Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team on Covid-19

Response: An Analysis
PCol. Geraldo Palaming Roxas, (Ret.)
CCJE Faculty, Philippine College of Science and Technology

Abstract:- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by Keywords:- Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, COVID-
a newly discovered coronavirus, which is an infectious 19 Response.
disease. The COVID-19 pandemic is considered as the
worst crisis that affects our world economically and I. INTRODUCTION
socially. In this regard, government and community
leaders were challenge enormously in responding to this Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a newly
kind of crisis. In the Philippines, following the discovered coronavirus, which is an infectious disease. It is
announcement of the first localized transmission on 7 possible that COVID-19 infected patients will develop mild
March, local officials raised by the DOH are at once to moderate respiratory illness and will recover even without
responsible for distributing assistance to small special treatment. According to the World Health
businesses and people in an inclusive and transparent Organization (2019), older people are more likely to
manner; they also need to collaborate with national and experience severe diseases and those with underlying
other local governments, the private sector and even medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
foreign organizations in order to receive, monitor and chronic respiratory disease and cancer. Being well informed
receive support. In addition, several municipal councils about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it
are working rapidly to speed up the provision of health spreads, is the best way to avoid and slow down
care, revise fiscal policies and introduce new rules on transmission. There are no clear COVID-19 vaccines or
public safety. Thus, it can be noted that The nearest and therapies at this time. Nevertheless, there are several current
most direct form of government is always the local clinical studies testing possible treatments.
institution. As the full effects of the pandemic, health,
social, financial and political, are concentrated across the Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as
globe, they are important and need to be open, accessible the worst crisis that affects our world economically and
and sensitive to citizens' needs. As it was noted by PGEN socially. Vezina (2020), stated that the virus has essentially
Camilo Cascolan (2020), the PNP can never be truly affected many things about how people learn, work, and
effective without the help and support of the community. play. In other words, it has extremely changed the lives of
In this regard, the role of the community is vital in many people. Evidence indicates that epidemics and
providing services to this pandemic. In this regard, the pandemics may have major social effects that cause
researcher would like to conduct a study in order to restrictions on migration, travel bans, border closures, and
identify the lived experiences of Barangay Peacekeeping area quarantines in extreme cases (Espinoza, Castillo-
Action Team in response to COVID-19. Chavez, & Perrings, 2019). The consequences of the
pandemic are not only limited to social life but also affect
This study was conducted using a qualitative financial constraints at the household. Blake, Blendon, and
research approach particularly a Case Study with a Viswanath (2010) that during the influenza epidemic, job
population of 10 BPAT members assigned in barangay insecurity was exposed as a real consideration for many
Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City identified through a working adults in the United States. In the absence of well-
Purposive Sampling. implemented social safety nets and unemployment
insurance, during a pandemic, financial issues will weigh
The result of the analysis revealed that the BPAT in heavily on the minds of employees, and these problems can
barangay Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City are active in contribute to consideration of enforcement.
responding to COVID-19 despite of the fact that they are
unprepared and have lack of knowledge and experience. In this regard, government and community leaders
They still managed to proactively and reactively respond were challenge enormously in responding to this kind of
to COVID-19 in a systematic and flexible manner. The crisis. According to the World Bank (2020), in times like
challenges they have encountered did not hindered them this, well-established structures for emergency support and
to become resilient in response to COVID-19. immediate assistance are used bythe government.

The result of the study implied a clear indication Initially, the federal government of the United States
that the challenges they have encountered did not reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic with numerous
hindered them to become resilient in response to emergency declarations, some of which led to restrictions on
COVID-19. travel and entry, and the establishment of the White House

