Enhancing Social Capital During the Pandemic: A Case of the Rural Women in Bukidnon Province, Southern Philippines

Enhancing Social Capital During the Pandemic: A Case of the Rural Women in Bukidnon Province, Southern Philippines
Enhancing Social Capital During the Pandemic: A Case of the
Rural Women in Bukidnon Province, Southern Philippines
*Intong, J.D.1, Badilla, C.N.2; Mendoza, E.N.3 Aradilla, A.R.4, Intong, R.L.5 Arbes, J.L.6, Magadan,
H.P.7, Angcos, L.R..8 & Frasco, N.M.9
1Project Leader & Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
2Science Research Specialist, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
3Social Expert & Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
4,5Technical Expert & Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
6Extension Expert & Assistant Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
7,8Economic Expert & Associate Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
9Science Research Analyst, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
Social capital plays an essential role in empowering people for social and economic change even
during the pandemic. A livelihood project of the government was implemented among the
members of a women’s association of a disadvantaged upland community in Bukidnon province,
Southern Philippines for inclusive development. This study was conducted to determine the
influence of some socio-economic attributes and the change in the knowledge level on the social
capital of the rural women amidst the pandemic. The activities of the project were implemented
considering the health protocols imposed by the government during the health crisis. The
findings revealed that the trainings conducted resulted to a positive change in the knowledge
level among the rural women. This facilitated the production of vegetables for their households
and generated additional income very necessary during the pandemic especially that other
economic activities were hindered. Similarly, there was a significant increase in the social capital
of the rural women during the last two years. The main occupation, sources of income and their
ethnicity significantly influenced the social capital of the rural women. The rural development
workers and policymakers must consider the social capital of the group in the implementation of
poverty alleviation programs.
Keywords: social capital, livelihood interventions, rural women, poverty alleviation, pandemic
INTRODUCTION
The concept of social capital has been considered an
essential element of many community development
strategies. Poteyeva (2018) defines social capital as the
practice of developing and maintaining relationships that
form social networks to effectively achieve a common goal
in a group or community. Over the centuries, community
development relies heavily on the associations and
networks that people formed as they play a vital role in
organizing and empowering people for social change
(Brady et al., 2014). Warren (2009) stresses that a strong
social capital provides a foundation for community
organizing. However, Murphy and Cunningham (2003)
argue that community organizing is effective if it includes
and enhances existing social capital and social networks.
*Corresponding Author: Judith D. Intong; Project Leader
& Professor, Central Mindanao University, Musuan,
Bukidnon, Philippines. Email: jsdintong@gmail.com
Co-Authors 2
Email: charitybadilla@gmail.com
3
Email: evamendoza@cmu.edu.ph
4
Email: araradilla@yahoo.com
5
Email: rlintong@gmail.com
6
Email: josephine@cmu.edu.ph
7
Email: magadanheidi@gmail.com
8
Email: angcoslowella@gmail.com
9
Email: novalynnfrasco94@gmail.com
Research Article
Vol. 8(1), pp. 432-441, February, 2022. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2167-0432
International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension

Int. J. Agric. Edu. Ext. 433
In the Philippines, Abad (2005) observes that most of the
Filipinos lack bridging and linking capital with other people
with a scarcity of social cohesion and lack of trust. Social
capital serves as social ties and networks in the community
development process to improve economic conditions and
provides a variety of public services to support quality
development outcome (Phillips and Pittman, 2009).
Woolcock (2001) stresses that social capital allows
theorists, policymakers, and practitioners recognize the
assets of poor communities. In addition, Claridge (2019)
suggests to revitalize the social capital of the community
because it motivates people to be generous, supportive
and participative.
Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic
and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD), the S&T Community-based for Inclusive
Development (STC4iD) through the Community-based
Livelihood Improvement for Bukidnon or Project CLImB is
a demonstration of an extension delivery service in a
disadvantaged community in the agriculture, aquatic and
natural resource (AANR) sector for inclusive development
through the establishment of a sustainable and resilient
community-based livelihood. Swanson (2008) reports that
improving livelihoods requires extension and advisory
services to be more carefully focused on the needs of
different clientele within the rural communities. Extension
aims to enhance the efficiency of the farm, increase
production and improve the standard of living of the farm
family. Extension does not only seek to improve
productivity of agriculture, but also develop farmers’
abilities to direct their future development. Garforth (2011)
explains that information, education, knowledge, and
advice are essential ingredients for successful innovation
among food producers.
