Juan de Letran
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We, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Letran remains resolute in our institutional institutional core values. These provide us intense focus and distinct direction: 1.
Spir Spirit itua uali lism sm (Lo (Love ve for for God God))
Our strong faith in God and filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary give us an unbreakable bond that unifies us. We are vigorous in adhering adhering to truth. We recognize the principles principles and tenets of the Catholic Catholic Church to be the basis of our integrity, ethics and morality. 2.
Patrio Patriotis tism m (Love (Love for Count Country) ry)
We are committed in assisting the nation by sharing our resources resources and capabilities. The passion to serve the less privileged sectors of the society overflows overflows in our spirit. Social awareness and responsibility responsibility always exist in the mainstream of our thoughts. We understand the importance of fellowship and charity among individuals and thereby promote cooperation and harmony toward a progressive community. 3.
Letra Letranis nism m (Lov (Lovee for for Alma Alma Mate Mater) r)
We cherish the many years spent in Colegio de San Juan de Letran, home for our mind and body, and where human values were imbibed and skills honed… all to prepare us for a meaningful and noble Christian life. In deep gratitude, we pledge our loyalty to the Colegio. We are proud of her history and legacies. We continuously strive for excellence in our pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and commit to spread her ideals and values. In all our endeavors, we conduct ourselves with grace and nobility. We venture to conquer new glories for her honor and promise to always remember our dear Alma Mater, Letran. Part II. The Civic Welfare Training Service Program Program of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran The Civic Welfare Training Service Program as an Option of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Letran, in opting the CWTSP, will facilitate the total integral formation of the human person through a program designed to prepare the youth, the students, for their bounden duties as citizens of the country and children of the Holy Mother Church. Letran recognizes that its students are valuable resources resources and are instruments of cultural change and progress for individuals individuals as well as society. Letran's CWTSP CWTSP will provide the students knowledge and skills that they may contribute to nation building. It will provide the students the experience of community (pakikipagkapwa), for this makes us Filipinos distinct from any other race in the world. The students will become become persons: 1. Who actively participate participate in the affairs affairs of the Church and the State; 2. Who are respected respected leaders in society; society; 3. Who work for the betterment of the marginalized marginalized members of the community; and 4. Whose altruism is is manifested in their active active concern for others. In Letrn's CWTSP, the recognition of the youth's contribution to nation building is given due importance. Inspired by the young Letranites Letranites who fought fought for the liberation liberation of our nation, Aguinlado, Aguinlado, Fr. Burgos, Jacinto and others, Letran, through its CWSTP, will impress in the minds of the students the value of social responsibility. Through the CWTSP, students' awareness to local and national issues will be increased, and deepen their commitment and involvement to social transformation.
1. Manuel Luis Luis Quezon Quezon Manuel Luis Quezon (1878-1944) was was born on September 19, 1878 in Baler, Tayabas Province. Province. He was the first president of the Commonwealth Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1944). (1935-1944). While a law student, he joined (1899) Emilio Aguinaldo’s insurrectionary insurrectionary army and fought the U.S. forces forces until 1901. He was imprisoned after the insurrection. Admitted to the bar (1903), he was elected governor of Tayabas Province (1905), renamed Quezon in his honor (1946). As a member of the first first Philippine Assembly Assembly (1907-1909), he became became floor leader of the majority nationalist party. He served as resident commissioner to the United States (1909-1916), crusading tirelessly for Philippine independence and was instrumental in securing the passage of the Jones Act (1916), which increased self government in the Philippines and gave the islands a pledge for future independence. On his return to the Philippines, he was elected to the first Philippine Senate (1916) and was unanimously chosen president of the body - at the time the the highest elective elective office in in the land. He continued his his ardent crusade crusade for independe independence, nce, strongly strongly opposing opposing the high-hande high-handed d administ administrati ration on of GovernorGovernor-gener general al Leonard Wood (1921-1927), and after Wood’s death effecting the appointment of the more sympathetic Henry Stimson. He helped bring about the passage passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Tydings-McDuffie Bill, which established established the Commonwealth of the Philippines and promised complete independence in 1946. Quezon was elected president of the New Commonwealth (1935). (1935). As president, he initiated administrative administrative reforms, undertook many defense measures and greatly expanded his power. Re-elected in 1941, he escaped to the United States after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II and conducted a government-in-exile there until his death on August 1, 1944. 2. Apolinario Mabini Called the “Sublime Paralytic” and the “Brain of the Revolution,” Apolinario Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in Barrio Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas. Batangas. Even at a young age, he exhibited exhibited signs of intellectual intellectual superiority. He finished law in spite spite of his poverty (1895). Scholars also called him the “Black Chamber” of President Emilio Aguinaldo for he penned most of the latter’s decrees and order that are now part part of our country’s tradition of jurisprudence. jurisprudence. Mabini wrote the original statutes of the Katipunan’s Kartilya (Aguinaldo’s translation of Mabini’s work was composed for the sake of the unlettered members of the Katipunan. Mabini served in various capacities in the reformist organizations like La Liga Filipina and Cuerpo de Comprimisarios. Comprimisarios. During the period of the Philippine Republic, he served as its President of the Council of Secretaries as well as Secretary Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Unwavering in his stand against against colonial occupation of the Philippines, he was captured and then exiled exiled to the lonely outpost of Agana, Guam. Together with Gen. Artemio Ricarte, he was among those who withstood all efforts to break their will against colonial rule in the Philippines. Returnin Returning g to the Philippi Philippines nes (1902), he turned turned down all offers offers by the colonial colonial authoriti authorities es for him to serve serve in their governme government. nt. He returned returned to his humble humble abode in Nagtahan, Nagtahan, Sta. Sta. Ana, Manila. Manila. The cholera epidemic that ravaged Manila (1903) led to his death on May 13, 1903. MODULE III The Community We Belong: Understanding Community Needs Part I. An Overview of the Present Condition Condition of the Country
