Another call to Padayon

A couple of weeks before  2012 ended,  I received an appointment from the national president of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association  to chair and subsequently revive the Padayon Welfare Fund for Pastors Project.  The project is an attempt towards a comprehensive and sustained approach to meet the perennial needs of  our pastors. This is a combination of mutual aid, revolving fund and cooperative concept. It was during my term as president when the project was conceptualized and launched. But it was not given priority by my successor  due to other urgent needs of the association. The recent call to  Padayon (continue)   has inspired other past presidents and officers to get involved. While in the process of  finalizing the mechanics , we have already received almost P200, 000 donations and  pledges from people who are excited about the project.

POSE FOR POSTERITY. (R-L) Victor Salmon,  Atty. Ma. Dolores 

Nalumen and the author pose after the awarding ceremony during

the PASWI Golden Anniversary and Convention in 1998.  

Mr. Salmon (CPU BSSW '73) was one of  the Ten Outstanding
Social Workers of the Philippines. The author  displays the Most 
Outstanding Chapter award for  PASWI-Iloilo

Last Friday,  I got another call to Padayon. Yes, a call to continue  the good things  that we have started.  This time from the former national president of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI).  Atty. Ma.  Dolores Nalumen  unexpectedly visited our office at Central Philippine University  and after some  sort of reunion and recollections,  she made a special request- my active participation in PASWI and the possibility of  reviving our regional group/ fellowship in Western Visayas. I could not say no to her  because of our good working relationship in the past. I succeeded her as president in our local chapter  15 years ago.  We were together in the national board  in 1999-2002.

I suggested to her that we meet again on March 19, 2013 in time for the celebration of World Social Work Day. Our Department has been observing the celebration since 2007  with  a forum and planning session for the annual celebration of the Social Work Week in Iloilo every June 13-19.  We will maximize the occasion for consultation, related to the aforementioned agenda, with the PASWI chapter presidents and  representatives of the National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI), Association of  Local Social Welfare and Development Officers  (ALSWDOPI) , Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines (AMSWPI), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Provincial/City Social Welfare and Development Officers and non government organizations (NGOs).

After our meeting, I could not  help but  feel  nostalgic about our PASWI regional association. Although the thought of reactivating it  excites me.  Probably, we were the first one to establish a regional association to formalize the tradition of involving  other chapters when conducting  activities in Iloilo. It was in 1998 when we decided to organize the PASWI Western Visayas while  celebrating PASWI's Golden Year. Thereafter, we were able to sustain the organization for nearly  a decade  in line with the national thrust to strengthen regional clusters after the  assembly decided to break the tradition with the ratification of the constitutional amendment for holding  biennial conventions. The association was led by the Regional Coordinating Council/Board composed of chapter presidents and representatives from NASWEI, ALSWDOPI, AMSWPI, DSWD, NGOs and other social work organizations. We conducted quarterly regional updating, assisted in organizing  and strengthening local chapters and other initiatives.

Through our regional association, we have sustained  our unity in the region even during the critical time in the history of social workers when there was schism among various social work-related associations in the national level and some regions. Our move had been supported by the national leadership. I should know having served PASWI in the national board from 1999-2002. It was only in  2006  when some national officers  started to question our initiatives and reportedly conducted consultation sometime in 2007 in Iloilo City related to our regional association (without involving us). We were informed later on that the national leadership discouraged the formation of  regional groupings as  it would  deal only with local chapters.

Some of us  considered the decision surprising and ironic. In the sense, that earlier our regional association hosted the regional convention for Bicol and Visayas cluster with a very interesting theme i.e.  “Building Regional Strength: The Social Work Advantage.” The  Convention  was supposed to focus on the  importance of strengthening the local base and regional organizations in serving the vision of the national association. We thought that the theme would further strengthen our initiatives. But it did not. Instead of building the regional strength, the decision had curtailed regional initiatives. Since we were not given the chance to present our side to the national officers, we abided  with the decision and deactivated our regional body with reservations. As expected, it had affected the dynamism of local chapters especially the flow of communication and coordination of activities.

