Research Title: Sanguniang Barangay’s Management Capability

and Emotional Competence in Facing the Covid-19

Pandemic in Pagsanjan, Laguna

Authors: Adrimar A. Adriano
Course: Master in Public Administration
Subject: Methods of Research
Faculty In-Charge: Dr. Rina SJ. Javier-. Arcigal
SUC’s Name: Laguna State Polytechnic University- Santa Cruz Campus
Introduction
Background of the Study
The barangay is the basic political unit of the Philippine political

system. Originally known as barrio, its name was changed to barangay under

Presidential Decree No. 557, dated September 21, 1974, for purely historical and

patriotic reasons (Orendain, 1996)

In accordance with the Local Government Code of 1991 specifically Sec.

386, a barangay may be created out of contiguous territory which has a population

of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics

Office except in cities and municipalities within Metro Manila and other

metropolitan political subdivisions or in highly urbanized cities where such territory

shall have a certified population of at least five thousand (5,000) inhabitants.

Provided, that the creation therefore shall not reduce the population of the original

barangay or barangays to less than the minimum requirements prescribed herein.

The barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of

government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community,

and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed,

crystallized and considered. Also, it is where disputes may be amicably settled as

stated in Sec. 384 of the Code.

The Sangguniang Barangay can enact ordinances; levy taxes and other

revenue measures; provide for construction and maintenance of barangay facilities

and other public works; regulate use of public facilities, including waterworks; etc.

However, in order to fulfill the barangays’ mandates and functions as

contained in the Local Government Code, the members of the Sangguniang

Barangay must be equipped with the necessary capabilities and should not only

observe but also practice morally upright actions.

The standard and quality of life of the people living in the Barangay is

dependent on the wide range of services offered by its local government. These

services should be provided in an efficient and appropriate level of quality. But

as to how well these services are provided is a source of concern among those

running the local government. Thus, there is a need to have feedbacks on the

effectiveness of the delivery of such services in order to have a basis for

improvement (Cadorna, 2009)

Moreover, there is a need for LGUs to be assisted in generating accurate

local data and information to be able to respond to the needs of their constituents

(Austere, 2004). Especially during the surge of Covid 19 in the Philippines, each

of the Sangguniang Barangay plays an important role on how to fight and control

the spread of the virus.

Pagsanjan has a total of 1,218 cases. As nations continue to be

threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, national governments and health

ministries develop, implement, and amend health policies and standards in

accordance with WHO recommendations (WHO). Initially, health initiatives were

largely focused on preventing and mitigating transmission among at-risk groups.

These interventions vary in scope and speed of implementation among nations,

as some have more resources and are better equipped in terms of healthcare

capability and the availability of severe policies.

 Throughout the initial months of the pandemic, various municipalities and

localities battled to find bearable, if not the most successful, strategies to 'flatten'

the COVID-19 epidemic curve and avoid overburdening health services. Public

health strategies developed in response to the pandemic danger incorporated

epidemiological and socioeconomic variables. The success or failure of these

initiatives reveals the government's strengths and shortcomings, as well as the

breadth of social inequities.

Pagsanjan town is a 3rd class municipality and is subdivided into 16

Barangays namely Anibong, Biñan, Buboy, Cabanbanan, Calusiche, Dingin,

Lambac, Layugan, Magdapio, Maulawin, Pinagsanjan, Poblacion Uno, Poblacion

Dos, Sabang, Sampaloc and San Isidro.

The researcher believes that the Sangguniang Barangay plays a very

important role in phasing the Covid 19 pandemic wherein they are one in charge

in implementing guidelines given by the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and

distribution of national government subsidy.

This interests the researcher to explore and measure the levels of

management capability and emotional competence of Sangguniang Barangay in

the municipality of Pagsanjan, Laguna in phasing the Covid-19 pandemic that

affect their effectiveness in running the affairs of Barangay government.

Theoretical Framework
One aspect of this research involving management capability is strikingly

similar to the findings of Fianza (1996), Dao-dawon (1995), and Nganag (1996),

who discovered that barangay officials were capable of performing the major

management functions of planning, organizing, controlling, and leading their

constituents. The distinction is that this study included emotional competence as

a factor. This survey may varies from the other three in terms of location and
number of respondents.

