COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

2nd Semester Study Guide

Grade 12

2025- 2026
Community Dynamics and Community Action

The study of community entails understanding our very own community life. It gives us the idea
of how to perceive reality by becoming involved in the day-to-day process of socialization. In the
interaction process, people grasp the challenges of contemporary community life. Using the imaginative
yet rational ideals of social sciences, we sought to investigate how socialization may impact the dynamics
within the community—whether it has improved or worsened the present condition.

Lesson 1: The Community We Live In!

What is Community and Why is there a Need to study this?

Individuals having significant interaction within a specified area becomes one of the contributory
factors in forming a community. The word community was derived from the Latin word communis which
means “common” or “shared”. It may share a certain sense of place whether it is a geographical area or
through a virtual space. A geographical community is a community where members share the same
geographical vicinity such as a village, province, or neighborhood. A nongeographical community is a
community formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity, practices, and roles in social institutions such
as at home, all work, in government, in society, or in the community at large.

Communication and relationships are imperative in building community. As people communicate

and interact, relationships are fostered. It develops a pattern by which adopted in the environment.
Communities may also be in two levels: Micro-level community, a group is formed based on personal
ties. This may include groups formed for pursuing common interests or goals like forming a small
organization to hold a fund-raising activity such as concerts. At the macro level, large group affiliation is
formed such as national communities, international communities, and virtual communities. Companies
and corporations may develop various programs that would include different members across the country.
They will work on meeting certain objectives and expand on the aspect of community involvement.

Mores, values, and identity is a commonality that form culture. Hence, the interest of social
sciences focused in the study of communities. The following are the importance of studying community:

• It motivates people to work together – people feel a sense of community and recognize the
benefits of their involvement.
• encourages social, religious, or traditional obligations for mutual help
• People see a genuine opportunity to better their own lives and for the community.
• It understands policies promoting community participation that values social capital.
 • Community participation could be understood as the direct involvement of citizenry in the affairs
of planning, governance, and overall development programs at local or grassroot levels.

Understanding community life makes us value the things we have on a daily basis, social encounter
constructs reality and affects some changes within – this is Community Dynamics.

Have you noticed some recent changes in your community?

The changes in the community are brought about by social, cultural and environmental experiences
whether it is positive or negative development that impacts within the community. People adopt the
changes, and it has shaped their way of life.

Lesson 2: Importance of Community Action!

Amid the corona virus scare in the whole country, there have been various organizations who have
continuously given their efforts to at least lessen the impact in education. One of which is ERDA
Foundation Inc., a non-governmental and non-profit organization which has been in service for not less
than 45 years dedicated to helping the poor but deserving Filipino children have access to education. Read
and study the short text below.
What is Community Action?

Community Action is any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement and empowerment
of communities for the intention of giving services to people.

There are 3-key points in grasping the definition more meaningful:

• Understanding – raise an awareness about certain communal issues that needs to be addressed.
People develop the feeling of involvement once they truly comprehend the situation within. They
come together to support advocacies that will overcome community needs and difficulties.
 • Engagement – Once issues are assessed properly and people in the community understand the
needs, they work collaboratively to act on it. The main goal of engaging in the community is to
improve the partnership and coalitions among the community. It is important that engagement
occurs so that members will be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they have
created.
• Empowerment – enable the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action to control
the situation they have in the community. This means, initiative and decisions come from internal
group organized for the benefit of everyone. It is also necessary that the community can provide
significant networks and linkages that will genuinely serve the advocacies that they have built.

Hence, the study of community action is imperative in the field of social sciences and other related
disciplines as it lays on the foundation that individuals and families – as basic unit, are embedded in
different social structures that shape the behaviors in the system. Having knowledge in community action
makes an individual understand better by being aware in the environment, have meaningful engagement
and accept empowerment to create significant impact.

Activity 1: Answer the following questions. (deadline: January 14, 2025)

1. As social science student, do you think it is necessary to study community? Why do you think so?
2. Can the dynamics in the community affect the lives of the people? If yes, why? How? If not, why
not?
3. Can the community facilitate action for their own community? What is your idea about this?
4. Is it possible that we consider individuals in the community as social capital? Why? Why not?
5. Is it necessary to study community action along the field in social science? Why?

Assignment 1: (deadline: January 21, 2025)

Awareness on community and community dynamics makes us realize the value of individuals’
involvement in different communal undertakings. Social capital strengthens the community link and
create a diverse network. It entails us to understand external resources that may be beneficial in the
development process aspired by the community leaders.

Research about non-governmental, non-profit organizations and write their vision, mission, goals
and objectives focused on community development and community dynamics. Identify their plan of
action in order to attain the VMGOs
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNITY

Definition of Community Across Different Perspectives

The Social Science Perspective

“Social Science” is an umbrella term for various fields of study which examines social relations and
human society. It views the community as composed of people interacting with one another, sensitive to
each other’s emotions and subjective point of view. Basically, it describes “community as a group of
people in a particular area interacting together.”

The following are disciplines in social sciences that related to the idea of community:

Anthropology - This field examines the various aspects of humans, such as their biology, behavior,
culture and social interactions. It may also study how people adapt their ways of living to different
environments e.g, determining ways to help a community solve health related concerns.

This can be addressed by understanding the situation through interacting with the people in the
community. Connecting its history with its present condition., end eventually solving the community
concern.

Economics - This field studies the production, allocation and consumption of goods and services. In any
community, one finds various forms of wealth distribution. The ultimate goal of economics is to improve
the lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied.

Political Science - The field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power, influence,
decision-making. This includes types of governments and management systems, and how people in small
bands or informal groups make decisions when they do not have recognized leaders. All communities
have some forms of political system.

