Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NST P Handouts
NST P Handouts
Introduction Republic Act (R.A.) 9163 also known as National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 Republic Act 9163 is an act establishing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for tertiary level students, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7077 and Presidential Decree 1708 and for other purposes. R.A. 9163 enacted on January 23, 2002- date of approval and signature of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. What is the guiding principle in establishing the NSTP? Section 2 of R.A. 9163 affirmed that it is the prime duty of the government to serve and protect its citizens. In turn, it shall be the responsibility of the citizens to defend the security of the state and in fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal, military or civil service. What are the goals of the State from among the youth in nation building? In recognizing the vital role of the youth in nation building, the state shall promote their civic-consciousness and develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and advance their involvement in public and civic affairs. What should the state do to pursue the afore cited goals? The youth shall be motivated, trained, organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation. What is the National Service Training Program (NSTP) all about? It is a program aimed at enhancing civic consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethic of service and patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components. What are the three (3) program components of NSTP? 1. Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is a program institutionalized under section 38 and 39 of RA 7077 designed to provide military training to tertiary-level students in order to motivate, train, organize and mobilize them for defense preparedness. 2. Literacy Training Service (LTS) is a program designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and numeric skills to school children, out-of school youth and other segments of society in need of their services. 3. Civic Welfare Training Services (CWTS) refer to the programs or activities contributory to the general and betterment of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry.
Are there any institutions not covered by the NSTP? Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy ( PMMA), National Defense College of the Philippines ( NDCP), Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) and other schools similar stature, in view of the character of their institutions, shall not be covered by the NSTP.
II. Rationale The Civic Welfare Service program, as an outreach activity of the DLS-College of St. Benilde, aims to respond to the mission-vision of the institution which hopes to bring about socially responsible students. The program hopes to contribute to the general welfare and betterment of the life for the members of the community or enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to improving community organization, education, health, spirituality, sports/recreation and the morale of the citizenry.
III. Benildean Core Values Value is something freely chosen from alternatives and is acted upon. Value is that which one acts to gain or keep as a quality or principle that is intrinsically valuable or desirable. Values Clarification is a process by which a person can discover values or principles through ones behavior, feelings, ideas and important choices one has made. It is during the early adult stage that an individual can really clarify what decision in his/her life had a major influence on ones personality. Thus, this process can help one understand his/her character and the choices that a person will make in the future. A person is continually developing his/her values: values can never be static but must be continually re-chosen as a person matures. As a person grows, he/she is continually choosing values and fashioning his/her hierarchy of values. Looking at the problems being faced by every Filipino at this point, one can surmise that oppression, violence, greed, exploitation, environmental degradation and corruption are byproducts of a decrepit and twisted value system. As Filipinos, we should realize that if we want to see a better Philippines, we should break this culture of corruption and oppression. For any positive social, economic and political change to begin, every Filipino should take the time to evaluate his/her personal value system and practice the right values that promotes justice, truth, honesty and fairness. Now is not time to blame those who came before us, but now is certainly the time to let the tides of positive change transform this nation and uphold what most of us consider as undoubtedly true, good, lasting and supports life.
Our Trade tools: Benildean Core Values -Creative Christian Builders 1. deeply rooted in faith ever conscious of Gods presence steeped in Christian values, ethics and morals; 2. appreciative of individual uniqueness that of ones own and that of ones neighbor; 3. socially responsible aware of ones actions and committed to the recognition and development of ones own and the other persons responsibilities and duties; 4. professionally competent independent-minded; effective in thought and expression, decisive and
5. Filipino in ideals is able to exhibit a strong sense of nationhood; pro-life, pro-people, pro-Philippines; Nationalistic in ideas and perspective 6. creative and innovative leader
IV. St. La Salles Philosophy In the words of St. La Salle, the poor have the right to education and a better life: You are under the obligation to instruct the poor. You should therefore have a great tenderness towards them and supply their spiritual wants to the best of your ability, looking upon these children as members of Jesus Christ and as His much loved ones. The faith which animates you should lead you to respect Jesus Christ in their person and should make you prefer them to the rich ones of earth since they are the living images of Jesus Christ our Divine Master.
Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
Main Tenets in Lasallian Spirituality 1. Seeing with the eyes of faith trusting in the Divine Providence. To see that the totality of creation with Christ at its center, is ordered to God and destined through Gods love for the happiness and salvation of humankind. 2. Doing all things in the eyes of God it is to look upon God as the prime mover and motive force of our actions, and to act only by the guidance of His divine spirit. 3. Attribute everything to God Accepting the result of ones action with humility and joy. An attitude of profound trust in Gods saving power and compassionate fidelity to human beings in the midst of trials and difficulties. Practical lessons we can learn from St. La Salles leadership style 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Believing in what others can do Developing human potential Humility in accepting greater tasks Dedication to serve Resolving conflicts through peaceful means Honest in his dealings To analyze things objectively Listening what others have to say Taking time to evaluate the task at hand Treat everyone with justice and fairness (Confidence) (Competence) (Christian) (Commitment) (Christian) (Competence) (Competence) (Compassion) (Competence) (Compassion)
The expression LASALLIAN SPIRITUALITY refers principally to the vision and way of life generated by St. John Baptist de La Salle and the early Brothers as they struggled to discern Gods will within the context of their societys needs. (ANIMO LASALLE 2011) Elements of a Spirituality John Baptist de La Salles God is a personal God, a God who graciously invites us to an ever-deepening love relationship in order to bring about our salvation. This God does not force anyone to act, but invites us to move from one commitment to another While St. La Salle taught that prayer and daily reflection on the Scriptures are important paths to a deeper union with God, Lasallian spirituality is founded on the conviction that it is in the encounter between teacher and student, in and outside of the classroom, that Jesus comes alive in our hearts To Teach competently and devotedly helps us grow in our relationship with our students and with God, just as praying helps us deepen our relationship with God and with our students. FAITH
attentiveness and openness to the will of God at all times; seeing God alive in every person, in every event, and in every situation; and recognizing that these are Gods ways of calling us in our day-to-day experiences; ZEAL
An active commitment to serve the human and spiritual needs of the young, especially the poor, as a natural expression of our faith; giving the best that one is capable of for the sake of the children and enabling them to become the best that they can be for the sake of God and the work of Gods reign SOLIDARITY WITH THE POOR a Gospel-based, preferential concern for the poor and the marginalized; a spirit of compassion that brings with it an active commitment to ease the plight of all those who are deprived of opportunities to live fully human lives John Baptist de La Salles God is a personal God, a God who graciously invites us to an everdeepening love relationship in order to bring about our salvation. This God does not force anyone to act, but invites us to move from one commitment to another De La Salle identified the spirit of faith and zeal as the spirit characteristic of members of the Insitute. In the Founders thinking, faith and zeal cannot be dissociated: Faith in God is expressed in the active zeal for the salvation of everyone, especially the poor. Faith without work will be a disembodied faith. This spirit is so important that without it one can be considered a dead member of the society. FAITH and ZEAL are as inseparable as THEORY and PRAXIS for Lasallian spirituality to thrive in a COMMUNITY
Lasallian Context 1. Faith a Lasallian has a mindset of God. - Sees with the eyes of faith - Does all things in view of God - Attributes all things to God 2. Zeal: Faith in action Lasallians give their best in whatever they do - singularity of purpose - self-donation - imaginative/inventive Lasallian Spirituality Faith in Action Lead Initiate Change
community. Human dignity can only be realized and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society. Option for the Poor The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. We are called to look at the decision making process on public policy which directly affect the poor. The option for the poor is not adversarial slogan that pits one group or class against another. Rather it states that the deprivation and powerlessness of the poor further erodes the capacity of the whole community into achieving its full potential. C. Lasallian Perspective St. John Baptist de la Salle believed that Gods saving grace embraces all people, in effect no one should be excluded from the benefits of Christian education. In praxis, this points to a preferential option for the oppressed, the exploited, and the marginalized, those whom St. John Baptist De La Salle (SJBDLS) understood as those who needed God compassion and love the most. Today, we stand by this commitment by making service to the poor an effective priority in all our educational projects. The plight of the youth at risk is the spur that drives us to greater zeal and creativity in our educational apostolate. Following the Founder, service to the poor must enable persons to take hold of their lives and work towards their liberation. (Animo La Salle 2011. Philippine Lasallian Family: 2000 p. 20) By the poor we mean all those classes of people who are the victims of injustice in whatever form-the exploited, the marginalized, the oppressed. The poor are not poor because they want to be poor. They are poor because they are made poor and they are poor because they are kept poor. In the first category are the marginalized and exploited poor, all those who are forced to live outside the economic system or are excluded from participation in it. These include abandoned children, unemployed, migrant workers, tenant farmers, immigrants. A second category includes the victims of discriminatory laws and customs aboriginal people, women. There is the danger all too prevalent among us of giving up all hope of changing the situation. It is true that individually and alone, there is not much one person can do in any area of life; but the truth is that we are never intended to live alone. Solidarity is the reality of human existence and its first hope for survival. We are tightly bound together across this small village home which no one of us owns, all of us receive coequally, each calls home, and all must share. (http://www.stauros.org/notebooks/v11n3a01) Education is about liberation. Real and perceived care liberates. Learnings must be at the service of liberation; that is about building character, teaching young people to care and equipping them with skills needed to embody that care effectively in a violent and divided world. The founder also believed that service to the poor, which must be directly and promptly extended, is the essence of Christianity. By doing so, we help the poor liberate themselves from sin and enable them to achieve their full potentials as human beings. Sauvage and Campos elaborated on this central teaching of SJBDLS: it is in the poor person himself, in his wretchedness, in his marks of suffering, that we must perceive the face of Jesus Christ. In order to be united with Christ in him we must first encounter the poor man himself and accept him as he is. However, at the same time that this poverty constitutes a revelation of Christ, it also embodies a hope: the poor man is called to become the child of God which he is perhaps not even conscious of being. And the Brother is sent to him in order to help him achieve gradually the sonship that is his by assisting him to free himself from the grip of sin and from the enslavements which prevent his growing in accordance with the nature of his divine vocation. (St. JBDLS and Education Today, edited by Dr. Emerita S. Quito, 1992)
D. Poverty . . . One of five households live below the food poverty threshold. 15 out 100 infants are born underweight. 5 million families live in abject poverty. 60% of Filipino children drop out of school upon reaching the second grade due to poor brain development. Infant mortality is at 57 per 1,000 live births. 33% of Filipino children below six are underweight. Some 2.82 million youth aged 15 to 24 are out of school. Some 12 million do not have access to safe drinking water. 18 million do not have sanitary toilets. Around 30 million are threatened with cholera [Source: Bringing Glad Tidings to the Poor, (Frank Padilla 2000)]
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Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
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3. Man is created in the image and likeness of God This underlines the freedom and dignity of the human person. In each person, there is a God-likeness for a biblical truth describes mans life coming from the breath of God. (Gen. 2:7) The person, therefore, is a co-creator, co-worker and co-savior of God. Creation and salvation is an on-going process; and we are all a part of it. We are all called to engage ourselves in the stewardship of Gods creation. In the process, we affirm that the self is not alienated from the creation process, for it is being created continuously. 4. Man is Unique No two persons are ever the same. Even twins would have major differences in personalities. We are genuinely created so that even with past and future generations, no one can duplicate whatever actions we have in this world. Because of this uniqueness, we can never put any person in a box and have it labeled or stereotyped. This uniqueness should always be kept in mind and should be respected. The emphasis of collectivity should not be made at the expense of the uniqueness and the dignity of each person. B. In relation to fellow HUMANS 1. Man is a social being God did not create the person as a solitary being, but wishes him/her to be a social being. Every individual is oriented towards other people and needs her company. No one came to this world alone; our being here is made possible through others. The person fulfills the self with and through others. Through and with help of others, a persons limitations are filled up and his/her potentials are enriched. Thus, it is imperative that people cooperate with each other in order to improve the quality of their lives in society. 2. Man is of equal value to other persons Admittedly, natural inequality exists among people, but God has gifted all men with equal dignity. We are all equal in basis rights and basic needs on a person-to-person and on a nationto-nation level. This equality is not synonymous to uniformity, but equality in the midst of uniqueness. Thus all persons are to be treated as equals; regardless of status, culture, education, economics and gender. C. In relation to SOCIETY One cannot deny that we owe a lot of what we have in life through the everyday activities of people within the social structure. We benefit largely from the system that allows us to buy and sell our goods, produce and services, to enjoy the luxuries of life, to learn new lessons, to earn a living, to travel on paved streets, to communicate with friends from afar, to move about in a peaceful environment. 1. Man is an intervenor Persons create social structures to respond to similar needs and for the welfare of all. The person affects structures and structures affect the person. Failure to analyze and criticize existing structures means agreeing with or sanctioning them. Since, people put up the structures the people have the capacity to maintain, stabilize and strengthen just structures. On the other hand, people also have the capacity to change and create anew, if the structures were unjust. But this can only be achieved through persons active participation in the process of change.