An Overview of the Philippine Economy The Philippine economy has been restructured and “developed” within the context of the global free trade agenda of the superpowers in the colonial and post-colonial post-colonial periods. From the indigenous, selfsubsistent agriculture, agri-plantations were enforced by the Spanish crown to support the Galleon Trade and supply the domestic domestic food needs needs of the Spanish Spanish army and bureaucrac bureaucracy. y. This was sustained sustained and modernized by the American government through the entry of Agricultural-Trans National Corporations (Agri-TNCs) and in collaboration with big native landowners. TNC exploitations of agricultural agricultural resources expanded to the forest and mineral sectors. In the post-colonial period, the free-trade-oriented economic restructuring continued mainly through the installation of U.S. and free-trade-friendly Philippine governments which provide the policy environme environment nt favorabl favorablee to such agenda, e.g., Parity Parity Rights, Rights, Bell-Tr Bell-Trade ade Act, US-RP Treaty of General General Relations. In the onset of the 20 th century century market crisis crisis in the advanced economies economies character characterized ized by overproduction (goods and capital) against the backdrop of growing labor and citizen militancy in these economies economies due to the deterioration deterioration of living living condition conditions, s, the trans nationaliz nationalization ation of productio production n and investments have become more aggressive to inferior economies economies like the Philippines. In collaboration with the government and Filipino elite (big landowners and business, TNCs and superpowers have been granted the liberty to dump surplus products (including those that are banned in their own countries); and put up dirty and extractive industries and other labor-intensive semi-processing industries with cheap and docile labor offered by the government as come-ons. In the process of such historical restructuring of the Philippine economy, the agrarian problem (inequ (inequita itable ble distri distribut bution ion of lands lands and alloca allocatio tion n of produc productio tion n resour resources ces), ), mass mass unempl unemploy oymen ment, t, underdevelopment of the basic production sectors or underdevelopment in general, take roots. As the country becomes more and more dependent on foreign investments and international financing, it becomes more subservient to the dictates and policy instigations of the superpowers and supereconomies. The nation and its people consistently consistently lose sovereign powers over the country, country, resources and people. We take a look on the present condition of the country: 1. Employment Problems Full time workers (working at least 40 hours/ week) decreased from 17.0 million of April 2000 to 17.1 million of April 2001. Those working for less than 40 hours/ week increased from 9 million at last year to 11.3 this year. All 14 regions posted a double-digit unemployment rate with Metro Manila posting the highest at 17.7% and Cagayan Valley the lowest at 10.3%. The Department of Labor and Employment received notices of closure and retrenchment within the first six months from 1, 314 manufacturing companies in Manila. This is expected to cause the retrenchment of 32, 576 workers. The rate of employment generation cannot cope effectively effectively with the growth rate of the labor force. From January to September 2001, 52,468 workers (roughly 199 workers per day) were displaced resulting from closures and retrenchment. 2. Productivity and Income Problems Problems
In the agricu agricultu ltural ral sector sector where the majori majority ty of the econom economica ically lly poor depends depends,, the farmer farmerss (landl (landless ess,, smallsmall-med medium ium owner, owner, cultiv cultivato ators rs in the lowlan lowlands, ds, upland uplandss and indigenous areas), consistently experience decline in productivity and income due to the spiral spiraling ing cost cost of produc productio tion n and technol technology ogy agains againstt the backdro backdrop p of market market price price manipulated by chains of traders who are also providers of rural credit. The inferiority of the marginal farmers’ production tools and technology and their lack of access to land,
credit, irrigation and post- harvest facilities make them less competitive with the products of corporate farms and those of the agricultural imports. Fisherfolks also experience similar decline in productivity and income as they lost their traditional fishing grounds to commercial fishers whose production tools, technology and capital are far superior. Over fishing has consistently caused the decline in fish production, particularly in municipal waters. Municipal water fish production rate posted a negative average of 2.9% annually from 1987-1994.
3. Natural Resources Resources and Environment Environment Problems
Environmental problems aggravate the productivity and income deficiency of the poor. The rapid depletion of the country’s natural resources consistently constricts the marginal agricultural producers. In 1575, total forest cover was 27.5 million hectares of about 92% of the total land area with a rate of deforestation of 22, 917 hectares per year. In 1995, forest cover stood at 5.6 million hectares or about 18.6% of the total land area with a deforestation rate of 120, 000 hectares per year. The situation spells calamities and disasters that impact adversely on the ecosystem, e.g., on lands and waters. In 1994, lands classified as agricultural lands stood at 13 million hectares more than half of which were devoted to rice and corn. As consequence of deforestation, approximately 2.9 million hectares have been eroded. The country’s gross erosion rate stands at 2, 046 MMT/ year with grassland and agricultural lands registering the highest rates of 76% and 23% respectively.
4. Rising Cost Cost of Living Living
Against the backdrop of spiraling cost of living, the poverty situation and difficulties of the poor worsen. The series of oil price hikes in 2000 for instance, jacked up prices of other commodities. commodities. The hikes have caused 10% price increase for every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption; 9% and 6% fare increases for buses and jeepneys, respectively; 2% increase in the overall production cost of industries; .11% and 10% increase in rice and corn household expenditures, respectively. respectively.