I did not hide these reservations to Atty. Nalumen during our talk. However, she assured me that she is currently serving in the national board and, as a matter of fact, has been designated as coordinator of the Visayas Cluster.  Having known her in the past, I know it would be worthwhile   to respond to another call to continue the good things we have started. Yes, another call to PADAYON.

Distinctively, Centralian Social Workers

In my other blog, the role of social workers from Western Visayas was highlighted  in the national celebration of the Social Work Week in the Philippines every June 13-19. Likewise, the tradition set by Ilonggo social workers in the history of the social work profession was emphasized. Started by Josefa Jara Martinez, the first and foremost among Filipino social work pioneer, more contributions have been done.

Victor Salmon (extreme right), 1998  TOSWP together with
Atty. Ma. Dolores Nalumen, PASWI National President.
The blog author, Iloilo Chapter President, holds the award
the 1998 Most Outstanding Chapter Award for the association

Martinez was joined by Carmen Montinola-Luz and Felicidad A. De Silva in the list of seven pioneers that formed the first association of social workers in the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI). The social worker-senator who authored the RA 4373, Dr. Maria Kalaw- Katigbak, had an Ilongga heritage. Since then, social workers in Western Visayas follow the tradition of leadership and excellence.

The Ilonggo social workers  elected in the PASWI National Board were as follows: Atty. Dolores Nalumen, Sr. Sandra Alejo and the blog’s author. Atty. Nalumen was even elected as president. After their  term, another three followed, namely: Mr. Rubin Magno, Miss Mary June Quanico and Sr. Enriqueta L. Legaste. They were succeeded by Prof. Feli Sustento, Mrs. Lulu Magbanua and Mrs. Lucita Villanueva. Interestingly, except for Atty. Nalumen and Sr. Sandra, all others in the list are Centralians.

Record also shows that of the four Ilonggo  recipients of the Ten Outstanding Social Workers in the Philippines Award,  three are Centralians, namely Mr. Victor Salmon (BSSW ’73) in 1998;  yours truly in 2004; and Mrs. Nina Joy Tanada, (BSSW ’79) in 2010. Mrs. Tanada was also recipient of the  Outstanding Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer award given by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Phil., Inc. (ALSWDOPI) in 2010 and 2012.

Nina Joy Tanada displays
her 2012 award as Most
Outstanding Municipal Social
Welfare  and Development Officer

Other Centralians who have distinguished themselves  in the social work profession are as follows: Mr. Lazaro Petinglay (BSSW ’89) was adjudged as  2001 Most Outstanding DSWD Rehabilitation Workers in the Philippines by the Department of Justice. In 2005, he was also awarded as Outstanding Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer by the ALSWDOPI. The same award was received by Dr. Neneth Pador (BSSW ’76)  in 2008. Another Centralian, Mrs. Adela Talamor, was awarded in the same year as Outstanding Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer.

However, the various distinctions of Centralian Social Workers are just  continuation of the legacy  set by social work pioneers in Central Philippine University.   Prof. Irene Ortigas, the pioneer of the Department of Social Work, was national awardee in 1999.  Having garnered the Regional Award for Individual Category in Western Visayas, she was  finalist for the Bayaning Pilipino- National Level.  Her successor head of the Department, Prof. Ruth C. Corvera was also adjudged Top 5 Finalists in the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual during the 2nd RAFI Triennial Awards for the Visayas and Mindanao in 2002.

Dr. Nenneth Q. Pador receives Most Outstanding
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer  award in 2008

          Aside from the pioneering work and national awards, Centralian Social Worker  perform well in the Social Work Board Examinations.  Record from the Department of Social Work, as validated by the Registrar’s Office,  shows the following achievers, corresponding their rank and year of examination: Erlinda Baldeviso (5th),1975; Rosie Adayon-Dimamay (4th), 1978; Nema Andong-Villan (7th),1979; Romeo Guanzon (7th), 1982; Sr. Trinidad Edullan (5th),1984; Hope Hervilla (2nd ), 1987; Raul Bunda ( 18th ), 1989; Sr. Lerma Pangantihon (14th ),1990; Ernesto Arellano (7th),1993; Cherrylyn Calinawagan ( 9th ),1994; Rosalina Lorque ( 8th) and Elizabeth Cubillos (10th ), 1995;Jinkee Gargarita (18th ),1998; and Sheen Faminialan (10th ),2010.  The  1st placer in 2001 board examination,  Melea Cianel Pabiona-Ellorin, is also a Centralian. While she finished her BSSW degree  from Lourdes College in Cagayan, she took her first two  years of Social Work from Central Philippine University.