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Module 4: An Authentic Human Person:Authentic Christian Humanism . . . D. In relation to the MATERIAL WORLD The person needs the resources of the material world for his/her personal and social fulfillment. This is the manifestation of the bodily dimension of the person. The things of this world are for all people to use, not adored, nor amassed. We are caretakers of this world not owners of it. Ownership is only a secondary right to use. All the earths resources must benefit all, now and for the succeeding generations. As caretakers, we are responsible for the preservation and development of the earth. When the earth is abused, life itself is put in danger. No one has the right to destroy the earth. No one has the right to manufacture anything that could destroy it. E. In relation to GOD The person needs to relate to a greater being. The materiality and temporality is transcended because of the touch of the divine in each person. The person has but one final goal: GOD. He/she is called to know, love and serve God, and to constantly choose that which would lead him/her to God. The person constantly and continually tends and goes back to God. This dependency is not opposed to human freedom; for human freedom takes its meaning and consistency in the persons relationship with God. It is in doing Gods will that the person truly fulfills his/her freedom.
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- is a study of the changes of a social system through time. 2. Conjunctural Analysis is an attempt to examine a societys situation using an important moment in its recent history as a reference point for discussion. 3. Class understanding and looking into the different social structures or classifications; ex. rich-average-poor 4. Gender examining the status of men and women in society 5. Environment understanding the condition of our resources/ surroundings
General Recommendation 1. Growth The Philippine economy has to grow in order for it to develop. Without growth, there is nothing to be distributed among the people. Without increasing the productive capability of the country, our economy will stagnate. Thus, growth is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for genuine development. 2. Efficiency The economy must be able to utilize resources with very minimal waste. We must be able to tap all our creative potentials such that we are able to use the most appropriate technologies in our industries. Fair competition enhances the efficiency of firms in the market. Monopolies and cartels are the most inefficient forms of industrial organizations. 3. Sustainability We have limited resources and their proper use must be guided by the principles of sustainable development. This has great consequences with regard to the exploitation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment. Genuine development must be sustainable, it must improve the quality of life of the people without destroying the environments natural productive capacity. 4. Equity Growth, efficiency and sustainability are useless without the equity component. Without equity, any form of human resource development is meaningless. Without equity, the domestic market will not expand markedly. Without equity, there will never be economic and political stability.
Challenge: It is not yet a game over situation. It is not a hopeless case. There are things that we can do as individuals to contribute to the betterment of the society. In answering the signs of the times, everybody plays a vital role in nation building, rebuilding and for social transformation.
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2. The value of EQUALITY All men are created equal, gifted with reason and freewill Every person should be given equal opportunity to develop himself, be a better person, and pursue happiness in his lifetime. No man is over and above the law. Justice should be blind when it meets out justice. The value of equality should move every citizen to look after and take care for the less fortunate and the oppressed. As we come from the same Maker, we share in the same destiny to live happily, in dignity, in peace and harmony. Respect for equality means respect for others in the same light that we want them to respect us.
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Implication of the following social issues: 1. basic obedience of traffic rules and regulations, 2. water and electricity pilferages in household, 3. tax evasion, 4. vote buying and other acts of electoral fraud. The law is not meant to curtail freedom; it is meant to ensure that every citizen acts responsibly while exercising freedom. The law provides equality; it protects the weak and makes sure that those who are strong do not abuse their strength in expense of those who are not. The nature of laws is to provide sanctions for the irresponsible practice of freedom. The law does not warrant slavery but order. We should not fear the law; we should love the benefit it has on us and on our loved ones. Our own respect for the law and government should stem from the ultimate law of the heart: that of mutual respect, charity and love for others. Respect from the law means respect for each other.
III. Synthesis How the young generation acts and thinks today shows us a clear picture of how the nation will move in the future. What the young people learn now will be what they will live when they grow up. Being a citizen starts from the moment we were born. Our duties as citizens multiply as we grow older; consequently, our benefits as citizens progress in the same way provided that we have lived up to our end of the bargain. The government cannot do it alone. No act will ever be small enough not to affect us in the future so let us make each move count.