5. Inaccessible Basic Social Services
More and more poor families have been incapacitated to provide the socio-cultural needs of their household members, especially the children, children, youth, aged and other social dependents. From school years 1991-1992 to 1999-2000, 1999-2000, the national national average average elementa elementary ry enrollments enrollments stood at 11.4 million. million. On the other other hand, average high school enrollment in the same same period stood at 4.7 million. More and more children are unable to pursue higher education. The top notifiable diseases diseases and causes of deaths would closely associate associate with poverty. From 1994-1996, topping the list are reported cases of diarrhea, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pnuemonia, influenza and heart disease with combined average average of 630,000 cases annually. annually. The same cases in the same period period also topped the list of death causes with a combined average of 19,342 deaths annually. Availability and and accessibility of health services has been problematic on account that the total number of hospitals in the country stood at 1,794 (1999) or roughly 1 hospital for every 36,000 people. The total number of government doctors was was 2,848 (1998) or roughly 1 doctor for every 22,800 people. Overview of the Philippine Politics
In the realm of politics that may be simplified as the social relations of peoples (e.g., governorsgoverned, social leaders-constituents, leaders-constituents, dominant-subordinate groups, public-corporate-civil public-corporate-civil societies, etc.), the problems have been identified as: 1. Graft and Corruption
Graft and corruption have become institutions in government as they have been practiced in practically all levels of government including the country’s country’s highest office. They have so gross to infect and contaminate even the institutions of learning that is supposed to mold and form values of the people especially the youths for good and responsible citizenship; or the military and police agencies that are supposed to discipline, reform or prevent prevent persons in engaging in criminal acts and other anti-social anti-social practices. practices. Graft & corruptio corruption n have become too endemic endemic that the government government is losing losing its moral ascendancy ascendancy to lead its constituents to the extent that that it tends to deceive, bribe or coerce coerce the people to submit to its rule. As this occur in the social relationship between the governors and the governed, social disorder becomes a natural cause of unpeace or the deterioration deterioration of just peace. Other political issues issues like nepotism, dynastism, dynastism, and vote-buyi vote-buying ng and election election fraud could be correlated correlated with the problem on graft & corruptio corruption. n. Graft Graft and corruption is systematic systematic in government. This situation is further maintained maintained by the ineptitude of the justice system (judicial branch) to prosecute and convict violators of the Anti-Corrupt Act and Practices Law. The same is true with the rising organized crimes such as drug-trafficking, kidnap-for-ransom, kidnap-for-ransom, robbery, extortion, bribery, etc. Law enforcement has been made inutile in curbing criminality criminality due to the alleged deep involvement of the some law enforcers, public officials and influential and affluent members of the society. There is even strong reason to believe that electoral campaigns campaigns of a number of government officials are mainly supported by crime monies. 2. Political Marginalization The polit politica icall margin marginali alizat zation ion of the poor poor is a domina dominant nt phenom phenomeno enon n in the Phili Philippi ppine ne polit politics ics and governance. The nature and composition composition of government is predominantly predominantly elite in practically practically all branches and levels. Though there has been a continuing trend trend of civil society’s entry or or collaboration within, within, it could not yet meaningfully alter alter the elitist agenda of the government. Though it allows democratic democratic space for the people to air their grievances and social appeals through consultations and legitimate street actions, these could not yet effectively influence decisions and social policy development. On the side of the people (the unorganized and even portions of the organized), the level of political maturity is low relative relative to critical and informed participation participation in political affairs. Though there are other factors to consider relative to their political consciousness and actions, they are crucial in the political equation as they are vulnerable to manipulate in the political of the traditional and elite politicians. The intensificat intensification ion of the economic and political political crisis also intensifi intensifies es social conflict conflictss based on the competitio competition n in the allocation allocation of wealth and power. Marginal Marginal farmers, farmers, lowland lowland and upland upland including including indigenous peoples complete with agro-corporations and TNCs in the access and use of land and natural resources. Marginal fisherfolk fisherfolk complete with big local and foreign fishing companies companies in the exploitation of sea and marine marine resources. resources. Urban Urban poor communiti communities es battle against against land developers developers,, workers against against employers and even gangsters and crime syndicates against each other. The social crisis even intensifies the long-running antagonistic political conflict between the government and the armed challengers such as the MILF and the NDF. The electoral electoral system system and the form of governmen governmentt have been designed designed to maintain maintain elite politics politics.. The traditional system of election leaves very little space for the poor to either participate in the electoral contest or meaningfully choose candidates who would prove as real champions and representatives of the poor. At this juncture, the social action action network needs to seriously evaluate whether whether the presidential form of government government or other forms would be more responsive responsive and facilitate facilitate to participa participatory tory politics politics and governance. The maintenance of elite politics and all its other negative characters is ensured by the support and sponsorship of superpowers and super-economies that have great economic and political interest in the country or in the region. The wide unorganized unorganized portion of the population, particularly particularly the poor and the middle class, further ensured the maintenance maintenance of elite politics. With a low level of political consciousness consciousness and maturity, they are less critical of graft and corruption in government or the anti-people social policy decisions and are even easily vulnerable to manipulations of traditional politicians politicians and other elite groups.
The social exclusion of the poor in the sharing of political power resulted in their marginalization in the distribution and allocation of economic resources, and vice-versa. An Overview of the Philippine Culture In the socio-cultural scene, the social crisis affects the continuing moral decadence and value distortions. We can see these in the following following social manifestations. manifestations. At one point, these could be seen as products and effects of the social crisis. Incidence of the antisocial activities, immorality, and criminality rise as more and more people lose their capacity to cope with the crisis. At another point, the cultural crisis crisis has become systematic systematic reinforcin reinforcing g and intensifyin intensifying g the economic and political crisis. The people, particularly particularly the unorganized majority, tends to be more tolerant and apathetic to the situation and indifferent to the struggle for social change. The law of the jungle “the fittest survives” survives” has become the dominant social rule. It tends to build on the capacity of people to complete than to cooperate to survive. In finding the major reasons of the above social realities, we can identify causes at the micro and macro levels. Micro level causes would be social practices and social relations occurring occurring within an immediate environment that result either to positive or negative situations or effects social facilities or difficulties to the member of society or community. Macro level causes on the other hand would be social policies and traditions institutionalized at the global global environme environment nt by dominant dominant social institut institutions ions that either either maintain maintain or demolish demolish the micro micro level level causes of the problematic social realities. Pertaining to poverty as indicated unemployment, productivity productivity & income problems of the poor in both the rural and urban sectors and insufficient basic social services delivery in their communities. 1. At the micro level:
The marginali marginalized zed sectors sectors lack the appropriat appropriatee education, education, knowledge, knowledge, skills/te skills/technol chnology ogy to posses posses a competitive edge in the employment (salary/wages) (salary/wages) market. There There is gross non-compl non-complianc iancee to minimum wage law by companies companies and violations violations of worker’s worker’s right to security of tenure (due to labor contractualization practices) and right to unionize and collectively bargain (due to no union, no strike policies, particularly in the EPZAs). The more enterprising poor (own account workers/informal sector – a substantial portion in what the government considers “employed”) posses inferior capital and technology in a highly liberalized market competition. The marginalized farmers, fisherfolk and IPS do not have full or meaningful access to and control of land, capital, production and post-production post-production technology and ultimately ultimately trade and pricing. In many cases, their productivity and income are adversely affected by aggressive development projects, e.g. urbanization, land use conversion (circumventing the CARP), industrial industrial or infrastructure infrastructure projects) that either dislocate them or further further deny them of the resource resource base. Moreover, Moreover, the THC-instiga THC-instigated ted crop conversion conversion (through (through agro plantations or contract-growing and lately the introduction of bio-technology) further erodes the marginal producers’ competitive edge in the economic cycle. The productivity and income problems of the poor are aggravated more strategically (long-term sense) by convention convention or chemicalchemical-base based d farming, farming, destructiv destructivee and abusive abusive fishing fishing practice practices, s, dirty dirty and extracti extractive ve industries that destroy and deplete natural and production resources.
