UP CIDS AltDev–UNESCO study on grassroots responses to COVID-19 featured anew in PDI article

FEATURE

The research project “Marginalized Societies and the State in the Time of Pandemic: The Philippine Case,” a collaboration between the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) Program on Alternative Development (AltDev) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was once again featured in an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) on December 21, 2020.

The PDI article quoted UP CIDS AltDev Convenor Dr. Eduardo C. Tadem, who said that “[w]hile COVID-19’s adverse impact cuts across all sectors of society, poor and marginalized communities are more vulnerable and bear the brunt of the crisis.” Dr. Tadem also noted that “despite difficulties and limitations, some grassroots organizations have taken up important roles in providing relief for their communities,” as seen in the findings of the research project.

The project between the UP CIDS AltDev and the UNESCO features five case studies of an urban poor homeowners association, a health watch program of a relocated urban poor community, a women’s micro social enterprise, an indigenous people’s community, and a school for indigenous children. According to Dr. Tadem, “[a]s vividly narrated by the five case studies, communities are able to (understand) and carry out the necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus in their localities. But since they are hampered by a lack of resources, they need the support of the government to effectively carry out their pandemic control systems.”

The publication of the findings from the project will be published by the UP CIDS. Read the full Philippine Daily Inquirer article here.