Module 5

THE PAS AND COMMUNITY

EMPOWERMENT
A N E N A B L I N G ” F R A M E W O R K
AFTER COMPLETING THIS MODULE, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

1. Explain the different components of the framework and

how they are interrelated.

2. Discuss how the use of this framework is expected to promote

and sensitize the PAS to the concept of community empowerment
and to the use of the capability building model.

3. Describe the expected outcome of the part of communities,

which maybe empowered through the implementation of this
framework.
This module presents a framework, which
depicts the PAS as an enabling or empowering
institution. This framework departs from the
traditional view of the public bureaucracy
mainly as a service delivery mechanism.
Instead, it views the PAS as a network of
organizations with a tremendous power
base.This framework will help us describe the
PAS systematically, define its relationship with
its clientele or the communities that it serves,
and give us a basis for assessing its efforts in
getting the community to understand the work
with government.
COMPONENTS OF AN ENABLING PAS
FIGURE 5-1 REPRESENTS THE PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM AS AN
“ENABLING INSTITUTION”. LET US ANALYZE THE FIGURE BY GOING THROUGH
ITS FIVE COMPONENTS:

THE PEOPLE, THE MAIN

01 SOURCE OF POWER; 04 THE COMMUNITIES;

THE EXTERNAL
02 THE PAS; 05 ENVIRONMENT
THE EMPLOYMENT
03 PROCESS
THE PEOPLE:
THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF POWER

The framework starts with the people as it is

premised on the assumption that whatever
power the PAS has is that which is reposed in it
by the Filipino people. This is why the PAS must
be accountable at all times to the people in its
use of this power. This framework is premised
on the need for the PAS to be conscious of its
accountability and to ensue that it utilizes this
power in a responsible way. In fact, the
responsible use of this power should result in
the PAS enhancing the people’s power to direct
to direct the operations of the PAS such that it
is responsive to the needs of its clientele.
THE PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM (PAS )

The PAS has been described in Module 4 as being

composed of public organizations with their own
goals, structures, policies, resources, and programs.
Beyond this, however, are the sources of power of the
PAS. As we explained in that module, the PAS derives
its tremendous power from its nature and the
functions that it must fulfill. It is authorized to act for
and in behalf of the state; it enforces laws and
implements public policies;it has an extensive
structure as a service delivery system. Moreover,it
participates in the policy formulation process and is
in command of technical knowledge, which it has
accumulated over time.
AS IT EMPLOYS THIS POWER TO CARRY OUT ITS MANDATE, THE PAS MUST:

(A) ACKNOWLEDGE THE PEOPLE AS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE AND END OF STATE POWER;

(B) ENFORCE THE LAW FAIRLY AND JUSTLY;

(C) IMPLEMENT PUBLIC POLICY EFFICIENTLY;

(D) INSTITUTIONALIZE ACCESS TO ITS SERVICES;

(E) DECENTRALIZE AND MAKE ITS OPERATIONS TRANSPARENT;

(F) LISTEN TO AND WORK WITH THE PEOPLE; AND

(G) USE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND KEEP PROCEDURES SIMPLE.