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Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Coronavirus Task Force. As the pandemic advanced in the Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the DOH increased its
U.S. and in the rest of the world, the U.S. government warning to Code Red Sub- Level 1 following the
started providing guidelines on state and local government confirmation of the first localized transmission on March 7.
responses as well as steps of social distancing and On March 9, President Rodrigo Duterte later issued
monitoring of occupational hazards. President Donald Proclamation No. 922, officially declaring a public health
Trump declared the National Guard's mobilization in the most emergency and allowing local government units to use their
affected areas following the closing of most corporations in a local disaster risk mitigation management funds. President
number of U.S. states. (Holshue, 2020). Duterte called on Congress to hold special sessions on
March 23, following the dramatic rise in reported cases, to
The U.S. between March and April 2020 As part of an enact the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act upon his order,
aggressive attempt to combat both the pandemic and its which would "authorize the President to exercise powers
economic effects, Congress passed a few big stimulus necessary to carry out urgent measures to meet the current
packages. Within both the House of Representatives and the national emergency related to COVID-19 only for three
Senate, with influence from the White House, other months unless extended by Congress". The act will enable
proposed acts of legislation to provide economic relief were President Duterte, in response to the pandemic, to "reallocate,
adopted. Furthermore, a variety of agencies have made other realign, and reprogram" a budget of approximately $275
federal policy shifts, some at the behest of President Trump. billion ($5.37 billion) out of the projected $438 billion ($8.55
Negative responses were created by the Trump billion) national budget approved for 2020; allow him to
administration's communication concerning the pandemic. "temporarily take over or direct the operations" of public
President Trump was initially identified as positive about utilities and private health facilities and other essential
the country's response to the 2019 coronavirus disease facilities "when the public interest so requires", the
pandemic and the level of risk to the public. Trump made a accommodation of health workers and the delivery and
large number of false or misleading claims as the storage of medical relief; and the accreditation of test kits to
pandemic's seriousness grew in the U.S. Trump "facilitate and streamline". (Parrocha, 2020)
administration officials, on the other hand, made several
comments in favor of physical distancing and purchasing In like manner, the World Health Organizations
steps. (Boseley, 2020). (WHO, 2020), stated that the community plays a vital role in
responding to pandemics. This is the lesson they have
In Uganda, in place of daily in-person market realized from the Ebola outbreak way back 2014 to 2016.
operations, the Kampala Capital City Authority provided This outbreak highlighted the essence of community crisis
guidelines and published related contact details for the home management responses and recovery of medical efforts.
deliveryof food and other essential commodities. The capital
government of Mexico City and 13 of its 16 municipalities In the case of COVID-19, community collaborations,
partnered in Mexico to introduce a new 'Mercomuna' healthcare systems, local governments and the private sector
program (Market, Culture, Food, and Supply) to help will play a key role in slowing the spread, mitigating impacts
families and micro-enterprises during the COVID-19 and facilitating local recovery. These collaborations
pandemic. Special vouchers are issued to families facilitate preventive communication and behavior
participating in an established governmental milk supply improvement, provide a quick short-term emergency
program to redeem food for small businesses, such as local response, reduce economic impacts and create resilience for
grocery stores, bakeries and markets. (Beerman, 2020) the future.

Furthermore, to address questions about COVID-19 Furthermore, Beerman (2020), it is mentioned that the
and provide resources in response to discrimination challenges created by the COVID-19 threat are united by
encountered during the health crisis, the Ministry of communities around the world. Local authorities are at the
Diversity of the Municipality of Montevideo in Uruguay set forefront of the fight: their leadership is not only
up a telephone and email hotline for people from LGBTI+ characterized by the language and immediacy of their
and HIV-positive groups. (Beerman, 2020) response to this disaster, but also has a direct effect on the
health and well-being of their people. For years to come, the
In Turkey, the Robotic Coding and Technology way elected officials react to the COVID-19 crisis will
Training Center of the Muratpaşa Municipality, part of the affect citizens' confidence and societal well-being,
Civil Society and Innovation Center of the city, began using particularly at thelocal level.
3D printers to produce and distribute face shields for critical
workers in the city, especially those working in hospitals. In Beerman (2020), noted that in response to emergency
Taiwan, in response to COVID-19, Taipei City announced relief packages, cities and municipalities around the globe
short-term economic relief initiatives for local businesses, need to develop solid, open and accountable expenditure
including tax deferrals and decreases, rent reductions, measures almost overnight to ensure proper allocation and
preferential interest rates and other subsidies to avoid control of funds. Local officials are at once responsible for
significant unemployment and business closures. These distributing assistance to small businesses and residents in an
initiatives complement the medium-term economic relief equitable and open manner; and in order to receive, register,
program of the Taiwan Central Government. (Beerman, and distribute medical equipment and other materials, they
2020) must also collaborate with national and other local

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Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
governments, the private sector and even foreign facilitates a sense of responsibility; ensures that a felt need is
organizations. In addition, several municipal councils are involved; ensures that things are done the right way; uses
working rapidly to improve the availability of health care, useful indigenous knowledge; frees individuals from relying
revise budgetary policies and introduce new rules on public on the abilities of others and makes people more conscious
safety. of the causes of their poverty and what they can do about it.

