PERCEPTIONS OF THE BARANGAY LOCAL OFFICIALS TO THE PROPOSED FEDERALISM: BASIS FOR A PROPOSED EDUCATION PROGRAM

ROGELIO  L. PAREDES JR,

PERCEPTIONS OF THE BARANGAY LOCAL OFFICIALS TO THE PROPOSED FEDERALISM: BASIS FOR A PROPOSED EDUCATION PROGRAM

Discipline: sociology, social policy and anthropology

Abstract:

The study was conducted to determine the perceptions of the barangay officials in Lucena City to the proposed federalism. It made use of one hundred and seventy (170) barangay officials who served as the respondents. A descriptive research design was utilized. Statistical tests employed to analyze the quantitative data were frequencies, percentages, weighted arithmetic mean (WAM), and Analysis of Variance. The study showed that the majority of the respondents were councilors and a substantial number have been in the elective positions for 1-3 years. Furthermore, the respondents had a strong belief in the political, economic, cultural, and social benefits of federalism. Overwhelmingly, the local government officials favored the proposed federal system. The topmost problem that the barangay officials pointed out when federalism will be implemented is the lack of awareness of the people about federalism. It is being recommended that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should continue to educate the barangay officials and the groups supporting federalism as well as the general public. The Department should use a roundtable pedagogy for more interactive discussion and therefore easier for barangay officials to comprehend federalism. Those who have been trained and attended the DILG's seminars or forums will be mobilized to assist the DILG in educating the general public.