Reference: Modules on Good Citizenship Values. The Institution Building Team. EDSA People Power Commission. 2004
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(Note: These approaches are explained and expounded in the next page- APPROACHES TO SOCIAL CHANGE)
III. Synthesis Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated. Love implies absolute demand for justice; recognition of the dignity and rights of ones neighbors. Justice attains its fullness of love. We are a social creation that developed through our relations with others. Thus, advancement of ourselves is linked with the advancement of society. Our past high and low moments in life affect our present and future choices. We need to be conscious of the way we make decisions in life for they would certainly affect others.
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Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
Active Non-Violence
Active Non-Violence Violence as defined is a force that is injurious to the quality of human life in its various manifestations. It diminishes, violates and destroys human life. One can distinguish personal, structural and psychological violence. A societal framework founded on violence could never lead to a sustainable life. Nonviolent social empowerment is about people regaining their own power to creativity shape their lives to influence the course of events around them against oppression and exclusion, for democratic participation, peace and human rights. Nonviolent power is not about domination: it is the power to be and to do.
Three different responses to Violence Many governments resort to repression and violence to stay in power. When this happens, the people may choose among three different reactions. 1. Passivity 2. Counter violence 3. ANV ( Alay-Dangal ) Among the three, Alay-Dangal breaks the spiral of violence. Definition of Alay-Dangal A system of personal, social and international change aimed at liberating the oppressed and the oppressor through persuasion, moral pressure, and manifold forms of non-violent resistance. It refuses use of counter violence and builds upon the conviction that the willingness to accept oneself the consequences of non-violent action is both liberating and effective and mobilizes local, national and international solidarity. Bases of Alay-Dangal a. Humanistic Basis Absolute respect for the dignity of the individual. Unconditional regard for life. The right to life is the most basic of all rights, because all other lose meaning without life. Therefore, to destroy life of another, which is not ours anyway, is to destroy that other totally. Has a conscience that enables him to distinguish right from wrong.
b. Christian Basis The person is created according to the image and likeness of God. He/She is also called to live a life of grace and to build His Kingdom through Christ. (Gen. 1:26-31, Eph. 1:3-10) Christ is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.
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Church Teachings 1. Gaudium Et Spes (Pastoral constitution of the Church in the Modern World): supports non-violence and conscientious objections. 2. Populorium Progressio (The Development of People): With situations of injustice, recourse to violence is a grave temptation. Present situation must be fought against and overcome. Caution against revolutions; greater misery may result. 3. Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in Modern World): The Church cannot accept violence.
c. Political Basis Political power is the capacity to control the behavior of others, directly or indirectly 1. Nature of Power a. Monolith Theory of Power Power as self-perpetrating, durable, not quickly controlled or destroyed. It comes solely from the government. People depend on the goodwill, decisions and support of their government. Thus, they have no choice but to stay. b. Pluralist Theory of Power Power as fragile. The government depends upon the goodwill, decisions and support of the people. If the people withhold their support from the government, it loses power. 2. Source of Power Authority the right to command and direct, to be heard or obeyed by others; voluntarily accepted by the people, and therefore existing without the imposition of sanctions. Human Resources number of people/groups that obey and assist the ruler. Skills and Knowledge the talents and abilities of those who obey and how these talents and abilities respond to the rulers needs. Psychological/Ideological Factors attitudes towards submission/obedience Material Resources the degree to which the ruler controls property, natural resources, financial resources, the economic system, etc. Sanctions the type and extent of sanctions at his disposal, both for use against his own subjects and in conflicts with other rulers.
Principles of Alay-Dangal a. The aim must be objectively just. b. It should be a means consistent with its end. Persons should not be used as mere means to an end. c. It emphasizes process or gradual transformation; henceforth, it calls for a coherent perseverant and continuing commitment until the end is obtained. Therefore, there is a need for a strategy of action. d. It evolves creative ways of resolving conflict e. It is collective, for its power and effectivity lie in unity Some Guidelines a. Alay-Dangal is a way of life that demands a continuing commitment.
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b. c. d. e. f.
It shares from the person and grows towards united action. It adheres to democratic processes. It never condones killing, harming, and using people. It underscores united action. It is relentless in its struggle to work for the rightful end.
Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
A commitment to meet the needs of present and future generations has various implications. Meeting the needs of the present means satisfying: 1) Economic needsincluding access to an adequate livelihood or productive assets; also economic security when unemployed, ill, disabled or otherwise unable to secure a livelihood. 2) Social, cultural, and health needsincluding a shelter which is healthy, safe, affordable, and secure, within a neighborhood with provision for piped water, drainage, transport, health care, education, child development, and protection from environmental hazards. Services must meet the specific needs of children and of adults responsible for children (mostly women). Achieving this implies a more equitable distribution of income between nations and, in most cases, within nations. 3) Political needsincluding freedom to participate in national and local politics and in decisions regarding the management and development of ones home and neighbourhood, within a broader framework that ensures respect for civil and political rights and the implementation of environmental legislation. Meeting such needs without undermining the ability of future generations to meet their own needs means: 1) Minimizing use or waste of non-renewable resourcesincluding minimizing the consumption of fossil fuels and substituting with renewable sources where feasible. Also, minimizing the waste of scarce mineral resources (by reducing use, reusing, recycling, and reclaiming). 2) Sustainable use of renewable resourcesincluding using freshwater, soils, and forests in ways that ensure a natural rate of recharge.
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3) Keeping within the absorptive capacity of local and global sinks for wastesincluding the capacity of rivers to break down biodegradable wastes as well as the capacity of global environmental systems, such as climate, to absorb greenhouse gases.
( Source: http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781534285/Sustainable_Development.html)
II. Philippine Agenda 21 Philippine Agenda 21 is the sustainable development program of the country and it was conceptualized during the time of President Fidel Ramos.
