Community Needs Assessment (CNA) as a Framework for Designing Extension Programs in the College of Liberal Arts of Northeastern College

Abstract : The Northeastern College–College of Liberal Arts (NC-COLA) is committed to uplifting community well-being through responsive extension programs. This study evaluated the community needs of Barangay Mabini across seven domains: Education and Parenting, Food Safety and Hygiene, Human Rights and Violence Awareness, Livelihood and Financial Literacy, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Environmental Conservation, and Organizational Planning and Management. Using a descriptive mixed-method design combining survey questionnaires and key informant interviews, results showed that Livelihood and Financial Literacy obtained the highest weighted mean (4.75), identifying economic vulnerability as the community’s most pressing concern. Food Safety and Hygiene (4.72), Organizational Planning and Management (4.68), Environmental Conservation (4.63), and DRRM (4.59) also registered high demand, reflecting gaps in public health, governance, and disaster preparedness. Human Rights and Violence Awareness (4.48) indicated greater preference for practical safety programs over formal legal education. It was concluded that Barangay Mabini requires coordinated, multi-stakeholder interventions targeting economic empowerment, institutional governance, and community resilience. Recommendations include financial literacy and livelihood programs, strengthening of the Barangay DRRM Council, systematic waste management, and capacity-building for local officials in partnership with relevant government agencies.