To be honest, the process of conducting a community survey is quite challenging. Ten out of the multiple individuals I approached to ensure that the anticipated number of responders was met, answered the questions. As a result, it did not impede the purpose of acquiring the information needed for this study since the various responses from those ten is sufficient to observe the connections of their concerns.
Most of them are currently students and few are grown-up professionals. They were provided exactly the same questionnaires and instructed to take their time answering the questions. Despite the fact that some of them did not conform to the format, the data received was sufficient to establish the concerns that they sought to address.
Six of them are from barangay Caniogan, and the rest are from each barangay namely Sto. Niño, Pungo, Iba O’ Este, and MacArthur. Their statements reflect how they perceive their community and what they neglect to see. Those who responded with generalization recognized the concerns within the community as being similar to those that have to be changed in the country as a whole. Like addressing the issue of malnutrition with the growing population or the continuous problem of poverty.
Those who answered accurately recognized what the community lacked. Few of them emphasized the problem that the municipality has. Most individuals from barangay Caniogan share similar concerns about waste management. For some reasons, a respondent from different barangay shared the same perception about it. “Isang halimbawa na lamang ay hindi maayos na pagtatapon ng basura sa tamang basurahan na nakakaapekto sa ating kailogan at drainage at nagsasanhi ng matinding pagbaha,” Ericka Caillo told. Since Calumpit is prone to flood, her concerns about garbage disposal is what she wants to be raised not only for the sake of their barangay, but also the municipality.
Another issue which covers the Calumpit has to do with medical facilities. Leslie Ann Galang said, “… ang Calumpit ay kulang na kulang sa maayos na hospital kung saan ang mga mamamayan nito ay dumadayo pa sa malayo para sa kanilang kagamutan.” As a Calumpiteño, I understand the circumstances of having no proper health facilities to visit. The lack of experienced medical staff and limited medical equipment, especially in midst of pandemic, is a huge dilemma for residents in need.
Besides sharing their viewpoints about the issues within the community, they also responded to how to raise these concerns to the local government. Teresita Acay told that the three ways of addressing these issues -- thru government, private entities, and personal advocacy. While most of them included that raising these concerns would be possible by contacting the local government officials. Some of them mentioned sending letters to the local government officials, contacting the barangay officials, or visiting the municipality's office. Some of them also included that with this upcoming election, choosing the right leader would also help solve the occurring issues.
In conclusion, while some of them answered the questions, they declined to convey the real situation of not only their barangay but also the entire community. It was understood that there are many issues in the community that are hard to acknowledge because some of them are unnoticed or ignored. Furthermore, they believed that the problems inside the community were the same as those that need to be discussed in our country. On the other hand, those who have voiced their concerns didn’t convey their thoughts on why these issues are happening to begin with.
Based on my interpretation, most of the respondents around ages 19 to 21 have less interaction with the local government, thus, there was a slight difficulty telling the problems of society. However, few respondents who seem to have a connection with the officials of the municipality still have difficulties raising their concerns as the issues remain unsolved and for some reason, seem to be neglected.
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