Municipal extension performance across income-class differentiation in Laguna [Philippines]

The results revealed that majority of the respondents admitted that a change occurred in their organizational structure after the devolution, particularly their supervising office, i.e., from Provincial Agricultural and Health Office to the Municipal Government Office. Majority of the respondents favored before devolution period. However, mean scores of the respondents' perceptions on the management aspects differed in the three sampled LGUs [local government units]. Apparently, health and nutrition served as the major focus in health extension, while livelihood, crop production, and livestock production served as the primary foci in agricultural extension. All respondents revealed that there was no major change in the focus of extension after devolution (still general). Majority of the respondents pinpointed Municipal Government as the primary source of their budget. Many of Municipality A and Municipality C respondents disclosed that they received their budget on time, while Municipality B respondents declared that their budget delivery was delayed. On the other hand, Municipalities B and C respondents said that their budget was inadequate, while Municipality A's budget was adequate. Generally, more than half of the respondents indicated that presently they have sufficient manpower. However, Municipality C respondents claimed that they have insufficient manpower, while Municipality A is sufficient. A large number of Municipality A and Municipality B respondents admitted that in general, there was no change in their functions after devolution, while Municipality C respondents indicated that change occurred such as wider scope of responsibilities and much clearer job descriptions. Respondents in three sampled LGUs varied in their attitudes toward the LGC and devolution, and their present functions. Majority of Municipality A respondents did not encounter personal problems after devolution, while many of Municipality B and Municipality C respondents encountered problems such that they were pessimistic that these obstacles might be solved. In addition, majority of Municipality B and Municipality C respondents confided that they encountered work-related problems. Municipality B respondents were optimistic that these problems might be solved, while Municipality C respondents were pessimistic in this aspect. Also, many of the respondents in the above two LGUs perceived that they would encounter long-term problems after the devolution. Obviously, LGUs' income showed as one major factor that affected the respondents' answers. Advanced LGU respondents were positive on the future of their extension after devolution, while less-privilege LGUs were not