The image of society that guides Philippine Agenda 21 characterizes a significant number of modern societies today, some of which recognize that the key actors in any critical and principled partnership or conflict regarding sustainable development are the government, business, and civil society (Figure 2). To humanize development, there must be an interplay of market forces, state intervention, and civil society participation.
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Business is the key actor in the realm of the economy where the central social concern and process is the mutually beneficial production and distribution of goods and services to meet the physical needs of human beings. Government is the key actor in the realm of polity where the central social concern and process is participatory, democratic governance and rule making to secure the human rights of all citizens including justice and equity. Civil society is the key actor in realm of culture where the central social concern and process is the development of the social and spiritual capacities of human beings in order, among others, to advance the frontiers of knowledge, to achieve clarity and coherence of values and to advocate the public interest. The three key actors in sustainable development can simply be viewed as the most organized and significant representatives of the prevailing social processes in each of the three essential dimensions of society. The Philippine Agenda 21 approach adheres to the following principles of sustainable development: 1. Primacy of Developing Full Human Potential . People are at the core of development initiatives. 2. Holistic Science and Appropriate Technology. The search for solutions to the complex milieu of development problems has to be undertaken with the perspective that situates specific problems in the larger social and ecological context. This approach facilitates the development and use of appropriate technology. 3. Cultural, Moral and Spiritual Sensitivity . Nurturing the inherent strengths of local and indigenous knowledge, practices and beliefs while respecting the cultural diversity, moral norms and spiritual essence of Filipino society. 4. Self-determination. Respecting the right and relying on the inherent capacity of the country and its peoples to decide on the course of their own development. 5. National Sovereignty. Self-determination at the national level where the norms of society and the specifics of the local ecology inform national governance. Includes human and environmental security as well as achieving and ensuring security and self-reliance in basic staple foods. Recognizing the crucial role of farmers and fisherfolk in providing for the nutritional needs of the nation. 6. Gender sensitivity. Recognizing the important and complementary roles and the empowerment of both men and women in development. 7. Peace, Order And National Unity. Securing the right of all to a peaceful and secure existence. 8. Social Justice, Inter-, Intra-Generational and Spatial Equity . Ensuring social cohesion and harmony through equitable distribution of resources and providing the various sectors of society with equal access to development opportunities and benefits today and in the future. 9. Participatory democracy. Ensuring the participation and empowerment of all sectors of society in development decision-making and processes and to operationalize intersectoral and multisectoral consensus. 10. Institutional viability. Recognizing that sustainable development is a shared, collective and indivisible responsibility which calls for institutional structures that are built around the spirit of solidarity, convergence and partnership between and among different stakeholders.
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11. Viable, sound and broad-based economic development . Development founded on a stable economy where the benefits of economic progress are equitably shared across ages, communities, gender, social classes, ethnicities, geographical units and across generations. 12. Sustainable population. Achieving a sustainable population level, structure and distribution while taking cognizance of the limited carrying capacity of nature and the interweaving forces of population, culture, resources, environment and development. 13. Ecological soundness. Recognizing nature as our common heritage and thus respecting the limited carrying capacity and integrity of nature in the development process to ensure the right of present and future generations to this heritage. 14. Biogeographical Equity and Community-Based Resource Management . Recognizing that since communities residing within or most proximate to an ecosystem of a bio-geographic region will be the ones to most directly and immediately feel the positive and negative impacts on that ecosystem, they should be given prior claim to the development decisions affecting that ecosystem including management of the resources. To ensure biogeographic equity, other affected communities should be involved in such decisions. 15. Global Cooperation. Building upon and contributing to the diverse capacities of individual nations.
( Source: http://www.cadi.ph/pa21_principles_of_unity.htm)
III. Conclusion: Sustainable Development (SD) is a significant topic nowadays. It is important and necessary to incorporate the principles of SD into the realm of socio-economic and political arena because the benefits of which if taken properly will help solve the enormous problems not only of our country but the whole world. SD is not only concerned in addressing the issues of the environment but it encompasses and touches also the dynamics of political, social and economic life of a community or nation. Here we can see a holistic methodology in the form of a trinitarian approach. This means that the key actors are not only coming from the government but also the process of socio-economic and political development must be shared by the business and civil society respectively. In this regard, problems in the different areas whether political, economic or social in nature can be solved by helping one another and this approach creates an impact because the work is shared by everyone. Cooperation and unity is a vital component in sustainable development especially in Philippine Agenda 21. Moreover, the idea of Sustainable Development and the different programs and principles under the Agenda 21 is not an instant solution to our problems rather they are processes that guides our action whether we are in our community, in the market or in the government. Lastly, the success of the programs and aspirations of SD will really depend on how UNITED we are in our actions towards our common goal sustained development.
References: Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (2005). PA 21 principles of unity. Retrieved May 24, 2005, from http://www.cadi.ph/pa21_principles_of_unity.htm Encarta (2005). Sustainable development. Retrieved May 24, 2005, from http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781534285/Sustainable_Development. html or "Sustainable Development," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005 http://uk.encarta.msn.com 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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Government of Canda (n.d.). What is sustainable development? Retrieved May 24, 2005, from http://www.sdinfo.gc.ca/what_is_sd/index_e.cfm Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
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Build a Counter Culture Characteristics: Effective- can influence other students and raise their consciousness can be CONSISTENT in witnessing to the values they espouse ADVOCATE can advocate the gospel values of social justice, simplicity, truth and peace ~ This role must be reflected in school and within the communities Profile of the Studentry A. Strengths They are at the stage when individuals are psychologically disposed to rebel and to question so many things about themselves and the world around them. More open to new ideas, unlike old people who have already formed deep rooted biases. Have acquired some measure of skill and comprehension, conceptualization and communication through schooling. They possess the ability to think and articulate their thoughts and actual experiences. Naturally organized, have more time to spare for other non-academic involvement Have relatively easier access to resources finances, facilities, resource persons, expertise, etc. Willing to take risks and to give unconditional commitment for a cause, even to one which may oppose their familys immediate interests because generally, they have no firmlyentrenched economic or class interests yet.
