Unit II

Historical Dimensions of Social

Realities

1
 POVERTY

I NATURE OF POVERTY
 Poverty
“According to the World Bank Organization, poverty is hunger, poverty
is lack of shelter, poverty is being sick and not able to see a doctor, poverty is
not being access to school and not knowing how to read, poverty is not having
a job and is fear of future.”

“According to the economist, poverty is nothing but an economic

deprivation or low standard of living characterized by malnourishment, poor
housing conditions, inadequate water supply, electricity, and toilet facilities and
functional illiteracy.”

“To the sociologist, poverty is the root cause of other social problems like
crime, prostitution, and mental illnesses. It also a way of life, remarkably 2stable
and persistent passed down from generation to generation along family lives.”

II Poverty in the Three Sociological Perspectives

a. Poverty according to the Functionalist

 View poverty as a consequence of a just economic system in which

those who perform the least useful task are rewarded the least.
b. Poverty according to the Conflict Theories

 View poverty as an oppression, domination and unfair competition of

the dominant group over the subordinate one.
c. Poverty according to the Interactionist

 The interactionist leaves it to the poor to define the situation in which

they find themselves.

2
 III The Poverty Cycle

Poor Family with young Children

If they had children, financial Some adolescent Results in substandard living condition
responsibilities generally lack them females short-
into poverty for the rest of their lives. circuit this cycle
by becoming a
single parent. Generally, leads to disinterest in school

If they marry early, expenses increase Children attempt to escape from sub-
and severely limit further educational
or vocational training. standard living conditions from school.

Because of low educational background

begin to be locked into poverty.

A circular chain of event such as when you came from a poor family with young
children end up in the same pattern again.

This cycle should show, first and foremost, a circular chain of events that starts with
poverty and ends up with it.

IV Non-monetary Aspect of Poverty

Non-monetary measures are highly qualitative, can accommodate

perceptions of individuals and hence are ideal to measure poverty in a small
region/community.

Non-monetary economy such as household labor, care giving and civic

activity that does not have a monetary value but remains a vitally important part
of economy.
a. Low level of income
b. Bad housing condition
3. Literacy
4. Occupation

3
 5. Lack of access to state facilities

V. Poverty Line, Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence

Poverty Line

 is the minimum income level before an individual or family is termed

as poor.

Poverty Threshold
 is the level of income which can provide the family with adequate food,
clothing and other needs.
 According to the National Statistics Office, Poverty Threshold is the
basic food and non-food requirements. It is the minimum income
needed to meet the food requirements and non-basic needs.

Poverty Incidence
 is the number of families/individuals per capita annual income less
than the per capita poverty threshold.

VI Types of Poverty

a. Relative Poverty

 refers to the economic status of a family whose income is insufficient

to meet its society average standard of living.
b. Absolute Poverty

 involves in scarcity of such necessities as shelter, running water and

food. Families who live in absolute poverty tends to focus on day-to-day
survival.

c. Situational Poverty

 is generally caused by a sudden crisis or loss and is often temporary.

Events connected with situational poverty include environmental
disasters, divorce, or severe health problems.
d. Generational Poverty

4
  occurs in families where at least 2 generations have been born into
poverty. Families living in this type of poverty are not equipped with the
tools to move out their situations.
e. Urban Poverty

 the urban poor deal with a complex aggregate of chronic and acute
stressors and are dependent on often adequate large city services
particular for metropolitan.
f. Rural Poverty

 occurs in non-metropolitan areas where the low population limits

services available for people struggling financially and a lack of job
opportunities only compounds the problems.

VII Theories of Poverty

a. Culture of Poverty Theory

 A social theory explaining the cycle of poverty.
 Based on the concept that the poor have a unique value system, the
culture of poverty theory suggests that poor remain in poverty because
of their adaptations to the burdens of poverty.

b. Social Darwinist Theory

 Social Darwinist Theory assumes that assets are economic survival of
any society depends, to a large extent, on the individuals endowed with
superior intelligence that will plan, control, regulate and lead its
development.
c. Theory of Capitalism

 Some social scientist attributes capitalism as an economic system to be

the primary roots of poverty.
 Capitalism perpetuates the continuous exploitation of majority of the
people to accumulate hug profits.
d. Dependency Theory

 A body of social science theories predicated in the notion that resources

flow from a “periphery” of poor and underdeveloped states to “core” of
wealthy states, enriching the latter at the expense of the former. It is a
central contention of dependency theory that poor states are
impoverished and rich ones enriched by the way poor states are
integrated into the world system.
e. Theory of National Character

5
  people are poor because they process certain negative qualities like
indolence, lack of initiative and resourcefulness, and apathy.
f. Functionalist Theory
 advances that poverty is the consequence of malfunctioning economic
system. This system fails to provide many citizens with realistic
opportunities to improved their standard of living.
g. Theory of Value Conflict
 the structure of the society is too rigid that the poor remain poor and even
become more miserable as time goes by.

VIII Dimension of Poverty

a. Low household income
b. Limited education
c. Lack of health insurance
d. Concentrated spatial poverty
e. Unemployment

IX Effects of Poverty

a. There is an increasing rate of crime because people find life

economically difficult.

b. Broken homes or family are not only caused by fidelity but also by
poverty.

c. Young people become an easy prey to exploitation because they are

in the dire need of money.

d. Rampant graft and corruption because of the desire to free oneself

from poverty.

e. Lack of self-esteem and alienation from the society.

f. Excessive materialism among the Filipino and low level of spirituality.

g. Suicide

h. Susceptible to highly contagious diseases and suffering from

6
 relatively high death rates.

XI APPROACHES IN MEASURING POVERTY

a. The Monetary Approach

 this is the traditional approach which most people and experts hold. It
basically defines poverty as the lack of material resources.

b. Capability Approach
 it notes that material resources are not enough to guarantee well-being
since their presence doesn’t entail their enjoyment. It defines poverty
as the lack of opportunities to enjoy the kind of lives people value.

c. Social Exclusions
 also notes the narrowness of the monetary approach but focuses on
the processes of marginalization to specific groups. According to this
approach, a person maybe suffering poverty if he or she is being
excluded by other members of the society.

d. Participatory Approach
 they seek to understand poverty from the perspective of the poor.
 They gather the testimonies of greatly deprived people on what poverty
is.

e. Situational Approach
 interprets the behavior of the poor as an adaptation to their
environment.

f. Cultural-Situational Approach
 the idea that people alter their behavior according to the situations and
opportunities available to them.
 Herbert J. Gans find the situational explanation, the idea that people
alter their behavior according to the situations and opportunities
available to them-simplistic.

g. Adaptation Approach
 base on the concept that lower-class culture is an adaptation of relative
deprivation.
 Rainwater argues that policy should be based on the concept that
lower-class culture is an adaptation to relative deprivation-to being so

7
 far removed from the average standard of living that one does not have
sense of being part of the society.

h. The Value-Stretch Approach

 considered the lower class having a wide range of values than other
classes.

´Poverty is the greatest ill that plagues the Filipinos society as a whole.´

HISTORY OF POVERTY AND DEVELOMENT EFFORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

I. Current Poverty Profile: Thresholds, Incidence and Magnitude

A. Official Sources of Poverty-Related Resources

8
 B. Annual Per Capita Poverty Thresholds, Poverty Incidence, and
Magnitude of Poor Families:2000, 2003 And 2006

C. Ranking of Poorest Provinces In The Philippines, 2003 And 2006

9
D. Poverty Incidence and Magnitude by Island Grouping
E. Provinces with the Largest Numbers of Poor People

F. Poverty incidence and magnitude of poor population by sector

2000 and 20003

10
B. History and Causes of Poverty in the Philippines

a. Historical Poverty
- From 1985 to 2000, poverty was reduced at a slow rate of only 0.7%
per year. The Poverty incidence of families fell consistently by 12.4
percentage points over the period 1985-1997, but this progress was
halted by the Asian financial crisis which an increase in poverty of 1.9
percentage points to 33.7% in 2000.
- Overall, while the incidence of family, poverty declined from 1985,
the actual number of poor people increased significantly. There were
almost 4.2 million more poor people in 2000 than were in 1985. The
biggest increase came in the aftermath of the East Asian Crisis as
the economy suffered from low growth and rising prices.

b. Subsistence Poverty
- The incidence of subsistence poverty has declined for the entire
country, from 12.3% in 2000 to 11% in 2006. However in absolute
numbers, Filipino families with insufficient food increased by 3.4%
from 2003 (1.7 million) and 2006 (1.9 million).

c. Peso Devaluation
- Devaluation has hit the Southeast Asian countries starting with the
Thailand baht, followed by the Philippine peso, Indonesian rupiah
and others. Like all other economic policies dictated by the
International Monetary Fund, the recent devaluation of peso was

11
 done to serve the interest of the foreign creditors, the commercial
banks, the transnational and multinational corporations and their
local corporate partners whose enormous dollar accounts made
windfall profits fro the peso’s steep fall.

d. Increasing Trade Deficit

- The implementation of pro-imperialist laws and policies has caused
trade deficit to increased. The deficit reached and overwhelming
amount that is estimated to exceed the country’s population.

e. Meaningless GNP Growth

- The Gross National Product growth falls rate fails, to narrow the
country’s tremendous income gap. Government figures reveal that
40% of the country’s income falls in the hands of the upper class of
the population, while the poor majority (70%) share the 34% of the
national income.

f. Privatization
- To remove (something) from government control and place it in
private control or ownership.
 Metropolitan Manila Waterworks and Sewage System
 National Power Corporation
 Lung Center

g. Political
- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Presidency
1. Budget Deficit – the need to address the huge fiscal deficit
inherited from previous administration.
2. Power Play – tenuous hold on the two houses of congress.
3. Reform – resistance to reform in the bureaucracy.
4. Insurgency – the problems caused by NPA and MILF, etc.
5. Destabilization – continuing efforts at destabilization both by
the formal opposition and even by some interest groups in the
supposed government coalition.
Other issues:

1. Charter Change - Surfacing the initiatives and/or intent of groups

within the opposition and some administration legislators to amend
the constitution.
2. Congress - Preoccupation of Congress with various inquiries with
scanty public information in terms of result.
3. COMELEC - Deep involvement of many COMELEC officials at all
levels in the perpetration or toleration of electoral fraud.

12
 4. Criminalization of the state - The takeover of the Philippine State
by organized criminal elements by narco-politicians and the
traffickers in and out of the government including the police and the
military.
5. Revival of the leftist - Significant revival of Marxist-Leninist left,
particularly the CPP-NPA due to deepening poverty in some areas
and the overextension of AFP and PNP.
6. Kidnapping - Continuing Scourge of kidnapping and banditry from
ostensibly extremist Islamic Abu Sayyaf.
7. Development aggression - In the name of Development, the poor
continue to suffer from the effects of projects which the government
implements to further serve the interests of foreign capitalist and
their local partners. This includes big businesses, bureaucrats, and
workers.

C. Causes of Poverty according to Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Study

a. Low to moderate economic growth for the past 40 years

- This has constrained the poor in terms of opportunities to escape
deprivation and increased the probability of the non-poor to become
poor.

b. Relatively low growth elasticity of poverty reduction

- The Philippines has also performed poorly in the fight against poverty
during the last 25 years.

c. Weakness in employment generation and quality of jobs generated

- The failure to sustain a high level of economic growth also explains
the unavailability of jobs in the country. Without job opportunities,
people will not be able to earn incomes and are vulnerable to poverty.

d. Episodes of food inflation increase the number of people people

- High inflation has further dampened the positive impact of economic
growth on poverty. Deterioration in living standards affected the
poorest of the poor most. Unable to afford rising food prices, their
only option is to reduce spending on items such as health and
children’s education.

e. Failure to manage population growth

- Various studies have shown that larger family sized is associated
with higher poverty incidence, gap and severity. Larger family size
has also been associated with higher vulnerability to poverty.

13
f. High and persistent levels of inequality
1. Income Inequality - Inequitable distribution of income and its
persistence over the years is another reason of poverty in the
Philippines.
2. Inequitable Land Distribution - Balisacan (2009) notes that the
poorest in the rural areas tend to be landless farmers indicating a link
between access to resources and poverty alleviation.
3. Interregional and intraregional Inequality and the Labor market -
Welfare and the human development vary widely across regions and
provinces. Thus, over the past two decades, policy makers have
emphasized the importance of promoting balanced growth and
regional equity.

g. Regular shocks and exposure to risks

1. Long-running conflicts - Social conflicts prevent people from pursuing
their livelihoods and economic activities as they are displaced from
their homes and places of work.
2. Natural Disasters and Environmental Poverty - The geographic
location of the Philippines makes it susceptible to natural hazards
such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, environmental degradation,
tropical cyclones and flooding.

D. Correlates of Global Poverty

a. Technology
b. Population Growth
c. Cultural Patterns
d. Social Stratification
A system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy
Systems of Stratification:
1. Caste System
2. Class System

e. Gender Inequality
- Unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their
gender
f. Global Power Relationship
- A final cause of poverty lies in the relationships between nations of
the world.
g. Views on Poverty
1. Blame the Poor – the person is responsible for his own poverty.

14
 2. Blame the Society – the society is the main reason of poverty
and not the individual himself.

E. The Developmental Efforts

a. The American regime

- Introduced Euro Centric Model of Marshal Palm prescribes almost
development strategy for the Philippines (Capital Incision, debts for
world bank, economic model). Development for white men’s view is
the criterion for labeling less developed countries as inferior.

b. Japanese Occupation
- Significantly contributes to the strengthening sectoral movements.
Occupation strengthened community- organizing program. It helped
delineate liberation and collaborationist policies organization also
took care of their security.

c. Euro centric development Model

- Explains which is more dominant paradigm of development, and
that the concepts and approaches in the Philippines borrowed from
western counterparts.

d. Charity and compassion

- Is the basic motivation for assisting poor communities rather than
catalyzing for development this is the underlying factor that is
expressed in “dole outs”.
e. Magsaysay counter
- Insurgency program; a co-optation strategy used by powers that
which is used cooperatives and community development to entice
rebels during the HUK rebellion
f. Expert-controlled program
- An approach that made beneficiaries passive recipients of
government projects, they were decisive participants in the
formulation and in spite the feeling of owning the program/projects.

g. CIA and USAID

- These are the principal sources of Presidential Assistance on
Community Development and its covert objective. Especially the
Magsaysay Administration, was to create psychological impact.

h. Conscientization and community organizing

- Are innovations to mobilize the people for political and socio-
economic purposes.

15
F. The Evolution of Sustainable Development

a. Colonial period
- During this period, the development model and laws of the country
were patterned after the U.S. that is the USA Development Act of
1929 and the Public Land Act and Mining Act, Logging and Mining
ventures were massive.

b. Post-war development response

- Economic growth and Development were considered synonymous.
The Filipino Scholars were sent to the USA legitimized among others.
The massive logging and mineral exploitations in the country. The
Introduction of HYVs increased agricultural productivity but also
resulted in in toxicity of land.

c. Participatory development
- The failure of development approaches in the previous decade led to
the adoption of participatory development approaches. This led to the
birth of NGOs. In the government sector, participatory development
projects were piloted and eventually institutionalized.

d. Sustainable development
- Ecology became a global concern. The environment oriented forum
in Stockholm, the Earth Summit, and the advocacy work of
development experts, environmentalist, NGOs and among others led
to the acceptance of sustainable development.

G. The State Response

a. From pursuing economic growth in the period immediately following the

Second World War, the Government of the Philippines shifted its
development strategy toward poverty reduction in the 1970s and 1980s.
Since then, succeeding administrations have launched flagship poverty
programs. Despite these diff erent interventions and approaches,
various assessments suggest that the government’s anti-poverty eff orts
have not made much impact in reducing the number of poor people in
the country.

b. Under the MTPDP 2004–2010, the Arroyo administration vowed “to fight
poverty by building prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipino
people.” The five main parts of the plan cover (i) economic growth and

16
 job creation, (ii) energy, (iii) social justice and basic needs, (iv) education
and youth opportunity, and (v) anticorruption and good governance. The
specified target is to reduce the poverty incidence of families from 28.4%
in 2000 to 17.9% by 2010.

H. Programs and Services to Alleviate Poverty

a. KALAHI-CIDSS
- Communities and their Local Government Units (LGUs) are trained
to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their
most pressing need.

b. 4Ps
- A conditional cash transfer program of the Philippines under DSWD
that aims to eradicate the extreme poverty in the country by investing
in health and education
Objectives:
1. Social Assistance/Cash Assistance
2. Social Development – to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty
3. To fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the millennium
development goals

c. Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (Sea-K)

- A livelihood assistance that provides an integrated package of social
welfare services to needy families, WEDC’s, OSY, and PWD’s to
uplift their socio-economic status.

d. Lingap para sa mahirap

- In line with the commitment of former President Estrada to provide
the poorest families in each country’s town, city, and provinces with
adequate opportunities to uplift their lives

e. Community –Based Employment Program (CBEP)

- Provides employment to skilled, semi-skilled, and low skilled workers
in the community through government undertaking whether
infrastructure or non-infrastructure.

f. The Major Government Agencies Engaged in Poverty Reduction

1. National Economic and Development Authority

2. National Anti-Poverty Commission
3. Department of Health

17
 4. Department of Education
5. Commission on Higher Education
6. Department of Social Welfare and Development
7. Department of Trade
8. Department of Labor and Employment
9. Department of Agriculture
10. Department of Agrarian Reform
11. Department of Interior and Local Government
12. Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
13. National Disaster Coordinating Council
14. National Nutrition Council
15. PhilHealth
16. Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor
17. National Commission on Indigenous People
18. Cooperate Development Authority
19. Philippine Statistics Office
20. Local Government Unit

Participatory Development

I. Definition of Terms

A. Participatory Development
It seeks to engage local populations in development projects.
Participatory Development has taken a variety of forms since it emerged in the
1970s, when it was introduced as an important part of the “basic needs
approach” to development.

Participation
It is the action of partaking, having or forming part of substance, quality,
or nature of something or person. The active involvement of members of a
community or organization in decisions which affect their lives and work.

II. Stakeholders of Participatory Development

In its Handbook on Poverty and Social Analysis, ADB defines
stakeholders as “people, groups or institutions that may be affected by, can
significantly influence or are important to the achievement of the stated purpose
of a project. They include government, civil society, and the private sector at
national, intermediate and local levels. These stakeholder groups are:

1. General public

18
 2. Government
3. Representative assemblies
4. Civil society organizations
5. Private sector
6. Donor and international financial institutions

III. Two Perspective on Participatory Development

A. Social Movement Perspective

Defines participation as the mobilization of people to eliminate unjust
hierarchies of knowledge, power and economic distribution. This
perspective identifies the goal of participation as an empowering process
for people to handle challenges and influence the direction of their own
lives.
B. Institutional Perspective

Defines participation as the reach and inclusion of inputs by relevant

groups in the design and implementation of a development of a
development project.

IV. Four Key Stages of a Development Project from an Institutional

Perspective

1. Research Stage
2. Design Stage
3. Implementation Stage
4. Evaluation Stage

V. Typology of Participation

1. Passive Participation

People participate by being told what is going to happen or has already

happened.
2. Participation in information Giving

People participate by answering questions posed by extractive

researchers using questionnaire surveys or similar approaches.
3. Participation by Consultation

19
 People participate by being consulted, and external people listen to
views. These external professionals define both problems and solutions, and
may modify these in the light of people’s responses.
4.Participation for Material Benefits

People participate by providing resources, for example labour, in return

for food, cash or other material incentives.
5. Functional Participation

People participate by forming groups to meet predetermined objectives

related to the project, which can involve the development or promotion of
externally initiated social organization.
6. Interactive Participation

People participate in joint analysis, which leads to action plans and the
formation of new local institutions or the strengthening of existing ones. It tends
to involve interdisciplinary methodologies that seek multiple perspectives and
make use of systematic and structured learning processes.
7. Self-Mobilization

People participate by taking initiatives independent of external

institutions to change systems. They develop contacts with external
institutions for resources and technical advice they need, but retain control
over how resources are used.

20
 Unit III
Emerging Trends in Social Welfare
Utilizing Integrated Framework

21
 THEORY OF PLANNED CHANGE

I. Planned Change

Planned Change is defined as the change originating from a decision to make

a deliberate effort to improve the system and to obtain the help of an outside agent in
making this improvement.

II. Change Agent

It is defined as the one who tries to improve/bring about change in the client
system or a professional change agent who works with particular client systems.
III. Client System
The Client System is generic as well and it can mean any of the following;
1. The personality system
2. The group: families, committee, staffs, clubs, and other smaller social units
3. The organization: any of the larger social system which comprise the
community: business organizations, welfare agencies, educational institutions,
religious associations, government bureaus, political parties;
4. The community made up of a variety of interacting sub-parts, e.g., individual
citizens, informal interest groups, organized occupational or political sub-
groups, economic and social strata, geographical units, etc.

The term Client System is compromise term, which means it is generally

accepted. Since using the term “Client” made professionals working with communities
feel left out since the term only refers to individuals while the term “Social System”
made those working with individuals feel left out as well.

III. Change Force and Resistance Force

There are two consisting forces within the Theory of Planned Change that
affects the wholeness of effecting change within the Client System. These two forces
are opposing in nature.

A. Change Force
Is an aspect of the situation which increases the willingness of the client
system to make a proposed change.

Generally, the following forces provide the stimulus for change;

22
1. Our continuous search for opportunities to use or modify our environment or
features of this environment which we have created in previous attempts to
solve problems;

2. Our need to utilize and adjust to the changes we are constantly creating in our
environment;
3. The very competitive process of comparing ourselves with others; and
4. The pain and disorganization that arise from finding out that our familiar ways
of behavior no longer work in a new environment or in one that has been
changed.

However, in relation to community change, the following barriers or forces

against change may be mentioned:

1. Internal disruptions in the community: e.g., lack of or insufficient services,

juvenile delinquency, poor schools, etc.
2. Intergroup conflict; ethnic conflicts, divisive family & political loyalties.

3. External pressures: law ordinances, criteria for eligibility for certain resources
and services.

4. Competitive with other communities: e.g., higher farm productivity in

neighboring towns.

B. Resistance Force
It is an aspect of the situation which reduces the willingness of the client
system to change. Just like change force it may be rational or irrational,
recognized or unrecognized, general or specific. It may originate from the client
system (e.g., reluctance to admit weakness or failure on the part of community
officials); from the environment (e.g., a low degree of responsibility for the
welfare of the local community by the larger community) or from the change
agent (e.g., competing demands on the time and attention of the change agent).
In relation to community change, the following barriers or forces against change
may be mentioned:

1. Lack of mechanisms for making decisions, e.g., a lack of absence of

organizational unity
2. Low degrees of responsibility for the welfare of the general community.
3. Reluctance to admit weakness: e.g., on the part of barangay officials.
4. Fear of failure or awkwardness in initiating change especially where previous
change efforts failed.

23
 5. Fear of losing existing privileges/satisfactions, e.g., power dependency
6. Competing demands in community’s time and resources, e.g., livelihood

7. Feelings that they will not directly benefit from the change or somebody else
stand to benefit more than they deserve.

IV. Phases of Change

When change is indeed needed to take effect on the Client System’s part, it is
for the Change Agent’s role to assist, link, process and basically to work with the Client
System through the Phases of Change. The phases consist of seven parts as
discussed below;

Phase 1: The client system discovers the need for help. Sometimes with stimulation
by the change agent.

This is the starting point where the need for change arises. The realization may
come from the client system or from the change agent. In initiating the changed
process, the ff. tactics may be helpful:

 Change agent assumes initiative for beginning a change partnership: using

techniques or strategies to win psychological acceptance and create a desire
for help
 Change agent makes known his availability and readiness to help.
 Change agent stimulates an aspiration for improvements on the part of the
client system.
 Change agent stimulates an awareness or sensitivity to certain problems.
 Change agent offers to help so that awareness is transformed into action.
 Change agent utilizes indigenous ways for initiating change.
Phase 2: The helping relationship is established and defined.

This the part where the client system and change agent “shake hands” in which
their roles and expectations are clarified.
Phase 3: The change problem is identified and clarified.

This phase clearly identifies and targets the problem to be worked on. However,
the presenting problem may have to be differentiated from the problem to be
worked and priorities may be set particularly in the case of multi-problem client
systems.

Phase 4: Alternative possibilities for change are examined; change goals or intentions
are established.

This phase is where the skills and knowledge of utilization of various

strategies/interventions of the change agent is necessary. It usually involves

24
 determination of client system’s internal resources for use in effecting change
desired.
Phase 5: Change efforts in the “reality situation” are attempted.

This is where the action/implementation stage of helping/change process

commence. Success of this phase is determined by many factors – in the client
system, in the environment, in the change agent.
Phase 6: Change is generalized and stabilized.

The change agent engages in various efforts that will ensure the continuity of
the change effected such as repeated evaluation, constant research and
monitoring.

Phase 7: The helping relationship ends or a different type of continuing relationship is

defined.

This phase usually involves an evaluation process to find out the extent to which
goals/objectives earlier defined have been/have not been achieved and why.
This also means the termination of the helping relationship.

The figure shown above presents the overall Dynamics of Planned Change. It is seen
that Change Forces and Resistance Forces may emanate within or outside the Client
System. This contributes whether the change may take effectively or not.

Stated as well is the process or steps in which change undergoes. The change process
has phases to step on to which leads to the next phase which in the end, results to the

25
achievement of improvement within the client system and the end of helping
relationship.

V. Strategies for Effecting Change

There are a variety of ways or strategies to promote change within the client
system. These strategies are necessary since situations vary from one client system
to another and certain measures are necessary to act in order to achieve the desired
change.

The elements common to these strategies/approaches are the conscious utilization

and application of knowledge as a tool for modifying patterns and institutions of
practice. There are two knowledge applicable in this field;
a. Knowledge of non-human environment (new technology)

This refers to the awareness of the new technology like electronics, audio-visual
devices, TV, computers, etc. for a more effective and modern way of delivery
of helping.
b. Knowledge of human behavior (individual and social)

This refers to the change agent’s knowledge of human behaviors which

eventually helps handling people and finding ways to convince people in participating
in the proposed change.

There are at least three generalized types of strategies in the Theory of Planned
Change;

1. Empirical – Rational Strategies

2. Normative – Re-educative Strategies
3. Power – Coercive Strategies

The three strategies are discussed as follows;

1. Empirical – Rational Strategies

This strategy is the most frequently employed based on the assumption that
man is rational, that men will follow/pursue their rational self-interest once this is
revealed to them. This simply means that men are persuadable if they realize that the
change will benefit them.

The process of this strategy is as simple as this: a change is proposed by some

person or group which knows of a situation. Because the person (or group) is assumed
to be rational and moved by self-interest, it is assumed that they will adopt the
proposed change if it can be rationally justified and if it can be shown by the proposer
that he will gain change.

26
 The important aspects of this strategy are;

1. Research Findings – or facts to be presented

2. Knowledge and Readiness for acceptance by object of change
3. Communication system – being open and active in interchanging ideas

2. Normative – Re-educative Strategies

However, man is not always rational and sometimes they do not follow. So other
strategies are to be considered. The assumptions about human motivation are
different from those underlying the first strategy. In this case, the rationality and
intelligence of men are not denied. Socio-cultural norms and commitments on the part
of individuals and groups to these norms support patterns of action and practice.
Socio-cultural norms are supported by the attitude and value systems of individuals.

