Philippine Journal of Social Development Volume 18 2025
Issue Editors
Amaryllis T. Torres, Ph.D.
Rosalinda Pineda-Ofreneo, Ph.D.
Managing Editors
Princess Niña N. Cruz
Ana Caryl M. Ganiban
Editorial Board
Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, Ph.D.
John Erwin S. Bañez, DSD
Maritess D. Cruz
Hazel C. Lamberte, Ph.D.
Maria Corazon J. Tan, DSD
Celeste F. Vallejos
Technical Editor
Alexa M. Carreon
Layout and Cover Design
Princess Niña N. Cruz
Published by
College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
Philippine Copyright © 2025
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Published Online February 2026
ISSN 2094-523X
All rights reserved.
No part of this journal may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher
Harnessing the Power of Social Development Amidst the Polycrisis
Table of Contents
Foreword (p. i–iv)
Amaryllis T. Torres, Ph.D. and Rosalinda Pineda-Ofreneo, Ph.D.
The Living Condition of the Residents in SMC-GK Village Socialized Housing of Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City (p. 1–27)
Raffy D. Labarro, Stephanie B. Lomongo, Catherine Q. Sabaysabay, Divina B. Catalan, Cheryl Ann A. Matela, Cesar Z. Gamba
ABSTRACT
Relocation housing programs in the Philippines aim to provide safe and secure homes for families affected by poverty, disasters, and urban displacement. However, questions remain about whether these projects meet the broader needs of residents, including access to livelihoods, basic services, and community participation. This study examined the living conditions of 218 households in the San Miguel Corporation–Gawad Kalinga (SMC-GK) Village, Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City. Using mixed methods research design, survey data measured satisfaction across four dimensions—physical, economic, social, and health—while interviews with residents, barangay officials, and the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD), as well as on-site observations, provided deeper insights into coping mechanisms and service gaps. Results showed satisfaction with housing durability (M = 3.03) and electricity access (M = 3.70). However, drainage systems (M = 2.22), water supply for chores (M = 2.57), transport costs (M = 2.29), and income opportunities (M = 2.46) remained major concerns. Families relied on water storage, house repairs, and informal livelihoods to adapt. Comparing actual conditions with standards from the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), Batas Pambansa (BP) 220, and the WHO Housing and Health Guidelines revealed gaps in infrastructure, economic support, and service delivery. Anchored on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Galster’s psychological construct of housing satisfaction, and Durkheim’s structural functionalism, the study recommends integrating livelihood programs, affordable transport, reliable water and drainage systems, and mechanisms for community participation into future relocation projects. These measures can prevent the simple transfer of poverty to new locations and support long-term community development.
Keywords: socialized housing, living conditions, relocation, housing standards, community development
Barriers to Pursue Higher Studies Abroad: A Study on Social Work and Social Sciences Students in Bangladesh (p. 28–45)
Umme Zarin Tasnim
ABSTRACT
Pursuing higher education abroad helps students to compete in a more challenging world and prepare for a future where they become more qualified professionals. Nowadays, a growing number of students desire to pursue higher education to enrich their knowledge and skills. Most often, in the developing world, studying in their home countries isn’t enough to broaden their vision, strengthen skills, and build networks. However, pursuing higher studies overseas is rare in Bangladesh. The study seeks to investigate the constraints that discourage the students from studying abroad, and to propose possible methods to address these barriers. Using quantitative methods, data were collected from the students of Rajshahi University. Results showed that the willingness to pursue higher education abroad is more prevalent among students from wealthy or middle-class families compared to lower middle-class or poor families. Majority of students mentioned poor economic condition as the main hurdle to pursuing higher education abroad, along with lack of proper guidance. It is therefore recommended that the government provide national scholarships for academically-gifted students who lack the financial means to study abroad.
Keywords: higher education, barriers, scholarships, economic condition, capacity building
The Realities of 10 Hmong LGBTQ+ Individuals in the United States: Thriving Alongside Culture, Tradition, and Hmong Identity (p. 46–81)
Pa Nhia Xiong
ABSTRACT
The Hmong people, a stateless ethnic group, migrated to the United States (U.S.) five decades ago following the Secret War in Laos. Despite resettlement, they continue to uphold their cultural values, beliefs, and traditional shamanistic practices over time. In Hmong society, children are expected to carry on the family lineage and maintain familial honor. However, identifying as LGBTQ+ is often perceived as one of the greatest sources of shame, which can lead to family rejection, homelessness, and, in some cases, suicide.
