Entering the world of a Social Worker: Barangay Nangka and Its People

Our country is one of the many of those that are considered a 3rd world country. For a long time, the Philippines has suffered many cases of poverty. For a long time, the country has also long searched for solutions that can address this problem. In our opinion, the problem is politicians look at this issue via a macro approach. A big problem like this should be taken little by little. As HUMSS students we think that we should start small and look at this problem with a micro approach. Students like us with little capabilities for change will start little as well. We start with the barangay.

Barangay Nangka is one of the 14 barangays in Marikina City. It is located in the northern part of Metro Manila near Montalban and San Mateo. The reason for its name is because the town was previously surrounded by so many langka trees. This blog focuses on the different problems encountered and solutions done in the barangay with relation to social work.

PROBLEMS

Like any other barangay different problems arise but in Nangka the general problem that is usually encountered is poverty. During the time of Mayor Bayani Fernando the people who lived along the riverbank of the Marikina river he asked them to be relocated. Some of them were displaced in the lower area of Barangay Nangka, near the river area. Due to this poverty became a problem in Barangay Nangka.

After poverty, the problems will follow, and one of them is unemployment. With unemployment, the problem of the lack of money will follow.

Since there is lack of money children of these unemployed parents could not afford to send them to school. These out of school youth will have nothing to do and thus they could lead to desperate measures just to earn money for their family. These kids could turn to crime just so they can earn money and there arises the problem of children in conflict with the law. In Nangka the problems are a continuous cycle. If a person is unemployed he/she would have money problems and would not be able to provide for his/her family. Because they cannot provide then their kids would not be able to go to school. No school for the kids means no proper form of education which could lead to them committing crimes. Then arises the main problem which is poverty.

PROGRAMS

Of course, where there are problems there must be solutions. Feeding programs happen quite frequently at the barangay and volunteers and local government officials handle these feeding programs. Health workers also the weigh the kids and check their health. They also teach the parents particularly the women how Malunggay despite the fact that it doesn’t taste anything can really be nutritious for the kids.

The local government also provides different forms of help that can help them with their education. Those kids who are in conflict with the law, once they are done with their sentence are sent to Alternative Learning System (ALS). There is also free tuition fee provided for the students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. This way students can get jobs once they are done studying and be able to provide for themselves and their families. Lastly, daycare centers are found in different areas of the barangay. In the daycare centers, there are also feeding programs for the kids and everything is FREE. This way parents would not have an excuse to send their kids. The parents are also taught different livelihood skills while their kids are at the daycare center. Mostly focus on cooking and sometimes even making of dish-washing soaps.

Other than that the barangay has partnered with different NGO’s and foundations that donate school supplies and uniforms to kids who dropped out so that they can send their kids to school again. Usually, these programs are conducted in the lower part of Nangka near the Nangka River. This is usually where poverty is most evident in the barangay. Of course, the barangay usually reaches out to those who are unemployed and those kids who dropped out of school.

NEEDED PROGRAMS

Based on the interview we had with the Barangay official, because of the major issues that they have shared to us, it can be concluded that they still need more programs regarding these issues which are mainly about education, unemployment, livelihood and such. Below are the programs that the Barangay stated they need to address the social issues that they are still currently facing:

I. Education and Livelihood Programs

Aside from the free education given by the local government and the support given to ALS and day-care centers, the Barangay said that they also need programs which would mainly help adults on how to plan, market, budget their capital, and sell their products so as to have a proper livelihood for their families.

Another program that they need in line with education is that volunteers should also teach morals and values to both the children and adults as well so as to avoid further conflicts within their community.

II. Health Programs

Since one of their current issues includes malnutrition and that Barangay Nangka is considered to be the top 5 highest number of under and overweight children among the other barangays in Marikina, they need a program which would ensure the health and safety of the children living within their barangay.

Aside from health workers checking some houses to weigh children, they also need a program wherein the health of these kids would be observed especially the ones who are really in need of medication. They should be given free check-ups and medicines that are essential for them to keep themselves healthy.

III. Youth and Women Empowerment Programs

Other programs which the barangay also wants to focus on is youth empowerment since it is inevitable for some youth to commit crimes in their community. It is needed for them to have a program wherein the young ones would be able to instill the values that they have learned. Counselling and rehabilitation can also be included in such programs especially to those who are involved in major crime issues.

Their barangay would also like to acknowledge the voice of the women in their society, especially the ones who are abused and mistreated. Aside from the anti-teenage pregnancy program that they offer, they can also offer programs where catcalling should not be tolerated and women should be treated with respect, same goes with men.

Additionally, if given the chance to ask help from social workers, they have mentioned that since Barangay Nangka is a very big barangay, they need some social workers to connect with their people to determine what they need particularly, emotionally.

They also want them to help their barangay or government officials how to prioritize especially in solving the issues that they have in their community. Also, by conducting seminars and talks to the people they can help know the root cause of their problems.

CONCLUSION

Overall, based from the interview that we have with Barangay Nangka, it can be concluded that even though they already offer various and many programs that would help to address their issues, there is still a need for improvement regarding these programs.
One of which is the livelihood programs since most of the family, which were given small capital, are still struggling to budget and handle their products. It implies that they still need a background on marketing strategy so as for them to have a stable livelihood which then can provide their family needs. Programs about receiving jobs after the students’ education could also be provided since they have mentioned that most of their people have unstable jobs.

Another program that we think that needs improvement is regarding the people’s health since it is known that malnutrition is widespread in their area. With this, it should serve as a way for them to be aware that they need to enhance their health programs to reduce the ill condition that most of their children have.

And even though they receive help from the government itself already, they also need help from social workers as well particularly them checking on their people and conducting a research in their barangay in order for the government to be aware of what are the other things that they need. Moreover, despite having only one social worker in their barangay, they themselves admit that this does not necessarily discourage them to not help each other since they shared that everyone in their barangay is willing and ready to help and give services.

With this information, we can understand the problems at hand. Putting this on a blog will also let others see the reality in these barangays. Not only HUMSS students can help and bring our barangay, city, region, and country to progress. Volunteering as help for these programs can help a lot. Even teaching to the kids can also inspire them to be catalysts for change. As long as you are willing to make a change and contribute to the society it will matter.