LEARNING JOURNAL

Name: Rotchell A. Pelayo

Date: September 5, 2023
Agency: CSWDO Tagum

Activities:

On September 5, 2023, the student field worker meets the staffs and the agency head of
City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), through conducting of trialogue
meeting with the Head of CSWDO Maám Sally C. Balili, RSW and PASWI President of
Davao del Norte Chapter Sir Geraldo D. Marfe, RSW, MSSW. The program of the meeting
consisted of opening remarks which was done by the Bachelor of Science and Social Work
Program Chair Sir Jerome C. Llevado, RSW, MSSW. In addition, the overview of the DNSC
field instruction was discussed by Maám Joanaros P. Fahit, RSW, MSSW, and Sir Janroyce
B. Barrete, RSW the School Field Instructor discussed also about the Field Instruction
Course, case requirements, and roles of AFS, SFI, and SFWs. The head of the agency also
shared her experiences of the profession, expectations, and the future activities that will be
given to the Student Field Workers (SFWs).

During the afternoon Sir Geraldo D. Marfe, RSW, MSSW introduced the SFWs to other
social workers in the agency to be given tasks by them. At 4:00 pm, Maám Norry told the
SFWs to come with them at Apokon to conduct an intake interview with the victims of fire
incident that took earlier this day. Along with the Barangay staffs and CSWDO employees
the SFWs helped in giving relief assistance to eleven family victims.

Problems/ Difficulties Encountered:

When conducting an intake interview with fire victims, the SFWs encountered difficulties
such as not hearing the victims' words properly while gathering their personal information.
The evacuation center was crowded, and given the situation, there were noises everywhere,
so making a formal conversation with them was difficult. Handling a victim of such an
incident is also difficult for a first timer, and every word that is said must be carefully
considered because they are in a crisis or upset situation.

Learning Insights:

After the trialogue, the Student Field Workers (SFWs) understand the agency ‘s structure
and environment and knows the policies that must be followed such as being on time at
work, dress code, and the possible tasks that will be given to the SFWs in next following
days. Also, after the agency head Maám Sally C. Balili, RSW, MSSW shared her
expectations and experiences the SFWs realized that sometimes being perfectionist on the
outputs helps a person to become better on their chosen profession, become more
disciplined, and responsible on her activities.
Furthermore, the SFWs experience dealing with victims of a fire incident made it clear that
dealing with this type of crisis client is not an easy task. Dealing with them while they are
upset is difficult and memorable because it is a new experience and a memorable event in
the life of a SFWs. Everything the professors taught in class was true, and doing it in
practice is a little nerve-racking because you need to avoid making mistakes while dealing
with a client/s. However, establishing rapport with them through small talk helps a lot
because it reduces your nervousness and the sadness that the clients felt as a result of their
situation. Also, the SFWs used the principle of worker self-awareness because there were
clients who cried during the interview or intake process, and as a Student Field Worker
(SFWs), you must always remember that it is important to just let them know you empathize
with their feelings by not crying in front of them.

Supervisors’ Notes:

Prepared by:

ROTCHELL A. PELAYO
Student Field Worker