The upland province of Bukidnon was identified as the 6th
impoverished province in the Philippines (PSA 2015)
having a poverty incidence of 54.1% (PSA, 2018).
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the
Bukidnon Province has a food threshold level of
Php10,503.48 and a food threshold level of Php7,334.58
in 2017 (PSA, 2018). Of the 20 towns of Bukidnon,
Maramag township has a relatively low incidence of
poverty (47.90%) with about 30% of its households have
income below the food threshold level. However, the 2017
survey has identified Barangay Kiharong as one of the
poorest barangays in the municipality of Maramag with
food and threshold levels of the households lower than that
of the provincial average. As such, Barangay Kiharong has
been identified as a Geographically, Economically and
Socially Disadvantaged (GESDA) community with a
poverty incidence of 64.90% and low food threshold level
among 54.2% of its households. The barangay has a
population of 1,588 at 52:48 male-female sex ratio (CBMS
Core Indicators, Barangay Kiharong, 2017).
This paper endeavored to analyze the social capital of the
members of the Kiharong Women’s Association during the
pandemic with the livelihood intervention provided by the
Project CLImB. It also sought to describe the
socioeconomic attributes, change in knowledge level and
social capital of the women and the factors influencing their
social capital.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
As shown in FIGURE 1, the Project CLImB was
implemented in Barangay Kiharong, Municipality of
Maramag, being one of the poorest villages in Bukidnon
province in close coordination with the concerned local
government and the Kiharong Women’s Association
(KWA). The KWA was registered with the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) since 2016 with 53 women
members.
FIGURE 1. Map of the Philippines showing the Bukidnon
province
The community profiling and community needs
assessment were conducted in early 2019 among
randomly selected residents of Barangay Kiharong.
Findings were validated through focus group discussion
with the Barangay local officials and officers of
the Kiharong Women’s Association. The survey on social
capital was conducted during the last quarter of 2019 and
2020 among the 33 members of the KWA who participated
in the Project CLImB. The 2019 survey assessed the social
capital of KWA women before the pandemic, while the
2020 survey determined their social capital during the
COVID-19 pandemic. With the permission of the local
officials of Barangay Kiharong, the survey questionnaire
was administered to individual KWA members by the staff
of Project CLImB. During the pandemic in 2020, the survey

Intong et al. 434
was conducted following the health protocols required by
the government. The questionnaire on social capital which
included statements on groups and networks; trusts and
solidarity; collective action and cooperation; information
and communication; social cohesion and inclusion, and
empowerment and political action was adapted from the
WB (1999 & 2011) and Grootaert et al. (2004). The change
in the knowledge level was measured using pretest and
post-test given before and after the conduct of training by
the Project CLImB staff.
During the focus group discussion, five (5) livelihood
interventions were identified by the KWA officers and the
local government officials to provide livelihood
opportunities and improve the food threshold level of the
community, viz: organic vegetable gardening, vermi
composting, mushroom production, Natural Farming
Technology System (NFTS) and goat production.
Technical trainings along with the identified livelihood
intervention were conducted with the KWA women by the
Project CLImB. Through the Project CLImB, the KWA
women established the communal vegetable garden,
backyard home garden, and mushroom center, while two
(2) members received two (2) pregnant does each for goat
production. Moreover, the Project CLImB has provided
agricultural inputs to both the communal and backyard
home gardens of the KWA members in terms of seeds,
seedlings, vermicompost and inoculated fruiting bags for
mushroom production, while the KWA provided the farm
labor. During the year 2020, the Project CLImB has also
conducted cross visit, field day, meetings, method
demonstration, team building activities and distributed
leaflets to the KWA members following the health
protocols required by the government because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Group activities were limited and
conducted in small batches because of the pandemic. The
activities in the communal garden were highly affected
during the lock down.