Homosexuality is largely considered foreign to the Hmong community, with no direct linguistic translations for LGBTQ+ identities. Historically, Hmong LGBTQ+ individuals have been ostracized for being perceived as defying cultural, religious, and familial expectations. They are often seen as incapable of continuing their bloodline, reinforcing their marginalization. Existing theoretical frameworks fail to fully capture the unique experiences of queer Hmong individuals, necessitating the development of Hmong Critical Race Theory (HmongCrit) and Queer Hmong Epistemology. These emerging perspectives provide culturally relevant approaches to understanding intersectional identities within the Hmong community.
This qualitative study amplifies the voices of Hmong LGBTQ+ individuals through narrative inquiry, highlighting the lived experiences of 10 participants. Findings emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive research, advocacy, education, and support networks to promote justice and human rights. The study calls for the extensive development of resources that empower Hmong LGBTQ+ individuals and foster safe spaces for future generations, ensuring visibility and protection within both the Hmong community and broader society.
Keywords: stateless, queer Hmong, culturally sensitive, shamanism
Empowering Tribal Communities: An Overview of Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) in Andhra Pradesh, India (p. 82–103)
Konde Lingaswamy
ABSTRACT
The Farmer Producing Organizations (FPOs) have been perceived as a magic bullet to the farmers’ problems in Andhra Pradesh, India. The federal and provincial governments of India are both promoting FPOs as a new institutional arrangement to revolutionize farming. FPOs are considered to be a vital mechanism that address issues of agricultural productivity, market access, and sustainable practices. Therefore, it revitalizes agriculture by infusing new technology among marginalized groups. The tribals are one of the most backward communities in terms of modern developmental indicators and although underdeveloped, their agricultural systems and patterns are organic and sustainable. Moreover, their potential has not been tapped due to the lack of market access and restricted use of modern technology. If FPOs are able to foster new technology and give market access, the tribal farmers’ productivity may increase manifold.
In this backdrop, the study delves into the distinctive challenges faced by tribal farmers and explores if the formation of FPOs serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development. It also tries to explore what qualitative changes FPOs are able to bring to the life of a farmer’s family. Furthermore, the study examines collaborative efforts between FPOs, government agencies, and NGOs. It also assesses the availability of credit for the members of FPOs. Additionally, it touches upon the role of FPOs in facilitating newer technology and climate-resilient agricultural practices among tribal farmers. The study concludes by presenting ways forward and the future of FPOs among tribal communities.
Keywords: tribal, Farmer Producing Organizations, FPOs, participation, agriculture, community
Digitalization, COVID-19, and the Future of Women Workers in the Philippines (p. 104–129)
Benjamin Velasco and Rosalinda Pineda-Ofreneo
ABTRACT
Even before the pandemic, digitalization had been rapidly changing life for all workers, women and men, inside and outside the workplace. Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, it has presented opportunities and threats, tending to reproduce inequalities based on gender, class, caste, ethnicity, nationality, and other differentiating factors. Using desk review, key informant interviews, and participant observation, the study looks in general at the experiences of female workers in the Philippines during the pandemic but focuses in particular at their COVID-related adaptations at the formal, informal, and gig economies. Examining the responses of organized women workers to the impact of digitalization during the pandemic reveals their exercise of agency and collective action. Adapting the future of workers approach—which reframes the discourse away from technology and brings it back to people and their perspectives on the changes in work—and a gender perspective, the research argues that harnessing the benefits of digitalization for the future of women workers in the Philippines depends on effective regulation and positive action. The paper makes recommendations to create an enabling policy environment for all citizens, especially women workers, in the digital world and to fulfill human rights towards realizing digital, gender, social, and economic justice.
Keywords: future of work, digitalization, COVID-19 pandemic, women workers, Philippines
Religious Institutions as a Community Development Resource: A Case Study of the Role of Religious Institutions in Tri-People Community Peacebuilding in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte (p. 130–166)
Michael BJ S. Abellana
ABTRACT
Religion, especially indigenous faith systems, remains understudied and often sidelined in community development due to its perceived divisiveness. Yet in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, religious institutions have become key actors in sustaining peace. This study examines how Upi’s tri-people religious institutions (Teduray, Christian, and Muslim) shape community-based peacebuilding and contribute to a shared vision of development. Using qualitative methods, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions, the research documents 40 faith-led initiatives across eight peacebuilding categories. Findings show that religious institutions build both bonding and bridging social capital, and are capable of enhancing the effectiveness of community development strategies and methodologies. The study also identifies prerequisite key elements that would make religious institutions effective peacebuilding resources in a tri-people context. The research also yielded the UPI (Upi’s Peacebuilding Initiative) framework—a context-sensitive model for leveraging religious institutions in peacebuilding. Finally, it shows that religious institutions can be a resource in community development, especially in community peacebuilding.
Keywords: Community development, community peacebuilding, religion and development, religion and peacebuilding, tri-people, religious institutions, indigenous faith, inclusive development