______________________________


The list is not exhaustive. If you know of other Centralian Social Workers who have excelled in particular fields, feel free to send information to the author, if possible with corresponding photographs.

Rekindling the flame

There was no  other time in my life that  I got excited about the MSSW program of the University than recently. That is,  for the   past 6 years.  My appeal for an extension to the deadline for final defense, in behalf of my  advisees,  was granted. There are five of them who aim to graduate this second semester. Will any or all of them beat the deadline on February 29th.? Should all of them make it, it would be a wonderful experience- a fitting tribute to those who struggled with me in reviving the program. This incident has rekindled the flame in promoting  the Master of Science in Social Work program of Central Philippine University.

The experience also  makes me  nostalgic. It doesn’t seem so long when I made the commitment to revive the program while taking up Master of Social Work at UP Diliman. There was no offering  in CPU and other universities in Western Visayas, at that time. With no other alternative, I had to go through with  hassles of  adjustment in a new environment. Especially at the time of  unstable political situation in the country. Not to mention the   air pollution one had to contend with outside  the Campus. My only consolation was that my sweetheart was  also pursuing masteral studies in the adjacent  Ateneo de Manila University.

True to my commitment, I  worked hard for the revival of the program in 2002, a couple of years after my graduation. It was an adventurous attempt, considering the odds. On one hand, it was difficult task to convince the  apathetic targets. Many  had shifted to other masteral program due to the university’s failure to sustain the offering after many attempts  of revival. On the other hand, there were only four of us who had MSW degree in Iloilo City at that time. One was  on furlough shifting to  other  endeavors for a change, after decades of teaching social work. The other one was preoccupied with the new opening of  BSSW program which she headed in another school.

However with the strong  support of Dr. Fely David, Dean of Graduate Studies, we pursued the move. More so, when I had convinced   Sr. Linda Belo, DC , chairperson of the Social Work in Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus at that time to assist me. But not without trade off. I had also to teach part time in their department because of the accreditation requirements. It was fortunate that I  had a previous  good working relationship with Sr. Belo. Being one of my panelists during the final defense in UP Diliman, she had assisted me in finalization of the paper.  Under such condition, we set  a simple  goal -   to produce even  one graduate in 3 years time to convince the public that we really mean business this time.

Working  in our favor  was my involvement with National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI) and Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI).  Being the regional chair of both associations,  I had a natural venue and support system for promoting the program. Soon, many enrolled and more faculty joined us. We even conducted extension classes in Bacolod City to accommodate the request of students in Negros Occidental.  We held classes at Convention Baptist Bible College and Bacolod Christian Center, now Bacolod Christian College of Negros Occidental.

Our simple goal was achieved  during  the University’s historic Centennial Year in 2005. One of our MSSW pioneering students succeeded to complete the academic requirements and passed the final defense. Subsequently, Mrs. Lolita Camarig, municipal social welfare and development officer of Leganes  had joined the commencement march of the Centennial graduates. Since then the University  has produced six  more graduates including four  non- social workers who subsequently hurdled the board exam.

But organizational changes in the university and my personal involvement had changed the momentum. Due to the exigencies of service, I was designated as director of the University Outreach Center. Subsequently,  involvement with the social work  organizations was affected. Likewise,  my election  as national president of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA) ushered  another venue for service .  Especially with the  masteral program we initiated  for pastors- Master of Socio Pastoral Ministries. It is a combination of  MSSW and Master of Ministry. Hence, the MSSW program was gradually neglected.  More so, that my successor in the Department was not as passionate with the masteral program. Making matters worse was my unexpected illness which constrained my activity.