Change in a pattern of practice or action will occur only as the persons involved
are brought to change their normative orientations from old patterns and develop
commitments to new ones. Changes in normative orientation involves changes in
attitudes, values, skills, and significant relationships and not just changes in
knowledge, information, or intellectual rationales for action and practice. Re-education
is a normative change as well as a cognitive and perpetual change (so man must
participate in his own re-education if he is to be re-educated at all).

In short, people are taught to change their old ways into new ones for change
to really take place. Changing the norms of the client system through educative
strategies can be challenging but is worth the effort.

3. Power – Coercive Strategies

These strategies involve the application of power in some form, political or

otherwise. It essentially involves compliance of those with less power to the plans,
directions and leadership of those with greater power. This power is often legitimate
power or authority, e.g., the use of law or administrative policy to effect change. The
ingredients of power are on the emphasis on political and economic sanctions in the
exercise of power; also the use of moral power, playing upon sentiments of guilt and
shame.
There are also strategies under the Power – Coercive Strategies;

1. Non-violence
Those confronted with what they see as an unfair, unjust or cruel system
of coercive social control react by public and non-violently demonstrating
against it. Their power is in being able to arouse guilt in those exercising control.
Weakening or dividing the opposition through moral coercion may be combined
with economic sanctions.

27
 An example for this is hunger strike and the typical public statement
strike.
2. Use of political institutions

Need for normative – re-educative strategies must be combined with political

coercion, both before and after the political action if the public is to be
adequately informed and changes in practice are to be effected.

This strategy won’t be oppressive if the quality of our democratic processes can
be maintained and improved. Change agents are disappointed because of laws
are expected to change practice. When all that is done is bring the force of
legitimacy behind some envisioned change.

The process of re-education still has to be done on personal level (new

knowledge, skills and orientations) and social level (new norms, roles)

3. Re composition and manipulation of power elites

“The ruling class are those who own the means and processes of production
of goods and services” – Marx
Which means that the ruling class/power elite is in social control. Marx
formulated the following ideas;
a. Classless society
– the state of a society in which it lacks economic class that caters the need of
the people.
b. Look for a counter-force to challenge & overcome the power of the ruling
class.
- people of the society uses their rights and power to topple the power of higher
ruling class so as to put change into effect according to their needs
c. After accession to power, normative - re-educative strategies can be
introduced.
- the part in which a new power and a new governance rises where change will
take effect.

28
 SOCIAL THEORY AND SOCIAL CHANGE

-Social change consists of any modification in the social organization of a

society in any of its social institutions or social role.

-Its material and non-material culture affects major segments of the population
and brings about transformation to its social structure, its institutions and its traditional
values and pattern of behavior.

I. Major Characteristics of Social Change

a. Social Change is Inevitable

b. Social Change is Sometimes Intentional but Often Unplanned

c. Social Change is Controversial

d. Some Changes Matter than Others

II. Sources of Change

a. Physical Environment

b. Ideas

c. Technology

d. Population
e. Cultural Innovation
-Changes in society’s culture tends to involve social change as well.
There are three distinct process that are involve: Discovery, Invention, and
Diffusion.

* Discovery
- The perception of an aspect of reality that already exist.
- When a new discovery was share in the society, it becomes an
additional knowledge to the society's culture and store pf knowledge.

* Invention
- The combination or new use of existing knowledge to produce
something that did not exist before.

29
 -It can be material (can openers, cigarettes) or social
(corporations, and democratic institutions).

* Diffusion
- Involves the spread of cultural elements both material
artifacts and ideas from one culture to another.
- George Murdock (1934) has estimated that about 90 percent
of the content of every culture have been acquired from other societies,
and some social scientist see diffusion as the main source of cultural and
social change.

III. Theories of Social Change

a. Evolutionary Theory
- This theory holds that societies change from simple beginnings into
more complex form. Simple societies progress to complex one by the act of social
forces, such as increasing population, division of labor, and type of solidarity. The
member of societies shares of common social characteristics, norms and values and
economic roles that makes different development that leads the society to a complex
form.

b. Modernization Theory
-Is a theory used to explain the process of modernization that a notion
goes through as it transitions from a traditional society to modern one. Modernization
theory points out that certain institutions and social patterns are spreading around the
world.

c. Dependency
- Holds that what goes on inside developing counties is determined by
whole world-system.

d. World System
- It is a conflict theory that points out that no society on earth any more
functions as a self-contained economic system.
- Believes that rich countries could have become richer only to the extent
that the poorer countries become poorer.

30
 Unit IV
Social Issues and Problems of
Different Sectors of the Philippine
Society; their Situation, Needs,
Issues and Struggles from an
Engendered Lens

31
 THE PHILIPPINE SOCIETY

I. Geography and Environment

A. Geography
According to Blij 1994, Geography study the locations and distributions of
features on the earth’s surface. These features may be the landmarks of human
occupation or the properties of the natural environment, or both.

B. Philippine Geography: Location, Size and Boundaries

Geography of the Philippines is an archipelago that comprises over 7,000
islands with total area of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi). The largest
islands contain 95% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon at
about 105,000 square kilometers (40,541 sq mi.).
The Philippines is Located in Southeast Asia, between the South China Sea on
the west and the Philippine Sea on the east. Archipelago (large group of islands) made
up of 7,107 islands. Part of a Western Pacific arc system that is characterized by active
volcanoes. The total area is about 300,000 square kilometers, 298,000 square
kilometers of land 2,000 square kilometers of water.
The neighbors of the Philippines are Taiwan to the north, Malaysia and
Indonesia to the South, Vietnam to the West, China to the Northwest.
C. Climate of the Philippines
The Climate of the Philippines is either tropical rainforest, tropical savanna or
tropical monsoon, or humid subtropical (in higher altitude areas) characterized by
relatively high temperature, oppressive humidity and plenty of rainfall.
D. Environment

One of the most urgent challenges of this era is the improvement of the quality
of the environment not only for the benefit of this generation but also for the future
generations.

The term “environment” is commonly defined as the immediate surroundings

of an individual. In a broader context, however, environment is a complex system
which deals with a network of living and non-living entities. All of these make up an
enormously complex living machine and its proper functioning depends on every
human activity.

Ecology is the study of interrelationships and interdependencies of organisms

with their environment. It is also known as the science of living environment. Their
primary concerns are population, community, and ecosystem.

E. Natural Resources

32
 The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It has fertile, arable lands, diverse
flora and fauna, extensive coastlines, and rich mineral deposits. About 30% of the land
area of the country was determined be geologically prospective by the Philippine
Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau. But only 1.5 % of country’s land area is covered
with mining permits. Natural Resources of our country include soil, plant, and animal
life, fish, and marine resources, minerals, energy sources and scenic beauty of nature.

These natural resources are Land, Philippines primary source of livelihood is

its fertile land, rich and wide plains suitable for farming. Forest, Philippines also boasts
of wide tracts of lush green forest. Mineral, Mineral Resources abound in Philippine
soil. Our metal deposits are estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal
deposits are projected at 19.3 billion metric tons. Fishery/ Marine, of the 2,400 fish
species found in the country. 65 have good commercial value. Other marine products
include corals, pearls, crabs and seaweeds.

F. Environment Issues

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, particularly typhoons, floods,

landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis, lying as it does astride the
typhoon belt, in the active volcanic region known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, and in
geological unstable region between the Pacific and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Philippines also suffers major human-caused environment degradation

aggravated by a high annual population growth rate, including loss of agricultural lands,
deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic
wastes, loss of coral reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and
overfishing.

Environmental Degradation is the decline of quality of environment. It is the

deterioration of environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and
soil; the destruction of ecosystems, habitat destruction, the extinction of wildlife and
pollution. While natural disasters can cause environmental degradation, more often it
is the result of human activities.

II. Demography and Health

A. Demography

Demography is the study of the size, distribution, composition, and changes in

population. Demography is usually regarded as a sub-discipline of sociology because
population dynamics is strongly affected by social factors.

B. Population

33
 From the demographic viewpoint, population simply means the number of
people living in a given area. According to UN update, the current population of the
Philippines is 108, 106, 310.

Population comes from “populous”, Greek word means “people”. In its modern
usage, population implies numbers and a statistical method of analysis.

Sociologist refers to population as the number of persons occupying a certain

geographic habitat, drawing subsistence from subsistence from that habitat, and
interacting with one another. Population implies interaction: (1) the interaction between
the people and their habitat and the influence of one on another. (2) Interaction within
the population either as individuals or groups as in marriage and child rearing which
subsequently influence its size, composition, and distribution.

C. Components of Population Change

Population change depends on the interplay of the basic demographic

processes, namely: fertility, mortality and migration.

1) FERTILITY is a demographic phenomenon greatly responsible for setting

population trends. It is often viewed as the main variable in population change and it
is negatively considered as the crux of the Philippine population problem. Fertility
means that a woman has actually given birth to a live child. It also tells how many
children the average woman is bearing.

Fertility must be distinguished from fecundity, or the biological capacity of a

woman to have children at a future time. Fertility is actual reproduction, whereas
Fecundity is potential reproduction. The fecundity of a woman begins at menarche,
or the onset of menstruation. The fecundity of a physically normal woman about
twenty-five children. However, the actual fertility of a woman in any society does not
approach the level of fecundity due to cultural, social, economic and health factors.

There are several factors influencing fertility differentials:

1.1 Education- This is because educated women are more aware of birth spacing and
birth limitation methods, or “responsible parenthood”.

1.2 Occupation of the Father and Income

1.3 Rural-Urban Differential- Fertility is higher in rural areas.

1.4 Age at Marriage- Delayed marriage means lesser exposure to fertility and
therefore reduces the number of children born to a woman.

1.5 Ambition- Is the desire to maintain or to secure a good social status. It is one of
the most important factors leading to the control of fertility.

34
 2) MORTALITY refers to death; it is negative component of population change.
Normally, it is believed to reduce population.

Several measures can be used in order to study mortality trends. The most
commonly used measure of mortality is the Crude Death Rate (CDR), which is the
number of deaths per 1,000 populations. A special mortality measure to indicate the
death rate of children in their first year is the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) a measure
of the mortality among children who have not reached their first birthday. Maternal
Mortality Rate (MMR) The number of mothers dies because of childbirth.

3) MIGRATION is the population change comes not only through increase or

decrease (the balance of births and deaths), but also through the net effects of
migration in and out of an area. It is also the movement of people from one area to
another to settle permanently.

There are two general kinds of Migration namely international and internal
migration. International Migration is the movement of people from one country to
another to settle permanently. The coming into the country of which the person is not
a citizen for permanent residence is called immigration. The going from one’s country
for permanent residence is called emigration. Internal Migration is the movement
of people from one part of the country to another for permanent residence. It is may
be out-migration or in-migration.

D. Health

The preservation and improvement of nation’s health has a direct and indirect
impact on development. The health of the nation spells the increase or decrease of
the gross national product. Thus, the Department of Health (DOH) believes that the
“inputs to improve health must not be viewed merely as consumption, but also as a
long lasting investment to development”, (National Health Plan 1995-2020:1)

Health is a basic human right, ability to adopt and to manage the physical,
mental, and social challenges throughout life.

E. Indicators of Health

The state of health of a nation can be determined by health indicators. These

indicators are Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, Crude Death Rate, and Morbidity
Rate.

1) Life Expectancy refers to the numbers of years a person would live current
mortality rate is held constant. It provides insight to the availability and level of health
and medical technology and other social services in a given place.

2) Infant Mortality Rate is the number of infant deaths per thousand live births. It is
associated with life expectancy. It is an also indicator of person’s future health and
survival probability.

35
3)Crude Death Rate is the number of deaths per one thousands population. There
are deaths among the males and females at all ages particularly in poverty-stricken
regions: ARMM, Eastern and Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley and Ilocos.

4) Morbidity is the measured by the number of sick persons in a population. The ten
leading diseases in the Philippines for 1978 are communicable diseases, the most
common diseases are: diarrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, hypertension,
tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, disease of the heart, malaria, dengue-fever, and
chicken pox.

F. The Problem and Causes for Poor Health Conditions

The studies have pointed to four main causes of poor health. These are
poverty, poor and degenerative environment, ignorance and superstition, and
political unrest.

1. Poverty

2. Poor and Degenerative Environment the Commission on Population reported that

squatting and overcrowding put the urban poor under serious health and
environmental stress. Poor environmental conditions due to poor zoning and land
utilization, poor enforcement of antismoke-belching laws, use of leaded gasoline, and
massive deforestation lead to outbreak of water-borne diseases and air borne
diseases.

3. Ignorance and Superstition is the high incidence of morbidity and deaths are
closely associated with ignorance and superstition.

4. Political Unrest is armed conflicts in the cities and the countryside has disrupted
the health delivery services. Armed conflicts have destroyed health facilities and also
killed or frightened health workers, preventing an efficient delivery of health services
in war zone areas.

G. Effects of Health Conditions

From the national level, studies have shown that the health of people can affect
the nation’s productivity, education, literacy, nutrition, family size, and person’s
outlook in life.

III. Politics

Politics consists of two phases: (1) the acquisition of power and (2) the exercise
of power. In an absolute monarchy or dictatorship, power is acquired by hereditary

36
succession or by “place revolution” from other power-holders and it is exercised for
the welfare of the power-holders and the people.

Sociology of Politics focuses on the behavior of citizens as voters and members

of interest groups and parties, the influence of interest groups and parties in the victory
of power-seekers, in the decision making activities of the power-holders, and the
interactions between the leaders and the people. The foci of politics, from a
sociological point of view, are the on-going systems of practices.

B. Program of Government

The formation of political parties has become a necessity in a democracy.

Candidates who have the same ideas on the program of the government form together
into one political party. They subscribe to their party’s platform or they influence it to
change or modify its program. Each candidate, in appealing for the votes of the people,
explains his program of government which is also the program of his party.

C. Government Leadership

The specific and immediate objective of political parties is to gain the leadership
of the government. The candidate who is elected President appoints members of his
party to cabinet positions; he influences the organization of Congress so that the
important positions in the House of Representatives and in the House of the Senate
are occupied by able and trusted members of his party.

D. Discipline of Members

The public confidence in the party is strengthened or diminished by the behavior

of its members. The influence of the poverty is facilitating the fulfilment of the political
promises of its members serve as a strong basis of member’s loyalty to the party. In
this reciprocity of party influence and loyalty of members, the party serves as the
agency of the people in the discipline of their elected representatives. The party can
discipline a member by not recommending him to membership in committees and by
refusing to support his bills which are specifically for his district’s welfare.

IV. Economy and Employment

Economy is the social institution that organizes production, distribution and

consumption of goods and services.
Employment pertains to the condition of having paid work.
A. Agricultural Revolution

There are three (3) technological revolutions that transformed many dimensions of
social life

37
Agricultural Revolution

The development of agriculture since 5000 years ago. When people had learn
to harness animals to places, they were able to produce ten times yield of hunting and
gathering. They adopt economic roles such as creating handicrafts, designing tools
and constructing dwellings.
B. Industrial Revolution

In mid-18th century, a second technological evolution was ongoing and it has

five (5) fundamental changes in the economies of Western societies. (1) New forms of
energy in which machineries are invented. (2) Centralization of work in factories in
which factories became the most prominent work sites. (3) Manufacturing and mass
production became a prevalent form of service as well. (4) Specialization in which
craftsman fashions a product by hand. (5) Wage Labor in which household and
industrial workers are being paid by their service.
C. Information Revolution and the Post-Industrial Society

By 19th century, nature of production started changing. Post-Industrial

economy is a productive system based on extensive use of information and technology.
From tangible ideas, from mechanical skills to literacy skills, decentralization of work
away from factories.

D. Social Effects of Modernization

Family- Family is no longer a unit of production but a dysfunctional one in a society

because of geographic and social mobility members of the family.
Education- The quest for quality education is the basis of all society to achieve
stability, progress and prosperity.
Religion- The process of secularization leaves religion as a marginal rather than
central social institution.
Politics- A strong centralized state emerges if none has ever existed and it regulates
more areas and social economic life.
Science- Rapid technological leads to rapid social changes.
Urbanization- A majority of the population now live in urban areas.
Demography- Death rates decline sharply as modern facilities are extended to the
population.
Social Organizations- Large formal organizations such as industrial corporations or
government departments become centers of power or influence.
Social Stratification- As industrialized proceeds; the growing wealth of society tends
to be more equally shared

Personal Values- People have become more change-oriented.

38
Culture- Culture has become widely shared mass culture not just within the society
but from society to society.
E. Sectors of the Economy

Primary Sector- gathering and extracting of undeveloped natural resources such as

mining, fishing, forestry and agriculture. This sector focuses on searching for raw
materials for the secondary industry to utilize and produce products from it.
Secondary Industry- turning raw materials from primary industry into manufactured
goods such as automobiles, canned foods and furniture’s. One of these examples is
factory work sites in which the process or procedure in turning raw materials takes
place.
Tertiary Industry- generates services rather than goods.

F. Development of the Philippine Economy

Rapid Advances in Science and Technology have speed up the process of

globalization.

G. The Philippine Labor Market

The Philippine Labor Market is composed of four elements: (1) Labor Force (2)
Employment (3) Underemployment (4) Unemployment.
Labor Code of the Philippines which is signed on May 1,1974 states according
to the Article 3 provides that “The State shall afford protection to labor, promote full
employment, ensure, or creed and regulate the relations between workers and
employers”

H. Basic Rights of Workers

There are also coupled basic rights of the workers which are
 Security of Tenure- is the is a term used in political science to describe a
constitutional or legal guarantee that a political office-holder cannot be removed
from office except in exceptional and specified circumstances.
 Regular and Casual Employees- refers to employees who do not have regular
hours of work
 Hours of Work- in the Philippines, Hours of work should not exceed within eight
hours
 Payment of Wages- should establish a payment day for the wages they have
earned

39
  Employment of Women- been challenged by inequality in the workforce so
they have been covered under the Labor Code to ensure their rights as
employees.
 Employment of Workers- is also covered under the Labor Code to ensure the
socioeconomic relationship of the worker an employer.
 Safe and Healthful Conditions of Work and Welfare Services- is an
essential consideration for it seeks so ensure the safety of each employees in
their work.

I. Benefits of the Employee

 The 13th month pay Law

 The Social Security Act of 1987
 The Paternity Leave Act of 1996
 The Solo Parents’ Welfare Ac

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

I. POPULATION GROWTH

The scientific study of human population is known as Demography.

Demography comes from the Greek word, (measuring people). It is the study of the
size and make-up of the human population and how it changes (Eshleman, et al.,
1998). Demographers use statistics in their work; (e.g., actual count of the population
with regard to age and sex, record of birth, deaths, and their causes, marriages, and
broken families, and migration in order to understand how population changes).

a. COMPONENTS OF POPULATION CHANGE

 FERTILITY
 Is the ability to produce off springs.
 Fecundity, or maximum possible childbearing, is sharply reduced by cultural
norms, finances, and personal choice.
 Fertility is the actual reproduction, whereas fecundity is potential reproduction.
The fecundity of a woma begins at menarche, or the onset of menstruation.
Fecundity is the biological capacity of a woman to have children at a future time,
but it is sharply reduced by cultural norms, finances and personal choice.

 MORTALITY
 Mortality is the rate of death in population. A population with many old people
will naturally have a higher death rate than a comparatively young population.

40
  Infant mortality rate, the number of deaths among infant under one year of
age for each 1,000 live births in a given year.
 MIGRATION
 The movement of people into and out of a specified territory. It is sometimes
voluntary, as when people leave a small town and move to larger city. Migration
includes:
* Immigration- movement into a territory it is measured as an in-migration rate,
calculated as the number of people entering an area for every 1000 people in
the population.
* Emmigration- the outward movement of Filipinos is conditions and the
opportunities available in the host country. It is measured in terms of an out-migration
rate, the number leaving for every 1,000 people.

b. POPULATION COMPOSITION AND POPULATION GROWTH

 Age composition refers to the relative proportions of people at various age
levels.
 Sex composition refers to the differences in sex-makeup which is determined
by sex ratio, that is, the proportion of males over females. Among human
population, there is slightly higher proportion of male births (51.5 percent), to
female births (48.5 percent). The sex ratio at birth is around 105-106. The sex
ratio at conception is higher which 110-112, is but prenatal and postnatal
hazards for males reduce the disproportions.

c. HISTORY AND THEORY OF POPULATION GROWTH


ZERO POPULATION GROWTH- The level of reproduction that maintains
population in a steady state.

 Under Population declining population

II. FAMILY ISSUES

a. AREAS OF CONFLICT IN THE FILIPINO FAMILY

 Love and Courtship

The problem is usually whether the young people should adopt the new concept of
romantic love or retain the traditional courtship pattern. Romantic love is a
manifestation of modern individualism.

41
On the other hand, the traditional pattern of courtship for its individual choice of a life
mate and depends among strong family ties and the mores of society for the
permanency of the resulting marriage.
 Discipline in the Family

Discipline in many Philippine homes is an alternation of corporal punishment and

indulgence. Many filipino parents will not hesitate to use the rod or some other physical
of punishment to discipline a child. This method of discipline is indeed in keeping with
our temper and patterns. There is in the Philippines today the so-called “revolt of youth”
against what young people would as “the tyranny parents”.
This behavior among our people today is a reaction against too much parental
interference and is an expression of individualism.
 Practice of Democracy

In the home it is presumed that democracy is the Filipino ideal. However, in husband-
wife as well as in parent-child relationships, democracy is rarely practiced. It is still true
in many homes that the children are seen but not heard for the assumption is still that
the parent knows best. It seems paradoxical that while most Filipino wants political
democracy, they are not so willing to prepare and train their children for the democratic
way of life.

c. SOME PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE FILIPINO FAMILY

 Juvenile Delinquency
 Materialism and Intense Competition
 Extreme Poverty

 Marital Disharmony

 Sex Delinquency

 Extravagant Growth of Population

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

I. ISSUES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are the most common causes of poverty in the Philippines.
a. Low to moderate economic growth for the past 40 years.
b. Low growth elasticity of poverty reduction
c. Weakness in employment generation and the quality of jobs generated
d. Failure to fully develop the agriculture sector
e. High inflation during crisis period

42
 f. High levels of population growth
g. High and persistent levels of inequality (incomes and assets), which
dampen the positive impacts of economic expansion; and
h. Recurrent shocks and exposure to risks such as economics crisis, conflicts,
natural disasters, and “environment poverty”

II. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

Environmental degradation is a process through which the natural
environment is compromised in some way, reducing biological diversity and the
general health of the environment.

III. DIFFERENT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT DEGRADATION

a. Climate Change and the Philippines

b. Decline of Natural Resources and Biodiversity

c. Alarming Waste Problem in the Philippines

c.1 People’s Behavior towards Waste

The Resources, Environment and Economics Center for
Studies, Inc.’s (REECS) 2002 study on household waste
management systems and the attitudes and behavior showed
that:
a. Waste management is still perceived by many as the
responsibility of government.
b. Public participation in waste management, especially in
segregation at source, remains limited.
c. More extensive awareness- raising activities and training
on ecological waste management are needed, together
with stricter enforcement of the Law and local ordinances
must be observed.
d. There is lack of community empowerment and political will
to resolve the problem.
e.
IV. DISLOCATED WORKERS
Dislocated workers are individuals who have lost their jobs due to a layoff.
Also known as displaced workers, they’re generally perceived as experiencing
job loss due to circumstances beyond their control. Workers who are terminated
from employment due to unsatisfactory job performance are not considered
displaced workers.

43
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, A WORKER IS CONSIDERED
DISLOCATED IF HE OR SHE MEETS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
 Has been laid off or received a layoff notice from a job or receives
unemployment benefits as a result of being laid off and is unlikely to return to a
previous occupation.
 Was self-employed but is now without work due to economic conditions or
natural disaster.
 Is the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces and lost
employment as a result of relocating because of a permanent duty station
change.
 Is the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces, is also
unemployed or underemployed, and finding difficulty in obtaining or upgrading
employment.
 Is a displaced homemaker – someone who was taking care of a family without
pay such as a stay-at-home mother or father, is no longer supported by their
spouse, is unemployed or underemployed, and can't find or upgrade their
employment.

V. REASONS FOR WORKER DISLOCATION

a. ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
A common reason for the dislocation of workers is a downturn in the
general economy that reduces overall demand for products or services. In
some cases, the impetus is a downturn in a particular industry, such as the
newspaper business, which is based on economic or technological trends.

b. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Some employees are laid off due to the duplication of jobs when
mergers or acquisitions are carried out. Other workers are dislocated due to
automation or other workplace trends that reduce demand for their particular
skills, so they’re let go.
c. COMPANY CLOSING
Layoffs can occur when a company moves to a new location or
closes a facility where a worker was employed. Foreign competition or
outsourcing in areas like computer programming is also a factor that affects
the displacement of workers.

VIII. HUMAN RIGHTS: ANALYSIS IN THE PHILIPPINE REALITIES

A. The Structural
Functional theory of Talcott Parsons view the society as a social
system, which is divided into different parts/ structures (social institutions) and
each part is goal oriented.
Each of the sector in our society has its main function for the betterness
of its community, which means each sector are goal oriented. When for
44
 instance one this failed to achieve its desired outcome or didn’t function well,
definitely the sectors that are correlated to each other will also malfunction.

B. The Dependency Theory

The development of Underdevelopment of Rondolf David and
Amdre F. Frank points out that the underdevelopment of the Philippines and
the Latin American countries is due to their past experiences with their
respective colonizers
We are one of the countries that are still in the process of
developing which means we are still depending to a much powerful country or
those countries that are well developed.

IX. GENERAL FORM OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION

Based on the UN study, the most common forms of violations take
place in the following situations which result from apartheid, from all
forms of racial discrimination, from colonialism, from foreign domination
and occupation, from aggression and threats against national
sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources
The nature of the 21st century HR violations would be more
associated with globalization like the fundamental socio-economic
rights: the right to health, decent domicile, education and the right to a
clean environment and its preservation. A crime against humanity is also
a violation like ethnic cleansing and genocide.
They did not will such conditions but the society on general and its
cultural hypocrisies. These are the children, the mentally retarded, the
disabled, the ethnic/cultural minorities, the illegitimate children and lastly
the aliens. Measures have been undertaken or recommended like
special treatment and guidance to be extended to them.

X. SITUATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY

THE TIME OF 2017 AND 2018
Here are the most common human rights that have been violated, and
mostly it all starts under the presidency of President Duterte. These
people are deprived or their rights that have been taken away from them.
a) Extrajudicial executions and summary killings
b) Freedom of expression
c) Human rights defenders
d) Death penalty
e) Internal armed conflict
f) Torture and other ill-treatment
g) Children’s right
h) Right to health
i) Enforced disappearances
45
 j) Human trafficking
k) Attacks on indigenous peoples
l) Attacks on media
m) Discrimination
n) LGBT and same sex marriage
o) Sexual and reproductive rights
p) Abortion

XI. MASS MEDIA

-technology that is intended to reach a mass audience. It is the primary means
of communication used to reach the vast majority of the general public. As
globalization takes place, different social media platforms raised, and primarily
it have been effected the way of communication wherein it is much easier for
people to communicate overseas.

a) The Internet
By the early 1990s, many experts in the computers and technology
industries were conceding that the reign of the personal computer was
over it was becoming increasing clear to them that the future lay not with
the individual computer but with a global system of interconnected
computers – the Internet.
b) Education and New Communication Technology
The spread of information technology looks set to influence
education in a number of different ways, some of which may perhaps be
quite fundamental. The new technologies are affecting the nature of work,
replacing some types of human work by machines. The sheer pace of
technological change is creating a much more rapid turnover of jobs than
once was the case. Education can no longer be regarded as a stage of
preparation before an individual enters work. As technology changes,
necessary skills change, and even if education is seen from a purely a
vocational point of view—as providing skills relevant to work—most
observers agree that lifelong exposure to education will be needed in the
future.

c) Life Long Learning

The shift in emphasis toward lifelong learning can already be seen within
schools themselves, where there are a growing number of opportunities
for pupils to learn outside the confines of the classroom. The boundaries
between schools and the outside world are breaking down, not only via
cyberspace, but in the physical world as well.

