To manifest social developments, one must communicate

Our Barangay is not the best developed there is compared to the others which are
already advancing their infrastructures and sophisticating their city halls. But it is safe to
say that it’s striving to be improved, thus be more what a community should feel like —
to feel it is available and accessible for everyone.

5 years ago, our community did not have a cemented road. Dust, mud, and litters are
widespread everywhere like some organic grass in the dirty sand. Most of us
complained to the higher-ups, why do we have to live in such an undeveloped rural
district? Hence, after the long-overdue reconstruction, finally, they granted it to us.

“Sobrang tagal na nating hinihingi ‘yun sakanila, kailangan pa nating ulit-ulitin para pag
bigyan nila tayo. Pero buti nalang pinakinggan, ‘yun naman ang importante ‘don,” said
Nena Tuazon, the breakfast meal vendor in Purok II street.

Not only the road cementation was heeded, but the officials also recognized the other
issues the community’s fretting about. The elementary school, which was built in 1955
did not have any major renovations up until the day the officials roamed the barangay
for them to witness how obsolete the school facilities already were.

“Kahit papaano may maliliit na improvements naman gaya ng pag kakaroon ng stage
for morning rites during flag ceremony at farm area kung saan binibigyan kami ng
seeds to plant. Kahit papaano naman mayroon. Pero syempre, we’re grateful na napa-
ayos na ang school facilities way back then since sobrang tagal na rin ipinagawa ‘tong
school natin,” Teacher Flor Sarmiento expressed.

After the road cementation and school renovation, the barangay hall also restored its
utility. It used to be detached from the community’s concerns, requesting indigency
certification and barangay I.Ds was a hassle due to personnel unavailability. But
nowadays, the convenience of certification and data appeals is within reach.

Despite these major community developments, there are still demands the community
yearns for. During heavy rainfalls, the electric posts in each street are collapsing
resulting in power interruption the entire day. To date, the progression of this concern is
left unaddressed.

“Ang laking problema kasi nung kawalan ng kuryente lalo na pag umuulan. Malaking
perwisyo ang dinudulot nito lalo na’t hindi lang isang oras, eh buong araw walang
kuryente,” Melia Aquino exclaimed, as she struggle to operate her neighborhood sundry
store during power interruption.

The inconsistent schedule collection of garbage is also a ceaseless complaint of the

community. While the compilation of swarming waste may cause a pungent odor, it
further upsets the environmental state as it causes pollution conflicts. This issue is
unfortunately ignored by the higher-ups even after filing and communicating the
complaint to them.

Aside from these environmental concerns, the loud and disturbing late-night Karaoke
sessions of partying neighborhood appears to be the toughest issue to resolve. Since
the pandemic surge, night parties were prohibited by law, but this seems not to scare
the drunkards. It takes until 3 AM before the finale of their deafening music. If reported,
no barangay officials will dare to arrive.

The developments made in our community and also the issues we report are being
taken care of through the application of development communication. Development
communication is the use of communication to facilitate social development, and if
nobody initiated to establish contact with the higher-ups, there will be no changes,
developments, or solutions that will be put into action. Therefore, development
communication plays a vital role to make a change. If we are not to speak,
communicate, or address our grievances, there will be no progress. Society is
advancing due to the fact that development communication is in service.