Merlinda Banagua

Gabby Lim
John Ramuel Unica
BS Social Work

CONCEPT PAPER
Tentative Title of Research Interest
Impact Evaluation of the Lingap sa Mahirap Program of Biñan City, Laguna:
Beneficiaries Point of View

Background of the Study

It's been a year since the Philippines reported its first case of new coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the nation is still grappling with the virus that causes
SARS Cov2. On March 12, the whole Metro Manila was put under "community
quarantine" as the administration raced to prevent the spread of SARS Cov2.
Domestic land, air, and sea traffic to and from Metro Manila was halted from March
15, 2020, until April 14, 2020. On March 16, only a few days after placing Metro
Manila under community quarantine, Duterte opted to impose an expanded
community quarantine for the whole island of Luzon. "Strict home quarantine shall
be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for
food and essential services shall be regulated; and a heightened presence of
uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures shall be implemented,"
according to enhanced community quarantine.

(Baclig, 2021) Suspect and possible COVID-19 patients who died with awaiting test
results should be treated similarly to a proven COVID-19 case, according to the
general recommendations on Proper Handling of the Remains of Suspect, Probable,
and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases. Some infectious agents may be transferred when
people come into touch with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of people who have
died from infectious illnesses. As a result, basic safety measures must be always
followed. Burial and cremation of the remains of COVID-19 suspects, probable, and
confirmed are safe as long as rigorous infection and preventive control procedures
are followed. Personal protection equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks,
apron/gown, and goggles must be always worn. (Department of Health - Republic of
the Philippines, 2020).

The increase in COVID-19-related fatalities has put a spotlight on the crematorium

business since requests for cremations have more than doubled. Furthermore,
because to the limitations on social gatherings, many people forego conventional
funerals in favour of cremation, which is a considerably cheaper option. (Golden
Haven, 2021). As of right moment, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the
Philippines has reached almost forty thousand (40,000). (Worldometer, 2021)
Domestic rules in the Philippines have asked for the speedy cremation of proven or
suspected COVID-19 victims within 12 hours post-mortem; burial is allowed but
less desired to satisfy Islamic funeral laws or regions where crematoria are not
available.
Furthermore, out of an excess of caution, several funeral establishments are
pushing for cremation even when COVID-19 is unverified or not suspected.
Crematoriums are processing cremations quickly in accordance with government
standards, even though this goes against Philippine customs of whole-body
interment. (PubMed Central (PMC), 2020).

While cremation is a considerably less expensive option than burial, it still comes
with a significant price tag. Cremation costs in the Philippines start at PHP 70,000
and may go up to PHP 100,000. When it comes to urns, you may discover choices
priced between PHP 2,500 and PHP 17,000 online. The less expensive ones are
typically constructed of marble. Some urns are priced at PHP 100,000 and more if
you wish to commemorate your loved one in the most grandiose manner imaginable.
A columbarium in the Philippines, on the other hand, may range in price from PHP
20,000 to PHP 250,000 (Moneymax, 2021). The expense of a deceased person's
burial or cremation must be paid by the next of kin. If the kin are unable to pay the
costs, or if the dead has no family, the city or municipal government will bear the
cost. (Department of the Interior and Local Government - Republic of the
Philippines, 2020)

Lingap sa Mahirap is one of Biñan City's projects, and it attempts to assist its
citizens in meeting their burial service needs. This is a huge aid for people,
particularly those who only have enough money to cover their basic needs. This
program was critical for those who died because of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Mayor Arman Dimaguila established the Lingap sa Mahirap Program in 2017.
Beneficiaries of the Lingap sa Mahirap program are Biñan City residents who are
unable to afford funeral services for their deceased relatives.

Previously, the organization simply provided burial assistance to its recipients.