Psychology - This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior. This extends to
interaction between people and interpersonal relationships. It comprises a variety of different subfields
including abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and social psychology.
Psychology in general is most often associated with the study, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.

Sociology - This field is the study of society, social order, social interactions, and culture. It introduces
the concepts of social capital and communitarianism. Social capital is defined as the networks of
relationship among people who live and work in a particular society for the effective functioning of the
community. The concept of communitarianism explains the connection between the individual and the
community. Every person has a special role in one’s society, and it’s part of human nature to relate with
other people in various conditions or situations.

Civil Society Perspective

Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in service to society. This perspective
views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity. Examples
include people’s organization, civic organization, and social movements.

This is considered the affective model of community since a sense of belonging is achieved due to the
collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving the humanity. Groups of people come together
regardless of location and organize plans to render support and assistance to society.

Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS CBN Foundation, Ayala Red Cross
Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Caritas Manila. The human right movement, on
the other hand, is an example of social movement.

Local and Grassroots Perspectives

This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of communities may involve themselves in various
programs or activities. The community uses self-organization and encourages the local citizens to
contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions.

Leaders and other members identify the sources of concerns in a local setting and determine ways to
address these problems. Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government decision-makers who
will be accountable for their actions. The community also formulates programs for others and employs
actions according to the needs of the community.

A concrete example of this is when doctors and dentists in different communities come together to
organize medical and dental missions especially for families affected by calamities. The youth who are
full of spirit and energy are often excited to engage themselves in outdoor activities. Immersing
themselves in farming and fishing and taking part in the planting of trees and crops will serve a
meaningful experience for them.

Institutional Perspective

The institutional perspective views the community in three different dimensions. Study the diagram
below:
 FIRST DIMENSION It is an existing establishment or physical space
where members of the community go for a certain
purpose.
SECOND DIMENSION It is the institutional community as a social model.
This is defined by networks and institutions where
community group are formed in certain areas such
as schools, churches or companies.
THIRD DIMENSION Community is composed of the ways people act,
interact with each other, react, and expect each
other to act and interact.

Activity 1: Answer the following questions. (deadline: January 21, 2024)

1. What is the institutional perspective?

2. Is it an important perspective in studying the community? Why? Why not? How do you think
each dimension relates to each other?
3. In the second dimension, it is considered as the social model. What do you understand in this
dimension?
4. Cite an existing present situation wherein the social model is evident. Explain.
FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNITY

Understanding Community through its Dynamics

Leaders are important figures that will guide the members to carry out the plans in pursuit of the
group’s objectives. The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans and better
implementation of programs.

In the Philippines, the government provides several levels of leadership, from the president and
vice-president, including other government officials at the national and in the local levels such as mayors,
congressmen, and governors. They are appointed based on qualifications, attitude and most often, through
the votes of the residents. It is otherwise known as Formal Power Structure because they are individuals
from whose authority is based on formal rules appointed by the government.

There are also people who are appointed because of their ability to lead, direct or achieve without
an official leadership title. They are known as Informal Power Structure. They are popular to others as
influencers who can lead others with the most influence. Informal power comes, not from an official
position, but from the respect and appreciation one has earned from the members of a group. This respect
and appreciation allow the individual to influence his or her peers in a way that others within the group
cannot. Examples are managers, supervisors, philanthropists, businessmen, producers and even
employees who lead their group as likable and charismatic leaders.

Legal authoritative decision-makers, on the other hand, are individuals or bodies whose
authority is based on formal rules and institutions. They are appointed because of their intelligence,
reputations, decision-making, dictation from laws and policies and connections. Examples are the
appointments made by the president of the country through his/her Powers of Appointment as stated in
the constitution or with the consent of the Commission on Appointments like the heads of the executive
departments, board of members and its leaders from any national government-related institutions,
ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, etc.

The aforementioned (3) power dynamics are part of individual dimensions of community which
could be:

1. Interrelationship- community leaders are with direct relation with you through familial
relations, affinities or feeling of kinship, and social network, and
2. Organization- they could be part of an institution or an association, that has a particular
purpose in our community.
Activity 1. Community Leaders, Community Builders! Can you give me the power dynamics of the
following community leaders as well as their individual dimensions and a short description of the kind of
work they do in your community?

A. Barangay Captain

Power Dynamics:
Individual Dimension:
Job Description:
B. Social Workers

Power Dynamics:
Individual Dimension:
Job Description:
C. Local Farmer

Power Dynamics:
Individual Dimension:
Job Description:
Understanding the Community through its Structures

Awareness of the essential aspects of the community is necessary in aiding the residents to reflect
on ways to be positively involved in its improvement. The poet John Donne famously said, “No man is an
island,” referring to humanity’s interconnectedness and the belief that humans are always social beings.

Being aware of the structure of the community and exploring its aspects will help you understand
the necessary measures that should be undertaken to serve as an active member of a community and as
future leaders of the community. The following are the aspects of community and the factors to explore.