B. Weaknesses Have strong emotional dependencies on significant others which could hinder them from exploring other forms of personal involvement. Tend to over-emphasized intellectual training to the point of sacrificing experience. They become dogmatic and rigid articulate but inconsistent because they have not internalized many of the things they have learned. Generally, students give seasonal commitment and usually their involvement is isolated from the mainstream of society. Can misuse resources that are readily available at their disposal splurge on senseless things. Channels of Socio-Political Involvement Students socio-political involvement must take place both within the school and in the larger society. To confine efforts at change to the school is to risk aimlessness and isolation from the rest of society; to neglect the issues of school and education while tackling issues of the larger society is to risk a poorly internalized vision of social change. The three channels of students socio-political involvement are presented here: A. Community Work Student community work consists of direct assistance to community or sectoral peoples organizations acting on local issues. The most common type of student involvement in community
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is parallel i.e. done by extra-curricular socially oriented student groups on the students own time. Other types are intervening, or done during long school breaks ( e.g. summer work camps in rural villages or Summer of Service Program); interwoven or integrated into the curriculum or a specific course and subsequent or done after graduation from college (e.g. Lasallian Volunteer Formation Program). The work may be general or directed towards the development of general skills in social change work- for instance, tutorials, catechism, literacy training or the building of basic Christian communities. Or it may be related to the students own academic program for instance, paralegal work for law students, community-based health programs for medical students, participatory research for social science students. Student community work, particularly in base-group building, contributes to the whole effort to build a peoples movement for social transformation. For the students themselves, this involvement provides a venue for developing a more concrete analysis of the social situation, rooted in actual experience. Close contact with the poor translates an abstract social responsibility into a deep personal commitment to flesh-and-blood people. The work can also serve as training for the development of skills useful anywhere, but most especially in professional social change work after graduation. Significantly, community work is also an important factor in the students personal growth, nurturing their confidence in themselves and a sense of meaningful direction and contribution to society. This increased student morale and the rich learning resources provided by any poor community also benefit the school. Student community work probably provides the best model yet for a genuinely liberating education. B. Issue Advocacy Issue advocacy is a natural extension of community work, enabling students to share their learning and propagate their convictions among other students and in the larger society. It is also the most direct way of pressuring for change in the school and the educational system when decision making structures do not allow for substantial participation. Issue advocacy contributes to the movement for national transformation by publicizing community, sectoral and national issues, propagating the peoples perspective, building solidarity with sympathetic sectors of the general public, and compelling the authorities concerned to take public sentiment into serious consideration. For the students it allows a development of skills in empirical study, organization and the advocacy of convictions. Advocacy that deals with education issues strengthens student base group formation and enables the students to develop confidence in their own collective power, besides opening the way for the transformation of formal education. C. Direct Political Action Direction political action refers to the harnessing of organizational power for participation in decision and policy-making, whether on the national, community or school level. It may be seen as the next logical step to issue advocacy. Direct political action begins with the strengthening of student base groups, usually those formed through issue advocacy and community involvement. At a certain level of political consciousness and organizational discipline, these groups can become the mass base for movement loosely united by common issues and proposed concrete programs, philosophies and actions. A more structured organization is the student party, which acts directly to affect campus politics with the primary responsibility of protecting students rights and welfare. Or the formation of alliances with students group from other schools which can be considered a higher level of direct political action and which can become fully integrated into the national movement got social change through coalitions with other sectoral alliances on national concerns. (Social Development Index).
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III. Synthesis Our experiences in life affect our present and future choices. We need to be conscious of our process in making significant decisions for they point to us the consequent direction in our life.
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A practical innovator, De La Salle studied and found effective ways to educate the poor. He gave up individual tutoring and formed groups of pupils to be taught simultaneously, and undertook individual monitoring of student progress. He also conducted classes in the native language of the pupils in France- French instead of traditional Latin. For De La Salle, improving quality education for the poor also meant fighting crime, sin and destruction spawned by poverty, ignorance and oppression. In accomplishing his mission, De La Salle always firmly believed that God was with him. ( DLS-CSB Studetn Handbook, SY 98-99: iv-v) C. Characteristics of Volunteering: 1. The activity should not be undertaken primarily for financial reward, although the reimbursement of expenses and some token payment may be allowed. 2. The activity should be undertaken voluntarily, according to an individuals own free will. 3. Volunteering is based on personal motivation and choices freely taken. 4. Volunteering is a way of furthering active citizenship and community involvement. 5. Volunteering takes the form of individual or group activities generally carried out within the framework of an organization. 6. Volunteering enhances human potential and quality of daily life, building up human solidarity. 7. Volunteering provides answers for the great challenges of our time, striving for a better and a more peaceful world. 8. Volunteering contributes to the vitality of economic life even creating jobs and new professions. 9. The activity should be of benefit to someone other than the volunteer, or to society at large, although it is recognized that volunteering brings significant benefits to the volunteer as well. D. Four Different Types of Volunteer Activity Mutual aid or self-help Philanthropy or service to others Participation or civic engagement Advocacy or campaigning ( Expert Working Group Meeting on Volunteering and Social Development, New York, November 1999) E. Two Main Types of Volunteering a. Unmanaged volunteering the spontaneous and sporadic helping that takes place between friends and neighbors for example, child care, running errands and loaning equipment or in response to natural or man-made disasters. It is the dominant form of volunteering in many cultures. b. Managed volunteering takes place through organizations in the non-profit, public and private sectors and tends to be more organized and regular. F. Key Concepts and Principles of Volunteering Volunteerism is a non-free based personal service directed towards social change and empowerment is value-driven, centering on commitment to social change, service for public interest and to people in need, a means to humanize technology and a bridge to connect people, sectors ad countries. is rooted in the countrys culture
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Volunteers are key actors in volunteer organization and their nurturance is a crucial factor in sustaining volunteer work and volunteer organizations (Source: Training Manual On Volunteer Management. Philippine Association for Volunteer Effort.)