When a pandemic occurs, crematoriums open their doors, and the first bodies
afflicted with COVID-19 start piling up in the waiting room. In August of 2022, the
Binan government's dilemma began since the number of instances of COVID-19 and
the COVID-19 death rate were both increasing. Being one of Binan's City programs,
it is necessary to use research to address more aspects of this program.
Objective of the Study

The purpose of this research is to assess the effect of Lingap sa Mahirap on its
recipients. The study will attempt to answer the following questions:

1. In terms of quality, quantity, and timeliness, how was the program beneficial?
2. What ideas do the program's recipients have for improving it?

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to assess the program's efficacy from the perspective of
beneficiaries to provide a foundation for the program's future development. The
study's goal is to assess the program's performance in terms of accessibility,
availability, process speed, personnel politeness, and whether the service was
delivered correctly. The researchers want to learn more about the subject of social
work and contribute to it. The researchers would also like to contribute to the
evolution of society by providing individuals with more and more up-to-date
information.
Methodology

Research Design

The study will use a quantitative research strategy. Numbers and graphs are used to
describe this kind of study design. It is used to validate or test ideas and
assumptions. This research method may be used to develop generalizable facts
about a subject. (Streefkerk, 2021)

Respondents

Purposive sampling will be used in the study. This kind of sampling, also known as
judgment sampling, involves the researcher utilizing their knowledge to choose a
sample that is most helpful to the research's objectives. The research intends to
involve at least 200 Lingap sa Mahirap recipients from Biñan City, Laguna.

Research Instruments/Materials

The questionnaire that will be used in this study will be developed by the researcher.
Respondents' levels of agreement on survey questions will be specified using the
Likert Scale Method, which will be implemented by the researchers.

Data Gathering Procedures

Following the validation of the instrument, the researchers will explain the objective
of the study to the participants who have been chosen for participation, and they
will ensure that each participant understands the instructions and is able to answer
the questions correctly.

Data Analysis

Description Statistics will be used to determine the characteristics of the data set.

References

Baclig, C. E. (2021, March 12). TIMELINE: One year of Covid-19 in the Philippines.
INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1406004/timeline-one-year-of-
covid-19-in-the-philippines
Department of Health - Republic of the Philippines. (2020, March). Proper Handling
of the Remains of Suspect, Probable, and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases (No.
2020–0158). https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/dm2020-
0158.pdf
Department of the Interior and Local Government - Republic of the Philippines.
(2020, March). Interim Guidelines on the Management of Human Remains for
Patient Under Investigation (PUI) and Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019
 (COVID-19) Cases (No. 2020–063).
https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/issuances/memo_circulars/dilg-
memocircular-2020327_b5f709a5b7.pdf
Golden Haven. (2021, October 4). The Sudden Rise of Crematorium in the Philippines
amidst the Pandemic. Golden Haven Memorial Parks.
https://www.goldenhaven.com.ph/services/the-sudden-rise-of-crematorium-
in-the-philippines-amidst-the-pandemic/
McCombes, S. (2020, September 3). Descriptive research. Scribbr.
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/
McCombes, S. (2021, August 30). An introduction to sampling methods. Scribbr.
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling-methods/
Moneymax. (2021, April 29). Cost of Dying in the Philippines: How Much Does a
Funeral Cost? https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/funeral-
cost-philippines
PubMed Central (PMC). (2020, December 29). Fire and fear: Rapid cremations in the
Philippines amidst COVID-19.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7770472/
Streefkerk, R. (2021, August 13). Qualitative vs. quantitative research. Scribbr.
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/qualitative-quantitative-research/#:
%7E:text=Quantitative%20research%20is%20expressed%20in%20numbers
%20and%20graphs.,recorded%20as%20numbers%2C%20and%20surveys
%20with%20closed-ended%20questions.
Worldometer. (2021, October 8). Philippines COVID: 2,643,494 Cases and 39,232
Deaths - Worldometer.
Https://Www.Worldometers.Info/Coronavirus/Country/Philippines/#graph-
Deaths-Daily.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/philippines/#graph-
deaths-daily

Proposed Timetable