The rising cost of living (increasing prices of basic commodities including social services) is caused by price deregulation that allows price manipulation and budgetary cuts in the budget for social services.
2. At the macro level:
The intens intensify ifying ing econom economic ic crisis crisis that that impove impoveris rish h the Filip Filipino ino majori majority ty can can be attrib attribute uted d to the underdevelopment of the country’s country’s economic sectors particularly particularly agriculture and industry. industry. Agricultural development is hindered by agrarian problem where the direct producers do not have meaningful access to and control of lands, credit, technology technology and markets. This, against the backdrop of a rapidly rapidly growing rural population, incapacitates the agricultural/rural economy to absorb or provide jobs resulting in excessive labor surplus. The industrial sector, sector, being underdeveloped, cannot provide jobs to the labor surplus. surplus. Those who migrated to urban areas to look for jobs end up in slum areas areas doing menial livelihood livelihood activities. The growth of the urban poor population has been rapid that comprise the the bulk of the informal sector. Most being unskilled labor, labor, they do not have the competitive competitive edge in the employmen employmentt market. Some are lucky enough enough to be absorbed in construction industries industries that provide them in seasonal employment. employment. Even those with with academic qualifica qualification tion hardly hardly find jobs and end up in the export labor market. market. Those Those who cannot cannot find overseas employment are forced to take jobs for which they are overqualified. Industries, unlike agriculture agriculture can provide jobs 24 hours a day continuously in any seasons. seasons. It is therefore a crucial agenda in pursuing a strategic solution to the unemployment problem. Pursued based on agrarian development, national industrialization can increase domestic productivity as well as strengthen the economy’s absorptive capacity to tap the growing labor force. As the economy is not able to produce machines that produce machines, the industrial sector cannot engage in valuevalue-add added ed produc productio tion n of raw material material agricult agricultura urall output outputs. s. Moreov Moreover, er, it cannot cannot suppor supportt the modernization needs of agriculture. agriculture. Thus, agricultural agricultural products (crops, minerals, timber, timber, sea and marine products) products) are exported exported to feed the raw materials materials needs of overseas overseas industries industries.. On the other hand, the country country imports for agricultural agricultural production, production, technology technology and capital goods (machines) (machines) and even raw materials to run the country’s semi-processing semi-processing industries. With the country’s entry entry into the WTO-GATT regime regime,, even even agricu agricultu ltura rall and consum consumer er produc products ts have have been been import imported ed with with the effect effect of furthe further r marginalizing our local producers. On one hand, the socio-political crises resulted to a cultural crisis characterized by the distortion and erosion of positive social and moral values that used to bind Philippine society. society. On the other hand, values created from such distortion and erosion tends to reinforce rather than become a counter-force to the social crisis. The mainstream media and information technology (IT) which are owned by corporate proponents of market-oriented globalization globalization have been effective channels in promoting values, lifestyles and consumption patterns favorable to the market. market. Movies in particular, promote promote an escapist culture or hero-worship hero-worship that defies the positive value of unity and collective action of peoples to solve social problems. The educational system, which is dominantly run by private investors or financed by loans, has become commercialized. commercialized. Such would be evidenced evidenced by the continuing continuing tuition increases increases every school school year. Another would be the choice of enrollment that heavily weighs in favor of courses that are more technical and closely closely associate associate with the needs of business business corporation corporations. s. In school year 1997-1998 1997-1998 for instance, instance, population for Business Administration, Mathematics and Computer Science, Engineering, Medical and allied courses were 620,681, 166,329, 166,329, 299,226 and 164,784 respectively. respectively. On the other hand, population of courses courses which which are crucially crucially important important to social social and human human developme development nt like Humanities, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Science, Natural Science and Agriculture, and related courses were 9,394, 34,735, 21,914, and 64,760 respectively. respectively.
Gross graft and corruption in government; the creation and implementation of social policies that make more difficult the life of the poor; the practices of corporations that destroy the environment, dislocate or disintegrate poor communities; or deny the basic rights of workers; the involvement of law enforcers in organized crimes would be clear evidences of the worst value distortions happening in the country’s cultural and moral landscape.
Influenced by distorted values against the backdrop of massive poverty, the poor also develop the tendency to engage and indulge in anti-social activities, e.g., drug abuse and trafficking, prostitution rings, gambling syndicates and other organized crimes led by socially powerful powerful and influential personalities. personalities. Some others engage in petty crimes and are usually the ones being caught and convicted swiftly. Drug trafficking, in particular, would no longer be considered for microanalysis as it had grown into a global trade. There is close correlation correlation between increasing crime incidence incidence and the worsening poverty situation. situation. Crime increases when employment employment opportunities become unavailable. unavailable. In the U.S. for instance, crime crime and random acts of violence is pervasive, but no amount of additional prisons, no amount of executions of murderers and no amount of extra police equipment has stopped crime unless the basic economic structure that breeds poverty is positively changed. changed. It is the same cause for Rwandan commercial commercial sex workers to say “it is is better to die of AIDS in ten years than from hunger tomorrow” Extreme poverty beyond rationalization rationalization tends to reactivate prejudices and biases that have been kept in people’s sub-consciousness during favorable favorable times. This can be a factor in the increasing incidence of ethnic and religious conflicts (as in Mindanao), resurgence of racism in OCW or immigrant-receiving immigrant-receiving countries or domestic violence against children and women. Part II. Community Mapping Definition of Community
There are a number of ways to think about what what a community is. The first, most obvious way is is to think about it as a geographic geographic area, area, a place place with defined physical physical boundaries boundaries.. The most fundamenta fundamentall characteristic of these geographic communities communities is that they are places of residence. People are familiar with them because they live there. Some communities are defined by individuals' shared interests, activities, affection, or common identity. These characteristics characteristics differentiate them from others. People People are usually members members of a geographic geographic as well as interest interest communities. communities. The notion of geographic and interest or identificational can be seen in the definitions of the word community: •
Communit Community y - a group of individua individuals ls or families families that share certain values, service, service, institutions, interests, or geographic proximity (Barker).