Thus, it can be noted that the local institutions often According to Curry (1993:33) it recognizes that 'local-
constitute the nearest and most direct form of governance. sensitive policies will not only be more effective in taking
As the full ramifications of the pandemic - health, social, into account the heterogeneity of the local social system,
financial and political - are concentrated across the world, economy, climate and culture, but will also be more likely to
they are important and need to be open, accessible and be successful in their implementation through the
sensitive to citizens' needs. As it was noted by PGEN participation of the local community. Communities with a
Camilo Cascolan (2020), the PNP can never be truly voice in shaping municipal policies are far more likely to be
effective without the help and support of the community. In excited about their implementation. (Curry, 1993: 33 cited
this regard, the role of the community is vital in providing in (Storey 1999) page 308). Golooba-Mutebi (2004) found
services to this pandemic. In this regard, the researcher that participation has a role in enhancing civic
would like to conduct a study in order to identify the lived consciousness and political maturity that makes those in
experiences of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in office accountable.
response to COVID-19. The objectives of this study are to
identify the challenges encountered by theBPAT members in In addition, Olson's theory is also used as a framework
COVID19 response and eventually develop and propose of this study. Mancur Olson (1971) A widely held belief that
measures that will address the challenges of the BPAT in groups of people with shared goals normally work together
responding to COVID19 response. to achieve them has been called into question. He argues
that "...unless the number of individuals in a group is quite
II. THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL small, or unless there is coercion or some otherspecial device
FRAMEWORK to make individuals act in their common interest, rational,
self-interested individuals will not act to achieve their
This study is anchored in Participation Theory. common or group interests". (Olson, 1971). In general, the
According to Chamala (1995), involving stakeholders and larger the party, the less visible the behavior of its individual
empowering community members in projects at all levels, members, the higher the cost of getting them together by
from local to global, offers a more productive route to transaction, and thus the greater the propensity to ride freely.
addressing sustainable resource management challenges at all This is why large organizations often struggle to provide
levels. Participation enhances project effectiveness through their representatives with collective goods. Using two basic
community ownership of development efforts and aids economic analysis methods, Olson has shown that "certain
decision-making (Kelly and Van Vlaenderen 1995; small groups can provide themselves with collective goods
Kolavalli and Kerr 2002). Price and Mylius (1991) also without relying on coercion or any positive inducements
identified local ownership of a project or program as a key apart from the collective good itself. This is because in some
to generating motivation for ecologically sustainable small groups each of the members, or at least some of them
activities. The authors also identify the role of community will find that his personal gain from having the collective
participation in disseminating information amongst a good exceeds the total cost of providing the collective good"
community, particularly local knowledge, that leads to better (Olson, 1971). Olson does not specify the number of people
facilitation of action (Price and Mylius 1991; Stiglitz 2002). who will make up the very small group, but he asserts that
Kelly (2001) identified that participation results in learning, the group should be small enough to make "the individual
and learning is often a prerequisite for changing behavior actions of any one or more members are noticeable to any
and practices. Gow and Vansant (1983) identified four other individuals in the group." (Olson, 1971).
affirmations that summarize the importance of participation
in development: (a)People organize best around problems Lastly, this study is also based on the concept of RA
they consider most important, (b)Local people tend to make 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”. The goal of
better economic decisions and judgments in the context of this law is to contain local transmissions of the disease,
their own environment and circumstances, (c)Voluntary mobilize assistance of basic necessities to affected families,
provision of labor, time, money and materials to a project is undertake measures to manage the healthcare system,
a necessary condition for breaking patterns of dependency implement a social amelioration program to affected sectors,
and passivity, (d)The local control over the amount, quality and partner with private sectors and other stakeholders in the
and benefits of development activities helps make the implementation of programs and measures.
process self-sustaining.(Botchway 2001)
Hence, the above-mentioned theories and concept are
According to White (1981) A variety of beneficial very applicable as framework of the study because it gave
factors for community engagement have been identified: ideas and references to guide this research to achieve its
more can be done with participation, and programs can be objectives.
delivered more economically. Participation has an inherent
value for participants; is a catalyst for further development;

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Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Paradigm of the Study Population and Locale of the Study
The population of this study was focused on the ten
(10) BPAT members in barangay Bacayao Sur, Dagupan
City to be determine using Purposive Sampling technique.
Each participant of this study agreed to the interview was
asked to read and sign an informed consent form and pledge
absolute anonymity.

Furthermore, the study was conducted in Barangay,

Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City, where the participants were
assigned.