1. Local Politics
• Structure of government
• Decision-making power and control
• Major issues currently in debate
2. Demographics
• Population size (total number of people)
• Population density (ratio of people to the space they inhabit)
• Heterogeneity (the extent to which community members have diverse characteristics)
• Ethnic groups
• Names given to various parts of the community
• Areas known for having their own characteristics (ex: industrial area, blue-collar
families)
• Isolation from or closeness to other communities
• History of the area
• Changes and development
3. Geography and environmental influence
• the community’s physical environment
• the community’s location and proximity to highways, bodies of water or mountains
• existence of recreational areas concerns regarding environment hazards such as
pollution, power shortages, among others
4. Beliefs and Attitudes
• cultural values, traditions and beliefs of various segments of the population
• spiritual and political values of the residents
• available social agencies and the help they can extend
• perceptions of residents as part of the community.
5. Local economy and businesses
• businesses, factories and other sources of employment that characterize the community
• nature of business (owned by local residents or government) 6. Income distribution
• public assistance benefits available to residents
• median income level of residents
• income levels and corresponding percentage of population.
6. Income distribution
• public assistance benefits available to residents
• median income level of residents
• income levels and corresponding percentage of population.
7. Housing • housing conditions
• population density
• types of housing
• ownership and status of houses (rental, real estate, etc)
8. Educational facilities and programs
• Education system
• Extent of community support
• Existence of public and private schools
• Adherence to the intended curriculum of the Department of Education
• attention to special population (e.g., children with special needs) and to cultural
differences.
• extent to which education brings out the best in the children (participation in
competitions, profile of graduates, training students holistically)
• adequate preparation for adults to enter the labor force
9. Health and Welfare Systems
• adequate numbers of health professionals and specialists
• social service programs
• respect of service providers to the needs and values of minority populations
• availability of fire and police protection
• safety of the environment
• the residents’ view on public safety and justice system.
10. Sources of information and public opinion
 • presence of TV and radio stations and newspapers which provide the people information
and perspectives on current events
• community organizations’ capacity to update residents on important information
• the capacity of the sources of information to enhance the residents’ skills to promote
positive change
• the presence of community leaders who speak for various marginalized subgroups.
11. Summary Assessment of Community Issues
• overall assessment of community’s functioning
• dealing with social problems (youth gangs, poverty, abuse)
• gaps in social, health care, and other community and educational services
TYPOLOGIES OF COMMUNITIES

Formal and Informal Communities

The table below details the differences between formal and informal community. An example of a formal
community is a business firm, where people are assigned, positions based on their job descriptions and
functions. One example of an informal organization is a group of jogging enthusiasts who meet once a
week at the city park.

Formal Informal
The group is created as per official authority, The group is formed according to the likes,
fulfill certain goals or objectives interests, and attitudes of the members
The group possesses a systematic hierarchical The group has a loose structure, and the members
structure join to satisfy their social needs
The position of the member defines his/her Every member is important as any other member
importance in the group
There is professional relationship among members There is a personal relationship among members
The flow of communication is restricted due to The flow of communication stretches in all
the chain of command directions

Social Space is defined as a physical or virtual space which members of the community visit or
where they stay. Some examples of social space include the social center, online social media, or other
gathering spaces where people gather or interact.

Some social spaces are owned by the government, such as town squares, parks, and beaches.
These are spaces generally open and accessible to people. Private social spaces, on the other hand, are
owned and regulated regularly, such as shopping malls. These social spaces may be used by community
residents for their gatherings or simple recreation activities.

Rural-Urban Communities

Communities may be located in either rural or urban areas. These areas have distinct characteristics.

The following are the three general characteristics of rural areas:

a. Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire community, and
they tend to live far apart from each other.
b. The area is situated geographically distant from larger urban areas.
c. Each area typically specializes in a particular form of livelihood, such as farming.

Characteristics of urban areas are as follows:

a. There is higher population density, with more diverse subgroups (ethnic, racial cultural, age,
sexual orientation)
b. Various industries and businesses are found in the areas.
c. A large portion of people lived in rented apartments or homes.
d. Transportation is readily available although this may be costly
e. Urban areas are highly developed with many buildings and structures
f. Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas
g. The large population gives rise to close interactions among many people as well as more intense
political involvement among citizens. There are also various sectors in different communities.

Community sectors are various groups or subdivisions of the larger community divided based on
characteristics such as political, economic, cultural, and religious beliefs. The various sectors that
exist in all communities may be categorized according to the following sectors with their inclusions:

1. Health -medical and mental health professionals; pharmacists and pharmacies; hospitals and
other in-patient facilities, clinics, non-traditional health practitioners; public health agencies and
systems
2. Education - public and private preschools, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, school
committees, school administrators, teachers, other educational institution employees; parents,
students, state board of education; adult basic education (ABE) and English as Second or Other
Language (ESOL) programs
3. Law Enforcement -the local and state police, the court system- judges, probation officers,
prosecutors, court appointed defense lawyers, court-mandated program for offenders.
4. Government - regional, provincial, state, local, and tribal government bureaucracies, agencies,
and officials, both elected and appointed.
5. Business - from the self-employed carpenter to the multinational corporation with a local facility.
6. Youth - youth themselves (generally viewed as ages 18 and younger) and those who work
directly with them (youth violence prevention and outreach programs, Big Brother/Big Sister,
Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, scouting, etc.) parents, human service, culture, and sports/recreation
sectors.
7. The Media - newspapers and magazines, radio, and TV, vast array of blogs, videos, online news,
and other materials available on the internet.
8. Human Services - non-profit professional and volunteer organizations that provide free and
affordable services such as job training, food, shelter, elder services, services for individuals with
physical or mental disabilities, support and advocacy for immigrants, among others.
9. Religion - places of worship and their members, religious organizations (e.g. Knights of
Columbus, CBCP) of all faiths, may include the hierarchy of a national church as well (a Roman
Catholic archbishop, for instance)
10. Service/Fraternal Organization - the Lions, Masons, Rotary, Kiwanis, and other local and
national or international service organizations, college fraternities/sororities or other local and
national social clubs, as well veterans’ organizations and the like.
11. Community Activist Volunteer Groups - individuals for or against political issue, supportive of
existing institutions (“Friends of” the local park, a school playground volunteer corps), oriented
toward economics (groups that volunteer to help non-profit and small business owners with
financial and business plans), or more generally concerned with the quality of community life
(e.g. organizers of community festivals)
12. Culture - artists such as musicians, dancers and choreographers, writer, actors and directors,
designers and visual artists, as well as arts organizations, theaters, orchestras, museums, galleries,
and those who work as support staff in the arts- stagehands, cameramen, electricians, set builders,
etc.; regular consumers and supporters of the arts.
13. Housing Development - both public and private non-profit housing agencies and organizations
that provide rent subsidies and/or affordable housing, as well as developers who build market-rate
and upscale residential and commercial properties. May include everyone from fair housing
advocates to those who own and/ or manage urban real estate worth millions of pesos.
14. Sports and Recreation - sports clubs, town or county recreation departments, amateur and
professional athletic associations, public and private sports and recreation facilities, gyms,
coaches, personal trainers, recreation leaders, and camp directors, as well those who participate in
these groups as athletes, spectators, or supporters.
15. The Environment - individual environmentalists, international, national, and local environmental
organizations, conservation land trusts, recreational hunters and fishermen, rock climbers and
mountaineers, wildlife biologists and botanists, ecologists, hikers, canoers/kayakers, and other
outdoor people, hydrologists (water specialists), those who make a living from a pristine or
carefully managed environment.
16. Agriculture - confined to rural areas, may also include dairy farmers, cheesemakers, winemakers
and vineyards, and food processors and packers, including all consumers of the food produced.
Local and Global Communities