•
Community - or a "sense of community" community" exists when two or more people people work together toward the accomplishment of mutually desirable goals (Lofguist).
•
Community - is a territorially bounded social system or set of interlocking or integrated functiona functionall subsystem subsystemss (economic (economic,, political political,, religious religious,, ethical, ethical, educationa educational, l, legal, legal, socializi socializing, ng, reproduct reproductive, ive, etc.) etc.) serving serving a resident resident populatio population n plans plans the material culture culture or physical physical plant through which subsystems operate (Bernard). •
Communit Community y – is an identifia identifiable ble human grouping grouping that is predomina predominantly ntly informal informal in organi organizat zation ion and inter interact action ion,, hetero heterogen geneou eouss in compos compositi ition, on, enduri enduring, ng, and sharin sharing g some some characteristics characteristics or attributes in common (M. Fernando).
For our purpose we define a community as: a number of people who share a distinct location, belief, interest, activity, or other characteristics that clearly identifies their commodity and differentiates them from those not sharing it. This common common distinction distinction is sufficien sufficiently tly evident evident that members of the community are able to recognize it, even though they may not currently currently have this recognition. Effectively Effectively acting on their recognition may lead members to more complete personal and mutual development Community Needs
The needs of a community are those things a community requires to meet its goals and to sustain itself. These are routine, ongoing challenges the community community must address: 1.
Physical Physical Needs Needs - The The most basic basic needs. needs. This set set of needs needs includes includes those those that help help care of our our bodies bodies as well as those that deal with the things we make or build.
2.
Social Social and Emotional Emotional Needs Needs - Forming Forming and maintainin maintaining g relationshi relationships ps is an integral integral function function of the community. A feeling of well-being and confidence in the future are necessary necessary if a community is to achieve its potential.
3.
Politica Politicall Needs - Communit Community y life requires requires a continuou continuouss series of decision decisionss on matters matters that affect affect its members. members. This process process involves involves forming forming policies policies that manage resource resourcess and relations relationships. hips. Each community faces a set of political needs, and it will develop a governance or decision, making structure if it intends to respond to those needs. Governance structures structures usually have clearly spelled out procedures for gathering information, making decisions, developing rules or laws, describing those rules rules or laws, and enforcing enforcing them. These These procedures procedures describe who is allowed allowed to participate participate in the process and how (Fellin).
4.
Economic Economic Needs Needs - The community community's 's economic economic system system provide providess a way for its members members to develop develop the means to acquire things that are important to them. Usually, this means money. money.
5.
Education Educational al and Communic Communication ation Needs Needs - A community community needs needs to know more more about itself itself and the world world in which which it operat operates. es. The communi community ty has to have have inform informati ation on and methods methods for develo developin ping, g, transmitting, and receiving that information.
When these needs are not adequately met and discomfort to the members results, community problems exist. As such they are needs that have not been properly addressed. If things stay the same, the problems and discomforts will persist. persist. The only way to get rid of the problems or reduce them is for people to do things differently. Some of the Interests in Community
There could be various reasons for the interest in community and yet, not all of them are helpful for the community. Some interests shown by various agents agents of community interventions are: 1.
To create create a suppor supportt base and and win votes votes for for politic politicians ians and and parties parties..
2.
To mobil mobilize ize peop people le for for some some politi political cal end. end.
3.
To improve improve the the proble problem-s m-solv olving ing capabil capabiliti ities es and to develop develop the human human resour resources ces towards towards better better conditions of living.
4.
To prese preserve rve the the indig indigeno enous us cultu cultural ral life life..
5.
To provide provide pastor pastoral al care care (caring (caring for for the needs needs of of the faith faith commu community nity). ).
6.
To remed remedy y social social proble problems ms (devi (devianc ance, e, crime) crime)..
7.
To promot promotee the national national interest interestss (populat (population ion contro control). l).
8.
To develo develop p infras infrastru tructu cture re for multin multinati ationa onall corpor corporati ations ons’’ inter interest estss or coloni colonial al power power intere interests sts (introduction of the agricultural technological products of the Multinational Corporation, demolitions, relocations, and construction of physical structures on the community territory).
9.
To pres preser erve ve the the ecol ecolog ogic ical al and and gene geneti ticc or biol biolog ogic ical al heri herita tage ge and and indi indige geno nous us tech techno nolo logy gy and and knowledge.
10. To implement implement the programs programs of UN UN and various various civil groups groups from outside. outside. 11. To test or develop theories theories on community community as well as to provide informati information on on consumer consumer behavior behavior in the community or to determine the feasibility of economic enterprises (academic). Our interest in community is to intervene in community toward its sustainable development and it means: 1.
To help help the communi community ty identify identify its actual actual needs needs distinct distinct from from the felt felt needs. needs.
2.
To improve improve its its capabi capabilitie litiess to solve its problems. problems.
3.
