Reflection On Extension Work Initiatives: Success Or Mess?

Abstract

When selecting communities and beneficiaries for work initiatives, it is imperative to prioritize those who are most in need and part of a marginalized society  with the hope of having a silver lining, take Barangay Tinajero in Bacolor, Pampanga, for instance. Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) extensionists have executed various initiatives in the past, prompting the researcher to investigate the outcomes and answer the following questions: 1. What is the status of the extension work initiatives in Barangay Tinajero?            2. What factors contributed to the outcome of the Extension Work Initiatives in Barangay Tinajero? The Filipino language was utilized to communicate with the leaders and citizens of Barangay Tinajero, ensuring better understanding. This approach will also enable them to reflect on the results and use them as a basis for future community programs. The study used Qualitative Method and Phenomenological Study in interviewing barangay heads, beneficiaries of various extension work initiatives, and the extensionists who implemented the programs. Data collection, analysis, and observations revealed unsuccessful results in work initiatives, stemming from the following reasons: 1. Beneficiaries were unyielding to new ideas and reluctant to adapt to new circumstances; 2. They demand rapid and effortless progress; 3. Lack of supervision by extensionists and barangay heads;  4. Beneficiaries have diverse interests and 5. Illiteracy. Future extensionists must consider the following before offering initiatives: beneficiaries' willingness to accept new ideas and participate in the project; program objectives must be presented to them clearly; barangay heads and extensionists should consistently have joint monitoring efforts and strategies to encourage beneficiaries to willingly participate in extension work initiatives.