History of

Community
Organizing in the
Philippines

PROF. EMMANUEL RYAN P.

FRANCISCO,RN,LPT,RSW
Pre-Colonial Era:
Damayan and Bayanihan
 Mutual aid among kindred, clan and
barangay
 Helped foster unity and cooperation
 Problems and needs were taken cared by the
kindred, clan and the barangay
 MUTUAL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC
SURVIVAL
Colonial Era:
Spanish
 Alms giving and charity work
 Institutions for the needy and
destitute
 Religious motive
 “Do good for the salvation of your
soul
Colonial Era:
American
 Beginning of Organized Social Welfare
( Associated Charities 1917) ;
Community Chest
 New Educational System, New health
Method, Religious Freedom
 Volunteer groups organized to assist
private relief agencies ( Insular Board
1902)
Colonial Era:
Post World War II
 Government assumed firm
responsibility for social welfare
 Programs: disaster relief ; self-help
projects ; farmer’s relocation and
resettlement ( displaced)
Reconstruction Period (1950-60)

 Establishment of SWA ( Social Welfare

Administration) ; SWC + PAC on Social
Amelioration
 Basic resource provision
 Rehabilitation and reconstruction of
communities destroyed by war:
1. Physical improvement and infrastructure
building
2. Construction of schools, roads and bridges.
Development Decade
1960-1970

 generate maximum community

participation
 Enhance coping capabilities
 Passage of RA 4373
 RA 5146 elevating Social Welfare
Administration to a Department
Participatory Development
1970-1980

 Emphasis on critical and active

participation of people ; organizing a
political action to gain power and
assert rights in decision making.
 Institutionalization of CO in the
Philippines
 Formation of ZOTO ( Zone One Tondo
Organization) , first PO
Zone One Tondo Org

 Out of this ecumenical cooperation in

1969 grew the Philippine Ecumenical
Council on Community Organization
(PECCO). The five Roman Catholics and
five Protestants who made up PECCO
established a program in community
organizing, using the Tondo
Foreshoreland on Manila Bay as a
training ground.
Sustainable Development
1990-2000
 Sustainable Development Programs: to address
depletion of vital resources and the degradation of the
environment
 CO focused on proper utilization and conservation of
resources
 CO practice focused on addressing sectoral and
welfare issues including drugs, sexual abuse and
domestic violence
 SW practice transitioned from direct provision to
sustainable programs
 Building of federations and coalitions more prominent