It was only last year when the program was again given a   push. With the leave of absence of  the new appointed head,  I was compelled  to  resume  my post  in the Department of Social Work in August 2011.  As such,  the MSSW was among the  activities  given importance because two of our  younger faculty only lack thesis to finish the degree. Consequently,  both passed the pre oral defense together with other candidates. Almost  through with the data gathering stage, they are expected to beat the deadline for the extended final defense. With this development, the flame has been rekindled. Hence, the start of the promotion both of the MSSW and Bachelor of Science in Social Work programs of  Central Philippine University.  Recently,   the Professional Regulation Commission has endorsed  Social Work as among the viable courses in the Philippines.  Social Work  is also considered one of the five hot careers for 2012 in the United States.

Some distinctions of Ilonggo Social Workers

Aside from the pioneering work and national awards of Ilonggo social workers, social work schools in Western Visayas have produced board topnotchers. Record from the Department of Social Work, Central Philippine University shows the following achievers, corresponding their rank and year of examination: Ana Maria Veria (3rd placer), 1972; Erlinda Baldeviso (5th),1975; Rosie Adayon-Dimamay (4th)and Estela Alayon (7th ), 1978; Nema Andong-Villan (7th),1979; Romeo Guanzon (7th), 1982; Sr. Trinidad Edullan (5th),1984; Hope Hervilla (2nd ), 1987; Raul Bunda ( 18th ), 1989; Sr. Lerma Pangantihon (14th ),1990; Ernesto Arellano (7th),1993; Cherrylyn Calinawagan ( 9th ),1994; Rosalina Lorque ( 8th) and Elizabeth Cubillos (10th ), 1995;Jinkee Gargarita (18th ),1998; and Sheen Faminialan (10th ),2010. Melea Cianel Pabiona-Ellorin, 1st placer in 2001 from Lourdes College in Cagayan, took her first three years of Social Work from Central Philippine University.

From the archive of the Philippine Association of Social Workers-Iloilo, a graduate from the University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos (UNO-R), Bacolod City also tops the board. Rose Sharon Z. Treyes (UNO-R) placed 5th place in the Social Work Board Examination in 2000. Recently another graduate of UNO-R in the person of Richelle Herebias Verdeprado placed 2nd in the June 2011 Social Work Board Examinations. Two schools in Iloilo City, Central Philippine University and Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, have a 100% passing rate for respective new graduates (Readers of this blog from other schools of social work in Western Visayas are invited to update of record with respective board topnotchers)

Related to Social Work Board Examination, it was through the initiative of the Philippine Association of Social Workers (PASWI) - Iloilo that the Board Examination for Social Workers has been also administered in Iloilo City since 1999. This is a record-breaking achievement of the local chapter in the history of social work in Iloilo/Western Visayas. Prior to this, board exams were held only in Manila and later in Cebu for the Visayas region.

PASWI-Iloilo holds the distinction of being the first local chapter to spearhead the Regional Assembly starting in 1998. In fact, it serves as forerunner to the clustering of regions when the PASWI National ratified the constitutional amendment for the biennial convention. There are other significant achievements of Ilonggo social workers and for that matter even in the national scene, that are not properly documented. The series of blogs on this topic is a good start. Hopefully, others will follow suit.

PASWI- Iloilo also played a significant role in networking of the non-government organizations (NGO) and people’s organizations (PO) in Iloilo. In 2000, the initiative of the chapter’s president in spearheading the move to declare the first week of December as NGO-PO Week in the Province of Iloilo gained ground. It resulted to the institutionalization of the celebration by virtue of provincial and city ordinances to recognize the role of NGOs and POs in nation building. Subsequently, the annual celebration has given birth to the organization of the network to spearhead the observance of the ordinance. The Iloilo Coalition of Non-government Organization and People's Organizations (ICON) serves as a symbol of unity among NGOs and POs in the City and Province of Iloilo. Starting as a loose coalition of NGOs and POs accredited by the Province of Iloilo, it has become a rallying point of other NGOs, POs and sectoral members of the civil society organizations.

These are some of the distinctions of Ilonggo Social Workers. No wonder their local chapter holds the distinction of the first chapter to be elevated in the Hall of Fame for garnering the best chapter award in 1995, 1998, and 1999-2000.