Farm activities of the KWA women for vegetable gardening
started during the lock-down in April 2020 with the onset
of the rainy season. Harvesting started in July 2020
providing available vegetables for their households during
the pandemic. They also shared the vegetables with their
neighbors and relatives. All vegetables harvested were
recorded and given monetary value. Records were
retrieved by the Project staff every end of the month.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio-economic Attributes of KWA Women
From the survey, data in TABLE 1 showed that majority
(91%) of the KWA women were married with a mean age
of 46 years old and five (5) members of the household.
They have attained basic education with 27% of them
graduated from high school and college (21%). Most of
them were migrants from Central Philippines (89%). Their
main source of income was farming (93%) where they
obtained less than US$200 a month in 2020 which was
lower than the poverty threshold of the province.
TABLE 1. Socio-economic attributes of the KWA women
Attributes Results
Marital status: Married 91%
Age Mean: 46 years old
Household size Mean: 5 members
Educational attainment:
High school graduate
College graduate
27%
21%
Ethnic Origin: Cebuano
(Central Philippines)
89%
Main occupation/source of
income: Farming
93%
Household Monthly income Mean: Php8,536.70
US$170.73
(Php50:US$1)
Income Realized from Vegetable Gardening
TABLE 2 revealed a mean monthly income equivalent to
US$10.52 (US$1: Php50)) was realized from their home
gardens from July to December 2020 based on the value
of vegetables consumed, given and or sold. This additional
monthly income from gardening represents 27% of the
total increase in their household income in 2020. This
means that the vegetable gardening provided
opportunities for the women to engage in economic
activities despite the pandemic.
TABLE 2. Income realized from the KWA women’s home
garden, July – December 2020
Month (2020) Average Monthly Income (Php)
July 648.75
August 495.50
September 541.56
October 462.54
November 469.83
December 541.38
Overall Mean 526.59
This also suggests that despite the pandemic, the women
were able to produce food for their household as well as
generate additional income for their other needs.
Change in Knowledge Level
TABLE 3 depicted the change in the knowledge level of
the women with the conduct of the technical training by the
Project CLImB. As a whole, there was a positive change in
the knowledge level of the women in all the trainings
particularly in mushroom production and vermi
composting. This indicates that the training conducted by
the Project CLImB have enhanced the knowledge of the
women that could facilitate application and practice in their
communal and home gardens. The women reported that
they also shared their knowledge gained with their
neighbors.

TABLE 3. Change in the knowledge level of the KWA
women from the trainings conducted by the Project CLImB
Trainings Conducted Mean Pre-
test Score
Mean Post
Test Score
%
change
Vermicomposting 5.89 7.26 23.26
Natural/Rapid
Composting
6.25 7.25 16.0
Mushroom
Production
6.83 8.89 30.16
Goats’ Health &
Nutrition
6.25 7.25 16.0
Change in the Social Capital of the Kiharong Women’s
Association
Change in Groups and Networks
The results in TABLE 4 showed a 15.5% increase in the
groups and networks among the KWA women from 2019
to 2020. In particular, the membership in the association
has increased. The women interacted with other
organizations and can count on the help of their neighbors
when needed. As the women joined meetings more
regularly and interacted closely with one another, they
experienced more social benefits from the association.
TABLE 4. Change in the groups and networks of the KWA, 2019 - 2020
Indicators 2019 2020 % Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. I attend the organizational meeting regularly. 4.2 Strong 4.7 Very strong 11.9
2. I get social benefit in joining the Women’s
Association.
4.0 Strong 4.7 Very strong 17.5
3. The membership of the association increased in
the last 3 years.
3.0 Moderate 4.0 Strong 33.3
4. I interact with other association or organization
with similar goals in the community.
5. I interact with other association or organization
with different goals in the community.
6. I have close friends in the community with whom
I feel at ease, can talk about private matters, or
call on for help.
4.0 Strong 4.4 Strong 10.0
7. There are people beyond my immediate
household who I can turn to, who would be
willing to provide if I suddenly need a small
amount of money.
8. I can count on my neighbors to take care of my
children if I suddenly have to go away.
9. People in the community are usually members
of several groups.
10. The longer the members stay in the
association, the closer they become.
11. The longer people are in the association, the
more assistance they get from each other.
