Social Cohesion in times of Pandemic: A View from the Frontliners of the Local Government Units in CALABARZON

Abstract

The study was an attempt to determine how social cohesion is maintained in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as perceived by frontliners in the local government units in CALABARZON. It also looked into the challenges that local government units faced in achieving social and economic development and provides baseline data on how policies on social cohesion are integrated with their efforts to respond to the pandemic. The study employed the descriptive evaluative in the study in assessing and describing how social cohesion is maintained in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as perceived by frontliners in the local government units in CALABARZON. Convenience sampling was used in the selection of the frontliners in the local and provincial levels of the local government units of CALABARZON who have direct engagement and involvement in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was used using the Modified Social Cohesion Integration Diagnostics Tool (SCIDAT, 2017). Data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages and reflective thematic analysis in examining themes or patterns of meaning within the data. Reflective thematic analysis was used in support of the validation of the written responses on the challenges that local government units faced in achieving social and economic development and provides baseline data on how policies on social cohesion are integrated with their efforts to respond to the pandemic.   Ethical considerations were observed all throughout the duration of the research. Consent of the participants was sought prior to any conduct of survey or any participation in phase of the research. Likewise, the study maintained the confidentiality of the data and information obtained from the participants and adhered also to the provisions in the data privacy law.

Majority of the frontliners in the LGUs witnessed the integration of social cohesion in this time of COVID-19 pandemic to a limited extent but they recognized the opportunities that arise from having a supportive and adaptive region to the changing economic, health, environmental, and social challenges. For social cohesion integration to exist in this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the national government has to work hand-in-hand with the local and provincial LGUs towards a clear and recognizable elements and dynamics of a stronger social cohesion within the level of individual, community and institution. Fostering social cohesion in the region means creating societies where people have the opportunity to live together with all their differences, and, on the other hand, the way to approach unity and diversity. Social cohesion could also be built through having a pool of government leaders and personnel in the LGUs who are capable of building cooperation and networks and recognize everyone’s security and safety that involves the whole-of-nation approach, focusing on internal stability, capability and preparedness against pandemic.