24 Aban, Sapiandante, Amata-Justo, and Roldan
they managed to move forward with community organizing and its accompanying
struggles throughout the past two decades.
The results of the research and documentation process were supposed to be
presented in 2020 during ASAMBA’s 23rd founding anniversary in August. The
pandemic, however, altered this schedule. But the crisis, on the other hand, has
proven the worth of their cause and the relevance of the initiatives they undertook
to improve their community—from livelihood to wellness activities and raising
funds and other resources. These initiatives have stood out in a time of a global
crisis when formal social structures are falling apart and government has become
largely ineffective in addressing the basic services related to public health and
welfare.
Immediately after the Philippine government declared the enhanced community
quarantine (ECQ) across the country in mid-March 2020 as a measure to contain the
Figure 1
The entrance gate of the ASAMBA Village with COVID-19 prevention reminders
Photo by ASAMBA
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