Overall mean 3.75 Strong 4.33 Strong 15.5
Legend:
4.50 – 5.00 Very strong
3.50 – 4.49 Strong
2.50 – 3.49 Moderate
1.50 – 2.49 Weak
1.00 – 1.49 Very weak
Change in Trust and Solidarity
Results in TABLE 5 showed an 11.2% increase in trust and
solidarity among the KWA women from 2019 to 2020. They
were willing to help other members if needed. They felt an
increasing trust on the government to improve their
community and the extension workers to promote
technologies to better their farms. They believed that
people in the association can be trusted to extend help
when needed even if it would not benefit them.

Intong et al. 436
TABLE 5. Change in the trust and solidarity of the KWA, 2019-2020
Indicators 2019 2020 %
Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. Most people in the association can be trusted. 3.2 Moderate 3.8 Strong 18.8
2. Most people in the association are willing to help if needed. 3.1 Moderate 4.1 Strong 32.3
3. Most people in my community/neighborhood help each other
out.
3.6 Strong 3.6 Strong 0
4. I would contribute time to a community project even if it does
not directly benefit me but has benefits for many others in the
community/neighborhood.
5. I would contribute money to a community projects even if it
does not directly benefit me but has benefits for many others
in the community/neighborhood.
4.0 Strong 4.0 Strong 0
6. I trust the national government to help improve my
community.
4.0 Strong 4.5 Very
strong
12.5
7. I trust the local government to help improve the living
conditions of people in my community.
8. I trust the extension workers/facilitators to impart new
technologies that can improve my farming.
4.0 Strong 4.8 Very
strong
20.0
9. I trust other agricultural technicians to introduce new
technologies that can improve my farming.
10. People are more trusting with each other than before. 4.0 Strong 4.2 Strong 5.0
Over-all Mean 3.74 Strong 4.16 Strong 11.2
Legend:
4.50 – 5.00 Very strong 3.50 – 4.49 Strong 2.50 – 3.49 Moderate
1.50 – 2.49 Weak 1.00 – 1.49 Very weak
Change in the Collective Action and Cooperation
Results in TABLE 6 revealed a 4.5% increase in the
collective action and cooperation among the members of
the KWA for the past two years. The women observed an
increasing willingness to help unfortunate members of the
association with the strong spirit of cooperation without
expecting anything in return.
TABLE 6. Change in the collective action and cooperation of the KWA, 2019 - 2020
Indicators
2019 2020 %
Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. People in my association would work with others association
to do something for the benefit of the community.
2. Members participate in community activities voluntarily. 4.0 Strong 4.0 Strong 0.0
3. I usually participate in community activities. 4.0 Strong 4.0 Strong 0.0
4. People who do not participate in community activities are
criticized or sanctioned.
5. A great proportion of people in this community/neighborhood
would contribute time or money towards common development
goals.
6. If there is water problem in this community, people would
cooperate to try to solve the problem.
7. Suppose something unfortunate happened to someone in the
community, such as serious illness or death, how likely is it that
people in the community would get together to help them.
4.0 Strong 4.5 Very
strong
12.5
8. The “bayanihan” spirit is present in my community. 4.0 Strong 4.4 Strong 10.0
9.People in my community will help other people outside the
community who will ask for assistance.
10. People in my community extend help without expecting any
reward.
4.1 Strong 4.5 Very
strong
9.8
Legend:
1.50 – 2.49 Weak 1.00 – 1.49 Very weak

Change in the Information and Communication
Data in TABLE 7 depicted a growth of 14.4% in the
information and communication among the KWA women
from 2019 to 2020. In particular, there was an increasing
use of mobile phone in sending and receiving messages
from other members of the association. The year 2020 has
also seen an increasing access to the internet among the
KWA women as well as frequency in visiting neighboring
villages amidst the pandemic. With the assistance of the
Project, the women established a face book account to
share updates of their gardens and other relevant matters
of the association.
TABLE 7. Change in the information and communication of the KWA, 2019-2020
Indicators
2019 2020
%
Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. I read the newspaper, if available. 3.8 Strong 3.8 Strong 0.0
2. I listen to the radio. 4.0 Strong 4.3 Strong 7.5
3. I watch the television. 4.0 Strong 4.2 Strong 5.0
4. I use my mobile phone to communicate with others. 4.0 Strong 4.7 Very
strong
17.5
5. I receive calls or text messages. 4.0 Strong 4.7 Very
strong
17.5
6. I get information about government programs from community
leaders, technicians, relatives, neighbors and friends.