A local community is characterized by close social integration and physical proximity. Moreover,
a local community is defined as a group of people sharing the same environment and conditions intent,
belief, resources, preferences, and needs and risks. These factors may affect the identities of the
individuals as well as the community’s degree of cohesiveness.

In addition, a local community may consist of business operators, public agency staff, residents
with interactions that may include sharing of resources, information, and assistance. Commercial
relationships may also be present between local businesses and consumers.

The global community, on the other hand, is a system characterized by integration and interaction
between individuals and groups away from each other in time or space or both. The word “global” refers
to the nation of the world considered closely connected by modern telecommunication, though they are
economically, socially and politically independent (Sebastian, 2009, and dictionary.com)

The domains and certain aspects of the local and global communities intertwine. Establishments,
programs, and other events that started in the local setup may eventually grow to have a global presence,
such as the Jollibee fast food chain.

Proposed plans and programs in the local community, when implemented successfully, may reach
the global community, and gain traction there as well such as outreach activities, programs during
calamities etc.
Activity 1: A blast from my past visits!

Let us be specific in describing a rural and urban community that you had visited by illustrating that
specific community and by emphasizing in your illustration at least three (3) prominent sectors that you
remembered in your visit. Make use of a symbol e.g. cross at the roof of a church refers to Catholic
Church. Then, briefly explain the characteristics of each community and the roles played by each sector in
the community that you have drawn.

Rural Community

Urban Community
Activity 2: What I want to share to the World!

What program do you plan to propose in your local community and in what ways can you promote this
globally? This could be part of our culture, beliefs, innovations, people etc. These could also be part of
practices that we can do as outreach programs or to eliminate damages from any state of calamity- (This
activity is adopted from the same topic of the book entitled Community Engagement, Solidarity and
Citizenship for Senior High School of Ava Ann P. Semorlan, Ph.D. and Adrian P. Semorlan, MPA,
MHSS, Ed. D.)

Use the template in answering the activity. A sample is already written for you. poverty, natural/typhoons
etc. Think of how the program you are about to propose may benefit people nationally and internationally.

Local Community Program

Ex. Veggie Indoor Gardening - this is a projected program to be proposed in the community where the
main goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle through planting as well maintaining vegetable plants in every
home.

Benefit to the Local Community Benefit to the Global Community

• Promotes healthy lifestyle by exercising • Promotes healthy lifestyle by exercising the

the body while gardening and consuming body while gardening and consuming the
the veggies they grow. veggies they grow.
• It could be a hobby for the entire family. • They can make this as a hobby, according to
• Some could also earn a living by selling Kim Hayes, AARP on her article about
vegetables. It shall help in eliminating gardening it helps fight dementia and cure
poverty in our community, making the loneliness.
family work together for them to maintain • Some could also earn a living by selling
indoor vegetables. vegetables. It shall help in eliminating
• Makes the family more self-sufficient poverty in our community.
especially during trying times. • Making the family work together for them to
maintain indoor vegetables.
* Makes the family more self-sufficient
especially during trying times

Promoting to Global Perspective

• Modelling/ behavior and action to start at home and then seeks the help of local community
leaders to do the same.
• Submitting a letter/proposal to the local community leaders so that they could make a resolution
for it.
• Promotion thru internet, encouraging friends and their social networks to do the same
• Making others in the global community see the benefits of indoor gardening thru the help of social
media
COMMUNITY ACTION
People will always be fascinated by the power of communities which are vital to improve our lives. To
relate to each other and become a unified body of individuals give us more opportunities to reach our
goals, make us feel safe and secure, and most importantly, provide us the privilege to lend our hands to
others. As a 21st century learner, community involvement is crucial to mold your whole being.

ACTIVITY 1 Video Analysis

You will watch a video about community project called “3Rs: Replay, Relive, Recreate” for the
empowerment of local human resources. The project is intended as intervention to victims of Typhoon
Yolanda in Leyte through sports development.

Sports Management Council of the Philippines, “Replay, Relive, Recreate in Tacloban: Community
Engagement through Sports,” December 14, 2015. http://sportphil.com/replay-relive-recreatein-tacloban-
community-engagementthrough-sports/ Video Credits: Sports Management Council of the Philippines
YouTube Channel.

Try to analyze the video in relation to understanding community action. You can access the video through
this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_6quF_sJ4.

Write your analysis in your notebook guided by the processing questions below.

