Assessing community partners’ situation: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic, their readiness, and opportunities for online social engagement

• Main Authors: Escalante, Marichel A., Santiago, Mary Ann G., Layco, Laizalyn
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Subjects: School social work—Philippines; Community and school—Philippines; Service learning—Philippines; Civic and Community Engagement; Service Learning
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11630
• Institution: De La Salle University

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) like De La Salle University (DLSU) have committed to participating actively in improving the quality of life in society. The Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), as the University’s social development office, has maintained partnerships with different community-based organizations to be areas where its students, faculty, and personnel can be socially engaged. However, with the onset of the pandemic, many of these partner organizations and communities were also the ones most affected by the lockdowns, resulting in the loss of jobs or work stoppage, and some ceased their operation. The survey aimed to determine the situation of COSCA partners to know the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their daily lives and organizational operation. It hoped to ascertain the readiness for virtual social engagement and identify different involvements that the Lasallian community can do as a response. A total of 282 partner representatives participated in an online survey. Results showed that livelihood and health were the top two most affected, and had been identified as priorities for Lasallian social engagement interventions. Many were not ready for the virtual approach but were willing and committed, with appropriate support and assistance from the University. It is recommended that the results of the survey are presented as baseline data to enrich the curricular and non-curricular engagements of the Lasallian community during the pandemic. Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, community situation, impact, readiness, social engagement