In a strong display of community service aligned with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and CICM advocacies, Saint Louis University’s Industrial Engineering students (SLU-IE) partnered with the American Corner Baguio, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- CAR, and the City Government of Baguio to launch a transformative outreach project on 2 September 2024 at Barangay Happy Hallow, Baguio City. Titled “Implementing a Comprehensive 5S-Life Program (Layout, Information, Five-S, Evacuation Strategies) to Enhance Happy Hallow Barangay’s Safety and Information Programs,” the project focused on improving the operational efficiency of the Happy Hallow Barangay Hall, a small and humble government facility in Baguio City.
The program is a concrete manifestation of SLU’s commitment to supporting the UN’s SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as well as the CICM advocacies for justice, peace, and indigenous people’s advocacy. By focusing on education, collaboration, and community development, this project empowered barangay officials and enhanced local governance, contributing to a sustainable future
Bridging Quality Education and Community Engagement
SDG 4, which promotes Quality Education, is embedded in the heart of this outreach project. Through the 5S methodology—a globally recognized system for workplace organization—the project served as an educational platform for both barangay officials and SLU students. The faculty-led training and hands-on workshops gave barangay officials the skills and knowledge to improve their workplace efficiency. The Sort phase of 5S, which focuses on decluttering and prioritizing essential items, was the first step toward creating a more effective working environment. This phase of the program is part of a larger mission to ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom and into practical, real-world applications that benefit the wider community.
By engaging the barangay in these systematic practices, SLU Industrial Engineering students and faculty members helped bridge the gap between academic theory and local governance challenges. This educational aspect is not limited to traditional settings but extends into communities, ensuring that barangay officials are equipped with valuable skills they can sustain and apply.
Partnerships for the Goals: Building Strong Collaborations
In line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the collaboration between SLU, the American Corner Baguio, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- CAR, the City Government of Baguio, and Barangay Happy Hallow is a key feature of this program. The partnership illustrates how institutions can work together to achieve shared goals for sustainable development. SLU provided the technical expertise, while the American Corner Baguio, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- CAR, the City Government of Baguio, and barangay officials ensured the program’s implementation on the ground, emphasizing that community challenges can be solved more effectively through multi-stakeholder cooperation.
The project highlights how universities, local government units, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can join forces to make meaningful, long-term improvements in local governance. These partnerships are crucial in amplifying the impact of the 5S program, ensuring that its benefits extend beyond the duration of the outreach.
The program also aligns with the CICM advocacies for justice, peace, and indigenous people’s advocacy. Barangay Happy Hallow is home to members of indigenous communities in Baguio City, making the outreach an opportunity to advocate for the equitable treatment and upliftment of indigenous peoples through better governance and facility management. The barangay hall plays a vital role in delivering essential services to the indigenous population, and improving its operational efficiency contributes to more effective service delivery and the upholding of their rights.
The promotion of peace and justice is evident in how the program empowers the local government unit to serve its constituents better. By ensuring that workspaces are optimized and organized, barangay officials can work more effectively to address the needs of the community, promoting a more just and peaceful environment for all.
Program Highlights and Impact
The outreach took place on September 2, 2024, at Barangay Happy Hallow. Led by Program Coordinator Engr. Geraldine Nerona, the SLU Industrial Engineering faculty and students conducted workshops on the 5S methodology, focusing on the Sort phase. This phase emphasized decluttering and creating more efficient workspaces for barangay officials, directly improving their ability to serve the local community.
PIIE-SLU SC, along with the Industrial Engineering faculty, allocated a budget of ₱1,425 to cover the program’s expenses, including snacks for participants. Activities included pre-assessment evaluations of the barangay hall, educational seminars, and interactive workshops where barangay officials practiced sorting and organizing their workspace.
As the program concluded, the barangay captain delivered his closing remarks, acknowledging the positive impact of the activity. The participants, including barangay officials and SLU students, expressed their commitment to sustaining the 5S principles for the betterment of the barangay hall and the community. (Article by SLU-IE, SEA)
