The evolving struggle of Filipinos with disabilities and their organizations throughout the years have resulted in numerous gains. While there are indeed reasons to celebrate, there are more reasons that underscore the imperative for persons with disabilities to continue organizing for societal transformation. Recent local and international developments also present more than ever opportunities to view and engage disability as a legitimate development issue. These come with an increasing appreciation of the role of organizations of persons with disabilities as ka-pasan in reshaping development and in pursuing visions of disability justice.

This study is an attempt to reflect on the evolving experiences of organizations of persons with disabilities in Las Piñas City in carrying out political action for transformative change. From this overarching theme, the study seeks to answer these particular questions: What was and is the current context of the organizing of persons with disabilities at the barangay and city levels of Las Piñas City? What innovations in processes and strategies were carried out in the organizing of persons with disabilities at the barangay association and city-wide federation level? What are the gains and challenges that resulted from and emerged in the organizing of persons with disabilities in Las Piñas City? Based on the findings of the study, how do critical factors in the organizing of persons with disabilities contribute to or detract from the agenda of empowerment and transformative change? Based on the findings of the study, how can the organizing of persons with disabilities be reframed to make the process more disability-responsive, inclusive, and contributory to the furtherance of the advocacy to center disability as a critical area for social development in the Philippines?

Underpinned by critical, emancipatory and feminist standpoint research perspectives, the study attempts to answer these questions by immersing with organizations of persons with disabilities in Las Piñas City (Pakikiisa at Pakikipamuhay), by joining them in circles of conversations, dialogue, reflection and learning (Kwentuhan at Samaaralan) and by reviewing and analyzing existing documents with them (Pagbabasa at pagsusuri ng mga kwento at dokumento). The stories shared by the five barangay associations and the city federation are used to identify, interrogate and critically reflect on strategies and innovations, gains and challenges, and critical factors in organizing among persons with disabilities.

Based on these critical reflections, the study presents possible reframing of disability as Ka-pasan and re-envisioning of community organizing in the context of Kapasan. The study also advances several recommendations for strengthening organizations of persons with disabilities, enhancing organizing among persons with disabilities, and furthering disability as a critical area of social development practice in the Philippines. The study ends with an initial exploration of disability justice as an alternative approach and vision in building better communities that include everyone.

This study is an advocacy research focusing on the nature and gains of youth
participation in community governance. This research describes the capabilities,
roles, and contributions of the youth as well as the structures, processes, and
strategies that have been established and utilized to strengthen youth participation. It
also presented factors that facilitate and hinder youth participation in community
affairs.

It is a qualitative research through case study presentations wherein
combination of documents review, focused—group discussions, and key informant
interview were used to triangulate data gathered from four (4) youth organizations.
Validation sessions were also conducted to confirm the findings and discuss directions
for their future endeavors.

Results of the study show that the youth exert efforts in serving their
communities. They have proven that they are capable partners in community
governance but their participation is limited to planning and implementation of youth
programs, projects, and activities. The structure for youth participation has been
established but the youth are rarely engaged in community policy discussions.

In general, this study strengthens the advocacy for positive youth development
as it confirms that the youth’s exposure to community governance contribute to their
personal growth and in achieving community cohesion and development. It also helps
in facilitating the development of their feelings as productive members of the
community who could contribute in addressing youth needs and concerns. On the
other hand, the youth also experienced difficulties in their participation in civic affairs.
But despite the challenges, they continuously work within the structure and do their
share to participate and serve their communities.

This descriptive-exploratory study 1s an in-depth assessment of the experience of
the Daughters of Charity in faith-based organizing in communities at risk to disaster
specifically in Barangay Pinaglapatan, Infanta, Quezon. It provides a deeper examination
in the context of the Faith Based Community Organizing (FBCO) processes and
strategies, the facilitating and hindering factors in community organizing, and the
recommendation for community improvements and policy designs.

This research utilized qualitative data collection method and instruments such as
focus group discussions, story-telling, key informant interviews, photo documentation
and immersion.

Results of the study show that the community’s strong sense of unity and
selflessness contributed to their resilience as they continue to respond to various
challenges and crises. The values of bayanihan, damayan, communal sharing of
resources and active faith are also highlighted in the study. Spirituality in community
development is also evidently displayed in the people’s response to disaster and in their

” continued efforts to rebuild their lives.

The disaster experience of Barangay Pinaglapatan brought to the fore the highly
significant role of faith-based community development in human survival. FBCO
strengthens the foundations of the community for empowerment, social transformation,
and sustainable development.

Ang pananaliksik na ito ay isinagawa sa isang pamayanan ng mga Dumagat Remontado sa Sitio Kabuoan, Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal na mayroong layuning mailarawan ang Bolos; masinop ang mga inisyatiba, pagkilos, programa at tulong suporta; at malaman kung paano kumikilos ang mga naturang katutubo sa pagpapasigla ng kanilang katutubong wikang Bolos. Ang pananaliksik ay isang ‗qualitative research‟ na gumamit ng ‗case study‟ bilang pamamaraan sa pagsasagawa nito. Mayroong 19 na naging kalahok na hinati sa tatlong grupo na puro Dumagat Remontado at isa sa mga ito ay isang gurong tagalabas ng pamayanan. Ayon sa naging resulta, hindi pa gaanong mailarawan ang Bolos dahil hindi pa ito naidodokumento nang maayos, mayroon nang mga iba‘t ibang inisyatiba at pagkilos ang mga Dumagat Remontado sa pagpapasigla ng Bolos na masasalamin sa kanilang nagawang pampamayanang pagpaplano, ngunit wala pang programa at tulong suporta na nakatuon para dito. Naibahagi rin ng mga kalahok na kailangan ang kanilang pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at pakikilahok sa mga inisyatiba at pagkilos upang magkaroon ng pangmatagalan at sustenableng pagpapasigla ng Bolos. Natuklasan na ang pagpapasigla ng katutubong wikang Bolos, na tanda ng kanilang identidad bilang mga katutubo, ay isang paraan upang makamit ng mga Dumagat Remontado ang hinahangad na pag-unlad ng kanilang pamayanan. Ang patuloy na pagkilos, paglahok at pagsulong ng mga Dumagat Remontado sa pagpapasigla ng Bolos katuwang ang mga ‗stakeholders‟, tulad ng mga pampamayanang manggagawa at lalo na ng pamahalaan bilang ‗duty bearer‟, ay kinakailangan upang makamit nila ang pag-unlad na ayon sa kanilang konteksto at hangarin

Conducted in three sitios in the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges, the study aims to describe how individuals, families and community were affected by gold panning. It also looked into their coping mechanisms as well as the social services they utilized and received. The study employed a mixed method research design composed of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Ninety-nine survey respondents, 6 key informants and 7 farmer-leaders participated in the focus group discussion (FGD), study. Results show that gold panning had provided the community with economic benefits, specifically a means of livelihood for daily survival. However, it has brought more negative than positive effects to people such as health risks, environmental hazards and human rights violations as consequences of the failure to implement mining laws, and the use of methods and materials necessary for gold panning.

Participants revealed a variety of coping mechanisms as a response to lack of livelihood and basic social services in the community. The important roles of social workers in the promotion of human rights and social justice in watershed communities were underscored in the light of emerging issues involved in gold panning. Effective implementation of laws and provision of social services are necessary to address the under-fulfillment of rights of Indigenous People (IP)
living in watershed areas.