The Impact of the Ayuda (Relief) Program of MSU-TCTO Amidst Pandemic as Perceived by Its Students

The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of the ayuda (relief) program of MSU-TCTO to its students amid pandemic. It employed a quantitative descriptive survey method and used Percentage Distribution and the Likert’s Model (5-point scale)  to analyze and interpret the data gathered. The data collected from the one open-ended question were analyzed and presented in narrative form. This study was conducted at MSU-TCTO with its 49 students as the participants of the study. This study revealed that the participants were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in different aspects of life. With the implementation of community quarantine and travel restrictions, most students experienced difficulty in meeting their daily basic needs and the demands of standard education. They also experienced difficulty in social and spiritual life which has extreme adverse effect on their overall happiness as a human being. This study also revealed that all of the relief initiatives of MSU-TCTO supported the students intensively especially on sustenance and spiritual aspects in life. Students liked the most the Pabaon Packs and the Oplan Moleh (a program of MSU-TCTO sending the students home) which manifests the idea of Abraham Maslow on Hierarchy of Needs. In relation to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd stages of Hierarchy of Needs, this study proved that above anything else, food, safety, and being with your family, are the most important in life especially in times of pandemic or any other related scourge. However, on the effect of the pandemic, different students perceived differently due to different academic and economic status, personality, and dispositions in life. There are some who felt better in social and spiritual aspects of life amidst pandemic because of their extrovert personality. Some also expressed agreement on better experience of sustenance especially on food and other daily basic needs. In this time of crisis, different institutions extend their help to those in need the most. Hence some students who are economically disadvantaged, even before pandemic, will have the chance to meet their needs through relief programs and call this pandemic as “blessing in disguise”. Overall, students were very grateful and overwhelmed with the relief program of MSU-TCTO. They only recommend to the administration of Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi the sustainability of such project in any manner, the food packs preferably, even once in a month basis only.