To improve improve the human resourc resources es and potentials potentials as well well as natural resourc resources es toward toward the improvemen improvementt of conditions conditions and quality quality of life in the community. community. This involves involves the localizatio localization n of the benefits of science science and technology technology and affecting affecting social social integrati integration, on, social social organizat organization, ion, cultural cultural productio production, n, political participation of the people and the people’s control over economic processes. MODULE IV Community-building: A Community Development Challenge
Introduction
An honest reflection on the many local and national issues that exist today can be intimidating, even discouraging. The present Filipino community community is beset with problems such as low level of living, low level of productivity, poor marketing system, oppressive and teneurial arrangements and practices, unemployment and underemployment, limited genuine support facilities for socio-economic development, poor health condition, low level of education, cultures of silence and poverty, personalized policies and community disorganization. disorganization. These factors exist, and and they play a part in shaping shaping our society. But just as these limitations are facts of life, so too is our genuine concern to those in need. The ultimate goal of development is "to improve the quality of life." life." To achieve this goal of development, this requires an integrative process of mobilization and the raising of the consciousness of the people and the building of community organizations. organizations. The development process to be truly responsive, responsive, effective, equitable and sustainable, must be people-empowered, people-empowered, people-centered and towards community empowerment. Such empowerment implies implies that the decision-making must be given to the people involved, thereby incorporating into the development process their own needs and values (Dr. Vivian Gonzales, VIPCWS, Laguna: Sikap Strive Foundation, 1997). Through community development, the students together with the people in the community develop a common feeling of solidarity and become aware that they can achieve positive changes not only for themselves but also for their community. Part I. Working Together through through Community Development Development A Brief History of Community Development
Commun Community ity developm development ent as a new discip disciplin line, e, grew grew out of an older older concep conceptt – commun community ity organization. In the 1950’s a number of social scientists and educators formed the American Council on the Community, a relatively short-lived organization whose purpose was the institutionalization of scattered efforts throughout the United States to improve American community life. This effort was built on the experience acquired during World War II when millions of Americans participated in volunteer efforts and organized to deal with local problems. This was the time when United Unions agencies and the technical assistanc assistancee programs programs of the West sought to help the developing developing countries countries (Third (Third World World countries countries)) move along the road to economic progress (modernization). Community development became one of the models (strategies) employed toward the transformation. The term received so much attention and recognition not only in the developing world but also in the US that it came to replace “community organization” even in the US. Programs Programs to help the impoveri impoverished shed areas of Appalachia Appalachia or large large metropol metropolitan itan centers centers were legislated into existence and were labeled either as Community Development or Rural Development in the statutes. The essential feature was resource mobilization (people as well as material resources) at the community level so as to introduce a better quality of life. It included, among others, a new kind of stock taking by local residents, the use of outside consultants in interpreting the facts collected and in planning programs to meet the needs that were identified. In the 1960’s over sixty countries either had well-formulated national community development programs or were in the process of bringing them into existence. Leaders of nations in Africa, Central, and South America, and Asia/Pacific after World War II faced tremendous tasks of nation building. This was due to the long periods periods of colonizat colonization ion under European European nations faced with large-scale large-scale problems problems and relatively inadequate resource-utilization (low technical-know-how) national leaders embraced the idea of mobilizing local people carry out community projects. The Community Development program of India, for example, was set up to aid the inhabitants of 558,000 villages attain a higher social and material level of well – being. Multi-purpose village level workers, especially trained for this new challenge, met with the village people, helped them to recognize and identify their needs and potentials and offered technical and moral assistance to meet their needs. The technical assistance was given by specialists in agriculture, animal husbandry, road building, irrigation, education, health and sanitation, rural cooperatives, etc. The basic unit was the block which comprised 100 villages. Other countries, of course, worked out the kind of community development development programs best fitted to their situation. The key common element to all countries was the thrust toward self-help and communal labor to undertake projects they considered important. Any compensation of labor was often channeled through the local community authorities by the external funding agencies so that other projects could be further financed (e.g. the “food-for-work” programs). These community development program were often fitted into national five-year to ten year plans to ensure the allocation of sufficient resources to these efforts at the “grass-roots” level. To many national leaders such programs seemed a way toward democratization and decentralization of the political process; they they gave gave local local people people a feeli feeling ng of being being invol involved ved in nation nation-bu -build ilding ing and showe showed d that that the centra centrall government was actually beginning to show an interest in their welfare. In recent years, however, the central government is found wanting in this direction because the interest in this approach begins to wane due to greater focus being placed on urban development at the expense of rural development. Definition of the Concept There are many definitions of community development. The definitions vary according to type of agency, the setting, the method of operation and the purpose of the agency. Despite their differences, they share certain commonalities in their definitions. Thus, in defining the concept community development, these elements are evident: •
a group of people;
•
residing in a community;
•
reaching a decision;
•
to initiate a social action process (planned intervention);
in order to have a desirable change in their social, economic, political, cultural, or environmental situation. Community Development is a planned, organize and evolutionary process whereby a group of people with common aims, needs and aspirations come together to initiate social action in order to improve their social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental conditions. •
The term “community development” came into international usage to connote the processes by which the efforts of people themselves are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and social and cultural conditions of communities, to integrate these communities into the life of the nation, and to enable them to contribute fully to national progress. This complex of processes is made up of two essential elements: the participation of the people themselves in efforts to improve their level of living with as much reliance as possible on their own initiatives and the provision of technical and other services in ways which encourage initiative, self-help, and mutual help and make them more effective in programs designed to achieve a wide variety of specific improvements such as health, environmental conservation etc. This definition was coined by the United Nations. The Aims and Objectives of Community Development
Aim, is a term that is simply defined as a “ clearly clearly directed directed purpose” purpose”.. It is sometimes used interchangeably to mean objective or goal. In the context of Community Development, the words “aim” and “objectives” are not easy to defined. However the aim of community development is refer to a community action. This does not help much to understand without referring to the reality of community development practice. In reality reality the primary primary objective objective of community community developmen developmentt is to promote, promote, sustain, sustain, support support and maintain community action. Apparently, community development development is related to community action, just as education, is related to learning. Hence, in promoting community development these must be some kind of community action to initiate or to guide the promoter to carry out either social or economic activities to improve their welfare or to solve their real problems. In order to arrive at a simpler understanding of the aims and objectives of community development, it may be worthwhile looking into the different types of community development and their respective objectives. Looking at each of them will underline both their differences and similarities. similarities. From this standpoint, it may be possible to infer a general aim of community development development through the synthesis of their common element. 1.
Comm Commun unit ity y Wor Work k Typ Typee
This can be regarded as a professional approach to community development which has developed within the field of social work. It came into being in response to increasing demand for social services for the age, the sick, the unemployed etc.
