Implementation and Challenges in COVID-19 Community Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

COVID-19 has governments at all levels operating in a context of radical uncertainty; most likely Local Government Units were confronted with a health crisis that has an economic, social, and fiscal impact. Thus, in this context, it was determined the implementation and challenges of barangay officials on COVID-19 community mitigation strategies in the second-class municipality in Central Negros using a mixed-method research design. The respondents comprised a total enumeration of 80 elected officials of the ten (10) biggest barangays based on the area and population. Purposive sampling was used to determine five respondents for the informant interview to supplement challenges in implementation. A researcher-made survey questionnaire consisting of two parts; part 1 is a 30- item questionnaire; 15 for health and safety and the other fifteen (15) for management and monitoring was used to measure the extent of implementation of community mitigation strategies. Part II is an interview protocol to determine the challenges of implementation. The findings revealed a moderate extent of implementation of barangay officials of the COVID-19 mitigation strategies in health and safety, management, and monitoring. No significant difference was found in the extent of implementation in both areas of health and safety and management and monitoring. Challenges encountered by barangay officials in implementing mitigation strategies include lack of budget, inadequate services, mobilization, and medical health support. The results suggest a lack of awareness, as shown by the communities' low turn-out of vaccination programs. Community participation is needed to prevent the spread of the virus and minimize morbidity and mortality that will overwhelm barangay officials. Therefore, there is a need for empowerment by a strong delegation of responsibilities and accountabilities with appropriate budget support to strictly impose the COVID-19 mitigation strategies at the barangay level. These findings call for a concerted effort among the different levels of governance in the implementation of mitigation strategies.