7. I get information about extension programs and activities from
extension worker.
8. I have access to the internet. 2.0 Weak 3.3 Moderate 65.0
9. Compared to five years ago, access to information has
improved.
10. I travel to neighboring communities (municipality/barangays)
as much as I can.
2.0 Weak 3.2 Moderate 60.0
11. I attend seminars and trainings. 4.0 Strong 4.7 Strong 17.5
Overall Mean 3.62 Strong 4.13 Strong 14.4
Legend:
1.50 – 2.49 Weak 1.00 – 1.49 Very weak
Change in the Social Cohesion and Inclusion
The data in TABLE 8 revealed an 11% increase in the
social cohesion and inclusion among the KWA women
from 2019 to 2020. They felt safe walking in their streets
at night. They have not experienced violence and they
visited their friends and relatives in the community. There
was however a feeling of being unsafe specially during the
pandemic when people were quarantined in their homes.
TABLE 8. Change in the social cohesion and inclusion of the KWA, 2019-2020
Indicators
2019 2020
%
Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. There is a strong feeling of togetherness or closeness in my
association.
2. The differences (social status, religious beliefs, education, and
sex) among members of my association do not cause
problems.
3. All members in the association are allowed to participate in all
activities of the community.
5.0 Very
strong
5.0 Very
strong
0.0
4. I visit neighbors, friends, and relatives if I have time. 4.0 Strong 4.8 Very
strong
20.0
5. People in the community visit my home. 4.0 Strong 4.6 Very
strong
15.0
6. I attend family/community/neighborhood festivals or ceremony
(weeding, funeral, fiesta, etc.,).
7. I feel safe from crime and violence when I am at home. 5.0 Very
strong
4.9 Very
strong
(2.0)

Intong et al. 438
8 Compared to five years ago, the level of violence in the community has
decreased.
4.0 Strong 4.5 Very
strong
12.5
9. I have (or one of my household members) not been a victim of a violent
crime such as assault or mugging in the last 12 months.
4.0 Strong 4.8 Very
strong
20.0
10. I feel safe when walking down the street or alone after dark in my
community.
4.0 Strong 5.0 Very
strong
25.0
Overall mean 4.17 Strong 4.63 Very
strong
11.0
Legend:
1.50 – 2.49 Weak 1.00 – 1.49 Very weak
Change in the Empowerment and Political action
TABLE 9 showed a slight increase of 0.6% in the
empowerment and political action of the KWA women from
2019 to 2020. Particularly, the women have participated in
the election campaigns as well as exercised their right to
vote during the last two elections. They however felt that
their local leaders were not listening to their needs and
problems with their inactivity to get things done in the
community. There was also a decreasing attendance in
community meetings and public discussion during the last
three (3) years especially during the pandemic when the
community activities were highly restricted.
TABLE 9. Change in the empowerment and political action of the KWA, 2019-2020
Indicators
2019 2020
%
Change
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
Weighted
Mean
Adjectival
Rating
1. I feel much control in making decisions that affect my
everyday activities.
2. I feel that I have the power to make important decisions
that change the course of my life.
3. I can have a big impact in making this community a
better place to live in.
4. I alerted local authorities to a local problem in the last 3
years.
2.0 Weak 2.0 Weak 0.0
5. I participated in an information or election campaign in
the last 3 years.
3.0 Weak 4.0 Strong 33.3
6. I attended council meeting, public hearing or public
discussion in the last 3 years.
3.0 Weak 2.5 Moderate (16.7)
7. I participated in the last 2 national and local elections. 4.0 Strong 5.0 Very
strong
25.0
8. The local leaders take into account concerns voiced by
the people when they make decisions that affect the
community.
4.0 Strong 3.0 Moderate (25.0)
9. The honesty of local government has improved
compared to five years ago.
10. I do not have to pay additional money to government
officials to get things done.
