Government Units Research Articles

Local Government Units Disaster Preparedness and Response in the Province of Bulacan: Basis for Enhancement

Local Government Units Disaster Preparedness and Response in the Province of Bulacan: Basis for Enhancement

Challenges, Aspirations, and Growth Initiatives of Undergraduate Employees in a Government Agency: Basis for Recommendations for Human Empowerment

This research examines the challenges and career aspirations among undergraduate employees at MSWDO in the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Municipality of Sta. Rosa Nueva Ecija. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study investigates the extent of work-related challenges encountered by employees and their impact on personal growth initiatives and career aspirations. The findings reveal that employees face moderate challenges in the workplace, stemming from various factors such as management styles, personality differences, and organizational dynamics. Despite these challenges, employees demonstrate resilience and remain engaged in their roles, highlighting the importance of effective management and support systems. The research underscores the significance of understanding and managing workplace challenges to foster employee growth and productivity. By aligning management styles with employee preferences and promoting an empowering environment, organizations can mitigate the negative effects of challenges and enhance employee satisfaction and performance. Furthermore, the study identifies a positive correlation between career aspirations and personal growth initiatives, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for employees to pursue their professional goals. The implications of the research extend to organizational leaders and managers, who are encouraged to be proactive in addressing workplace challenges and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Strategies such as encouraging professional development activities and aligning management practices with employee aspirations can contribute to a more motivated, engaged, and efficient workforce. The study also suggests avenues for future research, particularly in exploring the link between employee personal growth initiatives and job performance. By building upon theoretical frameworks such as the Self-Determination theory, Vroom's Expectancy theory, and Robitschek's Personal Growth Initiative, researchers can deepen our understanding of the factors influencing employee motivation and success in the workplace.

Proposed Self-Reliance Development Program for Persons with Disabilities in Kawit, Cavite using Special Education-Based Alternative Learning System

This study aimed to propose a self-reliance development program for persons with disabilities in Kawit, Cavite, using Special Education-based Alternative Learning System for persons with disabilities aged 21 to 40 years old. The study used quantitative method to analyze and determine the needs of the respondents in terms of self-reliance using self-made questionnaires and qualitative method using structured interview to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation of the respondents with learning, visual, communication, and orthopedic disabilities. Findings of the study showed that persons with disabilities in Kawit need minimal assistance in independent and community living, recreation/leisure, and vocation. This concluded that they need to develop self-reliance to gain independence. Alternative Learning System is the suitable venue for the continuity of learning and acquiring skills. A Special program may be created to enhance their skills. Enhancement of the teachers’ capability in handling learners with special needs through trainings, seminars, and workshops is needed. Partnership among local government units, other stakeholders, and the Alternative Learning System in the implementation of the program is essential. Collaboration between the parents and the teachers is very significant in the acquisition and enhancement of self-reliance of persons with disabilities.

Assessment and Local Community Perception on the Water Quality of the Seven Crater Lakes of San Pablo City, Philippines

The Seven Lakes of San Pablo in the Philippines provide various ecosystem services including aquaculture and ecotourism which can degrade the lake’s condition. The water quality of the lakes was assessed and the perception of the locals on this and on the impacts of aquaculture and ecotourism on water quality were determined. Water quality was assessed in August and November 2019 and May 2021 to determine the condition of the lakes. Aquaculture lakes had lower dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, higher biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chlorophyll-a indicating eutrophic condition. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted to elicit the perception of locals on the historical water quality. Locals perceived that there is a relationship between degraded water quality and anthropogenic activities in the lake. The PRA result is a verification that water quality has been degrading since the establishment of fish cages and settlements around the lake. The condition of the Seven Lakes in terms of water quality is being threatened due to these factors. These results will be useful for the local government unit in crafting strategies for the protection and sustainable management of the Seven Lakes.

Analysis of Corporate University Programs and Their Relevance to E-Government Implementation in Indonesia

Today's digitalization era demands system transformation in all sectors of life, including the government and bureaucratic sectors. State officials’ competence needs to be improved in order to adjust to the digital government environment (e-government). Education and training are essential for coping with the dynamic environment and enhancing the competency management of Civil Servants (ASN), as mandated by Law Number 5 of 2014 concerning ASN. This necessity has led to the emergence of the Corporate University concept in education and training units. This research aims to assess the relevance of the Corporate University program in developing ASN competencies to meet the challenges of e-government in Indonesia. The research employs descriptive methods and qualitative approaches, with data sourced from literature reviews. Data collection is conducted through documentation methods, and problem analysis utilizes Miles & Huberman's data analysis techniques, which include data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that the Corporate University program is pertinent to the implementation of e-government, particularly in capacity building for civil servants through integrative learning and e-learning-based training in government agencies. Corporate University can be an effective solution to the need for digitally literate civil servants capable of operating an integrated digital service system, especially within local government, which is the closest government unit to the community.