1. Based on the video, how will you define community action and community engagement?
2. What do you think is the impact of the project to the community?
3. Given the interventions provided by people in the video, why do you think community action is
important?
Community Action refers to collective efforts done by people directed towards addressing social
problems in order to achieve social well-being. In dealing with community action, it involves a lot of
activities and processes that increases the understanding, engagement and empowerment of communities
in the design and delivery of services to the community. Tree planting is an example of community action
initiatives which aims to promote environmental awareness and prevention program for natural disasters
such as flood. The community builds collective effort to address the problem. This is why community
action helps build community by sharing community members’ knowledge, skills, and ideas.

You can see in the video above how community action works in communities of Tacloban, Leyte affected
by Typhoon Yolanda in 2014. Different people are involved in their psychosocial program through
sports-based activities. You can also notice that their program has a goal to accomplish. They capacitate
individuals to utilize physical activities such as sports game and later on contribute to community resilient
society. For this program initiative to happen, it is important to know the following elements of
community action: Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship.

Community engagement refers to the process of developing partnerships and sustaining relationships
with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest for the purpose of
working for the common good and addressing issues that affect their well-being. What makes community
engagement a very rewarding experience is the amount of enthusiasm coming from all participants. This
means that everyone in the community participates. You can notice in the video that there is an active
participation between young individuals who are provided with sports project and different institutions
which initiated the project in the community. It is a factor for community members to engage in this type
of activities especially when they know that it will bring impact to the community. All partner
stakeholders including community members should work hand in hand for the success of community
projects.

The goals of community engagement are:

1. To build trust;
2. To enlist new resources and allies;
3. To create better communication, and
4. To improve overall health outcomes as successful projects, evolve into lasting collaborations.
With community engagement, the diversity and the number of identified stakeholders can be expected to
increase. Similarly, the sports activities presented in the video created a multiplier effect not just only in
young students but also among teachers and school institutions.

What holds these people to work together is the value of solidarity. Solidarity is essential to the success
of community action. Solidarity is defined as a unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among
individuals with a common interest and mutual support within a group. One important aspect portrayed in
the video are the victims of disaster which affected not only the people’s socio-economic condition, but
also the psychological effect it brings to young individuals. We have seen the responses of government,
private sectors and other civil society organizations for community action to take effect. This will not be
possible without solidarity. It is the bond that unites the community member to engage and participate in
the community with the same interest. In the context of the video clip, they unified themselves to engage
the people in sports as viable intervention to victims of disaster.

Another community action initiative is the element of citizenship. We involve ourselves to different
activities in the community because we are bounded by the duties and obligations as citizens. Citizenship
is defined as legal status defined by civil, political and social rights. This means that a person is free to act
according to the law and having the right to claim the law’s protection. In the context of the Philippines,
we have given our own individual rights and privileges with a much stronger sense of individual,
collective and communitarian duties and obligations. We have our civic obligations as Filipino citizen to
be responsible with our kapwa Pilipino. Being a citizen requires us to have moral obligations with our
community to build a peaceful and humane society. The implementation of simple projects in our
community such as outreach programs for underprivileged children, waste segregation, etc., are actions
that fulfill our civic obligation us citizen. Unfortunately, our society seems to suffer from an excess of
selfish individualism where one becomes uninterested with what is happening around. Amid the different
crisis happening in our country, it is an opportunity for us to practice our civic obligation to our Filipino
brothers and sisters even in just our own little effort. At the end, we are all citizens of this country who
need to help one another in working to have better communities.
PERFORMANCE TASK 1: You will create a comical skit/comic about a community action. Show how
it made impact to the lives within the community. Please use the rubric below.

Rubric:

Criteria Description Points

Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed 6
Content Important concepts were highlighted and explained 7
Presentation The idea was clearly presented based on the comic 7
presentation
TOTAL 20
SELF-INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY ACTION

It is important to understand the relationship between the self and the community. Every person
feels that he or she is dependent upon the community. The success of community action lies in the
involvement of a person to his or her social environment. As a student, you do not only live on your own
but also you have moral obligation to fulfill in the community process. This brings us to the classic saying
that no man can live as an island.

We have discussed in the previous topic about the meaning of community action and its
importance in the development of society. We have also tackled that for community action to happen, we
have to recognize the notion of community engagement, solidarity, and our civic obligations as citizens.

To further understand community action, there is an interrelationship of our self and community.
Our self and the community have connections which cannot be separated. Am I willing to engage myself
in the community? Do all my community members agree on certain actions we would like to implement
in the community? Who will benefit if we work together? These are important questions when we intend
to work for community action. As an individual, we are always connected and tied up to our community.
We tend to make actions not just individually but collectively to respond to the problem we encounter.
Community problems are problems that concern a large number of people. In other words, if there is a
problem affecting the community, we are the ones directly experiencing the problem. We create and make
solutions instead of being silent about it. Similar with the photos above, we can see that a group of
individual take actions in order to resolve an issue. They come up with immediate solutions such as tree
planting, feeding program and relief operations depending upon the needs of the community. We involve
ourselves as an individual through engaging in the community and be a part of the solution.

However, in trying to engage in the community, it is important for you to understand yourself
first because you are continually influencing and shaping the process of helping those most affected by a
problem. Ask yourself:

• What motivates me?

• Why am I participating?
• What do I want to achieve?
• How will I react to different people and situations?
• How committed am I?
• How much am I willing to do?
 If these questions are clear to you, then you have no worries to get yourself involve in the big
picture of community engagement. As discussed previously, it is essential to note the value of solidarity
in undertaking community action. It is the one that will unify your interest to help with what the
community wants to attain. For example, a barangay wanted to end malnutrition rate among children. Our
interest to help the barangay to end malnutrition rate is not only the concern of few people but of a large
number of constituents. We have to unite people affected by the problem to get involved in making
solutions. This enable to fasten the implementation of intervention projects to malnutrition problem and
see its impact. Hence, solidarity creates an environment in which mutual service is encouraged.

