COVID-19 Pandemic Role in the Development of 4Ps Beneficiary Families’ Resiliency in Barangay 176 Bagong Silang, Caloocan City

Abstract

The Philippines, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and along with the Typhoon Belt, experiences volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and super typhoons. These events have challenged the resiliency and relationships of Filipino families. According to Walsh (2016), family resiliency is an understanding of healthy family functioning in adversity situations involving nine (9) critical processes to resilience. Then the COVID-19 pandemic came. It was first declared a pandemic in March 2020 that hit the Philippines abruptly, resulting in a major crisis that is particularly intense for low-income families. This pandemic has created short-term and long-term effects on all families' financial, psychological, social, and spiritual facets. 

This study employed quantitative research and used a descriptive research design. A total number of 150 4Ps beneficiary families of Barangay 176, Bagong Silang Caloocan City, were selected through a convenience sampling technique and surveyed using a researcher-made questionnaire through an online survey platform called Google Forms with the help of DSWD PDPS and RPMO - FO NCR staff.

Job loss, lack of basic needs, and employment uncertainty are the three topmost problems encountered by 4Ps families during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Moreover, in all aspects, most of the respondents strongly agreed with the statements in the questionnaire, which suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic plays a massive role in developing their family resiliency. In contrast, 8% were unsure, 5% disagreed, and less than 1% strongly disagreed collectively.3. Kinship, social and economic resources, and clear information ranked last among the nine (9) critical processes on family resiliency. Kin, social, and economic resources and clear information ranked last among the nine (9) critical processes of family resiliency. Lastly, most respondents agree that the COVID-19 pandemic developed their family resiliency; only 1.33% or two (2) disagree. 

The data analysis revealed that most respondents experienced job loss, lack of basic needs, and employment uncertainty. Despite these problems, most respondents agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has developed their family resiliency in terms of financial, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. These findings could be helpful for the respondents and community under study, especially for the Department of Social Welfare and Development -Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for the improvement and development of effective programs and interventions to better assist pandemics and other crises, particularly to the most vulnerable groups of society other than 4Ps beneficiaries.