Assessing Stress Levels and Coping Strategies in the New Normal among Students of Magsaysay College

The primary objective of this study was to assess stress levels and analyze coping strategies among Magsaysay College students. Utilizing a descriptive correlational research design, the study explored the relationship between students' demographic profiles, including age, gender, marital status, year level, family income, and reported stress levels. It also examined the correlation between stress levels and the use of coping strategies. The research concluded that demographic factors do not have a significant impact on stress levels among students and that stress is a ubiquitous challenge for students across different backgrounds. Interestingly, there is a slight negative correlation between family income and stress levels among students; this relationship is not statistically significant. This suggests that students show resilience and do not let the challenges of lower family income escalate their stress levels appreciably. A positive correlation was identified between stress levels and the employment of coping strategies, indicating that students tend to rely more on coping mechanisms as stress levels increase. It was recommended that Magsaysay College’s Guidance Center enhance its mental health support services by providing more resources, educational programs, and online counseling on effective coping strategies. Local Government Unit (LGU) of Magsaysay and other stakeholders are advised to collaborate on community-based support programs and invest in mental health initiatives to bolster the well-being of the students. Such collaborative efforts could significantly contribute to a more supportive learning environment, fostering students' academic success and personal growth.

The indicators included in ISO 37120 and performance measurement in smart cities

Purpose: Local government units are undergoing a shift in management practices driven by the implementation of the New Public Management (NPM) doctrine. One element of NPM is the measurement of performance in local government. As cities grow, the new concept of ‘smart cities’ is rapidly developing. However, it is difficult to determine how to measure the level of ‘smartness’. This paper focuses on measuring the performance of smart cities using the indicators included in ISO 37120. Methodology/approach: In the theoretical part, we overview the aims of performance measurement within NPM and the idea of smart cities. Meanwhile, the empirical part includes statistical data to analyse performance measurement using the indicators included in ISO 37120. Findings: Performance measurement is possible using the indicators included in ISO 37120. The indicators make it possible to compare the results of cities in various countries. Thus, standardising the indicators is the key to the development of smart city performance measurement. Originality/value: Our findings will be of value for future research about using ISO standards for the performance management of smart cities. Our research is also important for implementing NPM in local government. Research limitations: Due to a lack of data, the observation period is too short to make a more in-depth analysis.

Household Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Social Safety Nets in Cavite, Philippines

The COVID-19 restrictions have caused economic losses that affected food availability and accessibility, thereby compromising people’s lifestyles and putting the already existing poor households into severe food insecurity. As such, national government agencies and local government units in the Philippines provided emergency cash assistance and food aid as safety nets during the pandemic to help vulnerable households cope with the impending economic crisis and to improve food security in the country. This cross-sectional study assesses the association of social safety net programs with household food security (i.e., food secure, consistently food insecure, and newly food insecure) in Cavite province, Philippines. Findings show that being beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Social Amelioration Program are associated with being consistently and newly food insecure. Furthermore, households that obtained food from the community pantry, a volunteer-led movement during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are also associated with food insecurity. On the other hand, the households that were provided with food packs, across different socioeconomic conditions, are not significantly associated with food insecurity. The study also affirms that households most vulnerable to food crises in the context of COVID-19 are those who are consistently food insecure and were already exposed to critical food and dietary deprivations before the onset of the pandemic. There is much to be done to improve the safety net programs in the country. The study results can add information and policy recommendations toward strengthening the services for vulnerable population groups to withstand short- and long-term food system disruptions and eventually build food-resilient households and communities.

Gospodarowanie odpadami komunalnymi w czasie kryzysu geopolitycznego z punktu widzenia budżetu gminy

The article aims to present the problem of paying for municipal waste management in the face of the influx of refugees caused by the war in Ukraine. The number of people residing in Poland has significantly increased, and as a result more waste is generated. The authors analyse current legal regulations and judgments of administrative courts and the Constitutional Tribunal to determine who is obliged to pay the municipal waste management fee and what proper steps this entity should take. Due to the nature of the problem, the dogmatic-legal method was used to analyse the texts of legal acts, court decisions and available literature. The solution proposed by the authors can be used in practice by the bodies of local government units adjudicating the determination of the municipal waste management fee amount.

Models of stimulating energy efficiency of local government units as an element shaping the sustainable development of the modern economy

Models of stimulating energy efficiency of local government units as an element shaping the sustainable development of the modern economy

The Experience of Non-Full-Time Nursing Graduate Students in China: A Qualitative Study

To address the disconnection between the educational structure of nursing teams and the rapid development of China's medical and health industry, there is a shortage of highly educated nursing personnel. In 2016, Chinese universities introduced a new training model for nursing graduate students: non-full-time nursing graduate students. Due to its late development, this model needs continuous improvement. Understanding the training experience of non-full-time nursing graduate students is crucial for refining the training model. This study explores the experiences of non-full-time nursing graduate students and provides a basis for improving their training in China. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 non-full-time nursing graduate students. Data were collated and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. The analysis identified five themes related to the study experiences of non-full-time nursing graduate students: (1) maladaptation to diversified roles; (2) weak scientific research foundation; (3) lack of high-level guidance in clinical practice; (4) concern about social recognition; and (5) lack of educational and training resources. Competent government and training units should fully understand the experiences of non-full-time nursing graduate students and improve their training model from the students' perspective to promote the development of high-quality nursing talents. This will ultimately benefit employers, training units, individuals, and patients.

