Unit 3: Community Action

Lesson 3.1

Community Engagement

Contents

Introduction 1

Learning Objective 2

Let’s Connect 2

Discover 4
Community Engagement 4
Citizen Participation and Voluntary Organizations 5
Community Development 6
Community Action Modalities 6
The Benefits of Community Engagement 8
The Impacts of Community Engagement 11

Wrap-Up 15

Try This! 16

Challenge Yourself 17

Reflect on This 19

Photo Credits 20

Bibliography 20
Unit 3: Community Action

Lesson 3.1

Community Engagement

Introduction
In November 2013, typhoon Yolanda (also known by its international name Haiyan)
devastated the country with strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rains, affecting 44
provinces. Considered one of the most powerful typhoons in history, Yolanda killed
thousands of people and damaged millions of families’ properties. Typhoon Yolanda
caused the most destruction in Leyte—a province in Eastern Visayas, the nation’s third
poorest region according to the 2015 Poverty Census. After the Philippines was declared
under a state of national calamity, Leyte, specifically its capital Tacloban City, became the
center of various relief operations.

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Immediately after the storm, military troops and essential workers like medical personnel
were deployed to the affected areas. Aside from the government sector, local and
international humanitarian organizations and networks, private corporations, and the
general public helped raise funds for relief operations. Millions of pesos were allocated for
providing shelter, relief, healthcare, coordination, livelihood, and sanitation, among other
necessities to the affected region. There were also volunteers who helped streamline
operations by repacking relief goods. Eventually, volunteers from different parts of the
country also went to Leyte to provide psychosocial support and other social services to
survivors.

This phenomenon is an example of how communities work together for a common goal.
During a crisis, such as a natural calamity, we can see how people develop a sense of
collective identity and responsibility, allowing them to manifest these into action that will
benefit the whole community. Through engaging in this lesson, you will learn ways on how
you can participate in achieving your communities’ goals.

Learning Objective DepEd Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to
In this lesson, you should be able to recognize the value of undertaking community
demonstrate an understanding of the social action modalities (HUMSS_CSC12-IIId-g-7).

science perspective and community action

initiatives.

Let’s Connect

Think-Pair-Listen-Share 15 minutes

The goal of the activity is to allow the students to recall, reflect, and share their personal
knowledge or experiences about community engagement and develop their ability to listen

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to others’ experiences and ideas.

Instructions
1. Get a partner and have a short conversation concerning your ideas and experiences
about community engagement (e.g., joining organizations and volunteering for
tree-planting, donation drives, cleanup initiatives, outreach programs, etc.).
2. After your conversation, share with the whole class what you and your partner have
talked about.
3. Use the following questions as your conversation guide.

Guide Questions
1. Do you have any knowledge or experience related to community engagement? How
was your experience?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What did you like most about these experiences?

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

3. If given a chance, what advocacies would you volunteer for in the future? Why are
you interested in these advocacies?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

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Discover
Community action can be described as the collective activity done by members of a
community that aims to address the needs of its members. Having shared goals, members
direct efforts in alleviating possible distress and bringing about social change to the
community. Community action initiatives are often campaigns, advocacies or programs, and
other services participated by the community that encourage connection and promote a
sense of involvement and responsibility among community members.

What are the different forms of community action?

Community Engagement

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

- Helen Keller

The essence of community engagement is captured by this famous quote. As defined by

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997, community engagement
is “the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by
geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the
well-being of those people.”

Fig. 1. Military personnel partner with medical teams in providing health education to
remote areas in the country.

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The goals of community engagement include establishing trust, gaining new resources
and allies, improving communication, and enhancing the overall health and well-being of
communities, which are achieved through different projects. Furthermore, it also aims to
sustain these programs as lasting collaborations in the community.

Citizen Participation and Voluntary Organizations

A common and important element in community engagement is the individual’s
involvement in voluntary work. There are many organizations that accept volunteers, such
as neighborhood groups, professional organizations, special interest groups, religious
groups, youth groups, political parties, and advocacy unions, among many others.

Fig. 2. Volunteers extend help in various ways to meet the needs of the community and
alleviate distress experienced by affected residents of a calamity.

Similarly, citizen participation is a form of practice wherein the members use their skills
and talents to meet the collective goals of the community. This practice allows people to
make decisions and lets them partake in institutions and programs that directly affect them.

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Community Development

Fig. 3. A representative of a local community and members of a humanitarian organization

nurture lasting relationships through community initiatives.

