An assessment on the competencies in local governance among the punong barangays in the Municipality of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Province of Sulu

Abstract

The study evaluates the competencies of Punong Barangays in Hadji Panglima Tahil, Province of Sulu, in terms of delivery of basic services, executive functions, and legislative functions during the Fiscal Year 2023. The study involved 100 respondents, mostly female, married, aged 31+, with high school education and an average monthly income of 5,001-10,000. With 100 samples taken through non-probability sampling method via purposive sampling, and with the use of weighted mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent samples, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s r the findings indicate that Punong Barangays are generally competent in their duties and functions. The study supports the Antal Szerletics, Gerry Stoker, and B. Guy Peter’s model, which emphasizes the importance of establishing a good governance structure to guide and manage sustainability and responsibility. This structure allows leaders to set direction, establish goals, and create policies to execute strategies. Good governance can be conceived as a basket of practices, including professional civil service, anti-corruption policies, transparency and accountability, democratic decision-making, the rule of law, protection of human rights, and independent judiciary. The findings suggest that the Punong Barangays in Hadji Panglima Tahil, Province of Sulu are competent in their duties and functions, with age, gender, average monthly income, and educational attainment not significantly mediating their assessment of competencies.