Performance of elected barangay officials in the Municipality of Badiangan, Province of Iloilo for Fiscal Year 2009

Abstract

This study was conducted primarily to examine the extent of performance of the elected barangay officials in the Municipality of Badiangan, Province of Iloilo for Fiscal Year 2009. It also aimed to look into the level of involvement of barangay officials in community activities and whether their involvement influenced their performance in various areas of local governance. The study further examined whether there exists a significant relationship between the respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their involvement in community activities, as well as their extent of performance in local governance respectively.

The study is a descriptive-relational research. It utilized the survey method to gather data. Using a structured-interview questionnaire, the study surveyed all the elected barangay officials in all 31 barangays in the Municipality of Badiangan.

However, only 117 out of 248 of the target respondents were able to participate in this study. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Frequency distribution was used for descriptive variables. Chi-square and Gamma tests were utilized to determine the relationships between variables.

The study revealed that majority of the elected barangay officials in the municipality of Badiangan were male, married, 41 years old and older, well-educated, and had been in public office for at least 10 years. Majority of the barangay officials are engaged in farming while some are engaged in other professions but earned a minimal income to maintain the basic needs of their family.

Almost all of the barangay officials were actively involved in community activities in the barangay. In terms of their over-all performance, the respondents were rated “good” in the five areas of local governance which include local development planning, local legislation, local fiscal administration, barangay justice system and delivery of basic services during the Calendar Year 2009. In the five areas, they performed best in local legislation.

The tests for association show that no significant relationship exists between the respondents’ characteristics, i.e., age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, occupation, income, and length of years in service and their performance in local governance. This means that the barangay officials performed well regardless of the characteristics mentioned for they have an in-depth knowledge and skills in performing their roles and functions as public officers.

There is, however, a significant relationship between the barangay officials’ involvement in community activities and their performance in local governance. In other words, those who are actively involved in community activities also had a high level of performance in the major key areas of local governance. Indeed, when barangay officials are so immersed with the many activities of their community, it likewise follows that they are well-aware and familiar with their constituents’ concerns and needs, and more importantly, how to address them given ample time and opportunity.

Since the study covered only elected barangay officials of the Municipality of Badiangan, Province of Iloilo, it is recommended that further studies be pursued and a thorough examination be conducted in order to view the whole essence of local governance. Further, a uniformed and coordinated performance evaluation system should be designed, administered and results should be analyzed, interpreted and reported by an independent party to all concerned public officials for evaluation and proper feedback. Finally, to improve the performance of local government units especially in the barangay level, it is highly recommended that consultations with the barangay officials should be made regularly to identify and prioritize the immediate settlement and resolution of local issues and problems. These may be initiated and financed by the barangay concerned with the assistance of other government agencies. Coordination with other officials and community participation are highly encouraged.