Community development can be defined as a collective action in which people voluntarily

and mutually cooperate together to improve the physical, social, and economic conditions
of a community. Grounded on human rights, social justice, and respect for diversity and
equality, community development supports communities and helps improve their access to
opportunities and other needs to enhance their quality of life.

Community Action Modalities

Community action activities through community engagement can be implemented in many
different ways and may vary according to the type of community and issues being
addressed. It can be through campaigns or advocacies, research, or policymaking. Partners
may include organizations, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs),
the private sector, or individual collaborators. In community engagement as a form of
community action, there are various models in which people can engage or volunteer to
help different organizations achieve their goals.

There are also organizations that focus on community organizing and community education
by providing lessons for community members. Other institutions aim to improve the social

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and economic conditions of a community through capacity building and community

development. Moreover, there are organizations that encourage community involvement
through facilitating community service. Outreach programs are the most common type of
voluntary work.

Research and advocacy also go together in relation to communities. Professional

organizations use the information and resources gathered from community engagement to
develop solutions to existing community problems.

As of September 2020, the Nationwide Directory of Private Social Welfare and Development
Agencies (SWDAs), which lists registered and licensed organizations by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has been growing in number. This suggests that
community action in the country is progressing.

Table 2. Community action modalities and examples of various initiatives

Type of Community Examples of Community Action activities

Engagement

Community organizing Providing children, youth, and communities in

and community resettlement areas with alternative learning, vocational
education training, livelihood training, etc.

Capacity building and Providing services like reforms and policy formulation for
community communities to ensure that communities’ needs, concerns,
development and rights are promoted

Community service and Providing educational assistance to students, including

community education survivors of natural disasters

Projects may include building schools, donating books or

other materials, etc.

Community education, Catering to specific sectors like children, youth, families,

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advocacy, research single parents, survivors of abuse, persons with

disabilities, etc.

Conducting research to aid in relevant issues pertaining to

chosen advocacy

The Benefits of Community Engagement

Participating in community action activities has shown positive outcomes, not only through
the results of community engagement initiatives but also through the process itself. There
are certain advantages for individuals, groups, organizations, professionals, and other
stakeholders who participate in these activities.

Fig. 4. Volunteers assist in relief operations to affected communities in the aftermath of a

typhoon.

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Table 2. The benefits of community engagement

Benefits of community Entities that benefit Ways community engagement

engagement from community benefits the community
engagement

Facilitation of Communities and Communities in need are given

community society access and opportunities to
development improve the communities' physical,
social, and economic conditions.

Improved sense of Individuals, groups, As community members feel safer

community and organizations, and and more secure in their
community communities community, they are likely to
competence interact more with their neighbors,
feel a greater sense of community,
and have more motivation and
confidence to participate in other
activities.

Interpersonal benefits Individuals, groups, When mutual needs are met, it

organizations, and strengthens emotional ties and
communities social support among community
members.

Coalition building Groups, organizations, Effective group coalitions ensure

and communities that no work is duplicated and
people can maximize their
potential.

Working in groups and networks

aids in the formalization of rules
and procedures, improvement in
the leadership style of organizers,

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better participation of members,

collaboration, and group cohesion
despite the diversity of
membership. It can also reduce
community group isolation and
enhance social relations.

Identification of Organizations or The flow of information between

community needs and service providers and the service providers and the
enhancement in the government community in need is guaranteed.
delivering social
services Partnerships among communities,
institutions, and government
agencies ensure that community
needs are properly met.

Better links between groups

involved are established.

Increased community Individuals and groups Community involvement cultivates

involvement social cohesion or connectedness
and solidarity among its members.
It also promotes bonding that
strengthens relationships and trust
in the community.

Academic and research Academic Academics and other professionals

benefits professionals, other gain opportunities to build their
related professionals networks for career growth.
(e.g., healthcare,
mental health, social Researchers gain access to
work professionals), information and resources for
potential research that would

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researchers, and the benefit the whole community.

wider community Participants develop skills and
knowledge as they engage
themselves in community work.

The Impacts of Community Engagement

Fig. 5. Volunteers create an impact by raising awareness and inspiring action toward
relevant issues of today like climate change.

● Empowerment
Community engagement serves as a platform for individuals’ voices to be heard.
Empowerment cultivates a sense of control that leads to community ownership or
the sense of being responsible for their own community’s development.
Empowerment also increases volunteerism among individuals and groups.

