MS Social Work 

University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos

MSW208030
Social Work Policy, Planning and Program Development 

Final Examination

Name: Paula Jane Pellejo

I. Identification. Define the following. 

1. Social Welfare (5 points)
It is the set of assistance programs created to guarantee the welfare of a country's
residents. In other words, social welfare refers to a continual effort to address specific needs that
have been recognized in the community.

Programs for the aged, the unemployed, retirees, those with disabilities or illnesses,
widow care, and opportunities for single parents are all examples of social welfare programs.

2. Social Policy (10 Points)

Social policy focuses on how societies all over the world satisfy people's demands for
safety, education, employment, and overall wellness. Social policy focuses on how states and
society adapt to global concerns such as poverty, migration, and globalization as well as social,
demographic, and economic change.
Government pensions, welfare for the poor, affordable housing projects, health care,
unemployment benefits, equal opportunity employment regulations, anti-discrimination laws,
and policy efforts meant to help underprivileged members of society are a few examples of
social policies.
With a comprehensive view of the needs of the communities we serve, successful macro,
mezzo, and micro interventions, the promotion of social justice and equal rights, social activism,
and, eventually, social transformation, are all made possible.

3. Social Planning (5 Points)

Local governments and residents collaborate during the social planning process to solve
social challenges and create thriving communities. Social planning, which is integrated with
other forms of planning, concentrates on the individuals within a community planning
environment. Social planning examines community needs and decides how to raise the standard
 of living in the community. The focus is on specialized activities including problem
identification, research, and data collection and analysis relating to social issues.

4. Program Development (5 Points) 

It includes planning, creating interventions, and evaluating a program. Additionally, it
describes "structured attempts to achieve preplanned objectives, such as changes in knowledge,
attitudes, abilities, and behaviors to maintain or improve function and/or health. It assists you in
developing a thorough understanding of your target audience, as well as developments in the
economy, society, or environment; network considerations; risks; threats; and opportunities that
may affect your program.

II. Explain as instructed below. 

1. Distinguish residual view from institutional view of social welfare. (5 points)

a. Residual formulations – It refers to welfare that is offered by the government to

assist the needy and the poor, but only when impoverished people are unable to help themselves
through the market (because they are unemployed or have low incomes) or is unable to receive
assistance from family, friends, or their relatives. Services for battered women and children,
mental health facilities, orphanages, emergency evacuation, and housing, food stamps, and rent
subsidies are a few examples of residual social work. All of these illustrations address issues that
the person is already dealing with. Residual social workers frequently offer jobs and other forms
of money so that these people can eventually support themselves on their own.

b. Institutional formulations – It emphasizes providing everyone with an equal

opportunity to receive support, regardless of circumstances. Social services that are supported by
the government are an example of this kind because they are provided to everyone without a
request or justification. Free daycare programs, free educational opportunities, and social
security programs are a few examples of institutional social services. Free medical care,
government-funded scholarship programs, and housing subsidies are some further examples.

2. Enumerate and briefly discuss the sources of social policy. (10 points)

a. Generic vs. Categorical Approach

A social worker who uses a generic approach is one who has received the
necessary training to comprehend a variety of needs that may exist for individuals, small groups,
and the community. While a categorical approach, like child care subsidies and unemployment
benefits, only considers a single portion of the population.

b. Holistic vs. Segmented Approach

Instead of concentrating on just one issue, a holistic approach to social work
involves looking at all social aspects of a person's life. This method of social work allows social
workers to assess a client's behavior while taking into account the client's living situation, family,
culture, and community. On the other hand, a segmented approach isolates a single component,
like unemployment. This enhances knowledge of people's experiences, wants, requirements, and
behaviors and forecasts the best chances for resource allocation.

c. Rational vs. Crisis Approach

Social workers can understand why their clients behave a certain way and end up in
various situations even when the conditions seem to be adverse by taking a rational approach. In
this circumstance, the social policy is then formed. Contrarily, a crisis approach seeks to
empower a person or group that is going through a crisis situation by guiding them toward
workable solutions that can assist alleviate the issues that are producing such high levels of stress
and anxiety.

d. Future Planning vs. Political Context Approach

Future planning involves creating longer-term strategies for how human behavior
will affect concern and way of life. This might be a looked-after person, a disease, old age, or a
shift in circumstances. While the political context method is based on political beliefs that are
filtered via the social setting in which individuals live, seeks to address a current issue. The
character of current political discourse and the role that social context plays as an intervening
mechanism in the larger communication system play a critical role in determining the impact of
social influence.

