Local governance and community development in Iloilo City, Philippines

Findings of the study present a favorable picture of local governance and community development in the sample barangays [villages]. Levels of efficiency and effectiveness in revenue collection and utilization are seen to be "high". The level of satisfaction with barangay services and facilities, as well as services and projects from civil society organizations (CSOs) are also rated as "high". Managerial efficiency and effectiveness, as well as leadership performance of the Punong Barangay [head of the village] are perceived positively. Effectiveness of efforts to meet basic needs and satisfaction of such needs are assessed as "moderate", and there is the active participation of civil society in environmental protection efforts in the barangay. However, findings also bring to light the need for greater civil society participation in decision-making and development activities in the barangay, and for the Punong Barangay to exercise greater political will in the performance of his/her official responsibilities. Findings also reveal that local governance is positively correlated with community development. The factors of local governance, i.e. revenue management, service delivery, and accountability contribute to community development specifically, the satisfaction of basic community needs and the protection and enhancement of environmental resources in the barangay. Furthermore, there is no significant difference in the operations of local governance and community development across different income levels of the barangay. However, the protection and enhancement of environmental resources in the barangay are higher in middle income barangay compared to the lower income barangays. The study recommends a systematic and comprehensive human resource development program to provide orientation on the opportunities and prospects for good governance affected by the Local Goverment Code of 1991 and enhance managerial and leadership competencies of the Punong barangay. Further research on local governance is also recommended focusing more on leadership motivations, values and ethics, and behavior as basis for predicting and enhancing governance performance at the local levels