4.0 Strong 3.0 Moderate (25.0)
Legend:
4.50 – 5.00 Very strong
3.50 – 4.49 Strong
2.50 – 3.49 Moderate
1.50 – 2.49 Weak
1.00 – 1.49 Very weak
Summary Changes in the Social Capital of the KWA
FIGURE 2 revealed an overall increase of 9.76% in the
social capital of the KWA women in the last two years. The
KWA women perceived an improvement in their groups
and network (15.47%), information and communication
(14.09%) and trust and solidarity (11.23%). The
empowerment and political action received the least
increase of 0.6%, while social cohesion and inclusion has
the highest mean score of 4.63.

FIGURE 2. Change in the social capital of KWA, 2019-
2020
T-test result in TABLE 10 revealed a highly significant
difference (p<.01) among the dimensions of social capital
of the KWA. Specifically, there was a significant difference
(p≤.01) in the groups and networks, trust and solidarity,
information and communication and cohesion and
inclusion of the KWA women in 2019 and 2020. There was
however no significant difference in the collective action
and cooperation and political action and empowerment
among the women during the last two (2) years.
TABLE 10. Difference in the social capital of KWA, 2019 and 2020
INDICATOR MEAN P (T<=t) two-tail Descriptive Rating
2019 2020
Groups and Networks 3.75 4.33 2.56352E-05** Highly Significant
Trust and Solidarity 3.74 4.16 0.0027782** Highly Significant
Collective action and Cooperation 4.00 4.18 0.021232227ns Not significant
Information and Communication 3.62 4.13 0.003910232** Highly significant
Social cohesion and Inclusion 4.17 4.63 0.004080169** Highly Significant
Empowerment and Political action 3.50 3.52 0.932432888ns Not significant
** p≤0.01 ns- not significant
Correlation and Regression Analyses
Result of the correlation analysis (TABLE 11) revealed that
the main occupation of the KWA women having a
correlation coefficient of -.599 was highly associated with
their social capital (p≤.01).
TABLE 11. Correlation analysis between selected
variables and the social capital of the KWA women
Variables Correlation
Coefficient (R)
Significance
Age -.167 .353
Household Size -.079 .622
Household Monthly
Income
-.090 .620
Educational Attainment .056 .755
Main Occupation -.599 .000**
Sources of Income .153 .396
Ethnic Origin .322 .067
Change in Knowledge
level
.065 .721
**- Correlation is significant at the level 0.05 level (2-
tailed)
*- Correlation is significant at the level 0.01 level (2-tailed)
In TABLE 12, the beta value showed that the main
occupation (62%), sources of income (45%) and ethnic
origin (40%) were the best predictors of the social capital
of the KWA. The R2 value implied that 57% of the variation
in the social capital of the KWA was explained by the
combination of factors in terms of the main occupation
(p≤.01), sources of income (p≤.05) and ethnic group
(p≤.05). The 43% could be attributed to the factors that do
not significantly influence social capital and variables not
included in the study.
TABLE 12. Regression analysis between selected
variables and the social capital of the KWA
PREDICTORS
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.
Β
Std.
Error Beta
(Constant) 3.974 .792 5.019 .000
Main
Occupation
-.535 .125 -.620 -4.294 .000
Sources of
Income
.387 .169 .449 2.291 .031
Ethnic Origin
.395 .162 .399 2.436 .023
R =.759a
R Square=
.576
Adjusted R Square= .434 F value=
4.072 Sig. =.0049
Based on the results, the regression equation for the
study is derived as:
Y = 3.974 - .535 X1 + .387 X2 + .395 X3
Where: Y = social capital of the KWA women
X1 = Main occupation
X2 = Sources of income
X3 = Ethnic origin

Intong et al. 440
Livelihood Intervention Improved the Social Capital of
Rural Women amidst the Pandemic
The results of the study demonstrated a positive influence
of the livelihood interventions on the social capital of the
rural women. These interventions have caused a change
in the knowledge level of the women about farming where
they generated additional income. Through the Project
CLImB, the KWA women experienced improvement in the
groups and networks; trust and solidarity; information and
communication, and cohesion and inclusion in the
association in 2020, despite the health crisis. The
vegetable gardening has made the neighborhood closer
with the sharing of information as well as their harvest. This
suggests that the Project CLImB’s activities have
enhanced the trust between and among the KWA
members
The trainings conducted by the Project increased their
knowledge about farming and the sharing of information
with neighbors strengthened their bond amidst the threat
of COVID-19 infection. Woolcock (2001) explains that
friends and family comprise the safety net during hard
times. Similarly, Abad (2005) observes that Filipinos often
rely on a network of family and close friends to fulfill needs
and reach goals. In addition, Fedor (2019) reports that
people participate in community development programs
initiated by those they know and trust. The World Bank
(2002) reports that access to information helps poor
communities to have a stronger voice in matters affecting
their welfare. Woolcock and Narayan (2000) stress that
fellowship, sympathy and social interaction help structure
a unit within society. They argue that social capital is
accumulated when a neighbor contacts with other
neighbors to satisfy social needs.