XII. PATTERNS OF LIVING (PHILIPPINE OCNTEXT)

a) Rural Social Patterns
46
 In the rural Philippines, traditional values remained the rule. The family
was central to a Filipino's identity, and many sitios were composed mainly
of kin. Kin ties formed the basis for most friendships and supranuclear
family relationships. Filipinos continued to feel a strong obligation to help
their neighbors-- whether in granting a small loan or providing jobs for
neighborhood children, or expecting to be included in neighborhood work
projects, such as rebuilding or reroofing a house and clearing new land.
The recipient of the help was expected to provide tools and food.
Membership in the cooperative work group sometimes continued even
after a member left the neighborhood. Likewise, the recipient's siblings
joined the group even if they lived outside the sitio. In this way, familial and
residential ties were intermixed.

b) Urban Social Patterns

The Philippines, like most other Southeast Asian nations, has one
dominant city that is in a category all by itself as a "primate city." In the
mid-1980s, Metro Manila produced roughly half of the gross national
product (GNP) of the Philippines and contained two-thirds of the nation's
vehicles. Its plethora of wholesale and retail business establishments,
insurance companies, advertising companies, and banks of every
description made the region the unchallenged hub of business and
finance.

XIII.CONSUMERISM
Consumerism is the theory that a country that consumes goods and
services in large quantities will be better off economically.
Sometimes, consumerism is referred to as a policy that promotes greed.

a. Consumerism In The Philippines: Why Do Filipinos Patronize

ForeignProducts?
Consumerism has enveloped Filipinos. The Philippines is one of the
poorest countries in Asia but it is the home to three of the ten largest
shopping malls on earth. The number of shopping malls and
condominiums continue to increase in major Philippine cities and this
construction fools Filipinos into believing the economy is growing thus
coercing them to buy goods or homes that they cannot afford.

47
 WOMEN

I. HISTORY OF WOMEN

a. Filipino women are usually called as Filipina, the roles of women in many
ways is defined by Catholicism. The women are expected to be the
religious one in the community and majority of their roles is to provide
service to other people and their family.
b. Women in the Philippines have traditionally controlled the family
finances. They are the one who budgets or creates the financial plan
within the family in order to allocate their money accordingly based on
their needs.
c. In traditional societies, women have been responsible for planting, doing
the household chores and child care although men have participated
some in the duties. Women were taught with skills on doing tasks inside
the house as well as in the fields at a young age so that by the time that
they are already ready for marriage they could become a good and
responsible homemaker of their family.
d. The Philippines is a matriarchal society. Women’s role in the family made
women realize that they are more capable of doing things than they have
expected. In the family setting, the mother is usually the one who
provides their children with the primary or basic education including how
to read, write, do the household chores and values. Because of the
impact that mothers give to their children, the community, as time
passes, realizes that women plays a very vital role in the society and
with that they must be given the proper training in order for them to be
equipped and educate their children with the proper skills and knowledge
through allowing them to acquire education. As women were having
awareness of the world including their rights that are being violated, they
have become more empowered. With the support of the laws that have
been implemented which protects women from inequality, inequity and
discrimination women have slowly risen from the ground and organized
women’s right movements; one of the most popular among these is the
Gabriella which is an organization that holds a progressive platform
which fights against sexual aggression, discrimination and oppression.

48
II. WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINE SETTING

a. As a Matrimonial Risk Taker

 In 1990, population census revealed a slight predominance of
men (30, 443, 187) over women (30, 115, 929), two-thirds of
which live in rural areas.
 Filipinas are marrying later now than in the past and the urban
females marries even later than her rural counterpart. Because of
modernization and other factors like the awareness that women
get from education, fear of responsibility and many more, affects
marital incidents nowadays. Women that resides in the urban
places engages in marriage even later than women from rural
areas because most of them are too occupied by their jobs and
enjoys the single life, some reasons are also because of
experiences in life and observation from others which makes
them not believe in marriage.
b. As a Child-bearer
 More children tend to be born to women who live in the rural areas
and agricultural communities; who marry earlier, who are not
employed out-side the home; or who live in nuclear households.
These instances of child birth are influenced by their environment
itself. Most children are born to women in the rural areas because
of lack of acquired knowledge most particularly in family planning
and some services, programs and symposiums fail to reach
remote areas because of the distance and sometimes because of
lack in resources.
c. As a Member of the Labor Force
 Women are inclined towards careers in health-related professions
like education, arts and sciences. Men on the other hand, go for
courses in religion and theology, engineering, criminology and
law.
 Women dominated two major industry groups. These are the
community, social and personal services industry group, forestry
industry group and in the following occupation groups such as
sales workers, service workers, professionals, technical and
related workers, and clerical and related workers.
d. As a Working Wife
 Women make up only 48.5 percent of the labor force, but almost
one-half of those who are part of the labor force are married. The
more affluent and urbanized areas like Manila and Southern
Luzon have fewer households where the wife is a source of
income. In the Philippines, it is in the poorer and more rural
regions where wives play the breadwinner role. This usually
happens because of the insufficiency of income that the other
49
 spouse generates and in order to sustain the daily necessities of
the family the wife is being required to work and provide for the
family to help the husband.
e. As a Citizen
 Politics in the Philippines is still very much a male affair.
Nevertheless, the Filipino females has been active at polls. In all,
elections, the percentage of qualified voters who actually voted
was consistently higher for the women than for men, but there are
still few women in political positions, especially at higher levels.
Before, women are not allowed to associate themselves with
matters regarding politics but as years pass by and as women are
being acknowledged and recognized by the community as a part
of this most especially as having the equal right as men do in
voting, women have gradually come to join in politics and today
there are already women who are leaders are positioned at higher
levels and are leading the country for betterment.
f. As a Victim
 In the 1993 Safe Mother Survey, one in ten respondents have
been physically harmed during pregnancy. In the same manner,
about three percent of the survey respondents reported having
been physically forced to have sex with a man. The survey has
revealed the fact that women is one of the sectors in the society
to be considered as vulnerable. Women tend to experience such
harassments and maltreatment or abuse because they are seen
by some men as someone who is incapable and is physically
weak.
 A bulk of socially disadvantaged women are those eighteen to
fifty-nine years with limited or no access to opportunities for
education, maternal and child care, skill/ training/ livelihood.

III. WOMEN ESPECIALLY IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

a. Elderly Women
b. Solo Parents
c. Women with Disabilities
d. Victims of Violence Against Women (Machismo, Rape Culture, High
Rates of Sexual Assaults)
e. Prostituted Women
f. Women Victims of Distress

50
IV. ISSUES CONTENDING WOMEN

a. Rape
b. Pornography
c. Incest
d. Prostitution
e. Violence in Marriage
f. PTSD: The Battered Woman Syndrome
g. Oppression
h. Gender Ranking

V. EMERGING TRENDS AND ISSUES

a. Affirmative Language
 The use of affirmative language is not merely a linguistic
innovation but it reflects the whole new way of viewing the
relationship between the welfare professions and the women
seeking their assistance.
b. Social Legislation
 RA 7192 or The Women in Development and Nation-Building
Act—Restates the principle of fundamental equality between
women and men contained in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
This act also recognizes women as force in nation-building.
 RA 7972 or Barangay Day Care Center Act—requires the
setting up of day care centers in all barangays in the country as a
support mechanism for mothers with young children.
 RA 7432 or The Senior Citizen Welfare Law—extends benefit
to those sixty years and above whose annual income is below
60,000.00. This includes 20 percent discount on the cost of
medicines and transportation.
 RA 7377 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons Welfare—
provides the rehabilitation and development of self-reliance
among disabled persons and their integration into mainstream of
society. It mandates strong sanctions against individuals,
organizations and entities that discriminate against persons with
disabilities with regard to employment, to education, and to access to
public places and transportation among others.
 RA 7877 or Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995—condemns
the use of one’s authority, influence or moral ascendancy to
threaten the employee or student/trainee into submission, using
such threats as dismissal from the job or withholding promotion,
or enticements like the granting of passing of grades or

51
 scholarships; violators of the law face imprisonment from one to
six months and/or a fine of 10,000 to 20,000.
 Anti-Rape Law was also enacted redefining rape as crime
against person rather than a crime against chastity.
 Still pending in Congress is Senate Bill 429 or The Solo Parent
Welfare Act which attempts to address the economic, child care
and emotional needs of solo parents.
 Also pending are bills addressing the problem of domestic
violence, the Senate Bill No. 1726, House Bill No. 12399; and
 House Bill No. 6084, Senate Bill No. 585—the issue of
prostitution.
c. Collaboration of Governmental and Non-Governmental Organization
(NGO)
 The partnership between the government and the private sector
extending welfare goods and services to the needy and
disadvantaged has been proven in the history of social welfare in
the Philippines. What has improved in increasing cooperation
between government agencies and women’s organizations is that
they are both bearing a women’s empowerment framework.
These collaborative efforts take the form of providing gender
sensitivity to everyone who is to encounter these disadvantaged
sectors like for example to police personnel assisting victims of
wife-battering and rape.

d. Venues for Service Delivery

 To meet the increasing and varied demands of women in
especially difficult circumstances, a mix of three venues for
service delivery has been developed. The institution-based, the
community-based, and the creation of women’s help desk.
 An example for institution-based is the Women’s Shelters which
provide temporary housing, protection and care for women in
crisis and their small children have been established in some of
the major cities in the country by GO’s and NGO’s
 Community-based assistance means extending the women in
their own communities. This can take in the form of individual
assistance in the homes of the women. However, in a growing
number of cases, the efforts are toward involving the whole
community in confronting the issue of violence against women or
addressing the problems brought by disasters.
 The creation of women’s help desk provides immediate
assistance to women in need of protection and/ or counselling
through face-to-face interaction and through telephone hotlines.
In the government, the women’s help desk refers to the police,

52
 hospitals, DSWD and in some universities and colleges as well
as in NGO’s.

e. Contradictions
 While there has been a shift from a predominantly welfare to the
empowerment approach in analyzing and addressing the
problems of women in especially difficult circumstances, the
underlying causes of these problems must be examined. This is
because through examining the root causes of these problems,
proper interventions will be created and solutions or actions in
addressing these problems will be given to the victims and the
community as well accordingly. Also, this is to ensure that no
conflicts and contradictions may occur and that resources given to
the needy will not be of waste and instead will be utilized by them
evenly and with accordance to their needs.

CHILDREN

I. CHILDREN
- Persons below eighteen years of age or those over eighteen years of
age but who are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect
themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination
because of physical, mental disability or conditions

a. Population of Children
 male 17,764,826
 female 17,050,168

II. CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

- Refers to a child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having
committed an offense under Philippine laws.

A. Profile of children in conflict with the law

a. POVERTY BACKGROUND
 In the Philippines, close to 1 out of every three individuals
lives below the poverty line, while the country itself is in full
economic expansion. Although this is encouraging for the
future, the present situation remains bleak for a great many
households.

53
  Poor families frequently suffer from hunger or malnutrition
from which follow numerous health problems, particularly
among children who are physically more vulnerable than
adults.

B. General characteristics of cicl

a. SEX
 Male and Female
b. AGE
 Under 15 years’ old
c. EDUCATION
 Out-of-School
d. FAMILIES
 Poor, one-parent families, neglected/ abandoned
children
e. FAMILY VIOLENCE
 broken families
f. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
 lack of resources

C. Types of offences

a. OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY

 Are the most common offences for all the study areas.
In Metro Manila, cellular or mobile phones were the
most common targets. In Cebu, offences against
property usually take the form of shoplifting.
b. DRUG RELATED OFFENCES
 Offences linked to drug abuse have increased over the
recent years. This type of offence constituted 13% of
the reported offences committed by children in Metro
Manila and had become the second most common
offence in Cebu and Davao. There is an increase in
drug-related offending in second-time offences. In
Cebu for instance, drug-related offending rose from
14% to 37% of all offences. Individuals experiencing
difficult or unbearable situations take drugs to
withstand hunger and try to forget misfortunes and
frustrations.
c. SEX OFFENCES AMONG CHILDREN
 Were likewise up in Metro Manila and In Cebu, if a sex
offender was a child, the victim was usually also a child.

54
III. CHILD LABOR
- is work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their
dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development

A. Common work place

o Children work in farms and plantations, in dangerous mines, on
streets, in factories, and in private homes as child domestic
workers. Agriculture remains to be the sector where most child
laborers can be found at 58 percent.

IV. VIOLENT DISCIPLINE

- Violent discipline is a violation of a child’s right to protection from all
forms of violence while in the care of their parents or other caregivers,
as set forth in the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A. The two main forms of violent discipline are:

a. Physical discipline
 Also known as 'corporal punishment' refers to any
punishment in which physical force is used to cause
any degree of pain or discomfort.
b. Psychological discipline
 the use of verbal aggression, threats, intimidation,
denigration, ridicule, guilt, humiliation, withdrawal of
love or emotional manipulation to control children.
V. BULLYING
- The use of aggression to assert power over someone. More specifically,
it has been defined by researchers as "actions, either physical or verbal,
that have a hostile intent, are repeated over time, cause distress for the
victim and involve a power imbalance between the perpetrator and
victim.

A. Fights
o Physical fighting in schools is a common form of violence.
Available evidence shows that physical fighting tends to go
together with worse educational outcomes

VI. SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

- Sexual violence against children is a gross violation of children’s rights.
Yet it is a global reality across all countries and social groups. It can take
the form of sexual abuse, harassment, rape or sexual exploitation in
prostitution or pornography. It can happen in homes, institutions,
schools, workplaces, in travel and tourism facilities, within communities.

A. Most common forms of sexual abuse

55
 1. RAPE
2. DATE RAPE
3. STATUTORY RAPE
4. INCEST
5. FORCED SEX
6. SEXUAL TOUCHING
o The clinical definition of child sexual abuse is inappropriately
exposing or subjecting a child to sexual contact, activity or
behavior. An easier way to think of it – and to teach children
about it – is by contrasting “good touches” and “bad touches.”
6.1. Good Touch
 Can be explained as a way for people to show
they care for each other and help each other.
Examples you can give include hugging, holding
hands, or a parent changing a baby’s diaper.
6.2. Bad Touch
 Can be explained as the kind you don’t like and
would want to stop right away, such as hitting,
kicking or touching private parts.
7. PRESSURED SEX
8. UNWANTED ATTEMPTED SEX

VII. CHILD PROSITITUTION

- Child prostitution designates the use of children for sexual activities in
exchange for remuneration or another form of retribution (gifts, food,
clothes, etc). This activity is included under the umbrella term of sexual
exploitation.

A. Why Children instead of adults?

 Sexual exploiters utilize the docility of children
because they are less able to defend themselves. This
deviant attitude is often caused by the feeling of sexual
and economic power, by the desire for new
experiences, or by the feeling of impunity related to
anonymity.

B. Online Exploitation of Children

 Includes grooming, live streaming, consuming child
sexual abuse material, and coercing and blackmailing
children for sexual purposes. As technology
advances, new forms of this crime emerge. Never
before has it been easier for perpetrators to make
56
 contact with children, share images of abuse, hide their
identity and profits – and inspire each other to commit
further crimes.

C. Causes of Child Prostitution

a. POVERTY
b. MONEY- Prostitution is a very lucrative activity compared
to local salaries.
c. CHILD TRAFFICKING- Numerous children are kidnapped
each year across the world and are integrated into
prostitution networks against their will
d. THE RISE OF THE SEX MARKET- The sex industry has
been industrialised and diffused by new methods of
communication. The rise and normalisation of
pornography in particular has contributed to the
development of prostitution.

D. Consequences for the Child

a. LITTLE ACCESS TO SERVICES
b. THE SPREAD OF AIDS
c. PHYSICAL ILLNESS
d. PSYCHOLOGICAL ILLNESS

VIII. NEGLECTED, ABANDONED AND ORPHANED CHILDREN

A. Neglected Children
B. Abandoned Children
C. Orphaned Children

IX. ILLEGITIMATE CHILD

- A child who is born of parents not married to each other or born out of
wedlock is an illegitimate child.
- Children conceived and born outside a valid marriage are illegitimate,
unless otherwise provided in the Family Code of the Philippines (Article
165 of the Family Code).

A. Different kinds of illegitimate children

1. UNRECOGNIZED ILLEGITIMATE CHILD
o The child is not acknowledged by his biological father, and
thus has to use the surname of his mother.
2. RECOGNIZED ILLEGITIMATE CHILD
o the child is recognized or acknowledged by his father. He
is allowed to use the surname of his father. The filiation

57
 can be recognized by the father through the recognition of
the father of the child’s paternity through the record of birth
appearing in the civil register.

B. Factors Contributing to the increase of number of illegitimate

birth
1. A rise in the proportion of public assistance funds devoted to
the support of illegitimate children; and
2. Growth in the number of teen-age girls from presumably good
homes who are becoming pregnant before marriage. In the
first case, society is put in the position of appearing to
subsidize immoral conduct; in the second, disciplinary controls
traditionally applied by family and church appear to have lost
the respect they once commanded.

X. STREET CHILDREN
- Any girl or boy who has not reached adulthood, for whom the street (in
the broadest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings,
wasteland, etc.) has become her or his habitual abode and/or sources
of livelihood, and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed
by responsible adults

A. Who are these Street Children?

 Are children who work or live on the streets. They may live
permanently on the streets with or without their families
because they have no home. They may be children who
work on the streets by doing errands or selling items.
 Boys and girls aged under 18 for whom 'the street' (including
unoccupied dwellings and wasteland) has become home
and/or their source of livelihood; and who are inadequately
protected or supervised
B. Street Based
 are children living alone (either abandoned or runaways) and
working in the street
C. Children of Street Based Families
 are children living with their families as street-dwellers
D. Community Based
 Are children who work on the streets but return home daily to
their families in the community; many of them receive formal
school education.

58
 YOUTH IN THE PHILIPPINE SETTING

XI. DEFINITION

a) RA 8044: Youth in Nation-Building Act defines YOUTH a critical period in a

person’s growth and development from the onset of adolescence towards the
peak of mature, self-reliant and responsible adulthood comprising the
considerable sector of the population from the age of fifteen (15) to thirty (30)
years.

Republic Act 8044: The Youth in Nation-Building Act

An act creating the National Youth Commission, establishing a National
Comprehensive and Coordinated Program on Youth Development,
Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for Other Purposes.
The National Youth Commission, also known as the NYC, is a government
agency in the Philippines that specifically addresses issues surrounding the
Filipino youth. It was founded on June 30, 1995, via Republic Act 8044 or the
Youth in Nation-Building Act

b) RA 8044: Youth in Nation-Building Act : aged 15-30 years old

c) PD 603: Child & Youth Welfare Code: below 21 years old
d) WHO & other Gov’t Agencies: aged 15-24 years old
e) UNESCO- YOUTH is often indicated as a person between the age where
he/she may leave compulsory education, and the age at which he/she finds
his/her first employment.

XII. SOCIAL & ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE FILIPINO YOUTH

a) Population : 23, 425 954 ; 28.34% of the Philippines Population is comprise

Youth Population:
b) highest in Luzon areas: Southern Tagalog : NCR : Central Luzon
c) Vision, Interest & Priority: Studies, work & family, community

XIII. FILIPINO YOUTH PERSPECTIVE

a) 15-17 years old EDUCATION ORIENTED

b) 18-24 years old JOB ORIENTED
c) 25-30 years old FAMILY, conscious in community & nation-bldg.

XIV. SUB-SECTORS OF YOUTH IN THE PHILIPPINES

a. In-School Youth- Youth with regular access to educational system.
b. Out-Of-School Youth- Youth is not enrolled or dropped-out from school.
c. Working Youth- Youth that is under the labor industry.

59
d. Youth with Special Needs- Are vulnerable youth that needs extra care and
attention.

XV. YOUTH AND TEENAGE PREGNANCY

a. Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage girl, usually within the ages of 13-
19, becoming pregnant. The term in everyday speech usually refers to girls who
have not reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world, who become
pregnant (UNICEF, 2008).
Causes:
i. Customs and traditions that lead to early marriage (developing
countries)
ii. Adolescent sexual behavior which may also be influenced by alcohol and
drugs
iii. Lack of education and information about reproductive sexual health
including lack of access to tools that prevent pregnancies
iv. Peer pressure to engage in sexual activity
v. Incorrect use of contraception
vi. Sexual abuse that leads to rape
vii. Poverty
viii. Exposure to abuse, violence and family strife at home
ix. Low educational ambitions and goals

Statistics: One in Ten Young Filipino Women Age 15 to 19 Is Already A Mother

or Pregnant With First Child (Final Results from the 2013 National Demographic
and Health Survey) ~PSA

b. Premarital sex

c. Youth with Sex & Risk Behaviours

Young Filipinos are also actively engaged in sexual risk behaviours, such as
pre-marital sex, commercial sex activity or sexual activity with pay, and extra-
marital sexual activity. The YAPs 2003 study revealed that 23.1% of all youth
respondents have had pre-marital sex, with more males (31.3%) having done
so than females (15.7%).

The increasing number of cases of violence against children (e.g., rape):

Increasing number of commercialized sexually exploited teenagers
Continued conservatism of responsible sectors with regard to sex education
Limited funds for youth health projects and the lack of LGU-funded adolescent
and youth health development projects.

15-to-17-year-olds, an important concern is the need for quality education and

training in regard to reproductive health education and the effective
implementation of the Population Education Program
60
 Statistic: POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez said results of the
Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) study from 1994 to 2013 showed a
more health conscious youth population with a high prevalence of physical
exercise, but their “sexual risk behaviours have increased over the last decade.”

About 6.2 million youths engaged in premarital sex, and 4.8 million did not use
any form of protection, Perez said. The agency has been promoting the use of
condom and other means of contraception to prevent teenage pregnancies and
spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. The agency has also conducted
seminars for high school students and operates “teen centers” in schools to
provide counselling to the youths.

Perez said unprotected sex pose health problems to the youth and they drop
out of school and many of them meet sexual partners through the social media
using their mobile phones and the Internet.

XVI. YOUTH AND EDUCATION

a. The youth development index is a composite index of 18 indicators that

collectively measure multi-dimensional progress on youth development in
183 countries, including 49 of the 53 Commonwealth countries. It has five
domains measuring levels of education, health and well-being, employment
and opportunity, political participation and civic participation for young people.
The YDI is guided by the Commonwealth definition of youth as people between
the ages of 15 and 29, while recognizing that some countries and international
institutions define youth differently. (0.71 Rank 47 out of170 countries)

b. Literacy rate is the total percent of population who can read and write. For
example if the literacy rate of a nation is 78, then it implies out of every 100
people 78 are literate. (97.94)

Statistics: Nine Percent of Filipinos Aged 6 to 24 years are Out of School

(Results from the 2017 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey) ~PSA

About nine percent of the estimated 39.2 million Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years
old were out-of-school children and youth (OSCY). OSCY refers to family
members 6 to 14 years old who are not attending formal school; and family
members 15 to 24 years old who are currently out of school, not gainfully
employed, and have not finished college or post-secondary course. Of the 3.6
million OSCYs, 83.1%0 were 16 to 24 years old, 11.2% percent were 12 to 15
years old and 5.7% were 6 to 11 years old. The proportion of OSCYs was
higher among females (63.3%) than males (36.7%)

61
 c. Out of School Youth
Population: 3.0M (1989) to 3. 8M (1994) aged 7-24 years old.
Area: Highest in W. Mindanao & least in CAR.
Mostly in Rural Areas.
Prevalence: more females about 17.6 %
d. Youth Lack of access to Education

Common issues confronted:

Limited access to quality education and training, specifically in regard to information
technology
The increasing number of out-of-school youth (OSY) and the lack of educational and
scholarship opportunities for them
Low educational attainment among the youth
The high cost of education
Limited government funding for education and education-related concerns
26 % of the 15-17 years bracket up to 48% (25-30 years old) and 39-48% of age
groups 18-24 and 25-30 had to drop out of school due to financial hardships.
7-8% of all ages dropped out of school after becoming drug dependent
61-64% of all ages would like to go to school if given the chance.
The YAPS study provides some disturbing data to support these identified
issues:
i. More than 60% of schools are for the elementary than for the
secondary, tertiary, and vocational levels. The total number of
schools may still be insufficient to accommodate the majority of
youth who are expected to be in school.
ii. Huge gap between the number of enrollees and the number of
graduates. From 1999 to 2001, only less than a fifth (20%) of
those who enrolled in high education actually graduated
iii. “Preoccupation with work/employment, 9 out of 10 youth were
working students, and that the primary cause for such was the
inability of poor families to send their children to school.
iv. More females than males were able to graduate from college,
although more males have been in school from elementary to the
early part of college

XVII. YOUTH AND POVERTY

a. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT RATE- The youth unemployment rate is the
number of unemployed 15-24 year-olds expressed as a percentage of
the youth labor force.

b. Prevailing Issues:
Increasing number of youth, specifically college graduates between 20
and 24 years old, lacks of employment opportunities or the mismatch
between graduates’ competencies and industry needs.
62
 Lack of competencies, skills and positive work attitudes among
jobseekers.
Low appreciation of technical/vocational courses among employers.
The prevalence of discrimination in employee recruitment, particularly
among women, gays and lesbians, SYGs, youth from indigenous and
ethnic group and religious affiliations—particularly Muslims.
Youth engaged in temporary employment that is characterized by a lack
of security of tenure, subcontracting, a lack of access to social security
and protection, poor bargaining power and limited protection by unions,
and being paid less than their adult counterparts for the same amount of
work.

Statistics: According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),

this may be because “most of them do not possess the required qualifications
for jobs that are available in the labor market.” And for those who are qualified
to hold sustainable employment, a large number seek opportunities outside the
country. According to the same study quoted in the YAPS, a significant number
of OFWs belong to the 25-29-year bracket. Six out of every 10 youth OFWs are
female.