Data Gathering Instrument

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study The data were gathered using an In-Depth Interview.
The term "In-depth is defined in the literature as fairly
Figure 1 shows the Paradigm of the study that serves as vague: it typically means a one-to-one interview on a single
the flowchart of the study. The Corona Virus (COVID-19) is general subject, discussed in detail. These qualitative
the main problem facing by the Barangay Peacekeeping interviews usually last aboutan hour, but often a lot longer. It
Action Team and is considered as the worst social, sounds like two people having a debate, but there are gaps in
economic and health problem by the World Health the dynamics of power and the end goal: these are'
Organization. The existence of COVID-19 led the discussions with a reason' for the classic sociologist Burgess
government and private sectors to developed strategies to (2002).
mitigate and prevent the spread of the virus. However, the
implementation of these strategies or measures is indeed a Data Gathering Procedure
great challenge to the government and private sectors. Thus, Immediately after approval of this research proposal,
the researcher will conduct this study in order toaddress this the researcher conducted data gathering by means of in-
challenges for the BPAT to become resilient and triumphant depth interview. Mostly, with only an occasional question for
in the fight against COVID-19 and other future related clarification from the interviewer, the participants spoke
crisis. over an extended interview about a wide range of subjects.

Statement of the Problem All interviews were recorded. The interviews were
This study sought to answers to identify the lived informal and open-ended, and carried out in a conversational
experiences of BPAT members in response to COVID19. style.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following question.
In connection with the interviews, follow-up
1. What are the current strategies applied by the BPAT in interviews, observations, and casual experiences with
responding to COVID19crisis? subjects, she wrote field notes. While listening to recorded
2. What are the challenges encountered by the BPAT on interviews, typing transcripts, and reflecting on a specific
responding to COVID19crisis? interview, notes were also written. In addition to the
interviews and follow-up interviews, other data such as
III. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY feedback from administrative and teaching colleagues,
articles or other materials and on-going literature review will
This chapter presents the research design and be collected by the researcher during the research.
methodology, population of the study, data gathering tool,
data gathering procedure, and treatment of data. Ethical Consideration
This study was guided by the ethical principles on
Research Design and Methodology research. The research ethics was focused on requirements of
A qualitative research approach particularly a Case voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentialityand
Study design was used in this study. Instead of a sweeping the personal safety of the participants and the researcher.
statistical survey or systematic comparative investigation, a
case study is a detailed study of a specific research issue. It is The participants of this study were not forced nor
also used to narrow down one or a few easily researched coerced to participate in this study. They can decline to
examples to a very wide area of study. The research design answer the question for any reason. They can also withdraw
of the case study is also useful for checking whether a their participation in this research verbally and/or return the
particular theory and model actually applies to real-world unfinished questionnaire to the researcher. Debriefing was
phenomena. It is a useful design when not much of a also be conducted to stabilize the psychological condition of
problem or phenomenon is understood. (De Vaus, 2006). In the participants. Moreover, strict confidentiality and
this regard, the researcher wanted to study the lived anonymity of the participants was always observed and
experiences of the members of Barangay Peacekeeping maintained. Lastly, no money was given to the
Action Team in responding to COVID-19 in their area of participantshowever, token of appreciation was considered.
jurisdiction.