To show solidarity in the community, here are some of the roles you can have to involve yourself:

• Get involved in planning processes like creating goals or defining the problem.
• Donate money or help out with a fundraising effort.
• Volunteer to staff the office, answer phones, put together mass mailings, or make phone
calls.
• Doing research, writing grant proposals, or handling correspondence.
• Attend public events like community hearings, or fundraising events.
• Serve on committees that focus on specific problems or activities.
• Take leadership roles in a community partnership.

Involving yourself to community action can be complex. Every community is different, with
diverse social and cultural backgrounds. This brings you to a challenging task on how to involve more
people to participate in community engagement aside from ourselves. There are two important ways to
involve people affected by a problem in helping them to be aware and solve the problem. First, you can
listen to them so that you have a better understanding about the causes of the problem. Second, they can
become involved through participation in the program initiatives that are being developed by empowering
them to tackle the problems they confront.

The spirit of volunteerism is also an important aspect that you have to consider to engage in the
community. Volunteerism is a basic expression of human relationships. It is about people’s need to
participate in their societies and to feel that they matter to others. Volunteers have come to the forefront in
helping with natural disasters, advancing human rights, and touching lives to eliminate poverty and
improve basic health and education.

We all need to serve our community. Although you may initially see doing service as restrictive
or as a sacrifice, the reality is that it is liberating and fulfilling. You become part of something bigger and
better; creating an environment in which the members can be successful.
 Activity 1: Quotation Interpretation

In 3 sentences, explain the quotation “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” given
by Spider-Man. Relate it to your role and responsibility in community action.

Activity 2: Photo Analysis

There are different pictures below. What can you say about them? Describe their similarities
guided by the rubric below

Jurgenne H. Primavera, “The Mangrove Ecosystem,” ScienceDirect, 2019

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/ea rth-and-planetary-sciences/communityparticipation

Katerina Francisco, “No hungry child: Malabon’s feeding program aims to fight malnutrition,”
Rappler, September 14, 2017. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/issues/hunger/182026-malabon-
feedingprogram-fight-malnutrition
Tania Branigan and Kate Hodal, “Typhoon Haiyan: frustration at slow pace of relief effort,” The
Guardian, November 15, 2013. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/14/typhoo n-
haiyan-relief-effort-stalls-philippines

1. What is the message being conveyed by the photos?

2. Did the actions of different people in the pictures affect you as an individual? Why?
3. As a student, how can you show your active involvement in your community?
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community needs vital roles of each member to promote wholeness and significantly progress as
it traverses in today’s naturally chaotic society. Community development has its contributory factor which
are the different forms of community engagement develop through solidarity among every member.

A community of people who are experiencing the same situation tends to connect with each other
and pursue a common goal and action.

Our national government is facing with several scenarios in which there must be promotion of the
different forms of community engagement among every Filipinos. Every household should be given
community education on how to combat the recent COVID-19 pandemic in assuring the safety of their
family members. In the barangay level, there must be adequate community organizations to uplift the
quality standard of living of their constituents. In order to establish a better relationship in the community,
deliberative dialogue should be in consideration among officials and the members of the community.
Every issues shall be weighed both the positive and negative sides to achieve a better solution. One of the
better solution in this time of pandemic is to offer direct service and addressing the needs of the poor.
Basic commodities are given at a reasonable price so that all can afford to buy. Relief goods are
distributed to every households to augment their basic needs. Our government can sustain to give
financial aid to every Filipinos since our economy will be affected. Economic development is still the
main priority of our government. Jobs and businesses have been opened again to ensure income, and
uplift our national economy. Still, Inter Agency Task Force prioritize the health of the people by ensuring
the health protocols and engaged research with the World Health Organization in the fight against
COVID-19. “Let us Heal As One”, a theme initiated in relation to this crisis we are facing, such is our
institutional engagement to promote solidarity and sustain in helping the government combat different
problems.

We have been affected by many problems as we traverse in this chaotic environment. Every
family and government officials should work together in helping address community issues.

Activity 1: DOCUMENTARY FILM ANALYSIS

DIRECTION: You choose from the episodes shown on any documentaries you viewed which portrayed
forms of community engagement in attaining community development through solidarity among the
members in the particular place. The following are the steps for your documentary film analysis:

1. Write the title and a short detail of the episode.

2. Answer the following guide questions:
a. What is the impact of community engagement in attaining community development?
b. Who is the main proponent of the community development?
c. Why is solidarity necessary in attaining the target goals?
The core values of community action; human rights, social equity, gender equality and;
participatory development.

The Philippine Constitution of mandates in its preamble the building “of a just and humane society and
establishing a government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good,
conserve and develop our patrimony and secure to ourselves and our country the blessings of
independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality,
and peace.

Core Values of Community Action

The supreme and overarching value that characterizes education is human dignity: the value of the person
is of infinite value.

1. Being physical (made of matter), he must maintain health and harmony with nature.
2. Being spiritual (capable of higher concerns and of rising above the material), he must cultivate a
global spirituality which essentially connects him with God and the whole Earth community.
3. Being intellectual (gifted with mind, the faculty of knowing), he must constantly search for the
truth. He seeks knowledge that would transform society and the world. At the same time he
maintains a tolerant and open disposition of the mind.
4. Being moral (endowed with the faculty of freely choosing and loving) he must go out to others
and in fact to all humanity in love.
5. Being social (living in a community), he must help build peace and justice in our society, through
the pursuit of family solidarity as well as the common good and well-being of the larger society.
He must also cultivate respect for human rights and activate non-violence.
6. Being economic (bound to concerns of production and consumption), he must help achieve the
goal of a more human and sustainable development for the community.
7. Being political (relating to the conduct of political affairs within the nation and the world), he
must cultivate his sense of nationalism and globalism. For the former, love of country and
national unity are foremost concerns while for the latter, global solidarity and peace are the
fundamental goals.