As stated by Caldo (2015) the need for Performance Evaluation/Appraisal

for Competency Measurement of Barangay Council is an essential tool to assess

the functionality and responsiveness of government officials specifically the

Punong Barangay and the Sangguniang Barangay Members. It is a framework

that relates Local Government Code of 1991 to Excellent Public Service through

Democratic Participation.

However, the phrase "leadership competency" used by Esguera (1995)

may be linked to management capacity because he alluded to communication

and supervision abilities. Because Esguera similarly used the Punong Barangays

of Cabanatuan City's highest educational attainment and the profile variables of

sex, ages, civil status and educational attainment, this study is identical to

Esguera's.

According to Telen et al. (2009)'s assessment of barangay captains'

performance in governance, fiscal administration development planning,

barangay law, delivery of basic services and facilities, and compliance with

instructions for fiscal year 2007, this investigation is extremely comparable. An

emotional competence may be defined as an individual's capacity to regulate

their emotions, whereas an intellective competence can be defined as an

individual's ability to manage their intellect.

This study is quite different since it tried to investigate the influence of

selected profile variables on the management capability and emotional

competence of Sangguniang Barangay while that of Telen, et al studied the effect

of the intellective and non- intellective factors on the performance of the

Barangay Captains only.

 According to the findings of the numerous studies studied and this

investigation, the current crop of barangay officials are capable in terms of

managerial capability and emotional competency.

Conceptual Framework
In this inquiry, the researcher posits that management capability and

emotional competence of Sangguniang Barangay are the key toward the effective

prosecution of community projects and activities.

Management capability involves the ability to plan, organize direct or lead,

and control the different resources of the barangay while emotional competence

is the ability or skill to identify assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of

others and of groups.

This means that when a Sangguniang Barangay knows how to plan,

organize direct or lead, and control the activities of the community, and is able to

control his own emotions and that of others, he/she is bound to succeed in his

position.

This study, however, proceeded further by looking into the effect of some

selected profile variables of Sangguniang Barangays on their management

capability and emotional competence.

The profile variables considered were: sex, age, civil status, and highest

educational attainment. These are the considered underlying factors that might

affect the dependent variables of the study.

This study then attempted to look into the significance of the difference

in the level of emotional competence of Sangguniang Barangay across their

profile variables and the significance of the relationship between the

management capabilities of Sangguniang Barangay across their profile variables.

The relationship of the variables utilized in this study is shown in Figure

 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Profile of Respondents

a) Sex Management Capability

Fig.1.

Paradigm of the study showing the relationship between the Independent and

Dependent Variables.
Objectives of the Study / Statement of the Problem
1. Profile of Sanguniang Barangay in terms of sex, age, civil status, and

highest educational attainment.

2. Level of management capability as perceived by Punong Barangay,

Barangay Council Members and the residents.

3. Level of Emotional competence of Sangguniang Barangay as perceived by

Punong Barangay, Barangay Council Members and the residents.

4. Significant difference of emotional competence as rated by the respondents

along with their profile variables, and

5. Significant relationship between management capabilities of Sangguniang

Barangay as perceived by the respondents across their profile variables.

Significance of the Study
This study is significant to the Sangguniang Barangay and to each of the
citizens.
Its significance to the Sangguniang Barangay is to provide them a concrete
and reasonable basis regarding their performance and could help them analyze
and do possible actions to improve their performance.
The result of the study could give encouragement for the Sangguniang
Barangay to enhance more their capacity and effectiveness in performing their
duties and obligations.
For the citizens, the findings of the study could enhance citizens awareness
regarding Sangguniang Barangay performance and could lead them to better
understanding of how important the management capability and emotional
competency of a Sangguniang Barangay in performing his duties and obligations.

Scope and Limitations

This study applies to all members of the Barangay Council of each

barangay in the Municipality of Pagsanjan, except those who are members of

Sangguniang Kabataan and those staff who are appointed by the Punong

Barangay and/or voted by the Sangguniang Barangay Members. In addition, the

residents from the selected six barangays will be randomly selected from the

heads of the households.

This covers the discussion on response of Covid 19 Pandemic to provide an

effective instrument for measuring the competency of local government officials.

