LIPAD Barangay is an initiative designed for positive change and progress within local communities, specifically at the barangay level through various components, including a certificate program for facilitating the transformation of barangays, the enhancement of barangay digital hubs, and capacity-building activities for barangay leaders. 

Certificate Program for Barangay Transformation

The certificate program is focused on providing structured training and education to barangay leaders. The primary objective is to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to lead effectively and foster positive change within their communities. The certificate program likely covers a wide range of topics, including governance, leadership, community development, digitalization, and effective communication.

Enhancement of Barangay Digital Hub

In line with the fast-paced development of technology, it is crucial for barangays to adapt and leverage technology for efficient service delivery and community engagement. The enhancement of the barangay digital hub entails upgrading and modernizing the digital infrastructure and services available at the barangay level. This can include improving digital literacy, creating a user-friendly website or online portal for community residents, and implementing digital tools for streamlined administrative processes.

Capacity-building for the Barangays 

In an effort to ensure that barangay leaders are well-equipped to address the unique challenges and opportunities within their communities, capacity-building activities are a vital component of the LIPAD Barangay initiative. These activities facilitate training workshops, seminars, and mentoring sessions focusing on key areas such as participatory governance, community-based disaster risk management, and gender-responsive planning and management.

Empowering Participatory Governance

The participation of residents in decision-making processes emphasizes the importance of community engagement, transparency, and accountability in barangay leadership. Leaders will be encouraged to collaborate with their constituents and consider their inputs when making decisions.

Community-based Disaster Risk Management

This program aims to equip barangay leaders with the knowledge and tools to develop effective disaster risk management plans. This includes strategies for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Gender-Responsive Planning and Management

Gender-responsive planning ensures that policies, programs, and initiatives take into account the specific needs and perspectives of different genders within the community. Barangay leaders will be trained to adopt inclusive approaches in their decision-making processes.

LIPAD Barangay is a holistic public service initiative that seeks to empower and uplift barangays by strengthening leadership, embracing digital transformation, promoting participatory governance, improving disaster risk management, and gender-responsive planning. Through capacity-building, upskilling, and improving the digital literacy of barangay leaders, they become more equipped to facilitate the development of local communities and more prepared to face the challenges of the digital world.

YaCE is an initiative designed to empower the youth. It places a strong emphasis on personal growth, purpose-driven education, and equipping young individuals with the tools and values necessary to be active and positive contributors to society.

Project LAKBAY, Youth Cultural and Learning Immersion Camp represents an exciting opportunity for young people to engage in a holistic learning experience. This immersive camp likely includes a range of activities such as learning visits, action, hands-on, and social learning, educational workshops, and various development activities. Through Project Lakbay, participants have the chance to expand their horizons, explore new cultures, develop essential life skills, and forge meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Earth Ambassador focuses on environmental stewardship and leadership. Young participants are encouraged to take an active role in caring for the planet and building a greener future through activities like tree planting, recycling and upcycling campaigns, and environmental education. Becoming an “Earth Ambassador” signifies a commitment to sustainability and a deep sense of responsibility toward preserving the environment for future generations.

Through Project Lakbay and Earth Ambassador Activities, participants are exposed to challenging and enriching experiences that encourage self-discovery, self-confidence, and resilience. Setting them on a path toward becoming well-rounded young professionals committed to achieving sustainable development goals for the collective wellness of society and their community. 

CHEW is a public service effort that focuses on enhancing the health and wellness of villages and communities in the ASEAN region and globally. Unlike many health programs that tend to concentrate on larger hospitals and urban areas, CHEW recognizes the importance of reaching out to underserved and rural communities at the grassroots level. This community-centered approach ensures that healthcare services and education are brought closer to the people who need them most.

MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on Well Being and Mental Health Course

This course is designed to equip a diverse range of individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide meaningful support to individuals facing mental health challenges. Whether you are a caring friend or family member, an educator, counselor, healthcare professional, or a potential helpline volunteer, this program will enhance your ability to empathize, communicate effectively, and positively impact the lives of those in need. This course is also suitable for organizations and the public sector committed to promoting mental health awareness and support within their communities.

CEJ is an approach aimed at addressing the urgent challenges and issues caused by climate change. It leverages the resources and expertise of the FMDS-UPOU and external partners such as Bard College to promote climate education and justice on both local and global scales. 

Environment and Natural Resources Management Program (ENRM)

FMDS-UPOU’s ENRM program is designed to give professionals in environment-related activities a solid foundation in the art and science of environment and natural resources management. It is relevant to the CEJ initiative in order to provide students with knowledge and skills in managing environmental and natural resources sustainably. Through this program, participants of CEJ empower individuals with the expertise needed to address environment-related challenges. Graduates of this program can become environmental leaders, policymakers, and advocates for climate justice.

 Make Climate a Conversation 

Collaborating with Bard College, UPOU’s CEJ initiative extends its reach and impact. “Make Climate a Class” and “Make Climate an Event” initiatives from Bard College are innovative approaches to integrate climate education into academic curriculum and public engagement. These initiatives encourage educational institutions to incorporate climate-related content into their courses, making climate education more accessible and widespread. Additionally, “Make Climate an Event” promotes the organization of climate-focused events that foster public awareness and engagement.

Worldwide Climate Education Week

Our participation in Worldwide Climate Education Week is a commitment to global climate education efforts. This international initiative focuses on dedicating a specific period to climate education, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about climate change and its impacts. 

One of the ways CEJ seeks to promote climate awareness and climate justice is through planning and organizing events. These events serve as platforms for public participation and discussion on climate-related topics through activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and community engagement activities. These events bring together experts, policymakers, and environmental organizations to share their knowledge, ideas, and solutions related to climate change and its equitable solutions to the general public.

The FMDS will offer microcredential training to municipal assessors on updating their municipality’s Schedule of Market Values (SMV), which is the basis for collecting the real property tax. The correct assessment of the real property tax would lead to a more equitable distribution of the tax burden and increased revenues for the municipality, enabling the municipality to provide more social services to the people. The microcredential training will also introduce the concept of the land value tax, which economic theory holds as the most efficient tax that is bereft of the disadvantages and market-distorting effects of other taxes. If properly assessed, a land value tax could justify an accompanying decrease in business taxes, thus helping spur local economic development.

SLIDE serves as a prime target for UPOU’s Associate of Arts in Digital Entrepreneurship program (AADE). It aims to provide a platform for small and local businesses to operate and adapt in a digitally networked and rapidly changing business environment, Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and ethical values when transitioning business concepts, assets, products, services, and essential elements digitally, while also embodying an entrepreneurial mindset that incorporates ethical conduct, cultural awareness, environmental considerations, and social responsibility within the digitally proficient enterprise in line with the program’s goal. 

The goal of this initiative is to Identify ways and facilitate programs on how communities can apply research results of technology to improve their way of living and encourage community members to participate in using research in the development of their communities. A forward-thinking and community-focused effort that seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical needs of local communities through workshops, training, and upskilling of community members.