G. Some Motivations for Volunteering ( Why do people Volunteer?) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. To enrich and give new meaning to life To demonstrate love for others To work for social change To develop leadership skills To improve your community To experience new challenges
H. The Benefits of Volunteering Volunteering makes an important economic contribution to society Volunteering is a key means by which individuals articulate their engagement as citizens, and by building trust and reciprocity among citizens volunteering contributes to a more cohesive, stable society. Volunteering helps to integrate into society people who are excluded or marginalized Volunteering plays a role in promoting full employment
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Personalized politics Community disorganization Poor health conditions Low level of education Culture of silence and poverty Powerlessness of the majority Government politics
II. Development of People Centered Strategy for Empowerment: Community or People Empowerment is a process and an outcome. It is a continuing process of building leadership capabilities among the people, uplifting their self esteem and developing self reliance within the community. Through this, they are able to control the community resources, utilize them for their own benefit, and make decisions on matters affecting their lives. Features of an Empowered Community: Increased community control over resources, decisions and processes; Existence of viable community institutions and organizations; Increased political participation; Capacity to plan, take initiatives and shoulder maintenance responsibilities;
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Increased self-reliance and positive self-concept; and, Pool of capable and committed community leaders.
III. Integral Development: The value of integral development is that it is concerned with improving the different dimensions of community life social, political, economic, environmental, cultural and spiritual. Its focus is to enhance the potential of the people for action so that they can direct their own development. Achieving integral development implies improvement in the quality of life and standard of living. This means that the different dimensions of community life have the following characteristics: 1. Social: Access to basic services (health nutrition, water and sanitation, basic clothing, housing, education, and psychological requirements)
2. Political: Peoples participation in community organizations; People-initiated development projects based on individual and community needs; Presence of viable community based organizations; and, Pool of strong capable and committed community leaders.
3. Economic: Access and control of capital resources for production (e.g. cash, farmland, irrigation, farm inputs, roads); Increased productivity and equitable distribution of benefits; Responsive and appropriate economic systems; and, Enough jobs/employment opportunities.
4. Environmental: Interdependence between human beings and nature; Environment-friendly technology; and, Community plan for ecological protection and preservation.
5. Cultural: Indigenous culture is utilized for community development; and, Culture-based community-development processes.
6. Spiritual: Mission to love or do something worthwhile for others, especially among the poorest of the poor; Discernment as a way of life; and, Values-centered developmental processes.
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IV. Community Development and Management Process: A. Community Organizing a problem solving process where the community is empowered with knowledge and skills to identify and prioritize its needs and problems, harness its resources to deal with these problems and take action collectively.
1. Community Organizer is an outsider or a member of a community who facilitates together with the community 2. Attributes of a Community Organizer: Superiority vs Respect Desire to learn from them/honest curiosity Listen and Learn Recognition and acceptance of community members as colleagues Openness and flexibility to accommodate community members agenda Conscious of non-verbal cues, seating arrangements, and practices open communication Able to respect and show interest for what they show and say 3. Roles of a Community Organizer: a. Information Carrier b. Friendly Listener c. Motivator d. Process Facilitator e. Agency Linker f. Ability Builder of People g. Teacher of Skills h. Work Helper i. Program Administrator j. Group Worker k. Peacekeeper l. Promoter m. Local Leader n. Counselor o. Protector p. Institution Builder Dilemma: a. How much and when community organizer must lead? b. How much decision making and other factors of community life must the community organizer leave to the initiative of the people? c. How much must the Community Organizer involve him/herself in the planning and management of the community to avoid lack of direction? d. How much must the community organizer leave unstructured? e. Authoritarianism vs. Dialogical approach Factors Affecting Peoples Participation: a. b. c. d. e. Tenure status Attendance in training services Membership in local based organizations Values orientation of respondents Leadership styles of local leaders.
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B. Situational Analysis: a collective process of examining the prevailing social, political, economic, environmental, cultural conditions and spiritual condition of a given community. It is a preparatory step to the actual planning process.
1. Roles of Community Leaders in Situational Analysis: a. Guide the community members in determining how they can improve in the prevailing situation to achieve community goals; b. Enable the community to collectively understand and define their own needs and problems ; and, c. Facilitate the process of identifying change strategies and resources, and making decisions on how to implement the identified solutions. 2. Situational Analysis Team (SAT) The SAT is an expression of community based leadership and empowerment. Its formation aims to broaden the leadership structure and participation of community members in the situational analysis process. a. Considerations in the SAT Composition: Gender-based representation (equal number of men and women); Sector based representation (priority sectors e.g. farmers, fisher folks, youth, etc.); and, Area-based representation (barangay, sitio or purok levels) b. Functions of the SAT: Facilitate the different steps in Situational Analysis; Coordinate related activities; Draw out the participation of each community member; Supervise the day-to-day implementation of the Situational Analysis process; Document the process. c. After the Community Profile has been finalized and disseminated: The SAT should take time to reflect on the Situational Process undertaken ( the over-all leader facilitates the reflection process).