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Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Treatment of Data of close contacts under home quarantine, and relief
To treat the qualitative data, a thematic analysis by operation among families under quarantine and isolation.
Creswell (2007) was utilized by the researcher. Thematic Participant C stated in local dialect “Nang nag GCQ na
analysis is a form of qualitative data analysis. It is commonly (General Community Quarantine), wala na kaming full
applicable to a collection of texts, such as transcripts of control sa mga tao... nagkaroon kami ng positive case at agad
interviews. In order to recognize common themes, subjects, kami nagsagawa ng home-based lockdown” (When General
ideas and sense trends that come up frequently, the Community Quarantine is implemented, we had lost full
researcher closely examined the content. control among our people leading to a positive
case...immediately we imposed home-based lockdown).
IV. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA According to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (2020) all
barangay chairpersons were instructed to form BHERT
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the teams comprising an executive officer, a barangay tanod,
findings of the study on the COVID-19 response of the and two health workers barangay—either a nurse or a
BPAT in barangay Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City. midwife -- as first-line respondents in the community to help
manage all COVID-related healthcare issues.
THE CURRENT STRATEGIES APPLIED BY THE
BPAT IN RESPONDING TOCOVID19 CRISIS Thus, the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team or
Upon analysis of the responses of the participants, the otherwise known as Barangay Tanods who are members of
researcher has developed two themes. Barangay Health Emergency Response Team in barangay
Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City were implementing proactive-
Proactive-Reactive Approach reactive approach or strategies in response to the COVID-19
The researcher has identified the strategies applied by pandemic.
the BPAT in responding to COVID-19 crisis is a proactive-
reactive approach. This is attributed to the fact that Systematic and Flexible
communities are taking more proactive-reactive function in The researcher also identified that the strategies
disease transmission mitigation. implemented by BPAT in their respective barangay are
systematic and flexible. Systematic because there are certain
In fact, participant A stated in local dialect that “Ang procedures or protocols that were being observed and
laban natin kontra sa COVID- 19 ay nagsisimula sa ating followed by the enforcers and the people they are serving.
mga komunidad, barangay, at mga tahanan” (Our fight These procedures or protocols implemented in the said
against COVID-19 starts in our own community, village, barangay were either from the national government, or city
and homes). Participant B also stated that “Noong wala pang government. There are also procedures or protocols designed
virus (COVID-19) sa ating barangay, kami (BPAT) ay and developed by their barangay council in accordance with
nakabantay na sa mga kalsada upang makontrol ang the provisions of protocols from higher authorities. This
paglabas at pagapasok ng mga tao sa ating barangay, lalo na includes the logbook of all residents going in and out of their
nung kasagasagan ng ECQ (Enhanced Community barangay, the emergency hotline numbers of their barangay
Quarantine)” (The BPAT is already watching the streets to andlocalized curfew and liquor ban.
control the movement of people even before the corona
virus entered our barangay). Participant D stated that they are strictly observing and
following the protocols of their strategies they are
In support to this, DOH USEC Singh-Vergeire (2020) implementing so that it will lessen the problem. He stated in
uttered that The Barangay Health Emergency Response a local dialect “strikto talaga ang barangay sa pagpapatupad
Teams (BHERTs) are charged with guiding their ng mga protocols lalo na kung galing sa taas” (the barangay
communities to make COVID-19 more proactive. BHERTS council is strict in the implementation of protocols specially
consists of local community members, particularly the from higher authorities).
executive officer of the barangay, barangay tanods (BPAT),
health workers of the barangay, and community volunteers. On the other hand, the strategies were flexible as it
They are qualified to provide health promotion and education tends to develop in accordance to the situation at hand. The
to the community and ensure that minimum public health strategies were not fix and consistent. They made
requirements are enforced. improvements as the need arises so that it will blend to the
welfare of the people. Participant X and Z both uttered that
However, despite of the proactive efforts by the BPAT changes in the strategies were common and cannot be
to prevent the COVID-19 transmission, unfortunately, avoided. “Hindi talaga maiiwasan na paiba-iba ng strategy
COVID-19 positive cases were reported and identified in the kasi hindi pare-pareho ang sitwasyon”(We cannot avoid to
said barangay. In this regard, the BPAT continued to employ change our strategy from time to time because the situation
proactive strategies and this time they have developed also changes) uttered by participant Z. “Kailangan mag-
reactive strategies to address such cases. This includes adjust lalo na kapag ilang araw ng wala ng positive sa lugar
providing assistance in contact tracing in their respective natin, magluluwag, pag nagkaroon uli nag kaso maghiigpit
area of jurisdiction, monitoring close contacts under home na naman”(We need to adjust according to the situation
quarantine on a regular basis; and arranging for the provision specially if there are no cases reported for several days, we

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 Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
will be lenient, otherwise we will be strict again). exposed to all kinds of risks, they are outnumbered,
encountered hard-headed people and pressured by the
V. THE CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY THE community and higher authorities. These challenges put the
BPAT IN RESPONDING TOCOVID19 CRISIS participants in physical andmental tests.