Social Work Week celebrations: Keeping up with the Tradition

The previous blog highlights the role of social workers from Western Visayas in the national celebration of the Social Work Week in the Philippines every June 13-19. Likewise, it mentions the tradition set by Ilonggo social workers in the history of the social work profession. Started by Josefa Jara Martinez, the first and foremost among Filipino social work pioneer, more contributions have been done. Martinez was joined by Carmen Montinola-Luz and Felicidad A. De Silva in the list of seven pioneers that formed the first association of social workers in the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI). The social worker-senator who authored the RA 4373, Dr. Maria Kalaw- Katigbak, reportedly traced her roots from Molo, Iloilo City. Since then, social workers in Western Visayas follow the tradition of leadership and excellence.

While the list is still incomplete, this is a good start of historical record to remind the succeeding generations of our tradition. This may even encourage social workers from other regions to trace the historical contributions of respective pioneers.In 2000, history seems to repeat itself when three members of the elected PASWI National Board came from Western Visayas, namely: Atty. Dolores Nalumen, Sr. Sandra Alejo and the blog’s author. Atty. Nalumen was even elected as president. After our term, another three followed, namely: Mr. Rubin Magno, Miss Mary June Quanico and Sr. Enriqueta L. Legaste. They were succeeded by Prof. Feli Sustento, Mrs. Lulu Magbanua and Mrs. Lucita Villanueva.

The tradition of excellence is manifested in the initial list of national awardees from social workers in Western Visayas. The fate of Josefa Jara Martinez was duplicated by Sr. Teresa Mabasa in 2000 when she was awarded as Outstanding Professional in the Field of Social Work by the Professional Regulation Commission. Sr. Mabasa served as first president of PASWI-Iloilo. Five Ilonggos are recipients of the PASWI Ten Outstanding Social Workers in the Philippines Award, namely Mr. Victor Salmon in 1998; Mrs. Herminigilda Duarte in 2000; yours truly in 2004; Mrs. Adela Talamor in 2008; and Mrs. Nina Joy Tanada, in 2010. Mr. Lazaro Petinglay was adjudged as the 2001 Most Outstanding DSWD Rehabilitation Workers in the Philippines by the Department of Justice while Dr. Neneth Pador was awarded Outstanding Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer in 2008 by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Phil., Inc. (ALSWDOPI).

Other national awardees from the region are Prof. Irene Ortigas, finalist for the Bayaning Pilipino- National Level in 1999 having garnered the Regional Award for Individual Category. Prof. Ortigas is the pioneer of the Department of Social Work, Central Philippine University. Her successor head of the Department, Prof. Ruth C. Corvera was also adjudged Top 5 Finalists in the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual during the 2nd RAFI Triennial Awards for the Visayas and Mindanao in 2002.

(to be continued)

Social Work Week celebrations: Finding the ruby, gold is not far behind

The annual celebration of the social work week in the Philippines stemmed from the Ruby Anniversary of the Social Work Law in June 19, 2005. With the paradigm shift on policy advocacy, as a challenge during the National Convention of two major social work organizations, a series of joint meetings and regional consultations of social workers in Western Visayas were held in Iloilo City. Participants exhaustively looked for ways and means in pooling resources to deliberately and systematically promote the Social Work profession and its significant role in effecting social transformation.

In the process, we found out that 2005 is the 40th year of the Social Work Law. Otherwise known as Republic Act 4373, the law was passed on June 19, 1965. However, it was noticed that the significance of the date of the passage of the Social Work Law had not been officially observed unlike other social welfare legislations which were passed even later. So, we thought of making the occasion a good opportunity to unite in promoting our profession.

With such discovery, we were very excited to think of activities to maximize the celebration. We thought of coming up with a resolution requesting then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to declare June 13-19 as Social Work Week in Western Visayas, as it would be within our area of work. It gained strong support from other social work-led organizations and alliances in the region, as well as government officials and NGO leaders in the Regional Development Council. However, the Regional Development Council, which endorsed our resolution, opted for the national declaration as the Social Work Law is national in scope. Hence, the declaration should benefit other provinces in various regions.

