Binnadang: A cultural practice amidst covid-19 pandemic among local government workers in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet

Jamby M. Baldago | Tina Joy A. Olayan | Jessa C. Segundo | Jona Graille C. Toldague
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts

ABSTRACT

Binnadang is a cultural practice of cooperation by supporting people in need through volunteerism and community help. The study aimed to explore the impact of binnadang as a cultural practice among the local government workers of Barangay Poblacion Tuba, Benguet during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is believed to be beneficial to the local government leaders to put up effective programs and laws, integrate information and guidance systems through the integration of cultural practices that play a beneficial role in achieving sustainability and crisis coping strategies. This study made use of thematic analysis and purposive criterion sampling to select the participants of the study. It composed of fifteen (15) Local Government Workers of Barangay Poblacion Tuba, Benguet. The main findings of the study was the giving of importance to the traditional practice such as daw-es (emergency response), ufo (financial support for progress and projects and baddang (community sustainability support). While the themes that transpired in the study were the promotion of unity, good communication, discipline, and resiliency. It also include the themes of dependency of the people on the reliefs given to them, the officials are perceived for gaining profits and taking advantage of the situation. Furthermore, binnadang was used during the relief operations, contact tracing, curfew monitoring and information dissemination. It is proven that this cultural practice played an essential role in achieving community development while dealing with modern world challenges. Thus, binnadang impacted the development of people’s behavior and awareness towards cooperation and collaboration.
Keywords: Binnadang, Cultural practice, Covid-19 pandemic, Local Government Workers, Poblacion Tuba, Benguet