XVIII. YOUTH AND HIV- AIDS

a. Youth with Sex & Risk Behaviours
According to the YAPS 2004 study, the University of the Philippines
Population Institute (UPPI) in 2003 conducted another study that supports
the above figures. It reveals that 62% of reported STD cases and 29% of
HIV/AIDS cases involved the youth. Furthermore, youth pregnancies
accounted for 30% of all births, 6% of spontaneous abortions, and 3
out of 4 maternal deaths.
Statistics: HIV now an 'epidemic' among PH youth ~Nat'l Youth
Commission

b. Destigmatizing HIV testing

The Philippines is facing the fastest-growing epidemic of HIV in the Asia-

Pacific region. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the number of new HIV cases jumped from 4,300 to
10,000 between 2010 and 2016. Most new infections—up to 83 percent—
are among men and transgender women who have sex with men. In August,
the government declared the situation a “national emergency.”
In February 2018, 252 (29%) cases were among youth 15-24 years old; 96%
were male. Almost all (97%, 245) were infected through sexual contact (25
male-female sex, 159 male-male sex, 61 sex with both males & females),
three were infected through sharing of needles and four cases had no data
on mode of transmission.
63
XIX. YOUTH DRUG-ABUSE AND ALCOHOL

a. According to YAPS 2004, reported cases of drug dependence and

abuse among youth made up 3.2% of the total youth population in
2003. Youth between 15 and 34 years old were more involved in drug
and substance abuse compared with their older and younger
counterparts. That means almost 2 million young people in this country
are hooked on illegal substances—also, more male than female youth
were victims of drug and substance abuse. Drug dependence and
abuse most young Filipinos are also involved in two or more risk
behaviours, with smoking and drinking being the top “risk
behaviour tandem”. Data show that 74 % of young Filipinos had
tried smoking, drinking, or taking drugs at least once. Of this number,
5 out of 6 adolescents smoke and drink regularly. The remaining
14% is involved in smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use.

Statistics: Most of the drug users in the Philippines are young people.
Illegal drugs that are present include Methamphetamine or the local name
is shabu, marijuana, inhalants (rugby), solvent, cocaine, diazepam, ecstasy
and nubain. While there are no accurate statistics available, it is estimated
by Dangerous Drugs Board as many as 3.7 million in the Philippines are
dealing with drug addiction just a year 2016, 65 percent of it -is young people

b. Reason why young people in the Philippines are attracted to use these
illegal drugs

1. First, enjoyment.
Despite all the concerns about illegal drug use and the attendant
lifestyle by young people, it is probably still the case that the lives
of most young people are centered on school, home and
employment and that most drug use is restricted to the use of
tobacco and alcohol.
2. Second, environment.
Many young people live in communities which suffer from poverty,
with high unemployment, low quality housing and where the
surrounding infrastructure of local services is fractured and poorly
resourced.
3. Third, curiosity.
Most young people are naturally curious and want to experiment
with different experiences. For some, drugs are a good
conversation point, they are interesting to talk about and fascinate
everyone. Teenagers and adults can succumb to peer pressure.
The pressure of being around others who are abusing drugs or

64
 alcohol can make anyone follow suit and do things that they never
thought they would
4. Lastly, personal problems.
Some young people will use drugs specifically to ease trauma and
pain of bad relationships and then physical and emotional abuse
arising from unhappy home lives. Such young people will often
come to the attention of the school. If these problems can
addressed, then if drugs are involved they can become less of a
problem.

XX. YOUTH AND OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS

A. Youth in Need of Special Protection:

a. Youth with disability

NSO: more females than males, and more 15-to-19-year-olds, were among
the disabled youth. Most of them were afflicted with mental dysfunction and
visual impairment. Youth disability was highest in CAR and Region IV
(Southern Tagalog). It was lowest in the ARMM and some parts of Mindanao.

b. Indigenous youth
According to a study conducted by the Children and Youth Foundation of the
Philippines in 2001, there are about 110 indigenous tribes in the Philippines,
scattered in 65 of the country’s 85 provinces, and making up 16% of the nation’s
population. Of the 11.6 million indigenous peoples (IPs) in the country, 2.3
million are between 15 and 24 years old.

c. Abused and exploited youth

Of the total youth abuse cases, more youth were victims of illegal
recruitment, sexual exploitation, and unfair labor. The incidence of child
and youth abuse cases was highest in the National Capital Region (NCR)
and Region III (Central Luzon), and lowest in CARAGA.

d. Youth in conflict with the law are defined by Presidential Decree 603 as those
who are over nine years old, but below 21, at the time they committed the
offense. IN 2003, the DSWD handled more male (90.71%) than female cases
of youth in conflict with the law. These were more prevalent in NCR, Region
XI (Southern Mindanao), and Region VII (Central Visayas).
Most of the offenses committed by these youth were criminal cases revolving
around crimes against property and crimes against persons.

e. Youth and families in situations of armed conflict were most prevalent in

CAR, ARMM, Regions IX (Western Mindanao), X (Northern Mindanao), XI
(Southern Mindanao), and XII (Central Mindanao).

65
 According to DSWD 2004, 54% of youth who were actually involved in armed
conflict were aged 15 to 17 years old; while those from the same age bracket
who were simply affected by it constituted 36%.

f. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical

illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or
a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
i. SIGNS
Sadness, irritability or anger that goes on for two weeks or
longer.
Poor school performance or frequent absences from school.
Talking about running away from home or attempting to do so.
Loss of interest in family and friends.
Conflict with friends of family members.
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure.
An ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak.
Neglected appearance — such as mismatched clothes and
unkempt hair.
Reckless behavior.
Use of alcohol or drugs.

g. Physical Bullying
Physical bullying is a serious problem, affecting not only the bully and
the victim, but also the other students who witness the bullying. Parents,
teachers, and other concerned adults and young people should be aware of
what a physical bully is and some of the ways to handle it.

There are many types of negative physical interactions that can occur
between young people, including fighting, practical jokes, stealing, and sexual
harassment. These things are not considered physical bullying unless:
 The same victim is targeted repeatedly
 The bully or bullies intend to hurt, embarrass, or intimidate the victim
 The actions occur in a situation with a real or perceived imbalance of power,
such as when the bully is stronger than the victim or has a higher social standing

h. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell
phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text,
and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view,
participate in, or share content..
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
• Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter

66
 • SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent through
devices
• Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social media
messaging features)
• Email

i. Teen Suicide
Suicidal behavior is defined as a preoccupation or act that is focused on
causing one's own death voluntarily. You can have the thought of suicide,
known as 'intent' or 'ideation' or the behavior or gesture. An intent to cause
one's death is essential in the definition.

What causes adolescents to attempt suicide?

Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with major
changes — body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings.
Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and uncertainty, as well as pressure
to succeed, and the ability to think about things in new ways, influence a
teenager's problem-solving and decision making abilities.

Statistics: Growing number of young Filipinos committing suicide

~UCANEWS
At least six individuals commit suicide every day in the predominantly Catholic
country of more than 100 million people.
Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr., president of the Philippine Mental Health Association,
said the common trigger for suicides is stress.
He said there were likely many more unreported cases due to the stigma, or
fear of people with suicidal tendencies to be judged.
Banaag said that aside from the "very disturbing" number of young people
committing suicide, there is also a growing number of "cutters" among the
youth.
"Cutters" are those who opt not to commit suicide but instead cut themselves
supposedly to experience some relief from pressure or stress.
"We're not even mentioning people with clinical depression, who are bipolar, or
experience extreme mood swings," said Banaag, a psychiatrist.

67
 Elderly

I. Elderly and Statistics

a. According to R.A. 9257 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior

Citizen Act of 2003, elderly refers to any resident citizen of the
Philippines at least sixty (60) years old.
b. According to World Health Organization there are almost
700,000,000 people over the age 60 living in the world today among
those 13% are over 80 years old. It is expected that by 2050 this
number will be almost 2 billion and the number of elderly will be
higher than the number of children. The number of older people is
growing in the Philippines, the number of older people is increasing
rapidly, faster than growth in the total population. In 2000, there were
4.6 million senior citizens (60 years or older), representing about 6%
of the total population. In one decade, this grew to 6.5 million older
people or about 6.9% of the total population. The Philippine Statistics
Office projects that by 2030, older people will make up around 11.5
% of the total population.
c. According to the Philippine Statistics Office, the total number of
Senior Citizens 8,013,059 as of 2018 this number comprises 8.2% of
the total Philippine population.

II. Kinds of elderly

a. Abandoned Senior Citizen

refers to a senior citizen who has no means of meeting basic
needs, whose family had deserted him/her, hence, appropriate
care, protection and support are not met.
b. Neglected Senior Citizen
refers to a senior citizen whose basic needs for survival have
been deliberately unattended or inadequately attended to by
his/her family.
c. Frail Senior Citizen
refers to people aged 60 and above who are unable to care for
themselves or unable to perform activities of daily living due to an
illness, physical and or mental disability.

III. Characteristics of Elderly and Social Theories of Aging

a. Physical impairment of an elderly can take in the form of visual and

hearing problems, smell and taste losses and susceptibility to
illnesses. As we age, our bodies and minds change. Some changes
68
 may just be part of normal aging, while others may be a warning sign
of a medical problem as well as it can be the basis of heredity.
b. Cognitive is the decline in mental processes elderly may experience
memory lapses or disorientation.

Spotlight on: Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive irreversible brain disorder

that is characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language
and physical functioning. World Health Organization reports as of 2009 that
almost 35 million elderly suffers from this kind of disease. this disease has no
cure and the cause is unknown, as such people do not know how to prevent it
although some doctors reported that it could be alleviated with some form of
diet and memory training games.

c. Social because of their declining health and limited mobility, most

elderly have the tendency to withdraw from the society –spending
most of their time looking back, reflecting on what they have made
out of their lives.

IV. Issues Facing the Elderly

a. Abuse
b. Loneliness
c. Poverty
d. Health
e. Discrimination

69
 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

I. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Refer to a group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription

and ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community
on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of
ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such
territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other
distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and
cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. United Nation defines
Indigenous peoples as the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and
ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social,
cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the
dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences,
indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to
the protection of their rights as distinct peoples. Indigenous peoples have
sought recognition of their identities, way of life and their right to traditional
lands, territories and natural resources for years, yet throughout history, their
rights have always been violated. Today, they are arguably among the most
disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world.

II. The Manual for Convention 169 (2003) further elucidates characteristics
of Indigenous Peoples:
(a) Traditional life styles.

(b) Culture and way of life different from the other segments of the national
population, eg in their ways of making a living, language, customs, etc.
(c) Own social organisation and political institutions.

(d)Living in historical continuity in a certain area, or before others ‘invaded’ or

came to the area.

There is no precise definition of minority in international law. However, the UN

system does recognise national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities
and the right of persons belonging to these groups to enjoy their own culture,
to profess and practice their own religion, and to use their own language. The
shared ethnic, cultural, national, religious or linguistic characteristics of the
group that are different to other groups – this is known as Objective criteria.
Members must self-identify as belonging to an ethnically, religious, or
linguistically distinct group. That individual members of the group see
themselves as belonging to a group that is distinct from other groups and want

70
 to preserve those differences (called self-identification) – this is known
as Subjective criteria. This is important given the lack of formal definition but
also because it prevents states from arbitrarily selecting to whom minority
status is granted. It is also worth mentioning that minority groups are typically
numerically inferior to the majority population, but need not be to fit the
definition.
III. Minority groups often share the following

a. A non-dominant or marginalised position, relative to the rest of the population

ethnic, religious or linguistic
b. Characteristics distinct from those of the rest of the population
c. A desire to preserve their distinct culture, traditions, language and religion.

IV. There are similarities and difference in of Indigenous People and Minority
people.
Similarities
1) Are usually in a non-dominant position.

2) Their cultures, languages, or religious beliefs often differ from that of the
majority.
3) Commonly wish to retain and promote their identity. In the other side,
Differences

1) Minorities, however, do not necessarily have the long ancestral, traditional,

and spiritual attachment to their lands usually associated with Indigenous
Peoples.

2) Indigenous Peoples are not necessarily numerically inferior especially in

Bolivia because the Indigenous People there are about a half of the population.

Although Indigenous People and Ethnic Minorities are quite precise the
collective term of NATIONAL MINORITY seems to be appropriate. The term
NATIONAL MINORITIES captures best the group’s shared social, economic,
political and cultural history and also the common situation they are now
subjected. National underscores the fact that they are Filipinos with the same
nationality and racial stock, equal to their fellow country folk and experiencing
the same overall country conditions. The term national minorities capsulize the
conditions they face. for example, they are considered as marginalized Filipinos
because they are less in number, live far from the urban centers, maintain their
own way of life, have not been fully assimilated into the mainstream society and
are powerless economically, socially and politically.

71
MAJOR GROUPINGS OF NATIONAL MINORITIES

1 Bangsa Moro or Moro People

They are The Muslim Filipinos. They Refer to the ethno-linguistic groups in
the Islamized South constituting 19 percent of Mindanao and Sulu’s
population in 1990. the Moro people include the Maranao, Maguindanao,
Tausog, Badjao, Yakan, Iranon, Jama, Mapun, Molbog.

2 Mindanao Lumad
The Non-Muslim hilltribes of Mindanao and they number around 2.1 million
todays. They are in varying degrees concentrated in the hilly portions of the
provinces of Davao, Bukidnon, Agusan Surigao, Zamboanga, Misamis and
Cotabato. They include Subanen, Manobo, B’laan, T’boli, Mandaya,
Mansaka, Tiruray, Higaonon, Bagobo, Bkidnon, Tagkao.

3 Cordillera People
They are the ethnic minorities of the Cordillera mountain range which covers
five provinces in the middle of Northern Luzon. Numbering around 988,000
compose the Cordillera people. They include Ifugao, Bontoc, Kankanai,
Yapayao, Kalinga, Ibaloi, Tingguian and Isneg.

4 Caraballo Tribe
People inhabits Caraballo mountain range in Eastern Central Luzon. The
Caraballo tribes number roughly around 160,000. The five ethnolinguistic
groups are Ibanag, Ilongot, Gaddang, Ikalahan, Isinai.

5 Agta and Eata

Aside from having pushed into the hinterland, they also suffer from racial
discrimination. Numbering about 160,000 people.

6 Mangyan of Mindoro
Spread all over the mountains and foothills of Mindoro, an island southwest
of Luzon. They number some 111,000. Under this are the Batangan, Iraya,
Hanunoo, Alangan, Ratagnon, Buhid, Tadyawan.

7 Palawan Hilltribes
They are the tribal people of Palawan island, further west of Mindoro. They
number at least 120,000. They includeTagbanua, Batak, Kalamianes,
Cuyonin, Ken-uy.

72
THE STATE OF NATIONAL MINORITIES

 Poverty
National minorities depend mainly on agriculture for their food and
livelihood. Farm, forest and sea products hardly provide income. Because
national minorities lack the necessary education and skills, opportunities to
other income generating or income augmenting activities are restricted.
This work includes the chance to work abroad, or even just in the
neighbouring provinces.

 Lack of Basic Social Services Especially Health and Education is also one
of the problems of the National Minorities.
The depressed and sorry plight of minorities are further indicated by the
unhealthy situation they are in and the lack of health services. The office of
Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) in Region 11, reported the top
morbidity cases to e hypertension, malaria, tuberculosis, paratism, anemia,
and infection in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and skin. All
these are highly preventable diseases. The 1992 government statistic
showed that compared to the national figure of one government doctor to
8,541 people, in the autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the
ratio is 1: 2,045. the 1993 ratio of health units is even worse with 1:22,703.
Compounding the health problems is the lack of education. One of the non-
governmental organization (NGO), partnership with Rural Organizations
For Development (PRODEV), in its sponsorship of a high school
scholarship program for the Aetas of Florida Blanca Pampanga, was the
lack of qualified Aetas. Some barangays did not even have any child who
had already completed elementary schooling. Fr. Jose Guintadcan who
lived in the Manobos related, “Lumad children had to walk two kilometers
or so everyday. Add to that, the lack of money to finance education and the
oppressive amount of discrimination that they received. The children were
discouraged to continue schooling. (MMNSI 1993).

 Lowland Christian Chauvinism and Discrimination is also the state of

National Minorities
National Minorities are treated as second-class citizens. Regarded as
pagan, barbaric, backward, ignorant and primitive peoples. Landlords,
traders, and government officials scares them with trick, guns, goons, the
military, money and papers which they do not understand. Many had
become timid, fearful and easily intimidated. Others, however stand up and
fight. It was society which consciously and deliberately isolated them.

 Development Aggression
History has depicted how the National Minorities came into being and how
they were continuously pushed further into the remotest of interiors.

73
 Pressure on them and on their land never ceased. Various and numerous
development projects are still fast displacing dispossessing and uprooting
millions of national minorities because all of these are done in the name of
‘progress’ and ‘development’ the has been labelled as ‘Development
Aggression’.

 Militarization and Human Rights Violation

The current situation of the national minorities is aggrandized by the
massive attacks against them. Militarization has caused enormous damage
and human right violation. The unprecedented levels have threatened to
wipe out the whole tribe. Militarization is employed in furtherance and
defense of “development”. Projects pursued in the name of development
are often backed up by military and paramilitary forces.

 Increasing Vulnerabilities and Struggle

The national minorities find themselves trapped in myriad of problems. This
significantly increases their vulnerability to disasters both natural and
human-made. Effects are multiplied several times over, reaching fatal
proportions. They are subjected to worsening poverty and dispossession
of lands, epidemics and worsening health conditions, low literacy rate,
impaired family life and more psychosocial traumas, inability to exercise
culture and practice religion.

 Government Neglect and Laws Detrimental to the National Minorities.

There are several existing laws which directly affect the indigenous peoples
and the indigenous cultural communities. The basic government policy as
stated in Article 2, Section 22 of the 1987 constitution is that “the state
recognizes and promotes the rights of the indigenous cultural communities
within the framework of national unity and development. Many consider the
inclusion of the constitution a milestone. However, many legal provision
contradict each other. For example, rights to their ancestral domain means
a negation of the “Regalian Doctrine” which is also embodied in the 1987
constitution under article 12, section 2 or the state ownership and control
of lands, the air above and the mineral under. There are laws purportedly
seek to protect IP interest, there are the very same laws invoked by
government and business groups as they continue to encroach on and
displace the IPs from their ancestral domains. In addition to conflicting laws
and the question of who benefits from such laws, is the problem of
organization and budget. These offices like the OSCC and The Office of
Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC) complain of very low budget.

74
 There is also the absence of mechanism on how the national minorities can
influence policy or implementation in their favour.
Emerging Trends and Issue

In this era of globalization and foreign capitalist intrusion and destruction, the
forest has become a symbol of profit over life. Like the forest, the National
Minorities are fast becoming extinct. With the forests, they strive to put back on
the right track the course of history and nature, where people and life are
supreme over profit and greed. From this situation emerges many issues and
concern.

 Environment and environmental protection has become a universal concern. It

has a direct relationship to their very survival and right to exist. The land and
forest is their life. This is not only their source of food and shelter; it is also from
here that they derive their medicine, musical instruments, war weapon, dyes,
rituals among others. The tribal communities continue to be blamed for forest
denudation. There is no comparison between the ethnic minorities who clear a
small portion of the forest to plant for subsistence and big time loggers,
multinational corporations, and mining companies who destroy whole
mountains for profit accumulation in the guise of development.
 Loss of Ancestral Domain, Identity and Heritage. For them, land cannot be
owned by anyone because life itself comes from the land. Individuals die but
the land lives on. On the other hand, for the government and the dominant
majority, land is an exploitative resource base. It is something to be owned,
used or sold at the inclination of the owner.

RA 8371 also kwon as The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). Some ten million
people or 15% of the Philippine population belong to the distinct indigenous
communities or cultures and retain a close link with their traditions. To honour their
identities, The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) was passed on October 29,
1997. this law creates the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) an office
under the office of the president and shall be the primary government agency
responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to
recognize, protect and promote the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/
Indigenous People.
Declaration of state policies:

1.The state shall recognize and promote the rights of ICCs/IPs within the
framework of national unity and development.
2.The state shall protect the rights of ICCs/IPs to their ancestral domains to
ensure their economic, social and cultural well being and shall recognize the

75
 applicability of customary laws governing property rights or relations in
determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domain.

3.The state shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of ICCs/IPs to
preserve and develop their culture, traditions and institutions. It shall consider
these rights in the formulation of national laws and policies.

4.The state shall guarantee that members of ICCs/IPs regardless of sex, shall
equally enjoy the full measures of human rights and freedoms without
distinctions or discrimination.

5.The state shall take measures, with the participation of the ICCs/IPs
concerned, to protect their rights and guarantee respect for their cultural
integrity, and to ensure that members of the ICCs/IPs benefit on an equal
footing from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations
grant to other members of the population; and

6.The state recognizes its obligations to respond to the strong expression of the
ICCs/IPs for cultural integrity by assuring maximum ICC/IP participation in the
direction of education, health, as well as other services of ICCs/IPs in order to
render such services more responsive to the needs and desires of these
communities.

References:
Philippine Encyclopaedia of Social Work (2000 Edition)

76
 INFORMAL SETTLERS

I. Introduction

II. Definition of Terms

A. Informal Settlement
o According to UN-Habitat, 2015 and Glossary of Environment Statistics,
Studies in Methods, Series F, No. 67, United Nations, New York, 1997,
informal settlement is referred to, when inhabitants often have no
security of tenure for the land of or dwellings they inhabit – for example,
they may squat or rent informally. Because of several factors such as
rapid urbanization, rural-urban migration, poverty, inaccessibility to land
and others, these inhabitants mostly prefer to settle informally on lands
or properties which they do not own or have no title or legal claim to it.
They build houses wherein the land is either publicly or privately owned.
The neighborhoods usually lack basic services such as water supply,
electricity, basic and clean sanitation facilities, health services and city
infrastructures that are necessary for the community to function properly.
Also, the housing may not comply with planning and building regulations
and is often situated in geographically and environmentally sensitive
areas where they are more likely to be exposed in danger. When it
comes to housing, the inhabitants don’t usually consider the planning
and building regulations because, first, they don’t even own the land,
second, it was an unplanned settlement, then third is, complying with the
planning and building regulations is costly and involves processing of
papers. Informal settlement is also referred to as “peri-urban
settlements” or settling around urban areas, “clandestine
neighborhoods” and “squatter settlements”.

B. Informal Settlers
o According to National Census Office, informal settlers are people,
individuals, or families who are occupying informally on lands or
properties, which they don’t have legal claim to, without the consent of
the owner, or without paying rent or taxes. These also refers in particular
to slum dwellers. The 2003 UN Member States have agreed to define a
slum household as a group of individuals living under the same roof who
lacks one or more of the following five conditions;
1. Access to improved water – The inhabitants often have problems
when it comes to water supply. Sometimes, they experience water
supply shortage and contaminated water supply especially those
who are living in urban areas.

77
 2. Access to improved sanitation facilities – Informal settlers usually
lack access or worst, have no access at all to improved sanitation
facilities such as comfort rooms, proper garbage disposal, and
drainage systems thus leading to poor living conditions.
3. Sufficient living area – not overcrowded – Since the population of
the informal settlers is rapidly increasing, the people lack access to
sufficient living area because the land or the property is congested or
overcrowded.
4. Structural quality/durability of dwellings – The informal settlers
often have substandard structural quality and durability since their
houses are not in compliance with the housing and building
regulations. Their houses are usually termed as makeshift houses or
“barong-barong”.
5. Security of tenure – Informal settlers are people who are mostly,
unemployed, underemployed and irregularly employed. They usually
lack when it comes to educational and job opportunities thus leading
them towards having an unsecured living and future.

C. Squatting
o This is the action of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied area of land
or a building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or
otherwise have lawful permission to use.

D. Slums and Squatters

o Slums are referred to as highly congested urban areas marked by
deteriorated, unsanitary buildings, poverty, and social degradation.
Example of this, is Tondo. It is marked as slum because of the poor living
condition that is manifested in the place. The houses and buildings, if not
all, mostly are deteriorated or poorly built, there is high poverty incidence
and social degradation since Tondo is marked as a place where there is
high crime rate and low morality and usually the hide out of the criminals.
o Squatters are simply those people who do the act of squatting. They
settle on land, especially public or unoccupied land, without right or title.
Squatters include those who settles on public land under regulation by
the government, in order to get title to it.

III. Informal Settlement in Philippine Context

Squatting is a major issue in the Philippines especially but not exclusively
in urban areas of the country. Squatting gained notice right after World War II,
when people’s homes were destroyed by war and were left homeless. They built
makeshift houses called “barong – barong” inside an abandoned private land.
Since the war was massive, it had brought various aftereffects to the country and
to the people. And one of the obvious aftermath was when people started
squatting. Of course, their places and homes were destroyed by the war so they
78
were left with no other options but to settle in other places and start anew. Hoping
they could gain their normal lives back, the people started living and building
houses in the abandoned, public or private land. In the late 20 th century, the
squatter population largely grew but the Philippine government has made several
attempts over the years to transfer some squatters to low-cost housing projects,
such as in Tondo (in the former Smokey Mountain landfill), Taguig (BLISS Housing
Project), and Rodriguez, Rizal. The Philippine law and society more generally,
distinguishes between squatters who squat because of poverty and “professional
squatters” who squat in hopes of getting payment to leave the property. Philippine
– based media and journalists refer squatters as “informal settlers”. A 1984 United
States Agency for International Development study of Metro Manila from 1970 –
1980 estimated the number of squatters to be 1.6 million in 1981. By 2010, at the
start of the Aquino administration, that number had become 2.8 million (556, 526
families). As years go by, the population of these informal settlers happen to be
increasing and increasing. Although the Philippine government is making efforts
to at least improve the situation, by relocating them or sending them back to their
original places, still, people are going back to informal settlement. Squatting or the
illegal settlement of families on government and private lands is a social
phenomenon related to urban development. Rapid urbanization and inability to
cope with the housing needs of people in urban areas have contributed to the
expansion of informal settlements. Access to basic services may be limited.
Overcrowding can contribute to stress, violence and increased problems of drugs
and other social problems.

A. Statistical Data of Informal Settlers in the Philippines

o The statistical data of informal settlers here in the Philippines according
to Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council or
HUDCC 2016, there is 6 out of 10 Filipinos are urban dwellers and not
less than 4 out of 10 are informal settlers.
o According to the Census of Population 2007, there is a total of 550,
771 households of Informal Settlers in the Philippines. Comprising this,
is a total of 199, 398 in NCR while in Region VIII, there are 16, 047.
o According to Tacloban CBMS 2015-2016, in Tacloban City, specifically,
there is a total of 43, 434 households and 19.51% of this population
which is equivalent to 8, 472 are informal settlers. The highest rate of
households that are informal settlers in Tacloban is in Barangay 39
having a total of 624 households and 80.13% of the population which is
equivalent to 500 are informal settlers.

B. The Informal Settlers

o Below are the types of informal settlers.
1. Legitimate Squatter
o They are further classified as ultra – poor, near ultra – poor, and marginal
poor. These squatters are those individuals or families who, aside from
79
 illegally occupying a land or property, lack or are unable to meet the basic
means of living, unable to access formal education, job opportunities and
basic social services. They are characterized by their poor living
conditions.

2. Professional Squatters
o These refer to individuals or groups who occupy lands without the
expressed consent of the landowner and who have sufficient income for
access to legitimate housing. The term also applies to people who have
been previously awarded lots and housing units by the government but
who sold, leased or transferred them and settled illegally in the same
place or in another urban area as non – bona fide occupants and
intruders on land set aside for social housing. There are inhabitants
who’ve been granted with housing units by the government but chose to
sold and leased them in hopes of getting payment then just go back to
settling illegally.

3. Syndicated Squatters
o These refers to groups of persons engaged in the business of squatter
housing for profit or gain. The professional squatting syndicates are the
informal and illegal organizations covertly coordinating the activities of
professional squatters.