The objective of this type of community development work ahs been given as the, “giving of aid and support to people who need more control over their lives.” Examples:
a.
When When members members of a commun community ity offer offer volunta voluntary ry service servicess to a victi victim m of say, say, typhoon, typhoon, who lost lost his/her house. Oftentimes, other people in the community may offer temporary shelter, food, clothing etc. to the victims. This is typical norm of the Asian people, specially in rural areas. b. Community Community volunt voluntary ary work work in the community community such such as clearing clearing,, or weeding weeding the local local market market or repairing the streets. 2. Coloni Colonial al Socia Sociall Deve Develop lopme ment nt Type Type This type came into existence when many colonized nations in the Third World attained self – rule (independence). The objective of colonial social development type was to integrate economic and social programs into education for self – management programs and for the development of the political structure in the newly independent nations. Examples: a.
Rural Ri Rice Mi Milling Co Cooperatives.
b.
Rural Thrift an and Savings So Societies.
c.
Educational an and He Health pr programs.
3. Urba Urban n Ren Renew ewal al Type Typess The purpose of urban renewal type is to break down social isolation and give more meaning to personal existence by encouraging the formation of social groups of different kinds which will organize own affairs. Example: When urban squatters are re-settled, new residential associations are formed to undertake the provision of water, light, and sanitary facilities for their benefit. They are encouraged to undertake self-help projects to realize their own social activity goals. 4.
Adul Adultt Educ Educat atio ion n Type Typess
The aim of adult education type is to help in the identification and development of local leaders; to foster the concern life and enable communities to deal with existing problems. Example:
The institution of skill training and livelihood development programs in order to produce people who will be more enterprising and entrepreneuring.
5.
Inst Instit itut utio iona nall Typ Typee
The objective is to encourage those who have been provided formal service, to take action on their own behalf and in addition, to accept responsibilities responsibilities to render service to others. Example: Youth organizations provide social, recreational and cultural services for the community. 6. The Idea Idealis listt / Polit Politica icall Activi Activist st Type Typess It aims at giving practical expression to social justice through militant action in order to see beneficial change for the participants within the shortest possible time. 7.
The Commu Communit nity y Develo Developme pment nt Type Type
This is known the “kampong-based” type. The aim is towards the development of the potential of individual members of the target group. It stresses on self-reliance self-reliance and participation to bring about desirable socioeconomic transformations. transformations. It also stresses on cultural exchange between Kampong in other countries to stimulate globalization. The Major Purposes of Community Development The overall purpose of community development is to help people employ the rights methods to organize self-help initiatives and to develop techniques relevant to their own situation for socio-economic and cultural progress.
Specifically, Specifically, community development: 1. Is designed to meet the learning needs of significant groups in the community community e.g. community leaders leaders or civic or special interest organizations. 2. Enhance Enhance the ability of groups of individuals individuals so that they can work collectiv collectively ely to attain community community social and economic goals. 3. Teaches about matters relating relating to community or region, generally generally associated with social social structures and public as well as private and voluntary enterprises. 4. Emphasis Emphasis on shaping infrastruc infrastructure ture and social organization organizational al support through through involvement involvement in the legislative, including formal financial and business enterprises. Basic Stages in the Community Development Process
A process is something which has a beginning and an end, and it happens over time. In the community development process, certain distinct stages are essential for its promotion. There are various listings of stages or steps in literature on community development. development. But I shall somehow oversimplify it here. 1. The Problem Situation A situation may exist in a community which represents a need, a problem, an opportunity, or a challenge to a community group, or to the entire community. Usually it would be tackled as a community project. 1.
The Wi Will To Do Do
Through discussion, diffusion of ideas and with information input, the group involved may reach a point where it is beginning to form a will to do something about it. 2.
Organizing
Some form of organization is established with a certain amount of commitment from individuals to some in-depth and specific thinking about the project. 3.
Gett Gettin ing g to to the the Peop People le
At this stage, the process moves to the general membership of the community. Information is diffused and educational work is undertaken community-wide. The potential exists for conflict. Considerable discussion, and expression of viewpoints. General goals may become clear and some commitments may be made. 4.
The The Pla Plann nnin ing g Proc Proces esss
If the project is blessed by legitimizers, the planning process will begin. The definition of objectives, availability of options or alternatives, and availability of resources may be assessed. The end result may be a plan to approach the project with specific information. 5.
Execu xecuttion ion Pha Phasse
Initiation of the projects is often an occasion to build community spirit and identity and to cement commitment depending on the project, it is often an important occasion in the community. 6.
Evaluation
Evaluation is an on – going process (monitoring) but the final assessment is undertaken upon completion of the projec project. t. Commun Community ity member memberss try to review review their their experi experienc encee for streng strength th and weakn weakness esses. es. The experience gained may be used in future community development projects. projects. The Role of the Citizen and Change Agent in the Community Development Process
1. The Role of the Citizen Citizen The participation by the people of the community in the process is of fundamental importance. The need for understanding the root causes of our country's underdevelopment. Especially in the rural areas and committing ourselves to its solution is imperative. Our concern for a rural community development affirms our belief in the need for change. However, some basic questions have to be raised: a. What kind of participation? participation? b. Who are are the participants? c. How do they participate? participate? We all believe that people are the end and the means to development, whether at the grassroots level or national level. At the community or grassroots level, participation is of prime importance. What is meant by participation? To put it simply, participation means taking part. In the context of community development, the term means a willingness to take part, physically, mentally, psychologically, psychologically, and spiritually in activities aimed at improving the social, economic, political, environmental and cultural life of the community in which one resides. It also involves taking part in the discussions or showing concerns about anything which affects the well-being of the community in which one lives, Participation ultimately involves getting concerned concerned about the problems of one's environmen environmentt (communit (community) y) and taking taking the initiative initiative to have them solved. In the community, grassroots participation involves a collective expression of human dignity, exercising of human rights, where the people through a democratic process, determine the kind of, the direction, and the means means to a better better life. life. This could could be spelle spelled d out in terms terms of partic participa ipator tory y approa approach ch to commun community ity development. Participa Participation tion must not only be democrati democraticc but popular. popular. Popular participation participation connotes connotes an enlighten enlightened, ed, responsible, active, and sustained involvement of the community in the community development process from decision-making, problem identification, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. In the context of Philippine researches, popular participation participation is defined as: •
Mass sharing of the benefit of development
•
Mass contribution to development; and
Mass involvement in the planning, decision-making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes for development.