The foregoing are values pertaining to the person as self; indeed, the human being must achieve integral
self-development by cultivating his human faculties to the fullest possible. In fact, however, these values
are actualized in society.

A. Human Rights
Human rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity,
language, religion, or any others status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom
from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and
many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

What are Human Rights?

- Human rights are legal rights, safely enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
various human rights covenants, conventions, treaties, and declarations, regional charters,
national constitutions, and laws.
- Human rights are rights which are inherent to protect the dignity of a human being. They
provide the values, principles, and standards that are essential to safeguard our dignity and
natures as human beings-hence, the right to be human.

What are some myths and misconceptions about Human Rights?

• Human rights are Western and alien to many cultures.

• Economic, social, and cultural rights are not true rights.
• Human rights overemphasize the individual over the community.
• Human rights overemphasize rights over responsibilities.
• Human rights encourage adversarial and litigious approaches over age one word and
consensus.
• Human rights favor the status quo over social change.

What are the fundamental Principles of Human Rights?

• Universal. Everyone should enjoy human rights without discrimination.

• Inalienable. Human rights are inalienable. They should not be taken away, except in
specific situations according to due process. For example the right to liberty may be
restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law.
• Interdependent and indivisible. All human rights are indivisible, whether they are civil
and political rights. Such as the right to life, quality before the law and freedom of
expression; economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, social
security and education, or collective rights, such as the rights to development and self-
determination, are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. The improvement of one
rights facilitates advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right
 adversely affects the others. Certain rights cannot be sacrificed in favor of other rights
because taken together, these rights make human beings whole.
• Inviolable. Human rights are irreducible elements of one’s humanity cannot be abrogated
or violated. Unless determined by law and solely for the purpose of securing the
recognition and respect for the rights of others and of meeting the just requirements of the
general welfare, morality, and public order in a democratic society.
• Human rights entail both rights and obligations. States assume obligations and duties
under international law to respect, to protect, and to fulfill human rights. The obligation
to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment
of human right. The obligation to protect requires States to protect individuals and groups
against human rights abuses. The obligation to fulfill means that State must take positive
action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. At the individual level, while we
are entitled our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others.

B. Social Equity
Equity is fairness vis-à-vis equality. Social equity is concerned with justice and fairness of social
policy. Since 1960s, the concept of social equity has been used in a variety of institutional
contexts, including education and public administration.
The concept of social equity can be traced back to the works of Aristotle and Plato. Equity in old
societies involves the role of public administrators, who are responsible for ensuring that social
services are delivered equitably. This implies taking into account historical and current
inequalities among groups. Fairness is dependent on this social and historical context

C. Gender Equality
Refers to the equal valuing of the roles of women and men. It works to overcome the barriers of
stereotypes and prejudices because of equal conditions for realizing their full human rights and
potential to contribute to national, political, economic, social and cultural development. It is also
known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, equal ease of access to resources and
opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; state
of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender. Empowerment
of women equitable access to resources, power.

D. Participatory Development
 Seeks to engage local populations in development projects. Participatory development has taken a
variety of forms since it emerged in the 1970’s, when it was introduced as an important part of
the “basic needs approach” to development. Most manifestations of public participation in
development seek “to give poor a part in initiatives designed for their” in the hopes that
development projects will be more sustainable and successful if local populations are engaged in
development process.
Participatory development has become an increasingly accepted method of development practice
and is employed by a variety of organizations. It is often presented as an alternative to
mainstream “top-down” development. There is some question about the proper definition of
participatory development as it varies depending on the perspective applied. Two perspective that
can define participatory development are the “Social Movement Perspective” and the
“Institutional Perspective”.

E. Empowerment
Is an enabling and interacting process and a process of change. Requisites/elements: an enabling
environment human rights, expanded choices, institutions, attitudes, values, civil society
organizations, subject individual or groups or policies.

Activity 1: Think It! Write it Up!

Direction: Go online and search: The core values of community action; human rights, social equity,
gender equality and; participatory development. Answer the following questions: Use separate sheet of
paper for your answer.

1. What were the core values interested in acquiring? Do you think that these core values are still
relevant in our time? Why?
2. Do you think knowledge of core values of community action, human rights, social equity, gender
equality and participatory development (and how they should be performed properly) should be
part of our education? Why?
3. What for you should one know to be considered an educated person?
Strategies of empowerment and advocacy of a community action initiative

Empowerment

Empowerment has been the subject of widespread and often thoughtful and careful theorizing,
study, and application in the fields of social work, community psychology, health promotion, and
organizational studies. Empowerment has been defined as an intentional ongoing process centered in the
local community, involving mutual respect, critical reflection, caring, and group participation, through
which people lacking an equal share of valued resources gain greater access to and control over those
resources; or a process by which people gain control over their lives, democratic participation in the life
of community, and critical understanding of their environment (Perkins & Zimmerman, 1995)

Elements in those definitions are that empowerment: (1) is a process, (2) occurs in communities
(and, I would add, in organizations), (3) involves active participation, (4) critical reflection, awareness,
and understanding (i.e., consciousness raising about the influence of powerful political and economic
structures and interests), (5) most difficult but important of all, I will argue, access to, and control over,
important decisions and resources.

However, is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This
enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own
authority.

Empowerment and Advocacy

Empowerment and advocacy are social democratic practices that enable people to overcome barriers and
contribute to practice a focus on social justice. They enable social workers to help give people changes to
better understand and change their lives.

Community Advocacy

Community advocacy, sometimes referred to as non-statutory advocacy or generic advocacy, is

preventative approach that enables people to be active citizens and self-advocate in regards to decision
affecting their lives.