4. Owner Squatter
o These are squatters who has ownership to the physical structure
housing the person, but not the land. Because estate value is costly,
some inhabitants cannot afford to buy land thus resulting them to settle
and build permanent homes on lands or properties that they do not own.

5. Commercial Squatter
o This refer to squatters occupying land used for a business without paying
rent or taxes for it. In some particular places, there are lands that are
specifically used for business establishments or commercial buildings.
But there are people who would choose to settle in these particular
properties especially when the construction had been abandoned or left
unfinished.

6. Squatter Tenant
o These are squatters without housing that resorts to occupying a property
as a means of survival. For example, a certain family who can’t afford or
do not have the means to buy a land or housing unit would choose to
live in a tenement.

a) Socio – spatial Exclusion

80
 o This refers to the processes that contribute to the geographic
marginalization of particular individuals and groups because of where
they live and who they are. It is characterized by their inability to access
or effectively use a whole range of facilities and resources which improve
well – being and position of people to take advantage of available
opportunities. Often times, there are people who are being unrecognized
and undervalued by the society because of where they come from and
because of their identity. And because they are geographically
marginalized, they are incapable or having difficulties when it comes to
access of basic services, facilities and resources that would actually help
them improve their well – being. Particular groups and individuals often
suffer a disproportionate ‘disadvantage’ because of their identity, which is
physically represented in urban contexts by the presence of informal
settlements.

b) Urban Poor
o Not all urban dwellers are able to sustain their standard of living. There
are certain people who are deprived from meeting even with their basic
needs. And these people are classified as the urban poor. The urban poor
refers to individuals or families in urban areas with incomes below the
poverty line as defined by the National Statistical Coordinating Board
(NSCB). They are the underprivileged or homeless sector of the society
– the unemployed, underemployed and the irregularly employed, or who
are incapable of meeting the minimum basic needs, and who live in
slums, squatter and resettlement areas, sidewalks, dumpsites, road right-
of-way, cemeteries, unoccupied government or private lands or along
danger zones like railroad tracks, esteros, riverbanks, high tension wires,
or other places in urban area.

D. The Location and Situation of Informal Settlers

o So, where do informal settlers live? The informal settlers may live or settle
in one of the areas below accompanied with poor living conditions.
1. Residential area
2. Along river/creek/canal/esteros/waterways
3. Along the railroad
4. Basement of road and/or highway and/or under the bridge
5. Inside cemetery
6. Areas for government infrastructure projects
7. Within dumpsites
8. Within protected areas and forest lands
9. Within compound of government hospital, school, military camps or
other public institutions and facilities
10. Within private lands

81
o Most of the growth in rapidly urbanizing countries is taking place in
informal settlements, where most people are employed in the informal
economy, where job and enterprise opportunities are limited by both
financial resources and spatial, and where access to the formal city and
economy is made difficult by distance, physical separation and lack of
transport. Location is an aspect of informal settlement, which is very
closely related to other aspects like housing, basic infrastructure, and
services. And because of the rapid increase of the population of Informal
Settlers and urban poor, they encounter various problems including:
a. Living in a congested, unhygienic, and crowded houses and lack basic
amenities, social infrastructure and services. The very problem of most
informal settlers is their location accompanied with poor living condition.
Because the informal settlers and urban poor are continuously
increasing, the tendency is, a certain area would be overcrowded or
congested. And because it is congested, the location becomes
unhygienic and unsanitary since it is compacted with a lot of people and
the basic sanitary facilities are not enough or not functioning well thus
leading to certain problems especially when it comes to health.
b. Inaccessibility of the urban poor to land and housing cause rise in
informal settlements due to rapid urbanization. Since the population is
concentrated in a particular urban area where real estate value is
expensive, most inhabitants especially the urban poor don’t have access
to lands that’s why they resort to dwelling informally.
c. People living in informal settlements, particularly in slums, suffer more
social and economic exclusion from the benefits and opportunities of the
broader urban environment. Informal settlers and urban poor are
sometimes being undervalued by the society because of their condition.
They are being excluded from having access when it comes to social
and economic benefits and opportunities especially those that are
offered by the government.
d. They experience constant discrimination and an extreme disadvantage
characterized by geographical marginalization. Because they have their
distinct classification among other dwellers especially in urban, they
experience constant discrimination and disproportionate ‘disadvantage’.
e. Basic service deficits and poor governance frameworks. Although the
government is paving their way to improve the condition of the informal
settlers and urban poor, somehow, the services they are providing are
inadequate or poorly implemented.
f. Limited access to land and property. This is one of the main factors unto
why informal settlers arise and continuously increasing.
g. Unwarranted livelihoods. Informal settlers and urban poor are often the
unemployed, underemployed and irregularly employed people in the
society. To be able to at least earn a living for their daily survival, they
would engage in unsupported livelihoods that would generate income.
82
 h. High vulnerability to the adverse impact of poor and exposed
environments, climate change and natural disasters. Because most of
the informal settlers are happened to be living in geographically sensitive
areas, they are prone to danger and disaster that is usually brought by
the environment.

E. Causes of Informal Settlement

1. Rapid Rural to Urban Migration

2. Increased Urban Poverty

3. Rapid Urbanization

4. Ineffective Housing Policies

IV. Informal Settlement as a Social Issue and Problem

o Informal settlement as a social issue and a problem had brought several
effects to the community and to themselves.

A. Effects on the Community

1. Informal settlements resulted to overcrowding and congestion since the
population is concentrated and increasing. Because of this, it affects the
basic services of the government like garbage collection_ there is no
proper waste disposal, sanitation_ lack of sanitation facilities such as
comfort rooms and proper drainage systems, water supply_ sometimes
they experience water supply shortage or worse is, contaminated water,
electricity_ not all dwellers have access to electrical supply, and health_
because of unsanitary and poor living conditions, health problems
surfaced. Also, educational and job opportunities become inadequate and
often lacking.
2. In informal settlements there is a high incidence of criminality and low
morality. The squatter communities become beehives and hide – outs of
criminals being hunted by police authorities. And because of this, the
community, even if they are not aware of the fact that there are really
criminals in their area, they are more likely to be exposed in danger
brought about by these people who are in conflict with the law. Hence,
the community would feel unsafe with their environment.
3. The presence of informal settlers causes the area to become blighted and
neglected, thus leading to a low rural estate value. Slum areas such as
these result in low income for the people and in most cases,
unemployment in the community.
4. Informal settlements are accompanied with inadequate sanitary and
health services that result in low life expectancy and high mortality. This

83
 doesn’t just affect the informal settlers but the community as a whole. The
problems brought by inadequate sanitation could greatly affect the lives
of the people especially when there is lack of basic health services such
as barangay clinics, so where would they go in case of emergency? And
because of this, it results to low life expectancy and high mortality.
5. The presence of squatter communities pulls down the general standard
of socio-economic and drives away the better educated, the upper class
and middle class segment of population. With the existence of informal
settlements in some particular areas, it lowers the socio – economic
status and activities of the community especially when there are potential
business investors. And because of this, the community would likely to
settle in low income generating livelihoods.
6. The informal settlers have caused the land owners to be robbed of their
lands since it is very difficult to drive out squatters once they are
entrenched in the area. Sometimes, the squatters would ask payment as
exchange for leaving the property while there are also informal settlers
who would be raging against the land owner because they are being told
to vacate the area.
7. With the presence of informal settlements, many government
development projects could not proceed because the squatters cannot
be ejected easily. Since the land or property was already occupied by the
informal settlers, there are pending government projects that could not
proceed because the squatters are not willing to vacate the property
especially when they’ve been living in that specific area for how many
years.

B. Effects on the Squatters

1. The squatters are forced to live under substandard living conditions
almost to the point of dehumanization since they are unable to have
access on lands or properties. Some of them would live under the bridge,
along river/creek/canal/esteros/waterways, along the railroad, inside
cemetery, within dumpsites and others just for the sake of survival.
2. Squatting has brought in related problems such as squalor, moral
degradation, disease, malnutrition and criminality. Squatter areas have
become the refuge of criminals and undesirable. Because of the poor and
unhealthy living conditions, the informal settlers would often encounter
these problems most especially diseases and criminality.
3. Because of the high rate of poverty in informal settlements, squatters are
subjected to the abuses and corruption of goons and hired guns with
strong connections with police scalawags and the military. Sometimes,
powerful people take advantage of these people to do criminal deeds in
exchange of money or other forms of payment.
4. They are exploited and coddled by unscrupulous politicians whose only
desire is to promote their own selfish personal interests come election
84
 time. Obviously, this situation is very rampant here in our country. During
election time, politicians would be showing off kindness and care
especially to the poor sector of the society as part of their campaign
strategies. They would be gaining the trust of the people by telling and
promising them so many things like uplifting them from poverty. They
would be laying out platforms that would make their names popular and
fragrant to the people, only to find out that these politicians are just using
these people to get the power and superiority they want.
5. There is danger to the lives of people especially among those staying
near railroad tracks, river banks and esteros where tropical storms may
wipe them out or they can be covered with mud and stones in case of
cave – ins. Since most of the informal settlers live in geographically
sensitive areas, they are more prone to grave danger.
6. Many of the children could not attend school because they cannot meet
the minimum material requirements in spite of the free education
available. The culture of poverty prevails and the children do not have
enough incentives to study and attend school regularly. The rate of
poverty in informal settlement is high. The people are unemployed thus
they don’t have the means to send their children to school. Although it is
already free education, still, the families could not afford to meet the basic
minimum requirements.
7. Congestion and overcrowding. The space available is not enough to
provide privacy, children and adults mix together and values deteriorate,
immorality becomes rampant. Since the property becomes overcrowded
and congested, the value of privacy is often times denied. The children
and adults are mixed together, making the children exposed to the actions
of adults. If we could notice, children in slum or squatter areas are usually
adapting the adults’ behavior for they think that what they’re doing is
morally right.
8. Statistics shows that the slum areas registered the highest crime rate.
The highest incidence of costly fires also started in the slum areas. Since
slum areas are usually the hide outs of those people who are in conflict
with the law, most of them do really own costly fire weapons. Though the
government is making sure that there should be no illegal possession of
firearms between civilians, still, there are cases prevailing.

85
 PERSON WITH DISABLILITIES

Social Issues and Problems of Different Sectors of the Philippine Society; their
situation, needs, issues and struggles from an engendered lens

I. Disability is viewed different by different people based on their socio economic

positions. The challenges that disabled persons suffer range from physical
(structural), emotional, economic, and psychological, education, culture and
health/medical .The complexity of disability is that it is associated with poverty.

WHAT IS DISABILITY?

- refers to any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from impairment) to perform an

activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. A
condition that limits a damages or limits a person’s physical or mental abilities. A
condition of being unable to do things in the normal way.Disability is an impairment
that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or some
combination of these. It substantially affects a person's life activities and may be
present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime. Disability is thus not just a health
problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a
person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.We understand
that disability is just another kind of difference, like culture, ethnicity, gender or sexual
orientation.

II. Disability refers to difficulties in any or all three (interconnected) areas of

functioning:
 Impairments – problems in body functions or alterations in body structure

An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; deaf, blind and mute

or any combination of these.
 Activity limitations – difficulties in executing activities

An activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a

task or action; incomplete arms or feet (they can’t walk and they have to use
wheelchair)
 Participation restriction – problem with involvement in any area of life

While a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in

involvement in life situations.

III. DISABILITY, IMPAIRMENT & HANDICAP

Most of the time, these three terms are interchangeably used on a daily basis. These
terms however, are of different meanings and applications.

86
  Disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or
activities of such individual; DISABILITY is the lack of ability to perform an
activity of an individual.

 Impairment is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological,

physiological, or anatomical structure or function; IMPAIRMENT is any loss or
deformity of psychological, physiological and anatomical function or structure

 Handicap refers to a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an

impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the function or activity, that is
considered normal given the age and sex of the individual; HANDICAPPED is
the disadvantage that limits the individual from performing a task
IV. WHO ARE PERSON WITH DISABILITY (PWDS)? Includes those with long-term
physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an
equal basis with others.

TYPES OF DISABILITIES
1. Blind and Visually Impaired
2. Deaf
3. Orthopedically challenged
4. Intellectual disability
5. Learning disability
6. Autism
7. Multiple disability
8. Serious emotional disorders

9. Communication disorder, speech

and language impairment
10. Deafblind
11. Other health problem

87
V. CHALLENGES OF PDW’S

Economic Challenges

What are some of the barriers faced by people with a disability who might seek
employment?

 Inadequate information and advice about how to enter the open

workplace and obtain ongoing support. Inadequate information and advice
about how to enter the open workplace and obtain ongoing support. For
example: there is no ‘one-stop shop’ for people with disabilities looking for
information, advice and ongoing support there seems to be a lack of
coordination between different government services so that people with
disabilities are unclear about which Commonwealth or State agencies can
provide them with assistance information about the financial and health impacts
of entering the open workplace is hard to find o there is limited or delayed
access to open employment services.

 Financial costs of participation. Financial costs of participation. For

example: o additional transport, support and other costs associated with work,
many of which are not subsidized.

 Inflexible working environment. Inflexible working environment. For

example: difficulties with physical access to the workplace, and getting to and
from work inadequate adjustments and adaptations to workplace equipment o
inflexible working hours.

 More limited opportunities for people with disabilities. More limited

opportunities for people with disabilities. For example: o poor links between
State-administered school and post-school programs and Commonwealth-
administered disability employment services under-representation in the
vocational, education and training systems o limited scope and variety of jobs
offered to people with disabilities lower possibilities for promotion o lower
paying jobs o lower retention rates.
 Stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities.

Physical Challenges-
Socio/Psychological Challenges
Education
Health
Culture/Tradition

88
MAGNA CARTA OF DISABLED PERSONS
Approved: March 24, 1992 amended by RA9442. This law is made to protect the rights
and dignity of persons with disabilities. To promote, and ensure the full enjoyment of
human rights by persons with disabilities. Full and effective participation and inclusion
in society. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities. To
combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons with
disabilities. To promote awareness of the capacities and contributions of persons with
disabilities in the society. Initiating and maintaining effective public awareness
campaigns

 Person with disabilities are those suffering from restriction of different abilities
as a result for a mental, physical, or sensory impairment, to perform an activity
in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. (World
Health Organization)

 A disabled person is one who in his or her society is regarded or officially

recognized as such because of a difference in appearance and/or behavior in
combination with a functional limitation or an activity restriction. (Community-
Based Rehabilitation program)

FILIPINO FAMILIES

I. FILIPINO FAMILIES
A family is one of the major social institutions. It is the reproduction of the race
and the rearing of the youth. It is a basic unit consisting of parents and their
children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. A Filipino
family is a family of Philippine origin. They exhibit Filipino cultures, customs,
traits and values, of which the most important value is family closeness. In the
Philippine context there are several types of family.

a. Characteristics of a Filipino Family

 EXTENDED
The typical Filipino family consists of a husband, wife and children,
extending to include grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In
some households of a Filipino family they can be seen together as
one or often living in close proximity.
 HAS ONE OR MORE CHILDREN
Most Filipino families has one or more children. Philippines is a
Christian country therefore they believe that a child is a blessing.
 KINSHIP TIES ARE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE COMPADRE
OR SPONSORS

89
 Can be one of the closest friend of the parents that they are often
made as Ninangs and Ninongs of the child.
 PRACTICE HAVING NINANG AND NINONG
Because of the close relationship of the ninong and ninang to family.
They are regarded as being part of the family.
 PATRIARCHY
Most Filipino families’ head is the father. He is the one who
commands with full authority in the family.

b. Family Types
 Only-child Families
It is composed of a mother, a father and a child.
 Large Families
Opposite of only-child family. It is defined in terms of the number of
children in the household.
 Single-parent Families
Have become more common in recent years. It consist of either the
mother or the father and their children. There are number of varieties
of one-parent families those resulting from divorce, parents who
remarried, as well as widowed parent.
 Blended Families
It is the merging into one new unit. It consists of a new husband and
wife and their children from previous marriages or relationships.
 Gay and Lesbian Families
Also called same-sex parent families. Gays or lesbians are the
parents, it can be either both males and their child or both females
with their child.
 Adoptive Families
There are different reasons for the emergence of this type of family:
o parent being infertile
o parents dont want to risk passing on genetic disorder
o who are older or single but want a family
 Grandparent Families
Many grandparents today are raising their grandchildren for a variety
of reasons. This could be due to parents’ death, abandonment or
being unfit parents.

c. Typical Issues of a Filipino Family

 DISINTEGRATION OF FAMILY
It can also be considered as the increasing fragility of marriage.
Nowadays, it is very common for the married couple to separate due
to misunderstanding and conflicts. Sometimes these

90
 misunderstanding and conflicts may eventually result to certain types
of abuses.

TYPES OF ABUSES
o Psychological Abuse
Includes verbal assaults and threat provoking fear.
o Physical Abuse
Includes beating and the withholding of personal care.
o Sexual Abuse
Any sort of sexual harassment or non – consensual sexual
acts.
o Financial Abuse
Financial abuse happens when an abuser takes control of
finances to prevent the other person from leaving and to
maintain power in a relationship.
 JUVENILE DELIQUENCY
It is the failure of social control. Sometimes, juvenile delinquency
starts at home because of what they are experiencing or what they
see at their own home. Sometimes, the disintegration of the family
results the rebellious behavior of the child.

 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
It takes place when abusers are blood related or they live in the same
household. Example for this are rape, incest, spouse battering,
sexual harassment, and several types of abuse of spouse.

 PARENTAL ABSENTISM
It is when a parent is not around. Either the father or the mother is
working abroad or separated.

 ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES
Or poverty. One the most common issue that a Filipino family face.

II. OVERSEAS

a. Overseas
Relating to a foreign country, especially one across the sea.
b. Migration
It is the movement by people from one place to another with the intention of
settling.

91
 There are kinds of family that one of their members are in overseas which is
called the OFW or the whole family members are overseas which is called
migration or they are the migrated families.

c. Issues within Overseas Family

OFW
• PROBLEM SOLVING CONFLICTS WITHIN THE FAMILY

Constant and open communication with the spouse and children back home is
crucial in avoiding family and marital problems.

Both parties must make it part of their regular schedule to communicate with
one another.

It is very important to keep a persistent communication with your family who is

overseas in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding. Sometimes,
misunderstandings arise because of the lack of communication.

• EXTRA – MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

This happens for a multitude of reasons but most common is the OFW’s inability
to cope with homesickness and loneliness.

Extra marital relationship is very common nowadays with OFWs. Because of

loneliness and homesickness, they either divert their attention to working or to
someone.
• BROKEN FAMILY

Separated by long distances between OFWs and their spouses and children
sometimes is a recipe for broken marriage and misguided lives.

Because they are separated with their family, misunderstandings happen and
usually there is extra – marital relationship. This may cause to separation of the
married couple and eventually lead to a broken family.
• CHILDREN FAILING TO FINISH THEIR STUDIES

One big headache for OFWs is when their children fail to finish their studies,
whether impregnated, unwilling to go to school or gone astray by drugs and
vices.
Lack of guidance as parents are abroad, children has nobody to lean on when
facing problems and too much influence from peers could lead to cutting

92
 classes, and relationships that lead to teenage pregnancy. Oftentimes, these
episodes lead to kids failing to graduate from college.

MIGRATED FAMILIES
 LANGUAGE BARRIER

Due to a new environment language barrier occurs. Language barriers are the
most common communication barriers which cause misunderstandings and
misinterpretations between people. Which causes slow development and slow
adaptation to the environment.

 EMPLOYMENT

Because the environment and the setting is new, the family or the parents has
difficulty to find a proper and stable job. It may also cause economic difficulty.
 HOUSING

Migration increased the slum areas in cities which increase many problems
such as unhygienic conditions, crime, pollution etc.

III. TRANSNATIONAL

a. What is a transnational family?

Families live some or most of the time separated from each other, yet hold
together and create something that can be seen as feeling of collective welfare,
and unity, namely ‘familyhood’, even across national boarders.
Transnational families are a new family model which can be characterized by
the geographical dispersion of a family because of the migration of one or more
of its members who, nevertheless continue to keep tight relationships across
borders.

b. TRANSNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
It is recognized that only financial, emotional and practical support can be
exchanged transnationally, while personal solidarity and accommodation can
only be offered during visits.
Transnational Solidarity is defined as a relation of mutual support. It means that
you can one support financially for their needs and can be exchanged
transnationally is emotional attachment.

c. TRANSNATIONAL MOTHERHOOD

93
 It is described as women who work in a foreign country while their children live
in their own country.

d. Children’s right and children left behind

 Longing for parental care
For young children, they see this as an abandonment and not seeing
the other side of the picture; it could however have either a positive
or negative effect for the adolescents somewhat happy because of
the material benefits but the painful one is they cannot hide their
sadness.
The departure of one or both parents clearly affects children and their
development. Children have a different level of acceptance or
tolerance of the situation depending on their “cognitive development.
For young children, they only see migration as a form of
abandonment of their parents.

 Burden of girl children in performing the “caring” work

Many young adults who have migrated mothers felt neglected or
abandoned. They do not see their fathers as performing the ‘caring’
work in the family, rather they pass over the caring responsibilities to
other women in the family, more often to the eldest daughter.

 Confusion over gender boundaries and reversal of gender role

It is unfortunate that gender boundaries are very much keen on
children’s views on parental migration, “children of migrant fathers
are more likely to say that their father left the Philippines to provide
for the family, whereas children of migrant mothers more commonly
claim that their mothers left to escape poverty.”
For the children of these migrant parents, it is normal for them that
the father works to sustain the needs of the family. Unlike the father,
mothers are often accused by their children of abandoning them.

 Developing a consumerist attitude

Most children accept the migration of their parents as an opportunity
to have a better life, they only see the “money equivalent” of
migration. As long as they receive their money regularly, they will be
fine.
Some children think that they are well off because of their situation.
They spend money not thinking of what their parents are going
through.

 Vulnerability to abuses

94
 Vulnerability of children to abuse and violence is one of the worrying
aspects of parental absence. Study shows that among the common
form of abuse are verbal, intimidating and hurting children.

IV. INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE

a. What is an IDP?
It is someone who is forced to flee his or her home but who remains within his
or her country’s boarder.
They are individuals who was forced to flee or evacuate their home because of
a situation though they are just within the country.

b. Who are internally displaced people?

 Families caught between warring parties
 Residents of poor neighborhoods rendered unsafe and
uninhabitable, at least temporarily by the impacts of weather-related
 Indigenous communities forced from their ancestral lands to make
way for the construction of dams and other infrastructure projects
 Rural communities whose livelihoods are decimated by drought
 Communities from coastal, mountainous or arid areas whose land
and livelihoods are irrevocably lost

c. Difference between IDP and a refugee?

A "refugee" is a person who, "owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted
for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group
or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable, or
owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country;
or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former
habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear,
is unwilling to return to it."
Unlike refugees, internally displaced people do not have a special status in
international law with rights specific to their situation. The term "internally
displaced person" is merely descriptive.

d. Problems encountered by IDPs

 Housing and infrastructure
People forced to leave their homes face an increase in their expenses if they
have to rent or buy new accommodation, which in turn affects the housing
market of their host communities.

 Livelihoods

95
 Running shelters and expanding basic infrastructure in host areas to cover
IDPs’ needs also has consequences for the budgets of local authorities and
humanitarian agencies.

 Education
Reduced access to quality education during protracted crises has long-term
consequences for someone’s future income and economic potential.

 Health
The physical and psychological stress of the events that cause
displacement and displacement itself have short and long term
consequences for IDPs’ ability to contribute economically.

 Security
IDPs in general, and women, children, older people, those with disabilities
and other minority groups in particular, are at higher risk of violence during
displacement. Ensuring their safety requires dedicated resources from
public authorities and humanitarians. IDPs’ arrival in host communities may
also increase tensions and violence, placing an extra burden on security
forces

 Environment
Being displaced from one’s habitual place of residence also means being
uprooted from one’s familiar ecosystem and natural resources. This is
particular detrimental to indigenous communities whose lives and
livelihoods are closely linked to their environment. Displacement can also
lead to natural resource depletion and increased pollution in transit and host
areas.

V. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY

a. Extent of Single – Parent families

Out of 102 million Filipinos (Philippine population) there are about more than
14 Million single parents.

b. Problems of the Single Parent Family

 ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES
Single parent families often face a lot of financial issues. They find it
difficult to make ends meet since the single parent has to pay for all
the expenses of running the house, raising the child and fulfilling the
educational expenses.

96
 Children are forced to change their life styles in order to line with
single parent’s means. Children often complain that they do not get
all the extras.

 Juggling between work and family

Single parents have a hard time in trying to juggle between their
professional and personal life. They have to fulfill the responsibilities
of both the parents.
They must do house chores, help children with assignments and
spend quality time with them also single parent might have to work
long hours in order to make enough income which further reduces
the time available to interact with their children. Due to this parents
also overreact on petty things making kids feel miserable.

• Psychological problems for children

Children of single parents often face a lot of physiological issues.
They often do not socialize with other people and exhibit a bitter
altitude.

They may also feel ashamed and have a low self-esteem as

compared to other children in the same age group. Also children find
it difficult to adjust to the new circumstances in the family. Many
children feel lonely. Health issues are also quite common among
such children which may be due to the lack of finances or proper
care.

• Sense of loss and felling of loneliness

A single parent might feel that she/he is carrying the weight of all
responsibilities on her/his shoulders but the children are equally
burdened owing to the new and a drastically changed life.

The felling of a sense of loss and feeling of loneliness is experienced

both by the single parent and the children, whatever be the reason
for single parent status, divorce, death or abandonment.

c. Problems encountered of Children in a Single Parent family

 Poverty and its effects
Poverty can be frightening and stressful for children, causing them to
feel frustrated and angry at the difference between them and their
classmates or friends.
Because of poverty sometimes the parent could not afford the needs or
the wants of the child. So sometimes, it may lead to envy towards the
friends of the child whenever they have something that the child wants.
Tendency, the child feels frustrated and angry.

97
  Impact on academic achievement
The stress of the separation between the parents and the resulting
change to their life and routine can cause issues.

• Self-esteem and confidence

Children are quick to pick up on negativity and may blame themselves
for the situation, or for the parents’ break up.

• Relationship with their other parent

Child’s relationship with their other parent might well suffer as the result
of a separation. In some cases, the non-custodial parent can become
rather distant, and the child may be left feeling abandoned or worried
that they’ve done something wrong.

d. Problems between Parents and Children

 The need for ‘extra hands’ around the house may sometimes reduce the
time a child can take part in typical children’s activities such as hanging
out with friends or playing.
 The child may not appreciate that their parent needs adult
companionship at times.
 The child may feel torn between their two parents and feel they must
‘pick sides’ – this is especially the case if the parents are hostile towards
one another.
e. Coping in the Single – Parent family
 Show your love. Remember to praise your child. Give him or her your
unconditional love and support. Set aside time each day to play, read or
simply sit with your child.
The child is already in a vulnerable state he or she would not want any
negativity adding up in his or her life at that moment so the least could
the parents give is show them love because sometimes whenever
parents separates children would think that their parents does not love
them anymore just because their parents doesn’t love each other
anymore.

 Set limits. Explain house rules and expectations to your child — such as
speaking respectfully — and enforce them. Work with other caregivers
in your child's life to provide consistent discipline.
Raising a child alone can be quite difficult so you have to set limits and
discipline them as early as possible.

