COVID-19 Response, NICE and Community Participation in the Philippines

• Main Authors: Ibita, Ma. Marilou S, Ibita, Maricel S
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; UNSDG; No Poverty; Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Justice; Peace and Strong Institutions; Practical Theology; Sociology of Religion
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/theology-faculty-pubs/45; https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/43/4/e756/6276010
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

This author correspondence commends the United Kingdom’s focus on the importance of community engagement and the use of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) resources in responding to Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This approach emphasized the role of ‘community engagement in improving health and wellbeing’ as NICE’s ‘quality standard on evidence-based approaches help to identify; mobilize and build on the existing strengths unique to every community’. The vital role of community engagement in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is also sought for the Philippine government’s response to the health crisis if only they will allow more community participation and engagement just like what the Alliance of People’s Organizations along Manggahan Floodway does in cooperation with the Pasig City government. Sharing of experiences and insights are gathered in the community action research facilitated by the Urban Poor Women and Children with Academics for Reaching and Deliveringon UNSDGs in the Philippines—(UPWARD-UP); an interdisciplinary; intersectoral and international project led by the Ateneo de Manila University (Department of Theology; Department of Sociology and Anthropology; Asian Center for Journalism; and Ateneo Human Rights Center) and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Belgium (Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Social Sciences) in cooperation with De la Salle University (Department of Theology and Religious Education) and Adamson University (St. Vincent School of Theology).