Community Action Initiative (CAI)

Community action initiative was created to support community-led projects that promote mental health,
prevent substance use problems and promote effective treatment and support for individuals and families
experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.
The importance of commitment and action in participatory development for community well-being.

Commitment

It entails dedication, ability to work hard and bear infinite fortitude. Staying committed to your goal is
one of the most fundamental principles of success. The goals can vary from leading a healthier life,
having a better relationship, or approaching result in work, but commitment remains an essential
ingredient. When you only commit to the people and things that are truly important to you, your career, or
your company, the results are that your relationships will improve, you will be more successful in
achieving your goals, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your journey. Your commitment does not end
with the decision.

Participatory Development

The addressing the importance of participatory development, it states that stimulating productive energies
of people in productive processes, and a more equitable sharing of their benefits, must become more
central elements in development strategies and development. The core aims of participatory development
planning are to give people as say in the development decisions that may affect them and to ensure that
development interventions are appropriate to the needs and preferences of the population that they are
intended to benefit.

The Challenge of Participatory Development

It’s important to recognize from the outset that participatory development, especially from the social
movement perspective, is never and easy and often complicates the smooth functioning od specific
projects. Nonetheless, allowing for communities to exercise their (sometimes messy) autonomous forms
of organization, to determine their own development priorities, and to be protagonists in shaping their
future will always lead to more sustainable and consequential development efforts. In the rests of this
course, we will explore how those of us in the NGO world can learn the concepts, skills, and tools
necessary to truly embrace the social movement perspective of participatory development.

Community Well-being

Community well being is the combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political
conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to flourish and fulfil their
potential.
Four (4) Dimensions of Wellness

1. Spiritual Wellness
• Is that force that drives us to make sacrifices for others, our nation, and the greater good.
It may come from religious faith, heritage, experience within our community, influence
of role models, or other sources inspiration.
2. Emotional Wellness
• Refers to building an awareness of and accepting one’s feelings and moods. It includes
finding ways to encourage positive thinking and acceptance of oneself.
3. Physical Wellness
• Includes expanding your knowledge about your lifestyle and how food, good nutrition
and physical activity can be an integral part of your lifestyle.
4. Social Wellness
• Entails being cognizant of the impact you and your actions have on your community, the
society and nature.

Activity 1: LET’S DO IT!

Direction: Let us test how knowledgeable you are with the following questions. Please answer with full
honesty. Just write what you know.

1. What is the importance of commitment and action in participatory development for community
well-being?
2. What does community initiative mean?
3. Why is participatory development important?
4. How can we improve our community well-being/wellness?
Methodologies and Approaches of Community Actions and Involvements across Disciplines

PARTNERSHIP BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS

- All the parties involved have some sort of personal stake in the partnership;
- All the partners are working towards a common aim;
- The partners have a similar ethos or system of beliefs;
- The partners work together over a reasonable period of time;▪There is an agreement among
the partners that such partnership is necessary;
- There is an understanding of the value of what each partner can contribute; and
- There is respect and trust between the different partners

STEPS/METHODS

1. COMMUNITY PROFILING
- A community profile is a date sheet that records information on a broad range of factors (such
as environmental/natural features and management, socio-demographic characteristics,
political and economic structures, local institutions, economic activities and livelihoods, basic
household and community facilities, and social organization).
Uses of community Profile
- Providing a basic information (where little is known) before starting to work in an area;
- Understanding the context of a community so that specific areas, issues, and linkages can be
identified and analyzed;
- A basic understanding of a community as a whole; and
- Information on particular areas of interest.
2. NEEDS ASSESSMENT
A needs assessment lets the community identify the things it needs. It is used to determine the
gaps between the community’s present condition and its desired condition. Needs assessment can
be conducted through a survey for the following purpose:
- To document or record needs which can be used in applying funding and advocating causes;
and
- To ensure that the action you take is related to the needs of the community.
3. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
Is a major sociological theory in the study of social movements which emerged in the 1970s. It
emphasizes the ability of a movement’s member to—
- To acquire resources; and
 - To mobilize people towards accomplishing the movement’s goals
Resource mobilization encompasses the appropriate, efficient and effective use of material
support, personnel support, and knowledge support.

4. RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
Resource Assessment conventionally refers to money or finances. Resource assessment helps the
community be informed about resources (such as material resources, financial equipment and
personnel) that can be accessed to address the needs of the community. Likewise, it also identifies
the resources that a community needs to acquire as to achieve its goals.

5. PARTICIPATORY ACTION PLANNING (PAP)

Participatory Action Planning involves the open and inclusive engagement of groups and
individuals in a community who have decided to pursue a goal or solve a problem. Compared to
Action Planning that is initiated by those in authority (top to bottom planning), Participatory
Action Planning is a process that gathers insights and ideas from community members. This
encourages community members to communicate with each other and identify their problems and
draw solutions.

6. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Development is another important part of the community action process that can
start at the planning phase. Leadership is the most important resource, and it requires due
attention. Leaders emanate from a selected group, volunteer, or individuals, known as the core
working group. Leaders ensure that essential tasks, goals and objectives are accomplished.

7. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Plan Implementation refers to the phase where actual and concrete implementation of tasks and
activities are done. These activities and tasks are meant to comprise the specific interventions a
community undertakes in solving a problem or addressing an issue.

8. MONITORING
Monitoring – focuses on the status and progress of tasks and activities in the course of
implementation of the community action plan. Monitoring includes procedures that allow the
tracking of the performance of project implementers and the effect of the resources in
complementing task and activities.
9. EVALUATION
Conducted in the middle and at the end of the scheduled completion of the community action plan
is to evaluate the effectiveness and success of the project.