98
  Take care of yourself. Include physical activity in your daily routine, eat
a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. Arrange time to do activities you
enjoy alone or with friends. Give yourself a "timeout.

 Stay positive. It's OK to be honest with your child if you're having a

difficult time, but remind him or her that things will get better. Give your
child an age-appropriate level of responsibility rather than expecting him
or her to behave like a "little adult." Keep your sense of humor when
dealing with everyday challenges.

VI. TEEN PARENTING

a. What is Teen Parenting?

It is being a parent at a very young age. Teen parenting is associated with
teen pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage girl, usually
within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant. The term in everyday speech
usually refers to girls who have not reached legal adulthood, which varies
across the world, who become pregnant.

b. Estimated number of teenage mothers

One in ten young Filipino women age 15-19 has begun childbearing: 8
percent are already mothers and another 2 percent are pregnant with their
first child according to the results of the 2013 National Demographic and
Health Survey (NDHS).

c. Possible outcomes of a teenage mother

 LOW ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS
A teenage mother has to face several social obligations like not
getting a good job, not getting respect from friends and family
members.
The entire social life of the teen mother gets ruined due to her early
and unexpected pregnancy, and she has to spend her life in
emotional trauma.
 LIMITED EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Teenagers getting pregnant at an early age cannot pursue their
higher education due to extra responsibility, which increases the rate
of literacy in society.
The education of the teen mother remains on hold during pregnancy,
and some teens even decide to drop out of their high school and find
a job to supplement themselves.

99
 Teens who plan to attend college have to bear taunts, acidic remarks,
and arrogant discourses from their peers about their pregnancy and
baby. In such circumstances, teen moms decide to focus on the baby
or plan to get married rather than pursuing a higher education.
Researchers conclude that most teenage pregnancies end with
education dropouts because of the fear of embarrassment,
humiliation, and harassment from the fellow friends and college
mates.

 HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF LIVING IN POVERTY

As teenage pregnancy hinders the mom from pursuing higher
education and acquiring basic qualifications, she lands up in a poorly
paid job.
Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of spending the entire life in
poverty for both the teen parents and the baby. As fewer teen mom
attain proper educational degrees and qualifications, they cannot find
suitable and well-paid jobs to improve their financial position.

As teenage pregnancy hinders the mom from pursuing higher

education and acquiring basic qualifications, she lands up in a
poorly paid job.
Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of spending the entire life
in poverty for both the teen parents and the baby. As fewer teen
mom attain proper educational degrees and qualifications, they
cannot find suitable and well-paid jobs to improve their financial
position.

VII. GRANDPARENTING

a. WHAT IS GRANDPARENTHOOD?
A grandparent is the state of being a grandparent. A parent of one’s mother
or father, a grandmother or grandfather.

b. TYPES OF GRANDPARENTS
 The “formal” grandparent
These are what most people think when you say grandparents.
These grandparents take on traditional roles, believing there are
appropriate guidelines for grandparents to follow.
They provide background support, take grandchildren out on
occasional outings, play a role in both children and grandchildren’s
lives but are not overly involved.

 The “fun seeker” grandparent

100
 This grandparent is all about having fun with their grandchildren.
They love to bring their inner child out to play and entertain their
grandchildren.
Their grandchildren know they will always have a good time with this
type of grandparents.

 The “surrogate parent” grandparent

This means these grandparents are much more of a parental figure
and the relationship between grandchild and grandparent is more
akin to parent and child.
For one reason or the other, these grandparents have had to take
over the caretaking role for their grandchildren.

 The “reservoir of family wisdom” grandparent

They dispense advice and have particular ideas of what and how
things need to be done.
These grandparents are the head and authority of the family.

 The “distant” grandparent

This grandparent plays only a small role in the life of their
grandchildren. They usually only meet during special occasions like
holidays and birthdays.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

I. Human Trafficking in the Philippines

a. A report published in 2004 by the Vatican stated: The Philippines has a

serious trafficking problem of Women and Children illegally recruited into
the tourist industry for sexual exploitation.
b. Destinations within the country are Metro Manila, Angeles City,
Olongapo City, Towns in Bulacan, Batangas, Cebu City, Davao,
Cagayan de Oro City and other sex tourists resorts such as Puerto
Galera, which is notorious, San Fernando Pampanga, and many beach
resorts through out the country.
c. The promise of recruiters offers women and children attractive jobs in
the country or abroad, and instead they are coerced and forced and
controlled into the sex industry.

101
 d. In an effort to deal with the increasing number of Human Trafficking
cases, the Philippines passed R.A 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Act of 2003, a penal law against human trafficking.
e. R.A 10364 is the Expanded R.A 9208, entitled “An Act to Institute
Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons especially Women and
Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the
Protection Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for its
Violations and Purposes”
II. Forms of Human Trafficking Existing in the Philippines

II. A. Sex Trafficking- A human trafficking for the purpose of sexual

exploitation, including sexual slavery. A victim is forced, in one of a variety of ways,
into a situation of dependency on their trafficker and then used by said trafficker to
give sexual services to customers.
A. CHILD EXPLOITED FOR COMMERCIAL SEX
 Commercial sexual exploitation of children occurs when people under
the age of 18 engage in or are forced into prostitution and pornography
in exchange for money or material payment.
 Online sexual exploitation of children refers to child sexual exploitation
which is facilitated or takes place through the internet and other related
media.

B. CHILD SEX TOURISM

 Child sex tourism is the sexual exploitatioin of children by a person or
persons who travel from their home district, home geographical region,
or home country in order to have sexual contact with children. Child Sex
tourists can be domestic travelers or they can be international tourists.

II. B. Labor Trafficking- Is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals

perform labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Labor
trafficking includes situation of debt bondage, forced labor, and involuntary child
labor.
A. CHILD SLAVERY
 Refers to the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the
powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.
 Children used by others for profit, often through violence, abuse, and
threats, in prostitution or pornography, forced begging, petty crime and
drug trade.
 Forced child labour, for example in agriculture, factories, construction,
brick kilns, mines, bars, the tourist industry or domestic work.
 Children forced to take part in armed conflicts.
 Children force to marry

102
 B. DOMESTIC SLAVERY
 Domestic work is a sector which is particularly vulnerable to exploitation
and domestic slavery because of the unique circumstances of working
inside a private household combined with a lack of legal protection.

II. C. Organ Trafficking- Is the trade of human organs, tissues, or other body
parts, usually for transplantation, that is being acquired from people, sometimes
consensual and non. Despite the worldwide shortage of organs available for
transplantation, it is still an illegal commercial trade and is form of human trafficking.
II. D. Debt Bondage- The pledging by the debtor of his/her personal services
or labor to those of a person under his/her control as security or payment for a
debt.
8 million today the Internation Labour Organization estimates that around 50%
of victimas of forced labor in the private economy are affected by debt bondage.

III. Rate of Human Trafficking- In 2017, 8,759 cases of human trafficking were
reported to the NHTH, representing over 10,000 individual victims, almost
5,000 potential traffickers, and more than 1,500 businesses involved in
human trafficking. Women and girls were disproportionately victimized,
comprising approximately 80% of the identified survivors.

A. Where to report incidence of HumanTrafficking?

 Barangay authorities;
 Nearest Police or other Enforcement Agencies;
 Local Social Welfare and Development office;
 Any member agencies of te Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
(IACAT)
 Local Anti-Trafficking committee or task force;
 Local Council for the protection of children;

B. Who can file cases for Human Trafficking?

 Any person, including a law enforcement officer; who has personal
knowledge of the commission of the offense;
 The trafficked person of the offended party
 Parents or legal guardians
 Spousehtt
 Siblings; or
 Children

C. ELEMENTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

103
  The Act (what is done) - Recruitment, Transportation, Transfer,
Harboring, or receipt of persons.
 The Means (how is it done) - it’s done by threat or use of force, coercion,
abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or vulnerability, or giving
payments or receipts to a person in control of victim.
 The Purpose (why is it done) – for the purpose of exploitation, which
includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced
labour, slavery or similar practices, and the removal of organs.

IV. THE PROBLEMS FACED BY VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

1. LACK OF AWARENESS TO THE FORMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Being aware improves the rescue rate of human trafficking because
people will be able to save themselves. Being aware helps because
when a potential victim knows who to call or who to go to, response will
be immediate.

2. THE RATE AND MANNER OF PROSECTUION WHEN THE

TRAFFICKERS ARE CAUGHT
The Philippine Judicial system is notorious for being a hollow institution
with conviction and prosecution rates remaining very low due to
incompetence or corruption. The bishop noted that having a high
conviction and prosecution rate in human trafficking cases would set an
example for those who are thinking of committing such crimes in the
future, especially those belonging to larger syndicates and criminal
groups.

3. REHABILITATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR

VICTIMS
The development community can make a significant mark in this aspect
because of their expertise and technical knowledge can fast track the
usually long and arduous process of recovery.

104
 Unit V
Emerging Trends in Social Welfare
Utilizing Integrated Framework

105
 GENDER ISSUES

Any issue or concern determined by gender-based and/or sex-based differences

between women and men. The presence of dynamic interaction between gender,
health and development, create a growing concern by national and international
governments and communities. Gender based discriminations and violence are to stay
unless there is a long-term commitment and shared actions among various sectors
including the community level. The gender issues depicted here are based on real
situations and have currently a continuing effort for better ways of addressing it at a
grassroots level.

• SEX - physical anatomy and/or biological description. A person’s sex is biologically

determined as female or male according to certain identifiable physical features
which are fixed. Women’s marginalization has often been seen as ‘natural’ and a
fact of their biology. However, these biological differences cannot explain why
women have less access to power and lower status than men. To understand and
challenge the cultural value placed on someone’s biological sex, and unequal
power hierarchies, we need the relational concept of ‘gender’.
• GENDER – personal traits or social position that a member of a society attaches
to being female and male. How a person’s biology is culturally valued and
interpreted into locally accepted ideas of what it is to be a woman or man. ‘Gender’
and the hierarchal power relations between women and men based on this are
socially constructed, and not derived directly to biology. Gender identities are
associated expectations of roles and responsibilities are therefore changeable
between and within cultures.

TYPES OF GENDER ISSUES

• GENDER INEQUALITY – Refers to unequal treatment or perceptions based on

their gender. Legal, social and cultural situation in which sex and/or gender
determine different rights and dignity for women and men, which are reflected in
their unequal access to or enjoyment of rights, as well as the assumption of
stereotyped social and cultural roles. Gender inequality acknowledges that men
and women are not equal and that gender affects an individual’s lived experience.
These differences arrive from distinctions in biology, psychology, and cultural
norms. Some of these distinctions are empirically grounded while others appear to
be socially constructed.

• GENDER DISCRIMINATION - The systematic, unfavorable treatment of

individuals on the basis of their gender, which denies them rights, opportunities
and resources. Across the world, women are treated unequal and are less valued
in places because of their gender. An author once wrote that “not all women are
poor, not all poor are women, but all women suffer from discrimination.”

106
• GENDER STEREOTYPING – Is a generalized view or preconception about
attributes or characteristics, or the roles that are ought to be possessed by, or
performed by women and men. A gender stereotype is harmful when it limits
women’s and men’s capacity to develop their personal abilities, pursue their
professional careers and make choices about their life. Gender stereotypes
compounded and intersecting with other stereotypes have a disproportionate
negative impact on certain groups of women such as women from minority or
indigenous groups, women with disabilities, women from lower caste or with lower
economic status, migrant women, and so on and so forth

• GENDER SOCIALIZATION – Is the process of learning the social expectations

and attitudes associated with one’s sex. Sociologists explain through gender
socialization why human males and females behave in different ways they learn
different social roles. From birth until death, gender shapes human feelings,
thoughts, and actions. Children quickly learn that their society considers females
and males different kinds of people; by about age three, they begin to think of
themselves in these terms.

• GENDER SOCIAL STRATIFICATION – Gender affects more than how people

think and act. It is also about the hierarchy. The reality of gender stratification can
be seen, first, in the world of men and women. It refers to social ranking, where
men typically inhabit higher statuses than women. It is also a kind of social
disorientation where society group people according to hierarchies or
socioeconomic statuses. Base on their occupation and income, wealth and social
statues, and deprived by power.

• GENDER AND MILITARY – Small number of women has served in the armed
forces because of lacked of physical strength. The debate on women’s role in the
military has been going on for centuries. There will always a stigma when women
want to enter into the world of military because the society viewed women as weak
and not capable of the responsibilities as military.

• VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN – Violence against women also occurs in casual

relations. As noted, most rapes involve men known, and often trusted, by the
victims. Dianne Herman (2001) claims that abuse of women is built into our way of
life. There are many kinds of violence against women and some of it are rape
cases, battery, and human trafficking.

107
 HUMAN RIGHTS

• Human rights in the Philippines pertains to the concept, practice, and issues of
human rights within the Philippine archipelago. The concept of “human rights”. In
the context of the Philippines, pertains mainly (but not limited) to the civil and
political rights of a person living in the Philippines by reason of 1987 Philippines
constitution. Human rights are a justified set of claims that set moral standards to
members of the human race, not exclusive to a specific community or citizenship.
This are the inherent rights to all human being regardless of your race, sex,
nationality, ethnicity, language, religion and/or any statuses across the world.

Human Rights Violations in the Philippines

 Marcos Administration (1965-1986)

- On 21 September 1972, the president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law
in the Philippines. Marcos gave the armed forces the power to “prevent or suppress
any act of insurrection or rebellion” which compromised the people’s rights. A total of
398 disappearances, 1,388 extrajudicial killings, and 1,499 killed or wounded in
massacres were recorded but not every victim was accounted for. After the declaration
of Martial Law, Marcos issued 6 orders on one of those are to close privately owned
media facilities and to take over the control to those newspapers, magazines, radio,
television and other mass media communication. Because of the Martial Law, EDSA
People Power Revolution evolved and that they fought for the rights of every human
being that once violated.

 Vigilantism and Death Squad

- According to Alston report, the presence of “vigilantism” and death squad in
Davao has been a commonplace occurrence, and has been going on for some time
now, prior to his visit in the Philippines from 2006 to 2007. The death squad, however,
operates with no intention of hiding their identities, and in broad daylight. DDS has had
over 500 victims since 1998; killing targets in public and in broad daylight. These
executions were a response to petty crimes, and targets are sent warnings explaining
why they are targeted by the DDS. Rodrigo Duterte as Davao mayor that time admitted
that there are hundreds of unsolved murders or crimes are committed during his term
and that he tell for a “full responsibility” of it. It was, however, noted that during
Duterte’s term as a mayor, criminal activities has decreased significantly.

 Benigno Aquino Administration (2010-2016)

- On 30 June 2010, Benigno Aquino iii was sworn into office as the president of
the Philippines. Notable acts during his term include the implementation of the K-12
program, the revocation of midnight appointments, the founding of the Philippine truth
commission, the creation of agencies such as the Philippine statistics authority (PSA),
and the framing of the Bangsamoro basic law. The Administration vowed to eradicate
corruption within the government system, but has yet not resolve such cases as those

108
regarding to Hacienda Luisita and the priority development assistance fund (PDAF)
scam.

o JOURNALIST KILLINGS – The number of journalist killings under the Aquino

administration has been noted to be the highest since 1986. Because of this, the
Philippines has been ranked by CNN as the third deadliest country for journalist.
Information about the disappearances and murders of reporters are kept from the
public, making several agencies/organizations as well as whistleblowers at risk of
exposure to harm. According to the 2014 human rights watch report, only 6 out of
26 cases managed to identify/capture their suspects.

 Duterte Administration (2016-present)

o EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS OF SUSPECTED DRUG SUSPECTS – A day after
Rodrigo Duterte sworn into office as president, extrajudicial killings related to illegal
drug trade rose. With the vigilante killings becoming rampant, the citizen’s council
for human rights (CCHR) asked president Duterte to initiate measures to stop the
surge of extrajudicial killings.
- Recognizing the danger to journalist the president established the presidential
task force on violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the
media in October 2016, just 2 months after the death of que.
Fundamental Human Rights

• The right to life

• The right to liberty and freedom
• The right to the pursuit of happiness
• The right to live your life free of discrimination
• The right to control what happens to your own body and to make medical decisions
for yourself
• The right to freely exercise your religion and practice your religious beliefs without
fear of being prosecuted for your beliefs
• The right to freedom of thought
• The right not to be prosecuted from your thoughts
• The right to be free from prejudice on the basis of race, gender, national origin,
color, age or sex
• The right to grow old
• The right to a fair trail and due process of the law
• The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
• The right be free from torture
• The right to be free from slavery
• The right to freedom of speech
• The right freely associate with whomever you like and to join groups of which you’d
like to be part

109
 ECOLOGY

• In 1868, Ernst Haeckel voiced the term “ecology” to refer to an organism and it’s
interdependencies within a natural environment.
• The most conventional definition of the term “ecology” means “the interdisciplinary
scientific study of the living conditions of organisms in interaction with each other
and with the surroundings, organic as well as inorganic”
• The social work discipline has expanded this perspectives to explain that the
individual is “constantly creating, restructuring, and adapting to the environment as
the environment is affecting them”.

 Environment
- Environment is everything that is around us. It can be living or non-living
things. It includes physical, chemical and other natural forces. Living things live in their
environment. They constantly interact with and adapt themselves to conditions in their
environment. In the environment there are different interactions between animals,
plants, soil, water, and other living and non-living things.

Environmental Concerns

Air pollution
Water pollution
Soil and land pollution
Climate change
Global warming
Public health issues
Overpopulation
Ozone layer depletion
Medical waste
Littering and landfills

Effects of Environmental Issues

 IMPACT OF HUMAN HEALTH – human health might be at the receiving end as

a result of the environment degradation. Areas exposed to toxic air pollutants can
cause respiratory problems like pneumonia and asthma.
 LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY – biodiversity is important for maintaining balance of
the ecosystem in the form of combating pollution, restoring nutrients, protecting
water sources and stabilizing climate.

 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION – the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro

chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is causing the ozone layer to deplete.

110
 LOSS FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY – environmental damage in the form of loss of
green cover, loss of biodiversity, huge landfills, increased air and water pollution
can be a big turn off for most of the tourist.
 ECONOMIC IMPACT – the huge cost that a country may have to borne due to
environmental degradation can have a big economic impact in terms of restoration
of green cover, cleaning up of landfills, and protection of endangered species.

ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

 Conferee – derived from the idea of conference, this role focuses on actions that
are taken when the practitioner serves as the primary source of assistance to the
client in problem solving.
 Enabler – the enabler role focuses on actions taken when the practitioner
structures, arranges, and manipulates events, interactions, and environmental
variables to facilitate and enhance the system functioning.
 Broker – the role is defined as actions taken when the practitioner’s object is to
link the consumer to the goods and services or to control the quality of those goods
and services.
 Mediator – this role focuses on actions when the practitioner’s objective is to
reconcile opposing or disparate points of view and to bring the contestants back
again for united actions.
 Advocate – this role is defined as actions taken when the practitioner secures
services and resources on behalf of the client in the face of identified resistance or
develops resources or services in cases where they are inadequate or non-
existent.
 Guardian – the role of guardian is defines as actions taken when the practitioner
performs in a social control functions or takes protective action when the client’s
competency level is deemed inadequate.

111
 DEVOLUTION

I. Introduction of Devolution

In the later part of the 20th century there has been a dramatic shift
in the manner governments around the world managed their
states. Instead of having a centralized form of government, most nation,
nation-state now somehow adopts the idea of shifting some of the
national or central powers to the local government units. This shifting of
powers is called devolution. According to the Philippines local
government code of 1991, devolution refers to the act by which the
national government confers power and authority upon the various local
government units to perform specific functions and responsibilities.

II. The Local Government Code of 1991

R.A 7160 is a fulfilment of the provision of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, which provides among others, that Congress shall enact a
local government code that will institutionalize a system of
decentralization whereby local government units shall be extended more
power, authority, responsibilities and resources.
The code devolved a number of national government mandates
to the LGUs, particularly by giving them the authority to expand certain
sources of revenue, such as real estate taxes and business-type income,
and design their local budgets according to their local development
objectives. Likewise, the delivery of local services, including local
infrastructure, primary healthcare, and solid waste disposal, were
assigned to the LGUs. The LGC likewise increased the share of the
LGUs in the national internal revenue taxes—the Internal Revenue
Allotment (IRA)—from 20 to 40 percent to provide them with the
resources as a means to absorb the service delivery functions that have
been devolved from the national government. 3 The code also enshrined
the participation of civil society and non-government organizations as
active partners of the LGUs.

A. Goal of Local Government Code

1. It aimed to enhance provision of Services in the grass

roots level as well as improve the efficiency in resource
allocation.
2. Sought to widen the decision-making space by
encouraging the participation of stakeholders,
especially in the local level.

112
 3. Transform LGUs into self-reliant communities and
active partners in nation-building
4. Achieve economic development at the regional and
local levels

III. Devolved Functions to Local Government Unit

In 1991 the Philippine government introduced a major devolution
of national government services, through the introduction of the Local
Government Code of 1991. The code devolved basic services for (a)
agricultural extension (b) field health and hospital services (c) public
work (d) school building program (e) tourism (f) social welfare services
(g) community base forestry (h) housing (i) telecommunications and (j)
investment support

IV. Challenges to Local Government Unit

1. The problematic of the absorptive capacities of LGU’s has not
matched the demands of responsibilities entrusted by the code.
2. Many local governments continue to be dependent on their shares of
the internal revenue allotment.
3. The financial capacities of LGU’s leave much to be desired.
4. The national government continues to hold and control the bulk of
productive sources of revenue even in the post-code period.
5. There is a wide disparity in the distribution of government personnel
between the national government and the LGU’s.
6. The poverty incidence has not been contained.

V. Devolution and The Department of Health

The Local Government Code of 1991 clearly specified the tasks
that should be devolved to the local government units. And public health
service was one of the national functions devolved to local government
units. The Department of Health (DOH), the sole provider of health-
related services, was transformed into a technical authority providing
technical support and assistance to local health units. The Department
maintains national health centers in support of their local counterparts.
Under the LGC, provincial governments are Mandated to provide
secondary hospital care, while city and municipality governments are
responsible for primary care, including maternal and child health,
nutrition services, and related direct services, such as the maintenance
of city and municipal health units. Barangay health stations are
maintained by barangay and municipal governments. The Department
of Health (DOH), on other hand, is mandated to set the national policy
agenda, technical standards, and guidelines on health. It also retains its
mandate over specialized and tertiary-level care.

113
 A. Health Facilities
Health facilities in the Philippines include government
hospitals, private hospitals and primary health care facilities.
Hospitals are classified based on ownership as public or
private hospitals. In the Philippines, around 40 percent of
hospitals are public. Out of 721 public hospitals, 70 are
managed by the DOH while the remaining hospitals are
managed by LGUs and other national government agencies.

 Effects of Devolution on Health Sector

The Philippine health care system has rapidly evolved with many
challenges through time. Health service delivery was devolved to the
Local Government Units (LGUs) in 1991, and for many reasons, it has
not completely surmounted the fragmentation issue. Health human
resource struggles with the problems of underemployment, scarcity and
skewed distribution. There is a strong involvement of the private sector
comprising 50% of the health system but regulatory functions of the
government have yet to be fully maximized.

 Number of Hospitals by Classification and

Ownership, Philippines 2009

The figure shows that the private hospitals outnumbered

the government hospitals in all categories. The disparity is
more noticeable in tertiary hospitals where the number of
private hospitals is four times that of the government
hospitals. Levels 1 and 2 hospitals are relatively well-

114
 distributed across the country (though there are few
provinces with limited level 2). However, hospitals with higher
service capabilities are highly concentrated in Region 3 and
National Capital Region.

 Distribution of Hospitals by Level and Geographical

Distribution, Philippines 2009

Out of the country’s 41,000 barangays, only one-fourth

have barangay health stations. These government health
facilities have gained notoriety as sorely lacking in
equipment, medicines, and staff.

A. Health Human Resource

The health human resources are the main drivers of the health
care system and are essential for the efficient management and
operation of the public health system. They are the health educators
and providers of health services. The Philippines has a huge human
reservoir for health. However, they are unevenly distributed in the
country. Most are concentrated in urban areas such as Metro Manila
and other cities.
Data gathered by the Health Alliance for Democracy showed that
five (5) out of 10 Filipinos dies without receiving any medical attention
while hospital bill is thrice the monthly
salary of a worker.
The funds necessary to cover the benefits provided for under
Republic Act No. 7305 of the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers

VI. Devolution and The Department of Agriculture

115
 The Administrative Code of 1987 amended the mandate of the
Department of Agriculture (DA). Certain functions of DA bureaus are now
powers that LGUs may well exercise under the Code

1 Development of livestock, poultry and dairy industries

2 Control and prevention of pests and diseases that affect farm crops
3 Management, accelerated development, and proper utilization of
fishery and aquatic resources
4 Formulation of measures for effective soil, land and water resource
utilization
5 Establishment of agricultural cooperatives in the rural communities

 Effects of Devolution on Health Sector

1. Lack of Funds
Due to lack of funds and varying needs, the devolution of
agricultural extension and of on-site research services to the LGUs
has resulted in the adoption of varying thrusts and standards for
agricultural productivity. This has resulted in the inconsistent and
fragmented implementation of agricultural policies and programs,
and has consequently caused confusion among agricultural
extension workers.
Many LGUs do not have sufficient funds to implement agricultural
development programs. The devolution of agricultural extension
services to the LGUs has been identified as one of the causes of low
agricultural productivity hindering the attainment of agricultural
development and food security.

2. Displacement of Human Resource

In the case of agricultural personnel, devolution likewise caused
much displacement. Many regular personnel lost their items, became
misplaced in their assignments, or were deployed in remote areas,
forcing untimely resignations. Some regular personnel suffered
demotion in rank, even in salary, while others remained stagnant in
their positions with no hope for promotion.
Some devolved personnel were not assigned to the Office of the
Municipal (or Provincial) Agriculturist, where they had been officially
devolved. Instead, they were given other assignments not related to
their positions and job descriptions as Agricultural Technologists
(ATs). In some municipalities, some ATs were assigned as market
collectors or as cash clerks detailed with the Nutrition Office, the
DOH, the DSWD, the Office of the Municipal Assessor, the Office of
the Municipal Treasurer, and etc.
VII. Devolution and The Department of Social Welfare and Development

116
 Based on the devolution of services provided for in the Local
Government Code, LGUs are mandated to provide efficient social
welfare services within their territorial jurisdictions which include
programs and projects on child and youth welfare, family and community
welfare, women’s welfare, welfare of the elderly and disabled persons;
community-based rehabilitation programs for vagrants, beggars, street
children, scavengers, juvenile delinquents, and victims of drug abuse;
livelihood and other pro-poor projects; nutrition services; and family
planning services.
Not all LGUs, especially those in the remote and far-flung areas, have
the necessary resources such as budget, manpower and facilities to
adequately provide these programs and services. As a result, some
vulnerable sectors, like solo parents, for instance, feel left out and turn
to the DSWD Central and its FOs in ventilating their concerns and
grievances.

117
 GLOBALIZATION

I. Introduction of Globalization
Globalization is the word used to describe the growing
interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations,
brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and
flows of investment, people, and information.
According to Manfred Steger, Globalization refers to the expansion
and intensification of social relations and consciousness across world time
and world space.