3. Distinguish conflict management from decision making. (5 points)

Conflict does not necessarily result in negative consequences. Conflict can benefit an
organization in a variety of ways. Understanding how and why this happens is crucial.
Conflict management is a method to conflict resolution that has a positive net benefit. Early
resolution of disputes should take place in private and usually involve a direct, cooperative
strategy. Formal procedures, such as disciplinary measures, may be implemented if disruptive
dispute persists. Decision-making is the process of making an important choice, particularly
within a team or organization. In order to find a solution for a specific issue, it entails choosing a
method of action among the two or more viable options. It is important to gather all relevant
information and consider its advantages and disadvantages of it before making a decision.
 Focusing on steps that can help you reach the best decisions is essential. Therefore, conflict
management refers to the process of resolving conflicts in which unfavorable outcomes are
reduced and advantageous outcomes are given priority. While in its most basic form, choosing
between potential solutions to the problem is the act of decision-making.

III. Explain the following. 

1. Why should a social worker must also possess the qualities of a leader? How are these
qualities applied in promoting social welfare? (15 points)

Change does not occur by accident, thus social workers must be prepared to take
the initiative and embrace the duties of a leader. Leadership is the ability and talent of social
workers to establish new bonds with individuals, groups, or communities in order to motivate
them to work together to achieve a common goal and inspire them to take responsibility for their
own concern. Social workers train and empower community or people to take on leadership
roles; therefore they may not always share their leaders' beliefs. Social workers gave up their
lives and their means of support to help others live the most productive lives possible. We want
them to have the best lives imaginable. We want them to grow into the finest versions of
themselves possible because doing so not only benefits them but also affects how their family
members live. And that leadership ability is necessary to carry out social welfare activities that
promote the welfare of people, families, and society at large while attempting to prevent or
lessen the incidence of social issues.

2. Write a three-paragraph essay of your commentary regarding the recent State of the
Nation Address (SONA). Your opinion must include gender and development lens, and
social work theories and program development perspectives as supported by facts,
research or social analysis. (40 points)

The need for pupils to resume full-time face-to-face instruction was emphasized by
Marcos in his first Sona. I believe the five level alert system might be revised. Despite the
outpouring of situations that occurred, our ability to persevere in our education in the face of
adversity has been put to the test, and it has once again shown that we are adaptable to anything
life may throw at us. Learning has always been an essential component of the human experience,
enabling us to gain the knowledge and advancement our constantly changing world demands.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the entire planet to a standstill. Additionally, the
educational system is not immune to this. The benefits include improved social skills, real-time
learning in a classroom setting, increased learning productivity, better teacher-student
interaction, and the opportunity for students to engage in extracurricular activities. However,
there are also drawbacks, such as the possibility of a dangerous learning environment as a result
of the virus's several mutations. Next, physical education lessons don't allow for flexible
learning. Online education is truly highly advantageous for students who live in different places
farther from the institution. Additionally, in-person classes might be expensive. It is an expensive
technique of learning because it necessitates your attendance at school.

The next step is to build more hospitals and health facilities. Marcos requested that
Congress enact legislation that will establish both a vaccination institution and the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, he declared that his administration would expand
the number of hospitals and clinics throughout the nation, not just in Metro Manila. In order to
make healthcare more accessible to individuals who reside in the provinces, I think people have
been asking for hospitals in all of the major cities in the Philippines. Everyone will benefit from
the decrease in maternal and newborn fatalities, non-communicable diseases, cancer cases,
dengue outbreaks, diarrhea outbreaks, and the escalating HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Cheap Medicines. Marcos promised to lower drug prices and maintain a steady supply.
He said that he has begun negotiating with drug manufacturers to reduce the cost of prescription
medications. For instance, if a product requires maintenance and does not offer a more affordable
alternative, you are forced to purchase it. This is particularly advantageous if they guarantee that
high-quality medications are available and reasonably priced to as many Filipinos as possible,
especially the poor.

