Two simultaneous Oplan Damayan initiatives were held this month of July that were spearheaded by the Department of Social Development Services (DSDS) and the College of Human Ecology Alumni Association (CHE AA). Given the huge support for the activities, both were successfully implemented.

Oplan Damayan for the Ayta Magbukun School Children at Barangay Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan

With the commitment to serve the people through extension and public services, the Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology has launched the Oplan Damayan for the Ayta Magbukun School Children at Barangay Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan from July 4-15, 2024 to respond to the request of the community to support their Brigada Eskwela.

Through DSDS’s Oplan Damayan, we were able to raise a total of Php 47,500 which were utilized to buy school bags, notebooks, papers and umbrellas for the 94 Ayta Magbukun school children. These back-to-school package including the in-kind donations (pencils, sharpeners, and 10 umbrellas) were handed over by Asst. Prof. Marife B. Dapito and Asst. Prof. Alvaro N. Calara to the recipients last July 27, 2024 at Bangkal Resettlement Elementary School, Barangay Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. The donations were received by the Teacher-in-charge, Ma’am Bernadette Bantigue which were witnessed by Ma’am Angelica Sangalang, teacher of Bangkal Resettlement Elementary School and Mr. Jay-R Reyes, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR). Ayta Magbukun school children who are present on the day of visit witnessed the turnover of the donation and received their back-to-school package.

The community of Ayta Magbukun has been one of the partner and learning communities of the department. In the past semesters, students from SDS 101: Introduction to Social Development had their field visits at the Ayta Magbukun community in Barangay Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan where our students had an understanding and appreciation of the context of the community and learn with them. The Oplan Damayan for the Ayta Magbukun has been a simple way to give back to the community and an effort to continue our collaboration with the community.

Oplan Damayan for the Improvement of DSDS Classrooms and Learning Environment

Oplan Damayan for the Improvement of DSDS Classrooms and Learning Environment or the “Oplan Damayan para sa DSDS” was initiated to address the College of Human Ecology’s Self-Assessment Report (SAR) of the BS Human Ecology program last January 2024 and the Unit’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2026. This aims to act upon the SAR results by improving the department’s infrastructure and equipment, thus, providing a better educational, research and extension services provided to the unit’s stakeholders.

This Oplan Damayan is spearheaded by the College of Human Ecology Alumni Association to raise funds to engage DSDS alumni and stakeholders to co-partner for the improvement of the office and classroom environment, for better services and for a more enhanced well-being and more enabling workplace. This would also further invigorate the culture of giving between parties in which all faculty and students and the department and college would benefit from.

The fund-raising activity lasted for a month – from July 1-31, 2024 and we were able to raise Php55,500.00 and an in-kind donation of four wireless microphones. Majority of the funds will be used to purchase sound system, bookshelves, smart television set, and other equipment needed for emulate a Smart Classroom. Part of the funds were also given to the alumni association, tokens for the alumni, and school materials for the Ayta Magbukun community at Barangay Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan.