PROPOSED DESIGN OF 2-STOREY ALS COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER BUILDING AT BRGY. BUENAFLOR, TACURONG CITY, SULTAN KUDARAT Background of the Study Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system that provides a viable option to the existing formal education instruction. It encompasses both formal and informal sources of knowledge to reach out to learners who were not able to complete their basic education in the traditional classroom-based setting. It is anchored on building life skills, enhancing technical vocational capacities, providing skill-based training and capacity-building opportunities for its learners. ALS requires a wider intersectoral approach to adequately equip its target learners with the skills and capacities to improve their quality of life and to ensure their work readiness or employability upon completion of the program. Community Learning Centers (CLC) play a vital role in providing functional literacy, vocational skills, and work-related skills to marginalized youth and children in the community, particularly those who can’t continue to learn in the formal education system. Furthermore, CLCs are a focal place for lifelong learning opportunities for every walk of life. Type 4 CLC (Community Learning Center) is a two-story or higher building fully equipped with basic furniture and advanced ICT equipment for learning dedicated to ALS learning sessions and related activities. To date, there are 25,219 ALS Community Learning Centers across the country. However, only about 1,000 of these are considered conducive learning environments. The majority of existing CLCs are simple (with a table, chairs, and chalkboard), temporary, makeshift, and oftentimes, shared spaces. They can be small chapels or multipurpose facilities, or spaces owned or managed by the barangay or by private individuals. As of October 31, 2022 update on the total enrollment for SY 2022 – 2023 ALS of Sultan Kudarat there are; 508 males and 659 females enrolled under Basic Literacy Program, 914 males and 583 females under Accreditation and Equivalency Elementary Program, 2772 males and 1962 females under Accreditation and Equivalency Secondary – Junior High School(JHS) Program. Moreover under Accreditation and Equivalency Secondary – Senior High School(JHS) Program, there are 30 males and 33 females in Grade 11 while there are 7 males and 11 females in Grade 12 enrolled in Humanities and Social Sciences(HUMSS) Academic Track, and then 212 males and 149 females in Grade 11 while there are 80 males and 116 females in Grade 12 which are enrolled in Technical Vocational – Livelihood (TVL). For a total of 5360 students who are enrolled in different ALS programs at1 the province of Sultan Kudarat. Buenaflor is a barangay in the city of Tacurong, in the province of Sultan Kudarat. Its population as determined by the 2022 Census was 8,468. This represented 6.38% of the total population of Tacurong. (PhilAtlas, ND) This barangay currently shared a population of 18 ALS students. In 1982, the barangay constructed the multi–purpose building which serves as a stock room and health center. By 1986, this multi–purpose building was reconstructed to be their health center, where RH midwives attends and assist their patients. By 2016, a new this building was labeled by the barangay as “ALS Community Learning Center”. This old barangay health center, which has a floor area of about 5m x 8.5m, was supposedly utilized as the CLC building. However, the floor area of the building is inadequate to occupy the number of ALS students. Instead, the barangay is utilizing the existing gymnasium as their classroom while utilizing the health center building as a storage area. In the surge of pandemic last 2020, the maintenance and cleaning of the said building had been set aside or discontinued. As of now, the physical appearance of the building had not been restored. It is dilapidated; full of dirt, dust, and grasses on the corner, walls, and windows. The wood used on trusses and columns are decaying and battered. In addition, African kalakat intended for walls are old enough to withstand damage and therefore some parts are detached and flaked. Moreover, some roofs and ceilings are apart, suspended, and about to fall. In some parts of the ceiling, there are dark spots or stains, bubbling parts, and peeling surfaces caused by internal leaks. This might be due to roof vent damages, holes due to rusting and some more common issues found on old roofs. However, internal leaks or the water absorbed by wooden beams and wooden ceilings is the primary cause of major damage. Some of the leaks are found near the electrical wiring. To avoid potentially dangerous situation, use of electricity in the building was forbidden especially during rainy days, even those wires are newly installed. In addition, the walls of this building have dents, dark stains made by stuck materials, and lines of termite mud tubes, which is a sign of cracks, gaps, and hollow spaces between blocks. The wall features; the chalkboard is damaged or destroyed by termites while the posters were passed over with termite mud tubes. There are open areas on the wall; at the back, and on where the aircon was placed before. The main door’s doorknob is not working and has no lock therefore it stays open at all hours. Also, the door going to the kitchen sink is short and is not even close to the standard measurement for doors. Scattered and dislocated parts are found all over the floor. Since it is fully damaged, it has been abandoned. Therefore, ALS meetings are recently held in the previous barangay gymnasium which is located beside their office building. Each meetings have an estimated of not more than 150 students from different barangay of Northern Tacurong. As per consultation with the current barangay chairman, Hon. Adriano A. Beso II, the proposed CLC building will be further placed at the senior citizen office buiding which is now unfunctional and For these reasons, the authors will design a Type IV – ALS Community Learning Center (CLC) office building which will serve as a new facility that will be utilized as a venue for the conduct of ALS classes, technical vocational workshops, a training center for both ALS and other ALS-related activities. Further, it can also be used during emergencies. Objectives of the Study The project entitled “Proposed Design of 2-Storey ALS Community Learning Center Building at Brgy. Buenaflor, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat” aims to evaluate and develop a Type-IV learning center that will be utilized by ALS students and instructors for a venue for the conduct of ALS classes, technical vocational workshops, a training center, and other ALS-related activities. Specific Objectives: Specifically, this study aims to: 1.) Evaluate the current condition of the building in Buenaflor, Tacurong City 2.) Evaluate the design of the CLC building facility in terms of: a.) Design; b.) Effectiveness; c.) Acceptability; and d.) Functionality; 3.) Determine the significant difference at a 5% level among the responses of respondents in evaluating the design of the CLC building. a. Design; b. Effectiveness; c. Acceptability; and d. Functionality. 4.) Determine the total project cost and duration by preparing complete sets of plans (architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing) and preparing the program works which include the project cost estimate of materials, labor, and equipment, project scheduling, and specifications. PROPOSED DESIGN OF SENIOR CITIZEN OFFICE BUILDING OF BRGY. BUENAFLOR, TACURONG CITY, SK Background of the Study The global phenomenon of an aging population is creeping into the Philippines. Senior citizen buildings are one of the most important resources for our aging community. Today’s senior centers have more to offer than you may think. They are more than just space for seniors to meet and play bingo or shuffleboard; many local senior centers offer thoughtful programming and services to promote positive aging. Senior citizens' buildings promote healthy aging by giving seniors access to multiple resources available to help them stay active and independent. They serve as a meeting center for older adults to connect with peers, families, and their community. They feature exciting activities to keep seniors active as well as provide fulfilling volunteer opportunities. (Thomas, 2017) In the Philippines, people aged 60 years old and over are regarded as senior citizens. They made up 8.5 percent (9.22 million) of the household population in 2020, higher than the 7.5 percent (7.53 million) recorded in 2015. There were more females (55.5%) than males (44.5%) among the senior citizens, in 2020. (Mapa, 2022) Buenaflor is a barangay in the city of Tacurong, in the province of Sultan Kudarat. Its population as determined by the 2022 survey census was 8,468. On the latest listing of registered senior citizens, this barangay currently has a total population of 449 members aged 60 and above. The current senior citizen office building is the previous barangay hall of the said place. It was constructed in the year 1992 under Cong. Valdez. After several years, by 2018, a new barangay hall was finished contracted in Purok Casuga. Therefore, the previous building was labeled by the barangay as their “Senior Citizen’s Office Building” As measured, it is 5 m x 19 m. It is divided into three (3) rooms and one(1) conference hall. During the surge of the pandemic, the third room which serves as the chairman’s office with a floor area of 5m x 6m, was used as an isolation room and catered to three (3) bedrooms. The second room with the same said floor area became the storage of old files, furniture, and instruments. However, before the pandemic when barangay officials already relocated, the first room with a floor area of 5m x 4m was accumulated by Buenaflor Elementary School as their reading hub. As of now, this room is still on tack and properly arranged, but it lacks of reading materials, a desk, and chairs. Some students, idles-on in this area during their vacant time for talks and games which shows that this reading hub doesn’t longer serve its functionality. In addition, in front of this room are a lot of scattered educational materials. This area is the front part of the main building but was constructed and closed by 2015 to serve as their conference hall. Moreover, old infrastructure is unsafe due to damages, open walls, and decayed columns and ceilings due to termites. The current building could be renovated and cleaned for furthermore usage. Also, there is no space or room that is functionally for senior citizens. According to the current Chairman, Hon. Adriano Beso II, who wants to build a new senior citizen office building that is intended only and could occupy their basic office needs. And will be placed in Purok Casuga near their current barangay hall. For these reasons, the researchers will design a senior citizen office building. A new facility that will be use to cater their prime commodities, data banking, monitoring, and any related senior citizen assessments. Objectives of the Study General Objective The project entitled “Proposed Design Senior Citizen Office Building of Brgy. Buenaflor, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat” aims to evaluate and develop a Senior Citizen Office Building that will be use to cater their prime commodities, data banking, monitoring, and any related senior citizen assessments. Specific Objectives Specifically, this study aims to: 1.) Evaluate the current condition of the place in Buenaflor, Tacurong City 2.) Evaluate the design of the Senior Citizen’s office facility in terms of: a) Design; b) Effectiveness; c) Acceptability; and d) Functionality. 3. Determine the significant difference at a 5% level among the responses of respondents in evaluating the design of the the Senior Citizen’s office building. a) Design b) Effectiveness; c) Acceptability; and d) Functionality. 4. Determine the total project cost and duration by preparing complete sets of plans (architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing), detailed estimates, program of works, and project scheduling. PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF FARM TO MARKET ROAD – CONNECTING BRGY NEW LAGAO AND BRGY BUENAFLOR Background of the Study Farm-to-market roads (FMRs) connect agricultural and fisheries areas to markets, allowing producers to transport their goods to traders and consumers with relative ease. These roads help the farmers and fisher folks gain better prices and broader reach for their products. FMRs also stimulate the economy and empower rural communities. Therefore, the creation of FMRs is an essential component of the government’s efforts to develop the countryside and achieve economic growth. (Valera, 2022) In consonance with RA 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) and RA 10601 (Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law), the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Administrative Order No. 5 and 28 Series of 2020 assigning the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) to spearhead the preparation of the Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan (FMRNP) and Comprehensive FMR National Master Plan 2020 to 2030, which will serve as the blueprint in rationalizing DA’s investments on FMR. (Asis, 2022) Barangay Buenaflor is bounded on the North by Griño, on the East by the Southern part of Griño and Barangay Poblacion, on the South by New Isabela, and the West by New Lagao, with its natural boundary Katungal Creek. As measured, this unpaved road is approximately 200m. Every year barangay Buenaflor kept on having a monetary budget for the maintenance of the remaining unpaved road. This also becomes a community and travelers problem for it causes dusty air and delays. On rainy days, the road is prone to flood since it is low-lying and elevated lower than the connecting bridge. Travelers from barangay New Lagao going to the city limit only have two (2) possible routes; 1) passing through barangay EJC Montilla and 2) passing through barangay Buenaflor. Commonly, these travelers took the route passing through barangay Buenaflor, since it is the easiest way and shortest way. In addition, passing by this unpaved road in barangay Buenaflor is an alternative to passing through the 2.8km unpaved and bumpy road of barangay EJC Montilla. As per the Chairman, Honorable Adriano Beso II, one of his last term proposed projects will be the pavement or the construction of the road connecting Barangay New Lagao and Barangay Buenaflor. A pavement that completes the farm road going to the city road. For these reasons, the researchers will design a pavement for a farm-to-market road connecting two barangays. This will provide convenience and is accessible for any transportation matters, an ease to common phenomenal road issues. No more delays on bumps, dust on dry periods, no more muddy roads, and floods on rainy days. Objectives of the Study General Objective The project entitled “Proposed Construction of Farm-to-Market Road – Connecting Brgy New Lagao and Brgy Buenaflor” aims to evaluate and develop an accessible farm-tomarket road that will be used by commuters for daily transportation that is much convenience and accessible. Specific Objectives Specifically, this study aims to: 1.) Evaluate the current condition of the road in Buenaflor, Tacurong City 2.) Evaluate the design of the farm-to-market road in terms of: a) Design; b) Effectiveness; c) Acceptability; and d) Functionality; 3. Determine the significant difference at a 5% level among the responses of respondents in evaluating the design of the farm-to-market road. a) Design; b) Effectiveness; c) Acceptability; and d) Functionality. 4. Determine the total project cost and duration by preparing complete sets of plans (plan views, profile views, cross-section views, and typical views), detailed estimates, program of works, and project scheduling.