Marcos emphasized that the economy's foundation is its infrastructure. He committed to

advancing the Duterte administration's infrastructure plans. It seeks to build new infrastructure as
well as enhance the existing infrastructure in the Philippines. A greater workforce is needed to
complete the various developments and construction projects, which will create jobs for millions
of Filipinos.

Marcos said that it is time to review the government's plan for the nation's nuclear power
plant construction. It is undeniable that the most industrialized nations, including the United
States and China, use nuclear power plants. Just that it generates radioactive wastes that can be
harmful to human health for tens of thousands of years. But if we conduct an intensive study, I
think this might be successful.

We occasionally believe that having an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) takes care of all
issues in the home. However, the truth is that our OFW families are also dealing with issues that
are particular to them. These issues could have negative effects if they are not resolved right
away. Due to OFW issues that were not swiftly resolved, hundreds of OFW families have been
shattered. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), founded by the Duterte government,
will act as a haven for migrants in need and Filipinos working abroad, according to Marcos. He
said that by automating the contract verification process, his administration would reduce red
tape in the system. With the help of a program like this; our qualifying OFWs will now have
more access to possibilities for financial aid or other types of reimbursement and support.

Marcos promised that his administration would strategically distribute humanitarian

supplies for social benefit. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) would continue,
he stressed, and women's, children's, and single parents' rights will be improved. He stated
that the government will work with LGUs to provide counseling for VAWC victims, among
other services, and that they were mostly victims of violence. As we may recall, Marcos Jr.
pledged to support single parents by enhancing the nation's daycare center services during the
2022 presidential race. The President promised that his administration would ensure that there
would be sufficient funding for residential care facilities throughout the nation that serve the
disadvantaged people. Prior to lockdown, I could recall several situations where I had seen a 9-
year-old child sitting at our front desk. Between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am, he was there. When I
questioned the security guard about it, he said that his mother was forced to bring her child to
work and wait for her until her shift was through since she did not have another family member
to watch over him while she worked. Just consider how difficult it would be for a single mother
and her child. However, few Filipinos are aware that such a service is available. Some parents
might rather employ stay-at-home yayas. Just some people find the idea of having to leave the
kids alone with someone, even with CCTV, uncomfortable. It is more expensive than hiring full-
time, live-in assistance, which may also explain why daycares are uncommon here. Do keep in
mind that these childcare centers are regarded as business enterprises with ongoing overhead
costs, rent, and employee wages. The overhead costs can therefore become significant. The
CCTV at this daycare is a plus since parents may access it whenever and wherever they want
using a phone app. The daycare will offer a short slip at the end of the day listing the child's
activities for the day, when he ate, drank vitamins, slept, peed, or pooped, as well as his general
attitude. This will aid in the development of social skills, independence, and a better attitude
however exposure to viruses and infections, schedule-related issues related to operation hours, a
lack of individualized care, and exposure to unacceptable behavior are some disadvantages. I am
aware that not every child and family will prosper in a childcare setting for a variety of reasons.
The mere fact that something is working for some people does not guarantee that it will work for
you or that it will work in the future. I firmly think that every family acts in their own best
interests. Like anything else, daycare life has its difficulties and disappointments, but once you
discover a good center, it may be well worth the effort, expense, and even heartbreak. I wish the
country's options for high-quality daycare were more numerous. Because of issues like cost,
accessibility, and security, I believe that we are not completely aware of and taking advantage of
the potential that the huge demand for high-quality childcare brings. This initiative from the
President is advantageous for individuals who cannot pay it because it will be sponsored by the
government instead. The eight stages of Erik Erikson's psychological development may be aided
by this idea as daycare would accept children as young as 1 year, 6 months old. Short sessions
led by preschool instructors may be offered at some of these childcare facilities.

A facility can follow a particular educational philosophy, such as the widely used
Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia methods. The Montessori Method also promotes
empathy, a desire for social justice, and a love of lifelong learning, according to the American
Montessori Society. It is also noted for individually paced learning and cultivating independence.
Additionally, it can help toddlers make the transition to formal education. Since these sorts of
facilities are common in the US, Singapore, and Australia, I think that both parents, not only
single parents, would greatly benefit from this program if will be applied here in the Philippines.
Thus, this will be only successful if the government acts to implement this strategy.