Getting the clue from people in the authority, we informed both the national board of Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) and National Association of Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI) of this discovery and subsequent move to solicit support either thru endorsement of the resolution or making a national resolution related to the regional resolution. While it failed to get the declaration from the Philippine President for some technicalities, the PASWI National called for the celebration nationwide. In Western Visayas, we succeeded in our advocacy as all provinces and major cities have institutionalized the celebration by respective resolutions/ordinances. Since then, while the degree and focus vary the event has been celebrated every year.

Later, in our research, we realized that our initiative is just a continuation of the tradition of the contribution of Ilonggo social workers in the history of the profession.

The first and foremost among Filipino social work pioneer is an Ilongga- Josefa Jara Martinez. Martinez was the first executive secretary of the Associated Charities, considered to be the forerunner of social work in the Philippines. She was also the founder and first director of the first school of social work in the Philippines, now known as Philippine School of Social Work which was affiliated with the Philippine Women's University. In 1978, she was awarded as Social Worker of the Year Award by the Professional Regulations Commissions.

Martinez was among the 7 pioneers that formed the first association of social workers in the Philippines. Joining her were two Ilongga social workers, namely: Carmen Montinola-Luz and Felicidad A. De Silva from Capiz. It was reported that the social worker-senator who authored the RA 4373 Dr. Maria Kalaw- Katigbak reportedly traces her roots from Molo, Iloilo City.

(to be continued)

Social Work as a Profession

It’s Social Work Week in the Philippines. The celebration commemorates the anniversary of the Republic Act 4373, otherwise known as the Social Work Law. The passage of the Social Work Law on June 19, 1965 has regulated the practice of social work and the operation of social welfare agencies in the Philippines. Subsequently, it has created a new interest in social work and in the field of social welfare. Incidentally, the date falls on the birthday of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

While the celebration is national in scope as endorsed by the association of professional social workers, the dynamism is more felt in Iloilo and the whole Western Visayas where the annual celebration has been institutionalized by virtue of provincial resolutions/ordinances. This year’s theme is Social Workers Responding to the Challenges of the Time. The choice has been inspired by the theme for World Social Work Day on March 15, 2011 - “Social Work voices responding to global crisises: Together we develop the Agenda!“

The celebration is a good opportunity to blog about social work. Contrary to perennial misconception, social work is a profession. While it started from charitable act, the welfare activities have emerged and joined the noble professions in the world. As a start of this series of blogs on the subject, I am presenting in toto the international definition of social work as adopted by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) in Montréal, Canada, July 2000

DEFINITION*

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.

COMMENTARY

Social work in its various forms addresses the multiple, complex transactions between people and their environments. Its mission is to enable all people to develop their full potential, enrich their lives, and prevent dysfunction. Professional social work is focused on problem solving and change. As such, social workers are change agents in society and in the lives of the individuals, families and communities they serve. Social work is an interrelated system of values, theory and practice.

VALUES

Social work grew out of humanitarian and democratic ideals, and its values are based on respect for the equality, worth, and dignity of all people. Since its beginnings over a century ago, social work practice has focused on meeting human needs and developing human potential. Human rights and social justice serve as the motivation and justification for social work action. In solidarity with those who are dis-advantaged, the profession strives to alleviate poverty and to liberate vulnerable and oppressed people in order to promote social inclusion. Social work values are embodied in the profession’s national and international codes of ethics.

THEORY

Social work bases its methodology on a systematic body of evidence-based knowledge derived from research and practice evaluation, including local and indigenous knowledge specific to its context. It recognises the complexity of interactions between human beings and their environment, and the capacity of people both to be affected by and to alter the multiple influences upon them including bio-psychosocial factors. The social work profession draws on theories of human development and behaviour and social systems to analyse complex situations and to facilitate individual, organisational, social and cultural changes.

PRACTICE

Social work addresses the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It responds to crises and emergencies as well as to everyday personal and social problems. Social work utilises a variety of skills, techniques, and activities consistent with its holistic focus on persons and their environments.

Social work interventions range from primarily person-focused psychosocial processes to involvement in social policy, planning and development. These include counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, and family treatment and therapy as well as efforts to help people obtain services and resources in the community.

Interventions also include agency administration, community organisation and engaging in social and political action to impact social policy and economic development. The holistic focus of social work is universal, but the priorities of social work practice will vary from country to country and from time to time depending on cultural, historical, and socio-economic conditions.