•
In the community community development development process, emphasis emphasis is placed placed on the common common or shared interests interests and conce concerns rns which which turn turn up to become become public public issues issues,, with with origin origin as indivi individua duall intere interests sts and conce concerns rns.. Participates originates from a widely shared discontent with existing conditions and this is channeled into organization, planning and the directions of change. The consensus must be strong enough to initiate a program of action that meets with approval of a majority of those combined in the action. The initial reason for a people coming together is the belief that through organizations, action can be taken by or on behalf of groups. Organization therefore is the vehicle through which desired change can be accomplished. Also, when the community development process is effectively employed, the relationships between local units or subgroups in the community and individual problems, certain value assumptions come into focus:
•
The people of the community should actively participate in community change; Participation should be as inclusive as possible; and
•
Participation should be through democratic organization
•
Three necessary conditions for participation must be present if these value assumptions are to be realized: 1.
freedo freedom m to to part partici icipat pate-a e-auto utonom nomy; y;
2.
abil abilit ity y to par parti tici cipa pate te;; and and
3.
will willin ingn gnes esss to part partic icip ipat ate. e.
In the initial stages of a community program or project, normally fewer participants are involved. These participants discuss ideas and issues and make tentative plans for community organization or group. The community leaders or those most concerned about the particular matter under consideration are apt to participate at this point. The need here is for people who " know the community " well enough to identify others who ought to be involved. Persons with ideas and with the ability to implement ideas contribute heavily during this initial stage. The task accomplishment stage usually calls for an expansion in participation. Community participation is at its highest during this period. More people are needed in the program of action than in either the initial stage or in the stage of continuity or discontinuity. Frequently, additional participants, in such roles as interviewer, solicitor or manual, worker, are necessary to implement the program of action. In other instances, additional participation participation may be sought to help support the outer comes of the action. In too much many cases increased participation is considered a goal in itself. A broad base of participation is thought of a desirable, without considering why additional participants are being sought or how they will be involved, once they are brought into the organization. If the commun community ity projec projectt reache reachess its comple completio tion n stage, stage, partic participa ipatio tion n usuall usually y will will taper taper off as the organization closes down and transfer any continuing aspect of the project to some ongoing group. In most instances, however, after the organization has achieved its objective it does not dissolve but continues with new and different dimensions. People may lose interest and drop out. Leaders also may reign. New people become involved without knowledge of the history of the organization and its earlier efforts. The nature and extent of individual participation changes over time and the membership changes over time as well. 2. The Role of the Change Change Agent
Along Along with with the citize citizen, n, the the commun community ity change change event event is the major major partic participa ipants nts in the proces process. s. The community change agent is known by several names. He or she sometimes called: • • • • •
Community development worker; The social animator The animator rural The consultant The community facilitator; etc.
Among the names and others, the frequently used name is change agent. The several names frequently used are meant to underlie the philosophical thrust of the community worker's role. Looking at the purposes and objectives of community development activities and of the processes utilized, reveal the complex and difficult applies in defining the term community development worker or agent and his/her roles (task). It stands to reason that, it does not mean every person involved in the process, for this would include the object of change--the resident of the area to be developed regardless of the nature of his activity. On the other hand, to restrict the term to the temporary resident who enters the life of the community as an agent of change would exclude those development workers who are recruited from among the permanent Residents of the area. It may be best to define a community development worker (agent) as a person occupationally engaged in the activities activities associated associated with the discipline. discipline. As a further further qualification qualification,, this occupational occupational engagement engagement constitutes his major function over a specified period of time. This definition excludes volunteers and the ordinary citizens. Is he specialist or generalist? The most troublesome aspect of the subject is whether the community development worker has some identifia identifiable ble set of tasks or skills skills that distinguish distinguish him and separate separate him from others others specialist specialistss such physicians, agronomist, public health workers, the social welfare workers or teachers-- who all happen to be working in a development field. In addition, how are his skills differentiated from those of the resident population population?? The answers can be questioned questioned because community community developmen developmentt is relative relatively ly new and represents an emerging occupation. At the earlier times, the community development worker was really a specialists possessing certain specific scientific skills, such as an agronomists, or physician, or he might have been a more general publicists, organizer, or lobbyist who happened to be working on behalf of the development area. His role at that time was that of a giver to a receiver. When the idea of developing a community community,, district, district, region or a nation nation became became premised premised on social, social, economic, economic, political, political, cultural, cultural, and psychological fronts, his situation become elaborated. At first, the agent has only his special knowledge and sympathy for resources. Since transformation of an area involves many aspects of society, he may be a builder, economists, agronomists, physicians, social worker, nurse, teacher or other specialists. When the agent's confidence as an expert is tempered by an effective respect for the perceptions, wants, and desires of persons in the developing area, then he has begun begun the transfor transformati mation on from being an expert5 expert5 into development development agent. To the expert's previously previously acquired technology or skill has been added new insight, new knowledge, and new skill for the effective engagement between himself and his beneficiary. If the task and role of the community development agent are viewed in this light, the addition of new insights to his underlying skill or technique becomes his central concern. The natural character of human association and of the social organization involves change, whether slow or rapid, whether backward or forward- moving into often uncertain and unpredictable forms. Social change also brings into its wake, profound psychological and cultural changes. The community development worker or agent is therefore, concerned with inducing change in society but at the same time tempering that change by the aspirations, wishes, and the pacing of the society and individuals involved. Most community development workers secure their employment from higher level organizations. The agent takes the values, visions and approaches from the sponsoring organization. These may range from the
predominantly self-help stimulating approaches of certain church/religious organizations to the vast social and economic economic development development efforts conducted conducted through through national national organization organizationss to the vast social social and economic development efforts conducted through national or international programs.