II. Factors Contributing to Globalization

1. Mass Migration
Migration is a way to move from one place to another in order to live
and work. Movement of people from their home to another city, state or
country for a job, shelter or some other reasons.
International migration from the Philippines increased further as data
from the United Nations indicate that the ratio of Filipino migrants to the
country’s total population went up from 3.5% in 1995 to 5.4% in 2017,
and the ratio of the stock of overseas Filipinos to the country’s total
population increased from 9.4% in 1997 to 10.4% in 2013.

 Two Categories of Factors that Influence People’s Decisions to Migrate

Push factors occur where someone is currently living and make
continuing to live there less attractive. A push factor could be political
unrest, a lack of job opportunities, or overcrowding.

Pull factors occur in a potential destination and make it an attractive

place to migrate to. A pull factor could be better job opportunities or
having relatives or friends who have already moved to this location.

2. Development of Information & Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technologies refers to technologies
that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is
similar to information technology, but focuses primarily on
communication technologies. This includes the internet, wireless
networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.
Modern information and communication technologies have created a
"global village," in which people can communicate with others across the
world as if they were living next door. For this reason, ICT is often studied
in the context of how modern communication technologies affect society.
The world telecommunication system, the convergence of computer

118
 technology and telecommunications technology into the Information
Technology, with all its components and activities, is distinctive in its
extension and complexity- and is also undergoing a rapid and
fundamental change. The results of this are that National boundaries
between countries and continents become indistinct and the capacity to
transfer and process information increases at an exceptional rate.

3. Economy
Free flowing of goods had increased dramatically in the second
half of the 21st century. Opening the market worldwide through free
trade, technological advancement in transportation and communication
facilitated the volume of goods and services much easier. International
trade has created new opportunities for firms and individuals to sell their
products and expertise worldwide.

III. Impacts of Globalization

1. Social Legislation
The Philippine government has embarked on a number of policy
initiatives that reinforce globalization. Among these initiatives are:

The Export Development Act of 1994

Mandates government and the private sector to jointly promote
exports as a focal strategy for development
The Investment Priorities Plan of 2000
Seeks to achieve countrywide development through globally-
competitive industries;
The Philippine Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (based on the model
law on electronic commerce drafted by the United Nations Commission
for International Trade Law)
Provides for the legal infrastructure for online transactions in the
country and prepares the Philippines’ full participation in global e-
commerce; and
The Special Economic Zone Act of 1991
Establishing the legal framework and mechanisms for special
economic zones (ecozones), to include the development of
information technology parks, to attract locators in various regions
of the country.

2. Employment

119
 1. Filipino medical professionals (doctors, nurses, caregivers) to work
in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East;
2. English-speaking schoolteachers and educators to developing
countries in Africa, Latin America, and the USA;
3. Nannies and domestic workers to Hongkong, Singapore, Europe,
and the Middle East;
4. Construction workers, technicians, and engineers to the Middle East
and elsewhere;
5. Seamen/sailors to the US Navy and civilian merchant ships;
6. Chefs, cooks, hotel staff, and entertainers on cruise ships, hotels,
and understaffed resorts;
7. IT professionals and computer programmers to help companies
solve the Y2K problem;
8. Security professionals employed by private military contractors and
deployed to troubled countries;
9. Highly trained finance and administrative staff or managers to various
companies overseas.

3. Education
Globalization of higher education is the flow of dominant
technology and knowledge across borders, while ‘internationalization of
higher education’ is one of the ways a country responds to the impact of
globalization. Experts claim that because Filipino students only acquire
10 years of basic education, they aren’t competent and prepared enough
to be college freshmen and this contributes to the declining quality of
college graduates.
“According to Aquino, the K-12 program will pave the way for an
ever brighter future for young Filipinos by equipping them with basic
education up to international standards.” With the K-12 program, the
better and the more qualified would be the incoming Filipino students in
enrolling in international higher education institutions.
Moreover, through adopting a 12-year period for basic education,
the Philippines is guaranteed to have prepared college freshmen and
high quality tertiary education graduates. K-12 also somehow addresses
the unemployment problems in the Philippines, after graduation, K-12
finishers are already “of employable age upon graduation and would
already qualify for decent entry-level jobs. This also increases the
financial capabilities of high school graduates who desire to pursue
advancement through higher education

IV. Disadvantages of Globalization

120
1. Philippine Environment
The World Bank has made a list of the five main threats arising
from climate change: droughts, floods, storms, rising sea levels, and
greater uncertainty in agriculture. Four of the world's poorest nations top
the list of the 12 countries at the highest risk.
The Philippines, a middle-income country in Southeast Asia
consisting of over 7,000 islands, leads the list of nations most in danger
of facing frequent and more intense storms. In 2008 it was one of three
countries hit by the most disasters, according to the Brussels-based
Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters.
The government permits the conversion of prime agricultural
lands into industrial centers, export processing zones, and real estate.
The irreversible conversion of farmland contributes to the growing loss
of agricultural resources and the country's best soils.The loss of rich
agricultural lands to settlements and industrial uses displaced peasants
who then encroach upon marginally-productive hilly forest areas. This
results in misappropriation of land resources whereby fertile lands are
used by business while marginal lands are cultivated and further
decrease forest areas.

2. Increase Rate of Cybercrime

The pairing of high technology and globalization results in crime
in as much as borderless transactions result in borderless crimes.
Today, many traditional crimes are now being committed using the
computer and Internet. As correctly observed by then Federal Bureau of
Investigation Director Robert Mueller, “crimes have migrated online,
including various frauds, identity theft, copyright infringement, child
pornography and child exploitation.”

121
 TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

I. Cybercrimes
Cybercrime is a crime that involves a computer and a network. The
computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be
the target.
Offences that are committed against individuals or groups with a criminal
motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or
mental harm, or loss, to the victim directly or indirectly, using modern
telecommunication networks such as internet.

II. Types of Cyber Crimes

1. Communications in Furtherance of Criminal Conspiracies

This involves organized criminal activities enhanced or facilitated by
technology, such as weapons smuggling, money laundering, drug
trafficking, gambling, prostitution and child pornography.
2. Telecommunications Piracy
This involves the unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials
for free distribution, personal use or for sale at a lower price.
3. Dissemination of offensive materials
This includes dissemination of objectionable materials in the Internet
such as racist propaganda, sexually explicit materials and instructions
for making incendiary and explosive devices, use of telecommunications
systems for threatening or intrusive communications, harassing, “cyber-
stalking” and other means where persistent messages are sent to
unwilling recipients as well as the use of computer networks in
furtherance of extortion.
4. Electronic Money Laundering
This involves concealing and moving proceeds of crime through
electronic funds transfers (money laundering) or concealing legitimately
derived income from the government’s taxing authorities (tax evasion)
using technologies of electronic commerce.
5. Cyber Terrorism
An act of terrorism committed through the use of cyberspace or
computer resources.
6. Cyber extortion
Occurs when a website, e-mail server, or computer system is
subjected to or threatened with repeated denial service or other attacks
by malicious hackers
7. Online Sexual Exploitation
Online sexual exploitation refers to sexual exploitation which is
facilitated or takes place through the internet and other related media.

122
III. Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012
The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or also known as R.A 10175 is
a Philippine Republic Act signed by President Aquino. That is defining
cybercrime, providing for the prevention, investigation, suppression and the
imposition of penalties therefor and for other purposes.
It aims to address legal issues concerning online interactions. Among
the cybercrime offenses included in the bill are cybersquatting, cybersex,
child pornography, identity theft, illegal access to data and libel.

IV. Technological Unemployment

Technological unemployment or the loss of jobs caused by technological
change has happened in previous industrial revolutions. During the last
Industrial Revolution, in the late 19th century, a series of inventions
happened over a brief period time. Among these inventions were the steam
engine, telegraph, electricity, telephone, airplanes, and automobiles.
A recent study by the International Labor organization (ILO) said that
more than half of laborers in five ASEAN nations – Cambodia, Indonesia,
Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam – will lose their jobs to automation in the next
two decades. The most vulnerable sectors to automation are in
manufacturing including textiles, clothing, footwear, electronics, automotive
and business process outsourcing.

123
 Unit VI
Social Welfare and Social
Protection, Policies, Programs and
Services

124
SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICIES, PROGRAM AND
SERVICES FOR FAMILY

I. Social Welfare Services for Family

This program is intended to assist family and help them meet their basic
needs through generation of resources and accessing the families to
different services available in the community. Those programs and services
are the following:
a) Parent Effectiveness Services ― this is the provision of knowledge
and skills and others involve in child caring, early childhood care
and development, health care, behavior management, husband-wife
relationship, parenting rights and duties. It is the provision of
expansion of knowledge and skills of parents and caregivers on
parenting to be able to respond to parental duties and responsibilities
on the areas of early childhood care and development, behavior
management of younger and prevention of child abuse, health care
and other challenges of parenting. It assets parents and parents
substitute to develop and strengthen their knowledge and skills so
they can assume their major educational role in child’s growth and
development.
b) Marriage Counseling Service ― this the pre-marital counseling to
couples intending to get married and marriage counseling to couples
experiencing marital conflicts/problems of conjugal relationship. It
provides couples extensive information to strengthen the foundation
of their marriage, practice and responsibility of parenthood.
c) Responsible Parenthood Service ― it is a series of activities for
individuals and couples of reproductive age designed to bring about
behavioral and attitudinal change resulting from appreciation of the
values of child spacing and planned family. It assist couples resolve
psycho-social barriers which hamper their appreciation, planning the
number of children spacing births in accordance with their religious
convictions and their capacity to meet the demands of responsible
parenthood.
d) Social Services for Solo Parent ― it is services is for solo parents
who are unmarried separated/abandoned, whose spouse has a
prolonged absence due to hospitalization, imprisonment, overseas
employment, who cannot cope with the stresses brought about by
solo parenthood.
e) Self-Employment Assistance for Family ― it is the provision of
interest-free capital assistance and other livelihood-oriented services
to families whose monthly income is below the poverty line to be able
to engage in income-generating projects to attain self-reliance and
productivity.

125
f) Family Casework ― this service is intended for families who are
unable to cope with crisis situations. It is a series of counseling
activities involving significant members of the family with focus on
their role adjustments and performance towards coping with social,
psychological and interpersonal problems in the family. This include
family consultations, individual and group counseling for the
members of the family.
g) Family Life Enrichment Service ― promote family solidarity through
family activities, dialogues and ritual among others. These activities
promote healthy family life, strengthen values and uphold the
importance of strong and close family ties. Family life enrichment
activities may include family camp, family day celebration, family
dialogues and renewal of marriage vows and family life education
sessions such as fathers’ workshop and consultations, and mother
classes and group sessions for couples.
h) Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) ― It
is a service that gives importance and emphasis on the development
and expansion of knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes of
fathers in performing their parental roles and responsibilities. It
involves conduct of modular sessions, enrichment activities and
organization building and development to facilitate collective action
and participation in promoting the important role of fathers in the
family.
i) Maternal Enrichment Counseling ― it refers to one of the intervention
of Marriage Counseling Service that provides opportunities for
couples to make their marriage grow, renew and enhance their
marital friendship and intimacy and deepen their morality and
spirituality. This is intended for couples who recognize and desire to
make an effort to contribute to each other’s growth and achieve
greater satisfaction and fulfillment in marital relationship.
j) Family Drug Abuse Prevention Service ― it involves educating the
family and its members and communities regarding the harmful
effects of drug abuse. The service aims to create awareness and
understanding on the underlying causes of drug abuse problem and
promote a drug free family through a modular sessions for parents
and youth on the prevention of drug abuse.
k) Community Based Strategies for Prevention of HIV/AIDS ― it is an
intervention that focuses on creating awareness and consciousness
raising for the prevention of HIV infection. This intervention is geared
towards education and capability building of community volunteers in
the prevention, management and eventual control of the HIV/AIDS
problems in the community as well as strengthen and prepare family
to provide care and support to persons living with HIV AIDS.

126
 l) Family Volunteer Resource and Development Service ― this service
is designed to maintain and motivate a competent volunteer force
that will help undertake activities and programs for the children,
youth, women, family heads, persons with disabilities, older
persons under the FLDP. This service aims to help volunteer work
and gain meaningful and enjoyable experiences and insights as they
help to implement the FLDP.

II. Responses of the Government

a) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human
development program of the national government that
invests in the health and education of poor households,
particularly of children aged 0-18 years old.
 Patterned after the conditional cash transfer scheme
implemented in other developing countries, the Pantawid
Pamilya provides cash grants to beneficiaries provided
that they comply with the set of conditions required by the
program.
• Who are its beneficiaries?
 The DSWD established a system called “Listahanan”
 Pantawid Pamilya caters to the poorest of the poor
Filipinos through ensuring that children beneficiaries have
access to education and health services and linking their
families to opportunities and interventions that can
complement the investment made to the children.
Supporting Solo Parents:
- As of September 2018, there are 269,522 solo parents in
the program, representing 6.3% of the Pantawid Pamilya
households nationwide.
- The Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000 (R.A. 8972)
recognizes solo parents as part of the disadvantaged
sector in the country, and Pantawid Pamilya understands
the plight that they go through everyday in raising their
families on their own.
Equal Opportunities for Ip’s
- Pantawid Pamilya operates to improve health and
education outcomes for poor children and to bridge
marginalized people, including the IP’s, to livelihood and
education opportunities so they will be empowered in
making a better future for themselves.
- To date, Pantawid Pamilya serves 661, 982 IP
Households.
Equal Opportunities For PWD’s

127
  Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program ensures that all
children beneficiaries, PWDs included, are given a fair
chance to go to school and be empowered by
education.
Coverage:
 The 4P’s operates in all the 17 regions in the
Philippines, covering 79 provinces, 143 cities, and 1,
484 municipalities.
 Beneficiaries are selected through the National
Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
(NHSTS-PR), which identifies who and where the poor
in the country.
 As of August 26, 2015, there are 4,353, 597 active
household beneficiaries, of which 570, 056 are
indigenous households and 217, 359 have at least one
PWD.
 The program also covers 10, 235, 658 schoolchildren
aged 0-18, from the total registered with an average of
two to three children per household.
Criteria To Become Eligible For The Program:
1. Residents of the poorest municipalities, based on 2003
Small Are Estimates (SAE) of the National Statistical
Coordination Board (NSCB).
2. Households whose economic condition is equal to or
below the provincial poverty threshold.
3. Households that have children 0-18 years old and/ or
have a pregnant woman at the time of assessment.
4. Household that agree to meet conditions specified in
the program.
Objectives Of 4p’s Program
1. Social Assistance
2. Social Development
o Health check-ups for pregnant women and children
aged 0 to 5;
o Deworming of school children aged 6 to 14;
o Enrollment of children in daycare, elementary, and
secondary schools; and
o Family development sessions.
The Conditionalities Of The 4p’s Program Program Packages:
1. HEALTH GRANT
 Php 500 per household every month, or a total of
Php 6,000 every year.
2. EDUCATION GRANT

128
  Php 300 per child every month for ten months, or a
total of Php 3,000 every year (a household may
register a maximum of three children for the
program)
Conditions and Compliance:
1. Pregnant women must avail pre- and post0 natal
care, and be attended during childbirth by a
trained professional;
2. Parents or guardians must attend the family
development sessions, which include topics on
responsible parenting, health and nutrition;
3. Children aged 0-5 must receive regular
preventive health check-ups and vaccines;
4. Children aged 6-14 must receive deworming
pills twice a year; and
5. Children beneficiaries aged 3-18 must enroll in
school, and maintain an attendance of at least
85% of class days every month.
3. Rice Subsidy
 Secretary Jude M. Taguiwalo of Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has
released the guidelines on the provision of rice
subsidy to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
households.
 The rice subsidy will be given to registered,
active and complaint Pantawid Pamilya
househould beneficiaries on a bi-monthly
period. In compliance with the General
Appropriations Act of 2017, it will be given in the
form of cash and treated as an additional cash
grant.
4. UCT Subsidy
 The Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program is
a tax subsidy provided for under the Tax Reform for
Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN) to help 10
million indigent Filipino families and individuals
cushion the effect of the policy in terms of the
adjustments in the excise tax of petroleum products.
 The grant amounts to Php 200 per month or Php
2,400 for one year for it’s implementation in 2018
and Php 300 per month or Php 3, 600 for one year

b. The Philippines’ Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)

129
 • The Philippine Department of Social Welfare has led in the
provision of opportunities for income-generating activities and
livelihood development through the implementation of the
Sustainable Livelihood Program since 2011.
• The objective of the Sustainable Livelihood Program is to reduce
poverty and inequality by generating employment among poor
households and by moving highly vulnerable households into
sustainable livelihoods and toward economic stability.
Specific objectives:
1. To prepare participants for locally available jobs
2. To facilitate opportunities for micro-enterprise development
3. To expand the socio-economic benefits gained by the Pantawid
Pamilya benefeciaries
4. To link beneficiaries to the support services and programs
provided by the partner groups
5. To link beneficiaries to micro-insurance providers
6. To expand and update the portfolio of public and private sector
partners
7. To promote a family-based approach and community participation
in enterprise development
Purpose:
 Deliver a capacity building program to develop the
entrepreneurial and labor skills of poor households by providing
them with opportunities to enhance their access to basic social
services and standard of living.
Two tracks:
• The micro-enterprise development track provides participants
with access to funds and training to set up their own
microenterprise.
• The employment facilitation track provides employable individuals
access to locally available jobs through public-private
partnerships.
The Five Stages of Implementation:
1. Social Preparation
o In the Area Identification, priority areas are identified based
on the existing opportunities and the capacities or
resources of the possible participants in the area. The
target participants are the Pantawid Pamilya families but
Non-Pantawid Pamilya families that are identified as poor
families based the Listahan may still be covered by the
program.
o For Project Identification, the priority projects are based on
the viability and sustainability, given the location or

130
 proximity to the intended market and the resources of the
target participants.
2. Project Development
o After the data collection and analysis, they should be able
to come up with an Opportunity Identification Matrix that
identifies the market opportunities and the resources with
the target area. To identify the actual barangays and
participants to be targeted for the priority opportunities, the
Barangay Ranking Matrix is used. The ranking is based
on the total number of Pantawid Pamilya family members
who fit the profiles of the target participants of all the
priority opportunities.
3. Project Proposal, Review, and Approval
o Before the proposals are endorsed to the Field Office, they
should first be approved by the Provincial Coordinator.
o A Provincial Project Development and Assessment
Workshop is conducted where PDOs present their project
proposals.
o As for the Project Review, which is done simultaneously
with the process of approval, the PDO and the CCG does
regular consultation and planning sessions with the other
participants to continually develop the projects.
o For Project Implementation, projects may be implemented
using a single modality or a combination of these, along
with other additional activities.
o SLP has four modalities which are 1) Skills Training (ST),
2) Pre-Employment Assistance Fund (PEAF), 3) Cash for
Building Livelihood Assets (CBLA), and 4) Seed Capital
Fund (SCF).
4. Project Operationalization
o The third SLP activity is Partnership Building. One of the
key principles and strategies of the program is internal
convergence which highlights the crucial relationship of the
SLP, Pantawid Pamilya and the KC-National Community-
Driven Development Program (KC-NCDDP) field
implementers’ which essentially have the same goals of
improving the level of well-being of the poor communities.

5. Project Sustainability
o The second part of the results chain is results monitoring.
The results monitoring aims to measure and analyze
accomplishment data based on its desired outcomes to
improve program implementation. This is the last stage of
implementation. Again, the PDOs have a critical role in the

131
 monitoring and evaluation process as they are the primary
data collector and crucial end user.
o Monitoring will be done for two years, in which time, the
program participants are able to scale up their business
operations and become self-governing.

III. Key Policies for Family Welfare

a. Executive Order No. 209: Family Code of the Philippines
o The Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order no.
209) was signed into law by then President Corazon
Aquino on July 6, 1987. The basic law covering persons
and family relations governs marriages, legal separations,
property relations between spouse, and parental authority,
among others.
b. R.A 8369: Family Court Act of 1997
o An act establishing family courts, granting them exclusive
original jurisdiction over child and family cases, amending
Batas Pambansa 123, as amended, otherwise known as
act of 1980, appropriating funds therefor and for other
purposes.
c. R.A 8533: Amended Family Code of the Philippines
o An act amending Title I, Chapter 3, Article 39 of Executive
Order No. 209, otherwise known as the Family Code of the
Philippines, nullifying the prescriptive period for action or
defenses grounded on psychological incapacity.
d. R.A 9255: Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of their Father
o An act allowing illegitimate children to use the surname of
their father, amending for the purpose Article 176 Of
Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the "Family
Code Of The Philippines“.
e. R.A 9858
o An act providing for the legitimation of children born to
parents below marrying age, amending for the purpose the
family code of the Philippines, as amended.

f. R.A 8972: Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000

o An act providing for benefits and privileges to solo parents
and their children, appropriating funds therefor and for
other purposes
g. R.A 10354: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act of 2012

132
 o An act providing for a national policy on responsible
parenthood and reproductive health
h. R.A 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act
of 2004
o An act defining violence against women and their
children, providing for protective measures for victims,
prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes.

R.A 8425: Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act

i.
o An act institutionalizing the social reform and poverty
alleviation program, creating for the purpose the national
anti-poverty commission, defining its powers and
functions, and for other purposes.
j. R.A 8759: Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999
o An act institutionalizing a national facilitation service
network through the establishment of a public employment
service office in every province, key city and other strategic
areas throughout the country.
k. R.A 10691:
An act defining the role of:
o Department Of Labor And Employment (DOLE),
o The Local Government Units (LGUS), and
o Accredited Nongovernment Organizations (NGO’s)
o Public Employment Service Office (Peso), and;
o The operation of Job Placement Offices in Educational
Institutions (ELS)
Amending for the purpose Sections 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 of Republic Act No.
8759, otherwise known as the “Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999”

References;

• Social Welfare Services for Family

https://www.dswd.gov.ph/issuances/AOs/AO_2003-09.pdf

• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

133
 https://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/upload/2018/FDS-
Synthesis.pdf

• The Philippines’ Sustainable Livelihood Program

https://www.dswd.gov.ph/issuances/MCs/MC_2018-014.pdf

• Key Policies for Family Welfare

https://www.lawphi.net/

• Condero, Pangalangan, Fondevilla (2000), Philippine Encyclopedia

of Social Work Volume 1, University of Michigan, Magabooks

Presenter: ANGELICA C. ASOY

INSTITUTION

I. What is Institution?

134
  An institution is an established organization. It is a place where an
organization takes care of people for a usually long period of time
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

II. Non-Government Organization

 A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit, citizen-based
group that functions independently of government, NGOs, sometimes
called civil societies, is organized on community, national and international
levels to serve specific social or political purposes, and are cooperative,
rather than commercial, in nature.

A. The role of NGOs in the actualization of social welfare and social protection
policies is that it provides the means for expressing and actively addressing
the varied and complex needs of society. NGOs promote pluralism, diversity,
and tolerance in society while protecting and strengthening cultural, ethnic,
religious, linguistic and other identities. NGOs advance science and thought;
develop culture and art; protect the environment; and support all activities and
concerns that make a vibrant civil society. NGOs motivate citizens in all
aspects of society to act, rather than depend on state power and beneficence.
NGOs create an alternative to centralized state agencies and provide services
with greater independence and flexibility. NGOs establish the mechanism by
which governments and the markets can hold accountable by public.

B. Different Non-Governmental Organizations

1. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) Providing Center-Based

Assistance to Children and Youth

Asilo De San Vicente De Paul

 Is an orphanage located on UN Avenue in Manila, Philippines. It
is run by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Asilo
de San Vicente de Paul (ASVP), formerly known as Casa de San
Vicente de Paul, was founded on July 26, 1885 by Sr. Asuncion
Ventura, DC, a native of Bacolor, Pampanga. She donated an
inheritance from her family to the Daughters of Charity and
purchased a lot of 6 hectares land for a building where she
established the asylum for girls, making her the first Filipina to
build an orphanage in the country. ASVP started with only 33
wards, catering to girls who were orphans or homeless. Later on,
it expanded its services into providing education and training to
young girls, particularly on embroidery and needlework.

135
CRIBS Philippines, Inc.
 CRIBS Philippines, Inc. was started in 1974 by American
missionary wives, who brought home two children from the
Reception and Study Center (RSCC) of the Department of Social
Welfare and Development. Mrs. Rhoda Bradshaw was
instrumental in placing the babies with their adoptive families in
1977. In 1979, CRIBS was incorporated as a non-profit, non-
stock, non-government organization with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. In the same year, it opened its first
program, called the Receiving Home, for abandoned,
surrendered and neglected infants in a rented house in Antipolo.
This program provided the children with basic services such as
food, clothing, shelter and medical needs. In 1983, CRIBS was
licensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) as a child welfare agency to care for abandoned,
neglected, surrendered and female minor survivors of abuse. This
was also the first non-government organization (NGO) in the
Philippines to implement a Foster Care Program.

Hospicio De San Jose

 Cradled on a verdant island in the middle of the Pasig River is
Hospicio De San Jose, home to babies, children, adults and
elderly persons who have no other home in this world. For 200
years, this charitable institution has accepted the poorest of the
poor and families in crisis, and has sheltered them, fed them,
clothed them, educated them, cared for them when they were sick
or wounded, and helped them go on in this world. For infants and
the children, able and not so able, they found families or restored
them to their own whenever possible, and when neither was
possible, harbored them for life and buried them when they
passed away. The Daughters of Charity, who have faithfully
managed this institution for 145 years, have, in keeping their
Vincentian vows, loved Christ in the needy, for Christ said,
“Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”

Kuya Drop-In Center

 Kuya drop-in center is an institution for street children which
caters children living on the street, who have no family
connections (abandoned, orphaned, lost runaways), who have
family connections but prefer to live on streets (runaways) who
reside with their low-income families but “work” (street families),
children living with their low-income family members in the

136
 community – who are more likely ‘working children’ too
economically poor for the families to be able to afford even public
education.

2. Non-Government Organizations Providing Community-Based Assistance to

Children and Youth

Center For Child Advocacy

 Center for child advocacy are community-based, child-friendly,
multidisciplinary services for children and families affected by
sexual abuse or severe physical abuse. Child advocacy centers
bring together, often in one location, child protective services
investigators, law enforcement, prosecutors and medical and
mental health professionals to provide a coordinated,
comprehensive response to victims and their caregivers.

Childhope-Asia Philippines
 Childhope-Asia Philippines is a non-profit, non-political, non
sectarian organization whose principal purpose is to advocate for
the cause of street children in the Philippines. It works towards
the liberation of children from their suffering cause by working and
living on the street. Childhope Philippines reaches out to children
living on the streets to provide accredited alternative education
and healthcare.

3. Non-Government Organizations Working with Women Sector

Gabriela
 National Alliance of Women is a grassroots-based alliance of
more than 200 organizations, institutions, desks and programs of
women all over the Philippines seeking to wage a struggle for the
liberation of all oppressed Filipino women and the rest of our
people. We organize women especially from the sectors of
farmers, workers, urban poor and students. While they vigorously
campaign on women-specific issues such as women’s rights,
gender discrimination, violence against women and women’s
health and reproductive rights. Gabriela is also at the forefront of
national and international economic and political issues that
affects women. At the same time, Gabriela provides actual direct
services for marginalized women through its National Office,
provincial and regional centers and member institutions.