The effect of social capital on the increasing availability of
food for the household was critical especially during the
pandemic. Fouani (2020) acknowledges that the lockdown
to control the spread of the corona virus has affected
negatively the low-income groups. On the other hand,
Liang et al. (2018) observe that each dimension of social
capital has a significant and positive effect on the
economic performance of cooperatives. More recent
studies have made advances in using econometric
analysis to demonstrate quantifiable effects of social
capital on economic outcomes (Engbers et al., 2016). In
general, the findings indicate that social capital help the
community address the problem of food security especially
during difficult times. On the other hand, economic
activities can improve the social capital of an organization.
According to Woolcock (2001), communities endowed with
a rich stock of social networks and civic associations will
be in a stronger position to confront poverty and
vulnerability and/or take advantage of new opportunities.
Hutagalung (2016) acknowledges that social relationships
between people enable productive outcomes because
trust increases the ability of the group to work together.
Thus, development practitioners and policymakers have
the critical task of ensuring that the activities of the poor
not only spread out, but are also scaled up (Woolcock,
2001). McCabe et al. (2013) confirm that social networks
are essential in surviving poverty.
Predictors of Social Capital among the Rural Women
Farming as the main source of income and the ethnicity of
the women have facilitated the growth in the social capital
of the KWA women. Although farming practices were
affected by the health protocols during the pandemic,
these however have helped improve their social capital.
This indicates that farming as the main occupation of the
women has provided them the opportunities to share
common knowledge and new information which helped
build trust with each other. In particular, the vegetable
gardening initiated by the Project CLImB has encouraged
closeness among the women that promoted collective
action in the association. This livelihood intervention has
resulted to available food for the household and the
neighborhood while generating additional income in the
midst of the pandemic. Putnam (2000) reports that social
networks have value, and social contacts affect the
productivity of individuals and groups.
Moreover, being farm workers of similar ethnic descent
doing similar activities for a living have strengthened the
trust, cohesion, flow of information, and collective action
among the KWA women. Kwon (2016) reports that
ethnicity may affect the affiliation of an individual within a
particular ethnic group. McCabe et al. (2013) conclude that
connections are built in places where people felt
comfortable and accepted within their own culture. They
argue that traditional cultures and values offered a critical
basis for network development.
CONCLUSION
The KWA women were in-migrants middle aged mothers
of large households who attained basic education with
income below the poverty and food threshold level. Amidst
the pandemic, the Project CLImB has implemented
livelihood interventions which provided food and income
and improved the knowledge of the rural women about
farming. These activities made them more trusting,
cohesive, cooperative and informed. Farming and the
other sources of income as well as their ethnicity
influenced the social capital of the rural women. Overall,
economic activities enhance social capital. Moreover, the
social capital increases economic efforts of a group even
during the pandemic.
RECOMMENDATION
Rural development workers and policymakers must
consider the social capital of the group in the
implementation of poverty alleviation programs. Team
building activities should be incorporated in the project
development. On the other hand, livelihood interventions
must be designed to improve social capital of the group.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge the funding support
of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).
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Accepted 16 March 2021
Citation: Intong JD, Badilla CN, Mendoza EN, Aradilla AR,
Intong RL, Arbes JL, Magadan HP, Angcos LR, Frasco NM
(2021): Use of Improved Postharvest Practices by the
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Copyright: © 2022: Intong et al. This is an open-access
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Enhancing Social Capital During the Pandemic: A Case of the Rural Women in Bukidnon Province, Southern Philippines

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