The North Valley College Foundation, Inc. (NVCFI), through its Social Work Department and Junior Social Workersโ Association of the Philippines (JSWAP) โ NVCFI Chapter, conducted the Deviance Awareness Program (Deviance Day 2026) on November 14โ16, 2026, in Kidapawan City and the Municipality of Makilala. The three-day educational and community-based initiative engaged Second-Year Bachelor of Science in Social Work students in experiential learning activities designed to address social labeling, stigma, discrimination, stereotyping, and social exclusion. Through supervised role portrayals in public spaces, including the Mega Market, City Plaza, Old Terminal, and Overpass in Kidapawan City and the Mega Market in Makilala, students examined how individuals perceived to exhibit socially deviant behaviors are treated and judged by members of the community.
The activity directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by raising awareness of discriminatory attitudes and social barriers experienced by individuals who are marginalized, stigmatized, or negatively labeled by society. Community observations and feedback gathered by JSWAP spotters revealed contrasting public reactions, ranging from sympathy and willingness to provide assistance to hostility and rejection. These encounters provided concrete learning opportunities for students to understand how prejudice, fear, stereotypes, and social perceptions can contribute to unequal treatment and social exclusion. Through reflection and guided discussions, the program emphasized respect for human dignity, equal treatment, social inclusion, and the importance of responding to individuals based on understanding rather than judgment.
