Councilor Edmond Concepcion (WUP employee and alumnus) and Councilor Rufino Francisco were also present and engaged in discussions on community needs and opportunities for partnership.
According to Mr. Mark Alvin B. dela Cruz, PIO Director, Sta. Arcadia was a partner community of WUP during his time as one of the High School community outreach program coordinators, along with Mrs. Aniceta Sta. Maria-Trinidad (2006 to 2013). He recalled that WESCOP, then, together with the basic education departments, colleges, graduate school, including some academic support and administrative offices, crafted and implemented an integrated outreach and extension program where each of them extended the unique skills and programs to the community, therefore avoiding duplication of programs and achieving more impactful outcomes.
He noted that through the efforts of Prof. Lorna Joson, and later Dr. Apolinar Alfonso (former WESCOP Directors), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Nueva Ecija, the groups of mothers from Sta. Arcadia were provided with capital for their livelihood, which supported its sustainability.
The meeting marked a step toward renewing the partnership between WUP and Barangay Sta. Arcadia to further advance sustainable development in the community.
Consequently, WESCOP collaborated with the Graduate School (GS) to conduct a community assessment in Sta. Arcadia to find out the needs and conditions of 99 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in that area as part of the preparatory phase for a proposed community partnership program aimed at strengthening local development efforts.
The assessment team was received by barangay officials and purok leaders, who assisted in facilitating the activity. Their support ensured smooth coordination and accurate gathering of community data.
Dr. Ayro, together with her staff and the extension coordinators, who oversaw the technical and logistical aspects of the assessment, led the initiative.
The GS Dean, Dr. John Mark F. Bondoc, along with faculty members and the Student Local Council, also engaged with residents and contributed to the data-gathering process.
According to WESCOP, the activity was part of their continuing commitment to fostering community partnerships, strengthening service-learning initiatives, and supporting local sectors through evidence-based programs.
The results of the assessment would guide the planning and implementation of future community development projects tailored to the needs of the 4Ps beneficiaries in Sta. Arcadia.
Photos and article courtesy of Christian Navarro (WESCOP)