● Policy Change and Social Change

Change or improvement in existing policies and laws can be made once the

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government and other agencies in charge are informed of the realities that exist in
communities. Members of the community can be catalysts for change as well.
Community engagement is not about controlling the people in the community but
promoting their capacity for change.

● Enhanced Community Well-Being

Through community development, the transformation of social and economic
conditions is made possible.

● Capacity Building
Participating in community engagement fosters learning and development of skills
needed for sustainable change. Individuals and groups engaging in community
activities learn more about other cultures that reinforce social exchange.

● Personal and Collective Efficacy

Recognition for participating in solving community problems allows volunteers to
experience feelings of fulfillment, confidence, and competence that encourage them
to further engage in community activities.

Check Your Progress

What is the importance of community action in improving the
social and economic conditions of a community?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Fig. 6. Volunteering activities increase adolescents' vocational competence, leadership, and

pro-social attitudes that can contribute to their improved community identities.

Check Your Progress

As a student and as a member of the youth sector, what do you
think is the importance of community engagement?

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In Philippine Context
Bayanihan is a Filipino cultural value that refers to extending help to fellow countrymen in
times of need without conditions or compensation. Bayanihan is also referred to as the
community spirit of unity and cooperation among Filipinos. This community spirit is often
manifested in different ways, from simple actions like helping neighbors to assisting
people in need, such as those affected by calamities. When Typhoon Yolanda hit the
country in 2013, the Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos was observed, and it made a significant
impact on the community’s capacity to recover from the calamity.

Nationwide Directory of Private Social Welfare and

Development Agencies (SWDAs)
DSWD, ”Nationwide Directory of Private Social Welfare and
Development Agencies (SWDAs),” Department of Social Welfare
and Development (Department of Social Welfare and
Development, September 2020),
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/download/standards_bureau/list_of_s
wdas_sps_and_csos/2020/as_of_2020_9september_17/Private-S
WDA-valid-09172020.pdf, last accessed on November 9, 2020.

Community Spirit
UN News, “Community Spirit Behind Recovery of Filipino Town
Hard Hit by Typhoon,” United Nations (General News, November
12, 2015), https://news.un.org/en/audio/2015/11/606472, last
accessed on November 9, 2020.

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Wrap-Up
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
● Community engagement is “the process of working collaboratively with and
through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or
similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of those people.”
● Common and important elements in the process of community engagement are
the individuals’ involvement in voluntary work, citizen participation, and
community development.
● Community action activities through community engagement can be implemented
in many different ways and may vary according to the type of community and
issues to be addressed. It can be through campaigns or advocacies, research, or
policymaking.
● The benefits of community engagement include the following:
○ Facilitation of community development
○ Improved sense of community and community competence
○ Interpersonal benefits
○ Coalition building
○ Identification of community needs and enhancement in delivering social
services
○ Increased community involvement
○ Academic and research benefits
● The impacts of community engagement are empowerment, policy change and
social change, enhanced community well-being, capacity building, and
personal and collective efficacy.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 3: Community Action

Try This!
A. Think about your current community. It can be your barangay, city, or province. Assess
your social and economic conditions. Determine certain organizations or institutions in
your community that cater to the needs of your community, especially to the youth.
Evaluate the programs they are implementing. Answer the following questions according
to the assessment of your community.

1. What programs exist in your community, and what issues do they specifically
address? What are the advantages of these programs?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

2. From your evaluation, do you think these groups or organizations are able to
effectively address said issues? Explain your answer.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What improvements in the delivery of services and implementation of programs can

you suggest to effectively address these issues in your community?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 3: Community Action

B. Continue analyzing your community. This time, focus on the issues that you think need
to be recognized. Answer the following questions according to the assessment of your
community.

1. Among your identified community needs and issues, which are not addressed yet?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In your opinion, which organizations in your local government should partner

together to deliver the needs of your community?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Which organizations and community engagement activities are you willing to join?
How can you contribute to the goals of these organizations?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Challenge Yourself
Short-Response Essay. Answer the following questions briefly and coherently.

1. Cite practical ways on how community engagement empowers communities.

Explain your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Explain why voluntary work, citizen participation, and community development are
key elements of community engagement.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. How would you describe the efficiency of our country's community in response to
calamities?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Suggested Rubric for Grading

The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify the rubric based on your
needs. Consult your teacher for the final rubric.

Performance Levels

1 2 3 Suggested
Criteria Score
Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight
Proficiency Proficiency

Content Less than half of the More than half of All of the answers
answers are coherent the answers are are coherent and
and plausible. plausible.
×3
coherent and
plausible.

Completeness Less than half of the More than half of All of the required
concepts are stated the concepts are concepts are stated ×2
accurately. stated accurately. accurately.

Language Less than half of the More than half of All answers were
answers were the answers were grammatically
grammatically correct grammatically correct correct and free ×1
and free from spelling and free from spelling from spelling errors.
errors. errors.

Total Possible Score 18

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Reflect on This
Short-Response Essay. Write an essay about the questions below.

If you were to create an organization to help your community, what would you call it? What
would be your goals? What advocacy would you plan to promote? Who will serve as your
members or partners in this organization? Who will benefit from this, and what community
action initiatives will you conduct to meet your organization’s goals?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 3: Community Action

Photo Credits
Children at a 'child-friendly space' on Leyte island, Philippines by DFID - UK Department for
International Development is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

100603-N-1635S-136 by Expert Infantry is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

Filipino volunteers help unload aid from an RAF C-130 flight in Guiuan, Eastern Visayas,
Philippines by DFID - UK Department for International Development is licensed
under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr / Edited to cover brand names.

130628-N-YU572-117 by Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) is licensed

under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

131116-N-BX824-091.jpg by COMSEVENTHFLT is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr.

Having Fun with the Kids in Sitio Baybay by Philippine Mission is licensed under CC BY-ND
2.0 via Flickr.

130417-N-VN372-001.jpg by COMSEVENTHFLT is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr.

Buck house by Alan Myers is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

Bibliography
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Principles of Community Engagement. 2nd
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https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pdf/PCE_Report_508_FINAL.pdf.

Chavis, David, and Abraham Wandersman. “Sense of Community in the Urban

Environment: A Catalyst for Participation and Community Development.” American
Journal of Community Psychology 18, 10.1007/BF00922689 (1990): 55-81. Accessed on
November 6, 2020.

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226865077_Sense_of_Community_in_the_
Urban_Environment_A_Catalyst_for_Participation_and_Community_Development.

Florin, Paul, and Abraham Wandersman. “An Introduction to Citizen Participation, Voluntary
Organizations, and Community Development: Insights for Empowerment Through
Research.” American Journal of Community Psychology 18, 10.1007/BF00922688
(1990): 41-54. Accessed on November 6, 2020.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00922688.

Melegrito, Ma. Lourdes F., and Diana J. Mendoza. Zeal for Action: Community Engagement,
Solidarity, and Citizenship. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016.

Milton, Beth, Pamela Attree, Beverley French, Sue Povall, Margaret Whitehead, and Jennie
Popay. "The Impact of Community Engagement on Health and Social Outcomes: A
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Prevo, Lotte, Stef Kremers, and Maria Jansen. "The Power of Trading: Exploring the Value of
a Trading Shop as a Health-Promoting Community Engagement Approach."
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 13 (2020).
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https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A632145262/GPS?u=dlsu&sid=GPS&xid=a0137467.

Puckett, Lloyd. “Philippines Typhoons Haiyan and Hagupit.” In Disaster Response Regional
Architectures: Assessing Future Possibilities, edited by Jessica Ear, Alistair D.B. Cook,
and Deon V. Canyon, 39-41. USA: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies,
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Quilo, Queenie S., Mary Antoinette T. Mabini, Mincie Pale O. Tamiroy, Myrma Jean A.
Mendoza, Sulpecia L. Ponce, and Liwayway S. Viloria. "Indigenous Knowledge and
Practices: Approach to Understanding Disaster." Philippine Sociological Review 63
(2015): 105-29. Accessed November 7, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24717189.

Schultz, Jerry, Stephen Fawcett, Christina Holt, and Jomella Watson-Thompson.

"STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND
DEVELOPMENT." American Journal of Health Studies (Spring 2020): 152+. Gale
Academic OneFile. Accessed November 8, 2020.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A637434220/GPS?u=dlsu&sid=GPS&xid=443407c6.

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Streck, Danilo. "Community Engagement and Action Research." International Journal of

Action Research 16, no. 2 (2020): 173+. Gale Academic OneFile. Accessed November
8, 2020.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A632269306/GPS?u=dlsu&sid=GPS&xid=01a464a6.

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