C. Situational Analysis Process: Step 1. Community Orientation Step 2. Data Gathering Step 3. Data Processing Step 4. Preparation of the Community Profile Step 5. Presentation, validation and approval of the Community Profile Step 6. Finalization of the community profile and dissemination. D. Community Planning - a process where the people collectively define their priority problems, determine their development vision, set goals and objectives, identify
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resources which they can utilize, and develop a plan of action to achieve community goals. 1. Roles of Community Leaders in Planning: a. Enable the community members to address their needs and problems; b. Develop their planning skills; c. Involve community members in decision-making; d. Provide them with a process where they can plan their own development; and, e. Guide them in developing a plan of action geared towards achieving community goals E. Community Planning and Implementation Team (CPIT): The CPT is also an expression of community based leadership and empowerment. Its formation aims to broaden the leadership structure and participation of community members in the planning process. 1. Considerations in the CPIT Composition: Gender-based representation (equal number of men and women); Sector based representation (priority sectors e.g. farmers, fisher folks, youth, etc.); and, Area-based representation (barangay, sitio or purok levels) 2. Functions of the CPIT Facilitate the implementation of the different steps of the planning process; Prepare the Community Plan of Action and Budget (CPAB); Submit the CPAB to the community for validation and approval; Formulate indicators for monitoring and evaluation; and, Lead the implementation of the CPAB. 3. After the Community Plan and Budget has been finalized and disseminated: The CPIT should take time to reflect on the planning process undertaken (the over-all leader facilitates the reflection process). F. Community Planning Process: Step 1. Formation of a Community Planning and Implementation Team Step 2. Community Visioning Step 3. Setting of Community Goals and Objectives Step 4. Identifying of Resources and Constraints Step 5. Preparation of Community Plan of Action and Budget Step 6. Presentation, Community validation and approval of the Community Action Plan and Budget Step 7. Finalization of the community profile and dissemination G. Implementation a process of carrying out the projects and activities in the Community Action Plan. Its main purpose is to test the feasibility of the planned projects and activities, and institute necessary changes or modifications if necessary. H. Roles of Community Leaders during Implementation: 1. Oversee the direct implementation of projects and activities; 2. Conduct an information and advocacy campaign on the Community Plan;
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3. Motivate the community members to contribute to the projects and activities (material, labor, cash, ideas, time, etc.); 4. Monitor the status of implementation ( come up with a checklist or data board on the status of projects and activities); 5. Make quick adjustments when problems arise in consultation with the community members; 6. Coordinate various activities, tasks and efforts of community members; 7. Mobilize community resources for the projects or activities; 8. Conduct regular consultation and feed backing with community members; 9. Clarify roles of each member in projects or activities; 10. Manage interpersonal relationships and conflict management; and, 11. Facilitate team-building activities (reflection processes, values formation, and skills enhancement) among the members of the CPIT and Community Members. I. The Community Planning and Implementation Team (CPIT) should put the following into consideration: 1. During the implementation of projects and activities, it is important to: Carry out projects and activities with the community members; Encourage their activity; Motivate them to perform tasks; In times of conflict, mediate rather than aggravate; Be an effective coach by helping community members accomplish targets, measure accomplishments, diagnose performance problems, and take remedial actions; Provide the community members with regular feedback; Organize and coordinate tasks, methods and efforts/contributions of each member; and, Communicate with each other, and with the community members on both a one-on-one and a group basis. 2. As the CPIT oversee and direct the implementation process; They should take time to reflect on their progress ( the over-all leader facilitates the reflection process) J. Community Monitoring and Evaluation is a process of looking into the status of the implementation of the plan to determine areas of weaknesses and strength. It is concerned with how objectives are being attained, and what necessary adjustments have to be done in the course of the plan implementation. K. Definition of Terms: 1. Participatory Monitoring Participatory monitoring is a process where the community members pause to check whether or not results of activities match with the set of objectives. It also involves systematic recording, integration and periodic analysis of information gathered throughout the implementation process by the community members themselves. The specific purposes of participatory monitoring are: To provide an overall picture of project/activity implementation; To identify problem areas in project/activity implementation, and remedy the situation immediately; To gather information which will be used for future evaluations.
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2. Participatory Evaluation a process where the community members take the lead in assessing in the impact of the projects and activities on the community. It is concerned with determining the accomplishments of goals and objectives. The specific purposes of participatory evaluation are: To enable the community to make good and appropriate decisions; To develop the evaluation skills of the community members; To have better understanding of the community situation; To facilitate communication between the community members and the community leaders; To gather and analyze information which can further improve the community situation; and, To mobilize community participation in resolving community problems. V. Roles of Community Leaders in Monitoring and Evaluation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Guide the community in planning what is to be evaluated; Provide them with a process on how to undertake the evaluation process; Assist them in carrying out the evaluation; Facilitate the process of analyzing the information; and, Prepare the evaluation report and present the results to the community.
VI. Functions of Monitoring and Evaluation Team (MET); 1. The main functions of the MET are: Facilitate the implementation of the different steps in the monitoring & evaluation (M&E) process Finalize the scheme; Lead the M & E activities; and, Prepare the Evaluation Report to the community for validation and approval. 2. After the community validation exercise and information dissemination, the MET should: Take time to reflect as a team on the process undertaken; Not hesitate to voice out anxieties, apprehensions, and criticisms of your team members; At the same time, dont forget to appreciate your contributions, as well as those of your team members; Reflect on the things you see, feel, understand as you participate on the evaluation process; and, Share your innermost thoughts on how the M & E process can be further improved relative to community needs and capabilities.
VII. Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Process: Step 1. Formation of Monitoring and Evaluation Team Step 2. Formulation of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Step 3. Actual Monitoring Analysis and Presentation of Results Step 4. Actual Evaluation and Data Analysis Step 5. Preparation of the Evaluation Report Step 6. Presentation, Community Validation of the Evaluation Report Step 7. Finalization of the Evaluation Report and Dissemination of Results
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Source: Social Action Office, DLS-College of St. Benilde. NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service Handout
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