The researcher, through thematic analysis has Participant E stated in local dialect that “’yung kulang
developed two themes namely, unprepared, and ka sa tulog, tapos mga tao matitigas pa ang ulo, problema
physically/mentally tested. talaga namin ‘yun. Minsan nakakapag-isip ka ng hindi tama
laban sa kanila” (the fact that you are sleepless, and people
Unprepared are acting hostile, it is a big problem on our part.
Based on the responses of the participants, the Sometimes, you imagine evil things against them).
researcher identified unprepared as one of the themes in Participant D explained that the pressure they received from
relation to the challenges encountered by the BPAT in people and higher authorities were indeed a challenge to
respondingto COVID19 crisis. This might be attributed to the them. ”Sobrang pressured kami...yung expectations ng mga
fact that they are not ready in this kind of crisis. All of the tao sa amin at yung mga nakakataas sa amin talagang
participants stated that lack of resources, budget, experience, maituturing na malaking hamon sa trabaho namin. Lalo na
knowledge and training in response to pandemic lead them to at tanod lang kami” (We are so much pressured...the
be considered defenselessin a battle with uncertain results. expectations of people and our superiors towards us will be
considered a huge challenge in our task, especially we are
Participant A stated in local dialect, “Lahat kami hindi just a village peacekeeper.
handa, wala kaming sapat na kaalaman at karanasan sa
ganitong klaseng krisis” (We are all unprepared, we do not According to Corporate Wellness Magazine,
have knowledge and experience in this kind of crisis). Such workplace stress also has detrimental effects on the
statement is also supported by a statement from participant psychological condition of employees, with an increased
B. “Para kaming lumalaban sa kalaban na di namin nakikita, risk of hysteria, burnout, depression, and disorders of drug
wala kaming gamit at sapat na pondo para sa ganitong use. Staff who are depressed at work are more likely to
sitwasyon” (It seems that we are fighting an invisible associate with harmful behaviors, such as smoking
enemy, we do not have tools and enough funds for this kind cigarettes, alcohol and habits, and poor eating patterns.
of situation). Workplace stress decreases employee productivity with these
attendant health consequences, increases absenteeism and
The World Health Organization (2020) stated that presentaeism, increases the number of days embarked on
preparedness it has played an important role in mitigating work for doctor visits, and increases employers' healthcare
the impact of a pandemic, not just for the health sector, but costs. In addition, occupational stress is associated with
also for all other sectors, people, families and communities. higher accident and injury rates and better turnover rates, all
Being prepared is the key to the capacity of a group to of which raise operating costs.
respond to an incident and to recover from it. It needs
collaboration and cooperation with, as well as other VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
stakeholders, a cross-section of national, local, and tribal
partners. This chapter presents the conclusions and
recommendations of this research.
In addition, According to Empowerment Theory, the
experience of non-public acquisition of knowledge and Conclusion
skills, growth and progress of self-definition takes place. The BPAT in barangay Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City
(Staples 1990). This theory may be applied to BPAT are active in responding to COVID-19 despite of the fact
response to COVID-19 by empowering the people within that they are unprepared and have lack of knowledge and
the community to develop their own community. experience. They still managed to proactively and reactively
respond to COVID-19 in a systematic and flexible manner.
Lastly, Kelly (2001) in Participation Theory, it has
been acknowledged that engagement results in learning and The challenges they have encountered did not hindered
learning is also a requirement for attitudes and behaviors to them to become resilientin response to COVID-19.
improve.
Recommendation
Therefore, the fact that the participants are unprepared The researcher recommends the following;
in this kind of crisis, empowerment and, learning is the key
for them to be able to adapt in such kind of situation. 1. The barangay council may give rewards or certificate of
recognition, appreciation or commendation to the BPAT
Physically and Mentally Tested to uplift the morale and boost encouragement to further
The challenges encountered by the participants were improve the performance of their duties and
themed as physically and mentally tested. This is supported responsibilities.
by the responses of the participants during the interview 2. The propose intervening measure to address the
proper. The participants stated that they are sleepless, challenges of the BPAT in response to COVID-19 may

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be adopted by the barangay council to help BPAT
become more resilient.
3. A more inclusive and deeper study may be conducted in
order to identify more comprehensive information about
community’s response to COVID-19.

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Volume 5, Issue 11, November – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 1:- Proposed Measures That Will Address The Challenges Of The BpatIn Responding To Covid19 Response
CONCERNS OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS EXPECTEZDOUTCOME

A. Outnumbered/Lack of To recruitadditional manpower The BPAT shouldencourage Sufficient number of

manpower sufficient enoughto manage volunteers bytapping different Manpower tomanage crisis.
crisis civic groups/sectors inthe
barangay andif possible, from
other places.
B. Lack ofBudget/ Resources 1. To generateadditional 1. The barangaycouncil should 1. Sufficient budget
sources of fundsand tapdonors andsponsors. resources toaddress crisis.
resources 2. The barangaycouncil should 2. Enhancebudget
2. To improvebudgeting skills conduct/attend budget management skills.
and managementof management training.
resources
C. Lack of knowledge andskills To developknowledge andskills The BPAT should Knowledgeable and skilled
in crisis management in crisismanagement organize/attend seminars or BPATready for crisis
short-term classesrelated to management
the crisis management

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