 THE EMPOWERMENT PROCESS
The third component of the framework is described as the empowerment
process as provided for in the framework operates at two levels.It operates
the PAS level when the system complies with the desired processes provided
for in the framework. The empowerment process is triggered at the
community level when the PAS utilizes the CBX approach to help the
communities organize and institute ways of managing their responses to
their local problems.
 THE COMMUNITY
It is important to stress that the framework is functional only if the
communities that the PAS will partner with are prepared for their roles. This
means that these communities must be organized, be critically aware of
what is going on around them, and have a vision of the community that they
would want to be. Using the CBX approach, the PAS may then be
instrumental in improving the capability of the community to identify its
problems, set realistic change targets, plan and implement their programs,
and set up structures and systems to ensure continuity of its problem solving
process.
 THE ENVIRONMENT
The interaction between the PAS and the community must be understood in
the context of the broader socio-politico and economic environment within
which they are located.As we discussed earlier, the environment consists of
interests and pressure groups that are likely to ask the state of services,
information, or the enforcement of existing laws. The environment also
includes the social and cultural values and practices that establish norms
and articulate needs and demands of other stakeholders within the greater
social system.
THE INTEGRATION BETWEEN AND AMONG
COMPONENTS
It will be noted that all the arrows point towards the right except for the
arrow from the community, which goes back to the PAS. This is the feedback
arrow. This arrow represents the information, request, and reactions of the
communities or individuals or groups within the community to the
empowerment processes initiated or fully undertaken by the PAS. The
feedback may range from positive to negative reactions.In some instances, it
may lead to new demands for additional services from the communities. This
arrow is directed toward the PAS as these reactions are considered inputs
into subsequent processes of the PAS.
THE INTEGRATION BETWEEN AND AMONG COMPONENTS
All the arrows point toward the right side of the framework, I,e., from the
people to the PAS to the empowerment process down to the communities.
These represent the direction and flow of power. As the people entrust
authority and power to the PAS to work for and in their behalf, the PAS uses
this power to enable its clients to benefit from and to be empowered in
dealing with the state and other sectors of the society. The PAS empowers
not only through its way of enforcing laws, implementing public policies,
providing access to its services, and promoting decentralization, client-
orientedness, and simplicity in its procedures. It can do all these and still
reach out communities to develop their capabilities for self- management
such that they will not always have to rely completely on the government for
basic services.
SAQ5-1

1. Below are two hypothetical situations depicting how the PAS

may respond to different social problems. What are likely effects
of these PAS responses on the community in terms of specific
moves toward greater community self- reliance? Explain your
answers.

A. A barangay noted an alarming increase in cases of dengue. The

rural health physician decided to deal directly with the families of sick
residents without coordinating or consulting with barangay officials
and other local residents. He explained that because of the urgency
of the situation, he had no time to organize the barangay for any
collective action. What effect will this move have on the barangay’s
effort to be self - reliant.?
SAQ5-1

1. Below are two hypothetical situations depicting how the PAS

may respond to different social problems. What are likely effects
of these PAS responses on the community in terms of specific
moves toward greater community self- reliance? Explain your
answers.

B. A barangay had a problem with solid waste management. The

barangay captain consulted the people on how to solve their garbage
problem. The residents and the officials came up with a scheme
which grouped residents into cluster of 5-6 households each. Each
cluster was to take charge or its respective member households.
Through this scheme, solid waste disposal in the barangay was solved
through organized barangay action. What effects will the moves have
on the barangay’s effort to be self- reliant.?
 Module 6

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND THE

“ C A P A B I L I T Y B U I L D I N G E X E R C I S E S ”
AFTER COMPLETING THIS MODULE, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
1. Define “ people power” as it was used in a socio-psychological
analysis of the 1986 EDSA Revolution, and as it applies to
communities, where it could lead to community
empowerment;

2. Explain what the “ capability building model” is in terms of its

underlying conceptual framework, its operational framework, its
framework, its features, and its components; and

3. Discuss how this model can bring the PAS and the community
together to build people-based structures, which enable
communities to organize themselves around common needs and
to move toward common ends.
In the first unit, we focused on the 1896
Revolution and the 1986 EDSA People Power
phenomenon to highlight significant historical
events when our people asserted their power.
In that unit, we mentioned that we would link
this concept of people power to the framework
that will be developed in the second unit. We
shall do this by examining the concept of
people power from two perspectives as
manifested in the collective mass action that
happened in EDSA in 1986 and as it is
developed and exercised in community
settings.
 PEOPLE POWER IS “ THE INVOLVEMENT OF A
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PERSONS IN SITUATIONS
OR ACTIONS THAT ENHANCE THEIR WELL-BEING,
E.G., THEIR INCOME, SECURITY OR SELF-STEEM “
ELEMENTS OF PEOPLE POWER AWARENESS OF A PROBLEM