The scope of data collection is limited to the records made by the Barangay

Secretary and Treasurer of each barangay in the Municipality of Pagsanjan kept in

the Barangay Hall. 

Operational Definition of Terms
Sangguniang Barangay - It a group of people who plans, organize direct or lead,

and control the activities of the community.

Performance - Refers to the capability of the Sangguniang Barangay in

performing its duties and obligations.

Age - Define how old or young a particular person was.

Gender - It refers to a particular person whether s/he is a male or a female.

Civil status - Refers if the person is single or married.

Educational attainment - Identifies a particular course/major that a particular

person attained.

Emotional Competence - Refers to the ability or skill to identify assess, and

control the emotions of oneself, of others and of groups.

Management Capability - Refers to the ability to plan, organize direct or lead, and

control the different resources of the barangay

Review of Literature

Methodology
Research Design
This study utilized a quantitative research design to analyze the

management capability and emotional competence of the Sangguninag Barangay

during COVID-19 outbreak. The respondents of this study is comprised of

Sangguniang Barangay and its residents. The researchers intended to gather data

from all the barangays in the municipality of Pagsanjan, however, the current

situation pose challenges to gather data. Convenience sampling maybe used to

gather data through online survey questionnaires from November 1 until

December 30, 2021 in each barangay in Pagsanjan, Laguna. The limitation of

convenience sampling is that the sample may not representative of the general

population in the target location.

Data Gathering Procedure

Before floating the questionnaires to the respondents, the researcher first

sought permission from the office of the Mayor of the Pagsanjan municipality to

administer the questionnaires to the respondents of the selected six barangays.

The questionnaires were administered and retrieved personally by the

researcher.
Research Flow Diagram

Research Instrument
In this study, the questionnaire is basically a proponents’ conception. Quantitative

analysis was used to estimate the level of awareness and understanding of selected

respondents on Competency of their Sangguniang Barangay as a whole. The

questionnaires provided make use of semantic differential scale. These are type of

questions by which the respondents chose their answers from least favorable choice being

the lowest and most favorable choice as the highest. The questions are designed

especially to achieve proponent’s objectives. Meeting these criteria gives a perfect system

evaluation for the proponent. These questionnaires, together with the respondent’s

answers, were collected, tallied, and analyzed by the proponent. The proponent of

document reviews of Barangay records. Also, interviews and focus group discussions

with Barangay officials who are directly involved in Barangay welfare and services were

conducted. The gathered data were analyzed and presented in bar graphs to visualize

extent and magnitude of the problems.

References
BOOKS

Austere, Panadero. “Local Governance Towards the Millennium

Development Goals” Paper Presented During the Regional

Conference

on Mainstreaming the UNDP Millenium Development

Goals in Local Governance in UNP, Vigan City, 2004.

Local Government Code of 1991. Sampaloc Manila: A.V.B. Printing Press,

1993.

JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS

Cadorna, Edelyn A. Productivity and Performance of Barangays:

The Case of the Heritage City of Vigan, Philippines,

International Journal of Human and Social Science 4:5, 2009.

UNPUBLISHED THESIS AND DISSERTATIONS

Dao-Dawon, Fernando P., The Managerial Competencies of

Barangay Officials of Tabuk, Municipality 1995,

 Unpublished Master’s thesis, Baguio Central University,

Baguio City, 1995.

Esguerra, Loranz I., “The Performance Motivation and

Competence of Barangay Captain in Cabanatuan City.”

Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Araullo University, Cabanatuan

City. 1995.

Fianza, Eusebia T., “Management Capability on Project

Implementation of Barangay Official in the Municipality

of Itogon, Benguet Province.” Unpublished Master’s

Thesis. Baguio Central University, Baguio City, 1996.

Nganag, Edgar M., Management Capabilities of Brangay Officials

in the Municipality of Tanudan 1995, Unpublished

Master’s Thesis, Baguio Central University, Baguio City,

1996.

Orendain, Antonio E., Local Government Units: Powers,

Duties and Functions Unpublished Master’s Thesis,

Mary Jo Educational Supply, Sampaloc, Manila. 1996.

OTHERS

https://www.grantthornton.com.ph/insights/articles-anupdates1/opinion/opinion/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagsanjan

http://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_goleman_emotional

_intelligence.html

http:/google.com~intelligent~quotient~education.html