CATAPANG, JAMIEL S.

CWTS103 – A18
Using the 5 steps procedure in investigating a societal concern,
Step 1. A social problem always happens in every country. And for me, the most known
problem in our generation is currently the inevitable poverty of our community and
country.
Step 2. Article: According to the Manila Bulletin News entitled “Poverty remains a big
problem”, in a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last September
23-27, 47 percent of the respondents said they consider their families poor. It was three
points higher than the 44 percent in the previous survey in June. The 47 percent who
deemed their families poor in September were described by SWS as 10.9 million
families – 800,000 more families than in June. With our present state of
underdevelopment, we must accept that many of our people remain poor to this day.
The survey merely provided us a figure – 10.9 families. And these families make up 47
percent of the people in our country.
The new administration has dealt a massive blow to one problem of the nation –
the drugs menace. It has been able to stop an attempt of separatists, supported by the
international Islamic State movement, to set up a regional “caliphate” in Mindanao. It is
now moving to correct what President Duterte has called a “historic injustice” to the
Moro people by giving them greater autonomy. These are all important moves that have
been taken by the government. But the SWS Survey should remind all of us that the
one problem that hounds the lives of ordinary Filipinos – poverty – is still around. It has
in fact worsened in the last quarter – from 10.1 to 10.9 million families.
News Clippings:
Step 3. By gathering and processing the data, cycle diagrams of causes and effects
regarding the issue, poverty, have been made:

Step 4. From the root of poverty to low economic growth and development, these all
have significance on why such problems like this appear in a specific community. For
me, the significance of such effects happening is the wake up call for countries
experiencing poverty. That this must be resolved immediately because it might spread
the whole country causing a domino effect wherein companies might get affected as
well. For example, less buyers and customers or less products sold because no one
can afford them. Another is less workers because poor people tend to miss school more
often. For the solution, see Step 5.
Step 5. For the last step, solutions and plans are provided below.
Solutions:
 Education
o Providing a quality education to children will create positive change in a
child’s life.
 Healthcare
o Adequate access to healthcare is essential to ensuring health and
wellness.
 Water and Sanitation
o Prevention of disease in communities is largely dependent on adequate
facilities.
 Economic Security
o Though economic growth is not required; economic security provides
families with sufficient stability to count on a consistent family income.
  Child Participation
o Helping children learn their rights and engage in civic duties sets the
foundation for a strong community.
Additionally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that slower
population growth and investments in reproductive health and HIV prevention, as well
as women’s empowerment and gender equality are also important steps toward
preventing poverty.
Community Action Plan to Reduce Poverty:
 Case study/story that shows the cost of homelessness – combine data with a
qualitative story.
 Use the media effectively.
 Identify a variety of audiences including young children, adults, community
groups, etc and use appropriate and effective methods of communication for that
audience.
 This is an issue that affects all of us, not just those that live in poverty - promote
this message.
 The topic needs friction, so that it can get the attention that is required.
 Develop a conduit or repository of options that people can draw upon as they
become interested in addressing poverty issues. Give them a matrix or rubric of
options once they have said, “I understand, now how can I help?”