137
 SAMAKANA (Samahan ng Malayang Kababaihan)
 A nationwide federation of women from urban poor communities
struggling against the adverse consequences of national
economic policies on women, focusing on poverty, inflation,
homelessness, unemployment and the lack social services
confronting urban poor communities. They also conduct
education on various issues confronting urban poor women and
leads community actions against domestic violence.

Kanlungan Center Foundation, Inc.

 Kanlungan Center Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit
organization engaged in direct service, advocacy work, and
research, policy interventions for Filipino migrant workers who are
survivors of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, workplace
abuse, and non-payment of wages, as well as their families and
their communities.

Women’s Crisis Center

 Women’s Crisis Center is a foundational community center,
offering comprehensive services for people impacted by domestic
violence and sexual abuse, while transforming our community
through violence prevention.

4. Non-Government Organizations Working with Families and Communities

Caritas Manila Inc.

 Caritas Manila is a non-profit organization that serves as the lead
social service and development ministry of the catholic of the
Church in the Philippines. With over 60 years of experience,
Caritas Manila was established by the late Archbishop of Manila
Rufino Cardinal Santos on October 1, 1953 as a social welfare
program “for uplifting the spirit and soul of the unfortunate
members of our community, to assist them in all their needs, and
to bring the help of God in their miseries and distress.”

Catholic Relief Services – USCC

 Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic
Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in
Europe. Since then, they have expanded in size to reach more
than 100 million people in more than 100 countries on five
continents. Their mission has been to assist impoverished and
disadvantaged people overseas, working in the spirit of Catholic

138
 social teaching to promote human life and the dignity of the
human person.

Heart Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.

 Heart Foundation of the Philippines is a non-profit, philanthropic
organization founded February 14, 1972, with its main objective
of giving support to indigent heart patients for surgery
countrywide. Outreach Program and surgical mission are being
conducted by the Foundation, bringing its Open Heart team and
heart-lung machine and other materials to the provinces like
cebu, Ilo-ilo, Bohol and other far flung areas, where an open heart
surgery are being conducted by the volunteer doctors and nurses
in cooperation with the Department of Health, the Philippine Heart
Association, and the local government.

5. Non-Government Organizations Providing Rehabilitation Programs and

Services to Handicapped Individuals, Groups and Communities

 For the Physically Handicapped

Goodwill Industries of the Philippines, Inc.

 Goodwill Industry is a non-profit organization that works to
enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families
by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity,
and helping people in need reach their full potential through
learning and the power of work.

Oriental Blind Rehabilitation, Inc.

 Oriental Blind Organization is a non-government Christian
organization serving blind people all over the Philippines since
1988. They have devoted themselves to removing the obstacles
and providing the services, trainings, materials, and the
equipment needed in order for them to reach their fullest potential
in life.
 For the Mentally Handicapped

Philippine Mental Health Association

 Philippine Mental Health Association is a private, non-stock, non-
profit organization dedicated to the promotion of mental health
and prevention and prevention of mental health disorders. In
January15, 1950, the Philippine Mental Health Association

139
 (PMHA) was formally organized with Dr. Manuel Arguelles as its
first President. The association focused on providing mental
health services through the Child Guidance Clinic and
educational programs on mental health among college students.
It also expanded its educational programs by organizing mental
health seminar workshops and leadership training among the
youth.

 For the Socially Handicapped

Foundation for the Assistance to Hansenites, Inc.

 The Foundation for the Assistance to Hansenites (FAHAN), Inc.
is a non-government organization dedicated to help leprosy
patients and their families through socio-economic assistance,
counseling, educational assistance and rehabilitation. Its overall
mission is to “serve and create opportunities enabling leprosy
patients to attain the fullness of their freedom and well-being.”

 For the Elderly

San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly

 San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly was operated by Little
Sisters of the Poor in 2012. They serve the needy elderly in 31
countries, including Manila. The congregation’s mission is to give
respect and dignity to the elderly. The volunteers in San Lorenzo
Ruiz Home for the Elderly help the elderly or the old people take
their meals, do bedside duties, take them out to the garden for a
stroll, do secretarial work, cut their hair or just come for a visit,
talking and spending time with them.

 For Emergency and Rehabilitation Programs

Philippine National Red Cross

 The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is an independent and
autonomous non-government organization tasked to help the
Philippine government in the humanitarian field and to adhere to

140
 the obligations of the Philippines to the Geneva Conventions and
Internal Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements

 For Drugs and Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and

Rehabilitation

Citizens Drug Watch Foundation, Inc.

 Citizen Drug Watch Foundation provides drug and alcohol
awareness information packs and workshops to children up to 19
years in schools and colleges, educating them about the dangers,
laws, health and social implications of drug and alcohol abuse.

6. Non-Government Organization Providing Assistance to Victims of Natural

and Manmade Disasters

Christian Light Foundation, Inc.

 Christian Light Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-
denominational mission oriented organization whose purpose is
to carry out the Great Commission around the globe. It was
founded in 1973 by a group of born-again business men in
Jacksonville, Florida.

Feed the Children Philippines, Inc.

 Feed the Children has worked in the Philippines since 1984. They
currently implement a Child-Focused Community Development
approach to meet immediate and long-term needs of children, their
families and communities. They reach more than 283,000
individuals throughout 38 communities with their food and
nutrition, health and water, education, and livelihood activities.
This includes working in both rural and urban communities and
making sure families have everything they need to raise healthy
children.

III. Government Organization

 A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent
organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the
oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence
agency. A government agency may be established by either a national
government or a state government within a federal system. Agencies

141
 can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy,
independence and accountability of government agencies also vary
widely.

A. The relationship between the state and NGOs has been the topic of interesting
debate from the 1980s, coinciding with the neo-liberal economic model
advanced by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund that redefined
the role of NGOs in developing countries. Today, most NGOs are filling up the
gap by providing welfare services to the masses, in part, due to the perceived
failure of state as emphasized by the neo-liberal theorists. Ideally, the role of
NGOs is to fill the gap whenever the social welfare provision of states is
inadequate and often cut through bureaucracy to bring assistance directly to
the people who need it. The most important role by both the state and the NGO
is collaboration in development projects. Rather than being viewed as
competitors of the state, NGOs are potential partners with greater benefits
being realized through collaboration and not competition.

Different Centers and Institutions

Golden Acres, Home for the Aged
 Golden Acres provides care to senior citizens aged 60 and above,
both male and female who are abandoned, neglected and needy.

The Haven-National Center for Women

 Haven-National Center for Women provides temporary shelter
and protective custody to women ages 18-59 years old who are
victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, illegal recruitment,
battered/abused women, victims of sexual abuse, women in
detention, women victims of armed conflicts and others. Through
the different programs and services, the women-residents are
helped to cope with their trauma and eventually lead dignified
lives. Social workers from the center also escort women during
court hearings in the absence of the local government units
(LGUs).

Elsie Gaches Village

 Elsie Gaches Village is a residential institution that provides care
and rehabilitation to abandoned and neglected children with
special needs such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and
hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism and other related
illnesses. The residents of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) are able
to lead normal lives because of the nurturing environment the

142
 center provides through its various services and programs –
namely social, health, educational, psychological, productivity,
home life, recreational, developmental services and spiritual
programs.

Jose Fabella Center

 Jose Fabella is a residential institution that provides temporary
shelter for standees’, vagrants and mendicants.

Marillac Hills
 Marillac Hills is a rehabilitation center for young women which
caters to abused, exploited or are in conflict with the law, who are
in need of social care and special protection. It has a 215 bed
capacity and is located in Alabang, Muntinlupa, City.

Haven for Children

 Haven for Children is a residential institution that provides
rehabilitation facilities for boys aged 7-13 who are recovering from
substance abuse.

National/Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center

 Is a non-residential institution that provides programs and
services to persons with disabilities and other special groups.

Nayon ng Kabataan
 Nayon ng Kabataan is a residential institution for abused,
orphaned, abandoned, neglected and exploited children ages 7-
17 years old.

Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC)

 RSCC, a child-caring institution that provide services to
abandoned, neglected and/or surrendered children 0-6 years of
age. It also provides appropriate and responsive social work
intervention and services that address the growth and
development and safety and the security needs of every young
children who are victims of abuse.

Sanctuary Center
 Sanctuary Center is a residential institution that serves as halfway
home to female 18 years old and above who are improving from
psychosis and other mental illness.

Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop

143
  A business work oriented rehabilitation facility operated and
managed by the government which provides training and
productive employment for the physically, socially and mentally
disabled persons by producing and selling goods or services for
economic self sufficiency of the client.

Center for Girls

 Center for Girls is a residential institution that provides protection,
care, treatment and rehabilitation to abused and exploited girls
below 18 years old. It also provides innovative programming,
including arts enrichment, social enterprise, health and wellness,
and green living; all of which empower girls by teaching positive
self-expression.

IV. People’s Organization

 People’s organization is bona fide association of citizens with
demonstrated capacity to promote the public interest and with identifiable
leadership, membership, and structure. It also has its leaders, members
and a structure in the organization.

Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines

Katipunan ng Liping Filipina – KALIPI
 KALIPI is a national federation of women’s organization which is
a non-stock, non-profit, and non-political organization committed
to respond to the needs of organizing women from the grassroots
level and genuinely promotes women’s development and
empowerment issues by harnessing their strengths and
developing their full potentials. KALIPI is one of the programs
developed by DSWD to the Local Government Units (LGUs) way
back in 1992. KALIPI serves as a venue of women to raise their
concerns affecting their lives and express their grievances on
factors that curtail their effectiveness.

Couples For Christ

 CFC is a Catholic movement intended for the renewal and
strengthening of Christian family life. CFC couples have
committed themselves to the Lord and to one another so that they
may grow in maturity as men and women of God and fulfill their

144
 primary families grounded in Christian values, in the service and
love of God.

V. Cooperatives
 A cooperative is a duly registered association of persons with a common
bond of interest, who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a lawful
common social or economic end, making equitable to contribution to the
capital required and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of
the undertaking in accordance with the universally accepted cooperative
principle. The declared purpose of the law governing cooperatives is to
foster the creation and growth of cooperatives as a practical vehicle for
promoting self-reliance and harnessing people power towards the
attainment of economic development and social justice.

Different Types of Cooperatives

Retail Cooperatives
 Retail Cooperatives are a type of “consumer cooperative” which helps
create retail stores to benefit the consumers-making the retail “our
store”. They allow consumers the opportunity to supply their own
needs, gain bargaining power, and share earnings. Retail
cooperatives are often found in small communities where local
businesses have shut down.

Worker Cooperatives
 Members of worker cooperatives are both employees of the business
as well as the owners of the cooperatives. This is one of the fastest
growing segments of the cooperatively-owned business. Possibilities
for being organized as a worker cooperative include: new business
start-ups, entrepreneurs sharing highs and lows of business or
conversion of existing business.

Producer Cooperatives
 Producer cooperatives are created by producers and owned &
operated by producers. Producers can decide to work together or as
separate entities to help increase marketing possibilities and
production efficiency. They are organized to process, market, and
distribute their own products. This helps lessen costs and strains in
each area with a mutual benefit to each producer.

Service Cooperatives

145
  Service cooperatives are a type of “consumer cooperative” which help
to fill a need in the community. They are organized to give members
more control over the services that are offered.

Housing Cooperatives
 Housing cooperatives are a type of service cooperative which provide
a unique form of home ownership. They allow home owners the
opportunity to share costs of home ownership (or building). They are
organized as an incorporated business formed by people who wish to
provide and jointly own their housing.

References:

 Cordero, E., et. al., (2000). Philippine Encyclopedia of Social Work.

Volume 2

 Fred,. (2008). Cooperatives in The Philippines: An Introduction

Accessed Date: May 1, 2019. Retrieved from https://pnl-
law.com/blog/cooperatives-in-the--an-introduction/.

 Juneja,. P. (2018). Government, Social Welfare and NGOs.

Accessed Date: April 29, 2019. Retrieved from
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/government-
social-welfare-and-ngo.htm

 Piotrowicz,. M. (2013). The role of non governmental organizations in

the social and health system. Accessed Date: April 24,
2019. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nin.gov/m/pummed123745379/

 (n.a.). (n.d.). Centers and Institution. Accessed Date: May 1, 2019.

Retrieved from
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/programs/residential-and-non-
residential-facilities/centers-and-institution/

Presenter: ATHENA JANE C. ESCOBAL

146
 Unit VII
Implication to Social Work Practice

147
 IMPLICATION TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS

I. Process/ Steps in the Helping Process

a. Identification of the Presenting Problem

-The problem is elicited at the very start because this is where data-gathering
begins and the worker uses the problem as the starting point of his search for vital
information to guide the subsequent steps he will take.

-Whether the client is a walk-in, has been referred, or reached out as one who
needs or could use social services, the process begins with intake; the first contact of
the client with a social agency through its representative, the social worker.

- The major purpose of intake are to: record identifying data about the client
such as name, age, civil status, address, family composition, and the nature of his
request where every agency has an intake sheet or prescribed form; identify the
presenting problem which is causing the most difficulty; and determine the client’s
presumptive eligibility to use a service.
b. Data- gathering

- is a critical process because it entails the gathering of comprehensive

information about all the dimensions of a problem so that the interaction of its
components can be understood.
-The purpose is to understand and determine the nature of the problem and
what resources will be required for it. Data and information may be secured primarily
from the client, the significant people in his life such as the members of his immediate
family, through observation and records, test reports, studies and evaluations of
various kinds.

- Data-gathering is an occasion for beginning exploration (studying and/or

examining) by attending to the emotional state and immediate concern manifested by
the client.

- Data-gathering runs throughout the entire process and not just the beginning
of the helping process. That is, the worker starts data- gathering with the presenting
problem asking pertinent questions about it to be able to determine what the problem
is, which becomes the focus of his and the client’s effort (diagnosis), what factors are
causing and contributing to it (analysis), so that he will be able to determine what
resources to use and are available and what intervention procedures or activities to
apply (assessment).

148
 c. Diagnostic Assessment

- Diagnoses is the worker’s professional opinion as to the nature of the need or

problem which the client presents.

-The purpose of assessment is to evaluate the individual’s capacity and

motivation to use help and his relationship to his family and its environment or to
understand a family or other small groups in its social context.
- It is a means of individualizing the person-situation configuration, an ongoing
process in which the client participates.

- Assessment starts at intake although it is limited to what is necessary to make

a tentative decision or some intervention action which is necessary. It should be based
on the case study which starts with the presenting problem. And it takes into account
the nature of the problem, factors that precipitated it, the client’s capacities and extent
of his motivation and his strengths to work on the problem.
- An assessment should show what the immediate problem is or what is causing
the present difficulty, the underlying problem or the overall situation which tends to
perpetuate the immediate problem, and the working problem composed of those
contributory factors that stand in the way of both remedy and prevention which must
be dealt with if change is to take place.
d. Planning the Intervention

- This involves goal and specific objectives setting and the determination of
strategies to be used. Plans may be immediate, near future, or long range.

- Goal is needed to provide direction to the efforts of both the worker and the
client. The first step in the planning of the problem resolution is to set up the end goal.
- Once the nature of the problem has been defined and understood, the goal
set and the resources available or accessible have been ascertained, the next step is
to explore the various ways, strategies, and approaches for accomplishing the goal.
According to Naomi Brill (n.d), the selection should be based as the following criteria:
Maximum feasibility where strategy possesses greatest chance of producing the
desired result, availability of resources where the external resources needed are
available and accessible, and workability.
e. Implementation/ Intervention
- The emphasis is on working with rather than for people.

- Implementation also requires the worker’s skill in case management, the

delivery of social services. To manage a case is to see what it needs to be done.
Effective case management requires knowledge of the available resources, skill in
utilizing these resources, in the modification of existing ones or the establishment or
creation of new ones.

149
 - It necessitates the structuring or systematic use of the support system needed
to render a high quality of service: day care centers, health clinics, schools, community
centers, barangay councils and such.

- Social treatment or plan implementation may also involve collaborative work

with other professionals both in tapping their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the
clientele and in contributing social work knowledge and skill.
f. Evaluation

- To evaluate is to measure the impact of the social worker’s intervention.

Impact refers to the difference between the pre intervention situation and/ or behavior.

-Evaluation should be based on the objectives to be achieved which have been

set up jointly by the worker and the client.

-Evaluation compasses these set of activities: identification and specification of

objectives for the intervention actions in terms of desired effects, obtaining information
as to what effects or changes were achieved, and comparing the achieved with the
desired effects so as to determine how far or sufficiently the objectives were achieved.

- Evaluation usually takes place after every major step in the treatment or
intervention phase. It enables the worker to determine the progress and readiness of
the client, the quality of the service and the client’s view of it. This task involves the
capacity to make sound judgments in relation to the agreed upon goals.
g. Termination or Continuation

- The case may be continued when the results of the action indicate that some
progress or movement has been made but not enough to satisfy either the worker or
the client.
- The case may be terminated when: the service has been completed and the
goal achieved, nothing further is to be gained by continuing, the client request
termination, referral has been made to another source for help, the change has been
stabilized and maintained and from here on the client can manage by himself.

II. Problem Definition

-A problem is a question or situation that presents uncertainty, perplexity, or

difficulty. This arises when the individuals need has not been met or there are
obstacles to its fulfillment. Listed below are the problems most often presented to
social workers in the Philippines.

a. Economic, Intellectual, and Physical Problems.

150
 1. Lack of economic and social resources- It refers to the total lack of income
or a very inadequate one. It means lack of the basic necessities of life: clothing, food,
shelter because the person has no means of livelihood, work, or job which would
assure him of an adequate and stable income.

2. Lack of education, skills, knowledge and experience- Lack of education and

employment skills close the door to better job opportunities for many Filipinos. This
lack of education prevents them from moving on to better job opportunities which
require semiskilled or skilled manpower.

3. Lack of love, care, and protection- Adults also encounter these problems and
may become alienated from their families and significant others but more so with
children and teenagers who face these problems.

4. Illness and disability- Various social, emotional, and economic stresses

accompany mental and physical illness and handicaps which in turn, often threaten
interpersonal relationships.
5. Lack of opportunities or access to resources- This group belong the idle man
and employable youth but we are singling out the disadvantaged women of whom
there is a big number. Women who are subjected to severe economic and social
disadvantages and are denied with access to services that would improve their lives
because of certain values, beliefs, and culture.
b. Psychosocial Problems

1. Emotional reaction to stress- Stress often accompanies the transition from

one phase in the life cycle to the next one. This may happen at the onset of
adolescence; that is from puberty; from adolescence to adulthood; or old age.

2. Loss of relationship- Separation from some significant relationship or set of

relationships with particular others is a source of many difficulties. Children often suffer
from much when they lose a parent due to death, separation, broken home or
abandonment.

3. Interpersonal conflict- The most common conflicts under this classification

are those within the family- between husband and wife, parent and child, between
siblings, grandparents and parents, daughters-in-law, and mothers-in-law and other
types of common relationship.

4. Culture conflict- In Philippine society, there is often conflict among persons

and between groups based on cultural differences, prejudice, discrimination, or even
language.

5. Maladaptive group functioning- This may be due to any one or a combination

of the following factors: faulty group composition, missing or confused roles, faulty
patterns of verbal and nonverbal communication, and inadequate mechanism for
making decisions and solving problems.

151
III. Strategies and Provisions

In view of the prevailing economic and social conditions in the country, social
welfare agencies do not limit themselves to material and financial assistance. Many
agencies offer other types of services to meet emerging needs.
a. Self-employment assistance program

- A scheme which provides small capital loans instead of poor relief to needy
families; under this plan they are helped to establish income- generating projects
which should lead to financial self- sufficiency.
b. Practical skills training and job placement

- This provide vocational training to help needy individuals become self-

employed or find job as wage earners.
c. Emergency assistance
- Thus do not only means immediate material aid but it includes a “food for
work” scheme to support communities seeking to repair damage caused by natural
calamities and disasters.

- These benefits include, but are not limited to: essential food, clothing, shelter
and household furnishings; temporary rental assistance or back rent or mortgage
payments; utility payments such as heat, water, electric; transportation to search for
housing; and moving expenses (Department of Human Service: Division of Family
Development, 1996-2008).
d. Day care and supplemental feeding

- This is a very popular program among NGOs. It utilizes the baranganic

approach where local communities are encouraged to set up their own centers and
nursery schools supervised by a social worker and an assistant.

- According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development,

Supplemental Feeding Program(SFP), is the provision of food in addition to the regular
meals of children currently enrolled in the Day Care Centers as part of the their early
contribution to Early Childhood Care And Development(ECCD) program of the
government (Department of Social Welfare and Development, n.d.).

e. Responsible Parenthood

- This is concerned with parent education as well as the promotion of family

planning. A responsible parenthood can be defined as the responsibilities of parents
to guide, protect and provide for the basic needs of their children. It is also defined as
the will and ability of parents to respect and do the needs and aspirations of the family
and children. Responsible Parenthood is the ability of a parent to meet and cater for

152
the needs of the family and children according to his or her capability (Civic Education-
Responsible Parenthood and Qualities of a Responsible Parent, n.d.).
f. Special Social Services

- This refers to random and foster care, probation of youth offenders, residential
services, rehabilitation of the psychologically disturbed, drug addicts and others with
psychosocial problems.

- Social services provides assistance that helps individuals and families,

particularly children, achieve physical, mental and emotional wellness. It
encompasses a broad range of services, including health care, welfare, social work,
counseling, adoption and foster services. Social services intervenes at the request of
heads of households or upon observing alarming situations within the home and
extends health care access to adults with disabilities or mental disorders, sometimes
through government programs and other times by connecting them with community
resources. Social services also helps people of all ages obtain necessities, such as
food, water and shelter (What Does Social Service Do, n.d.).

g. Alternative education

- This has been introduced recently in connection with street children whose
increase in number in the major cities of the country has reached alarming proportions.
Alternative education is any form of educational activity which responds directly to the
needs of street children: the need to know how to count money, sell newspapers, jump
off the bus while selling newspapers, warning him of dangers in the street and what
he should do instead, how to find shelter on the street, how to avoid drug pushers and
other mean characters.

153
 IMPLICATION TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

I. Identification of the Area of Intervention

1. Educational Support Intervention
 Social workers may operate in schools and other educational
institutions to provide additional academic support to
students. For example, social workers set up small groups of
students within the school to provide more attention to each
student. Students may also receive information and training
on how to prepare for a career.
2. Employment and Homelessness Intervention
 Social work interventions can also aid those who are at risk
for unemployment or homelessness. A social worker, as well
as a mental health professional, work directly with each
individual to find housing and develop skills to achieve the
goals of those people with mental illness who are leaving
shelters from becoming homeless.
3. Mental Health Intervention
 Social workers specializing in child services are trained to
recognize and respond to signs of abuse or neglect in
children. For example, interventions for the people with
depression may include antidepressant medication or the
recommendation of therapy to address their symptoms.
4. Abuse and Neglect Intervention
 Social workers specializing in child services are trained to
recognize and respond to signs of abuse or neglect in
children. In less severe case, social workers may provide
informal counseling or parental education. In more severe
cases, it will require the mandatory counseling and court
services, if failed, the child may be placed in foster care and
the parents may be prosecuted.
II. Roles of Social Worker
1. Resource Provider
 This role engages the worker in the direct provision of
material aid and other concrete resources that will be useful
in eliminating or reducing situational deficiencies such as
poverty.
2. Social Broker
 This interventive role, the worker links or connects the client
to needed services in the community. This role requires a
broad knowledge of community resources and often has to

154
 perform a variety of activities such as helper, facilitator, and
negotiator.
3. Mediator
 A mediator is a person who acts as an intermediary or
conciliator between two persons or sides. In her work with
individuals, families, groups and communities the worker has
to engage that will resolve disagreements between the client
system and other parties.
4. Enabler
 The enabler role involves the social worker in interventive
activities that will help clients find the coping strengths and
resources within themselves to solve problems they are
experiencing. The client now enables to effect the change he
needed.
5. Advocate
 The objective is to influence, in the client’s interest, another
party, usually possessing same power or authority over the
client. The advocate will argue, bargain, debate, negotiate,
and manipulate the environment on behalf of the client. The
worker may even have to utilize non-consensual strategies,
such as direct confrontation, administrative appeal, and the
use of judicial and political systems as appropriate.
6. Counselor/Therapist
 The goal of the worker who performs a counselor or therapist
role is the restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of the
client’s capacity to adapt or adjust to his current reality. The
worker has also to engage in a case-to-case approach to
solve the problem of the client. Some methods are listening,
teaching, logical discussions, direct advice and many more.
7. Mobilizer of Community Elite
 It involves the worker in activities aimed at informing and
interpreting to certain sectors of the community, the welfare
programs and services, as well as needs and problems,
within the objective of enlisting their support and involvement
in them. The sector of the community is called “elite” these
are the individuals or groups who are able to provide the
needs of its clients.

8. Documentor/Social Critique
 The social worker is employed by her agency for the purpose
of translating agency policies into service to clients. She has
an even more important responsibility that of systematically
studying practice experiences and sharing with others. The

155
 worker, as a documentor or critique is expected that she has
knowledge about how these policies, programs or services.
9. Policy/Program Change Agent
 In direct practice with client systems, being a policy/program
change advocate is where the worker takes a partisan
interest in the client and his cause. This role requires the
worker to take a stand regarding on the important issues
relating to social welfare policies and programs affecting
client populations.
III. Strategies or Approaches in Responding to the need or problem
1. Developmental Approach
 Development-oriented interventions addressing social
development concerns including subsistence levels of of
living; widespread unemployment and underemployment;
lack of or inadequate access to opportunities and services
and continuing gap between the rich and poor; population
growth; effects of urbanization; rural undevelopment; and
needs of special groups. It served as the context for the
establishment of a variety of development-oriented social
work agency programs and services in the country.
2. Psychosocial Approach
 It is aimed at prevention and enhancement as well as
restoration or rehabilitation, and is therefore applicable to
persons with actual or potential problems in psychosocial
functioning. In distinguishing characteristic of the approach
is its psychosocial orientation –with emphasis on the
relationship between psychological and social forces and the
interaction between the person, the small group of which
he/she is a member and the environment.
3. Task-Centered Approach
 Its intervention is concentrated on alleviating specific
problems which the client and practitioner agree to work on.
4. Crisis Intervention Approach
 An approach that is being used with individuals, families,
groups, and communities that are in a state of disequilibrium
because of a crisis they have experienced. It aims to prevent
psychosocial stress from becoming weak.

IV. Use of Techniques in Social Work

1. Small talk
 Refers to inconsequential conversation meaning it is not that
important and not following any consequence, used in almost
all contacts between the worker and the client at the

156
 beginning of a contact to put the worker and client, especially
the latter, at ease. It is a Filipino trait used to break the ice
especially at a contact where two persons are meeting for
the first time or had not seen each other for sometimes. In
Philippine’s culture usually the social worker is the one who
first initiate a conversation.
2. Ventilation
 This technique involves bringing to the surface the feelings
and attitudes that need to be brought out because these are
affecting the psychosocial functioning of the person
harboring them –the client. It eventually reduces the
heightened feelings of the client. Since the client is allowed
to express his feelings, the worker should be prepared to
help him in reality, deal with the problem and concentrate on
working towards change.
3. Exploration
 It is used to elicit the necessary information; to bring out
details about experiences and relationships as the client
perceives them; and to examine the feelings connected to
the relationships and experiences.

157