It is usual for every citizen to be capable of observing and spotting an issue in their community. However, becoming a member of the community that can express and be heard with concerns that affect the social functioning and status of the people is a privilege. But, what if we try to convey what we know? Is there a chance for our community to grow?
This blog solely focuses on the issues or problems that citizens in the City of Meycauayan want to resolve or address. The presented data and information that can be seen here in the blog came from the survey conducted and answered by eight (8) members of the Meycauayan community. There is also a conclusion and interpretation present in the last part of the blog.
Chosen Community: Meycauayan, Bulacan
Table 1. Survey respondents, their barangay, and their profession
Table 1 shows the number of the respondents, the barangay they are living in, and the profession they have.
Table 2. A table showing the age distribution of respondents
Table 2 shows that most of the respondents were those between the ages of 21 to 30 years. Out of the eight (8) respondents, five (5) of them representing 62.5%, were between the ages of 21 to 30 years, two (2) respondents representing 25% were below 20 years old, while one (1) respondent described 12.5% was between 31 to 50 years.
Table 3. A table showing the gender of respondents
Table 3 shows that the majority of the respondents were female. Out of the eight (8) respondents, five (5) of them representing 62.5% were female, and two (2) respondents representing 37.5% were male.
Table 4. A table showing the educational attainment of respondents
Table 4 shows that the majority of the respondents were college graduates. Out of the eight (8) respondents, five (5) of them representing 62.5% were college graduates, two (2) respondents representing 37.5% were college students, and one (1) respondent representing 12.5% was college undergraduate.
Table 5. List of issues or problems that the respondents want to address in their community
Table 5 shows the specific issues or problems that the respondents stated in answering the survey.
Table 6. Categorizing the issues or problems stated on the list
Table 6 shows the issues or problems classified into categories or fields.
Conclusion/Interpretation:
Each respondent gave specific concerns about their community in the City of Meycauayan upon answering the survey. Before identifying the common problem that the community has, it is essential to know if the age, gender, educational attainment, and profession of the respondents have factors in observing the issues of their community. Assessing it clearly, those stated have factors for identifying the problems they want to address, just like the two respondents that are both teachers in the profession. They said issues related to the youth, which are also associated with their job as they are also known as the second parent of the children or young people. However, seeing the other side, the number one factor why they come up with their answers is because what they observe is what they experience. It is also their responsibility and role to become aware and open as a member of the community.
As table 5 contains, it shows specific issues or problems that the respondents want to address in their city. To easily know or identify the common problem that people in the community face, the issues are classified into seven (7) categories: Crime/Criminal Justice, Education, Environment and Waste Disposal, Government Administration, Infrastructure, Health Services, and Poverty and Social Issues.
Based on table 6, the common problem that the city is encountering is in the field of Environment and Waste Disposal, which accumulates 28.6% in the garnered data. It includes the concern about garbage management, noise issues made by other residents or industry, cleanliness of the streets/surrounding areas, and the misspent funds in public ways, suggesting to focus on the rehabilitation of the Meycauayan river. One of the reasons this field become a common problem is the pollution existing in the community, especially in water. The garbage management here in the City of Meycauayan seems to be not that strict enough to watch the people's actions in throwing their garbage. Some people in the community tend to throw their trash everywhere, like in the river, streets, and drainage. Last 2021, there was a study released by a non-profit organization called the Ocean Cleanup entitled "More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean". The conducted study stated that at least 1,000 rivers in the world are responsible for nearly 80% of plastic waste in the world's overall plastic emissions. Meycauayan river is part of the top rivers in the Philippines that carry a vast amount of plastic waste and any other waste. It is alarming to the community because it implies that the water pollution in the river is getting worse. It also shows the lack of citizen discipline, improper waste management, and lack of recovering and cleaning projects of the local government.
As a citizen of the chosen community, I am aware of the city's issues as I experience them. The top common problem also causes other issues. An example scenario is that whenever there is heavy rainfall or typhoons and high tide, there are barangays that experience flooding. It is because of the water pollution and clogged drainage system caused by the trash and waste from the street. Also, as all the community people know, Meycauayan is known for its jewel-making legacy and other industries. This is why there are so many factories and establishments here that are using hazardous wastes, heavy metals, and industrial wastes. Whenever people walk or stay near the Meycauayan river, the unpleasant smell that people breathe is not that healthy. It is also not pleasing to see as you only watch the black polluted water.
There are several projects and programs saved for the environment and waste disposal problems, just like the Solid Waste Management Plan and being part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. However, it seems like it is still not enough to maintain a clean and pollution-free community. It is better if the local government unit also prioritizes the city's environment, just like the one respondent commented about the misspent funds. Government should use the funds for more deep rehabilitation of the Meycauayan river and planning for waste management and disposal.
Hearing and knowing the community issues and concerns among the City of Meycauayan is a good help if the local government will make time to notice those. If there is more connection between the people and their government, the community will create a better environment and society.
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