* This international definition of the social work profession replaces the IFSW definition adopted in 1982. It is understood that social work in the 21st century is dynamic and evolving, and therefore no definition should be regarded as exhaustive.

The Joy of Service

The scripture sent by a friend early morning thru text message fits as clincher to the posts on my service in the university:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

Call it, by any name - the law of giving or universal law of karma, this truth is irreversible. It holds true in our lives whether we expect it or not. As mentioned earlier, my various positions in the University were never planned nor dreamed of but a matter of exigency of service. In the same way, I did not expect any recognition or reward in responding to the needs and challenges beyond the call of duty, other then what was organizationally provided. My pastoral orientation and involvement in the people’s struggle conditioned me to put service above self.


But it came as natural sequence. First, incentive award while still in rank of instructor and later two University professorial chairs when promoted. These are Rosario Salas-Doromal Professorial Chair, and Riego Professorial Chair in SY 2001-2002 and SY 2003-2004, respectively. Our Alumni Association in Social Work honored me with Plaque of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in 2003 and Outstanding Alumni in Social Administration and NGO-PO Networking in 2005. This put me in the list of awardees in the College of Arts and Sciences during the Centennial Year of the University. My colleagues in the Department and professional organization, cognizant of my contribution, recommended me to the national search for the Ten Outstanding Social Workers of the Philippines and subsequently got it in 2004.


While these were inspiring (and therapeutic in sickness, I realized now), the deeper happiness in work came from students and community people themselves whose lives were touch and developed. The joy in knowing the extent of your influence and how they have succeeded in their respective fields of endeavors is incomparable. The fruits and continuity of your initiatives outweigh the sacrifices done. Indeed, God has designed our human existence to harmonize the pains and gains in life.

Next post: Gains and Pains in Serving the Pastors (Part II)

Paradigm shift brings me back to my first love

Having settled down and established my own family in 1992, I made it a point to be cautious in my involvement, so as not to repeat the traumatic isolation. This made me distance myself from any engagement that would spark the flame of activism in me . While I could not resist the deep seated commitment to serve the people, I redirected it in line with my profession as registered social worker. This is where my volunteerism was honed in working with welfare and development organizations, apart from my teaching work in the University.

I joined the professional organization of registered social workers and subsequently elected as president of the Iloilo Chapter which brought me later to the national board. Incidentally, our association is a member of welfare and development network. This provided an opportunity to apply my learnings from previous involvement in building alliances and coalition work. Eventually, I was elected as president of this network - the Iloilo Council of Social Development, with 25 member NGOs (non-government organizations). It paved the way to work with former partners in cause-oriented groups and new colleagues in development endeavors. Enjoying the new-found challenge, combining previous skills with the knowledge in social work, we made innovations in networking. Thereafter, I found myself engaging with the government in the Provincial Development Council, having elected as co-chair of the governor of Iloilo for 3 consecutive terms, as NGO representative. I had also the privilege to be part of the private sector representatives (PSR) in the Regional Development Council, chairing the Social Development Committee.

Such partnership has brought unprecedented breakthroughs in development and social work. Two ordinances were passed in the province to give recognition to the role of welfare and development workers and social workers in nation building. The annual celebration of NGO- PO (People’s Organizations) Week every first week of December resulted to the organization of Iloilo Coalition of NGOs and POs (ICON). This umbrella network serves as rallying point of civil society organizations in Iloilo. Another ordinance is the celebration of the Social Work Week in Iloilo, and Western Visayas (as it was replicated in other provinces. Cognizant of my contribution, the Philippine Association of Social Workers awarded me as one of the Ten Outstanding Social Workers of the Philippines in 2004.

Living a relatively stable and peaceful life, I did not ask for more from God. But the intriguing comment of a prominent layleader in our Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches has stirred me up once more: “He should have proven himself an outstanding pastor first and foremost, not just as social worker.” I was humbled and made me realized I have departed from my first love - pastoral ministry. If social work, development, NGO community has made use of my talent and commitment, why can’t I do the same or even more in the ministry?

Next post: A return to my first love