Effectiveness of Mental Health Promotion Policies and Programs of State Universities

The Mental Health Law, also known as RA 11036, is the approved legal basis for promoting awareness about mental health. It mandates every local government unit and academic institution to create its programs following the general guidelines set by the Philippine Council for Mental Health created under this law. Moreover, because there is a growing number of adolescents suffering from mental health problems, there is an excellent need for universities to take care of students’ mental health. This study primarily seeks to assess the effectiveness of mental health promotion policies and programs in the state universities of Region 2 in the Philippines and to know if there are significant differences between the respondents’ assessed effectiveness when grouped according to their profile variables: students (age, sex, years of stay, course) and implementers (educational attainment, years of experience, number of seminar/training & employment status). The study utilized a quantitative method, specifically using a survey questionnaire. Sampling was done through stratified and convenience sampling. The study’s results show that both students and implementers rated the efforts of the state universities in implementing mental health promotion policies and programs as “effective.” Implementers consistently gave higher ratings than students. Moreover, significant differences were present among the respondents’ assessed effectiveness of the academic institutions when grouped according to university, sex, and course/program. Regarding years of stay, only the indicator “facility access and referral mechanisms for psychosocial support” received a significant difference rating.

Effectiveness and Challenges of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Program in Zambales, Philippines: A Case Study

This case study examined the experiences of the Zambales community and investigated the impact of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KnP) program on agricultural sustainability and economic empowerment. Using a qualitative design, the study involved focus groups comprising selected Kadiwa personnel and representatives from the Local Government Unit (LGU) involved with the community and active participants in the program. Data analysis followed Colaizzi’s (1978) methodology to ensure credibility, with trustworthiness evaluated through Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) Evaluative Criteria. The initiative successfully enhanced community collaboration and expanded local markets, participants encountered several notable challenges, including limited marketing strategies, financial management issues, logistical barriers in distribution and transportation, restricted market access for some farmers, and limited consumer awareness of the program. The findings KnP program have substantial potential to improve community resilience and local food security. Recommendations include implementing targeted training and resource allocation to address these challenges effectively. This research highlights the program’s broader impact potential, suggesting that local administrators update program regulations to optimize its influence on community development and promote sustainable agricultural methods. Findings provide valuable insights for policymakers on crafting effective community-based programs, demonstrating that addressing these operational challenges can lead to lasting benefits for Zambales farmers and consumers, elevating local livelihoods and supporting regional agricultural resilience well into the future.

Environmental Protection: Regulations to Reduce and Eliminate Single-use Plastic in Response to Climate Change

This article examines how the Philippines’ numerous legislations address the problem of single-use plastic pollution in accordance with the concepts of sustainable development. By examining scholarly and related literature on plastic manufacturing and use, plastic ban and restrictions, and other policies connected to plastic pollution, the study found that the national government agencies worked together to address a wide range of climate change solutions to significantly reduce plastic production as well as usage. Plastic usage regulations have been enacted in each of the 17 local government units that fall under Metro Manila’s authority. Individual cities and municipalities, however, may impose varying restrictions due to the fact that their legislation may permit the inclusion of a large variety of different types of plastic compounds. Given this complexity, the rationale behind gradually reducing the consumption of single-use plastic products becomes paramount. Local government agencies require reliable data and effective programs to prevent plastic pollution as global plastic production grows. Regardless of their economic situation, more Philippine cities and municipalities are participating in projects that show their ability to have a global impact on environmental preservation.

Cultivating sustainability through indigenous literacy: A SWOT analysis

Sustainability is the goal of every entity requiring a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social factors. It’s a dynamic process that necessitates continuous adaptation and collaboration among individuals, communities, businesses, and governments. Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 were formulated to improve people’s lives regardless of race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Since time immemorial, the Indigenous people have been among the most vulnerable, marginalized, illiterate, and exploited sectors of society, thus, implementing intervention for their development could be a great contribution to attaining the SDGs. The Mindoro State University in collaboration with Mansalay local government unit planned to conduct a 5-year community development program. To ensure an effective and sustainable program, a SWOT analysis was conducted to determine the internal attributes (strengths and weaknesses), and external factors (opportunities and threats) that could be used in formulating a strategic plan for the development of the indigenous community in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines. This study was part of the SWOT analysis and was focused on identifying the literacy level of the community. The research design utilized was ethnography through community immersion, survey, interview, and focus group discussions. The findings showed that there are professional teachers in the community, however, some elders are illiterate, and some are working instead of attending schools. The findings recommend conducting a literacy drive, especially for elders. As a way forward, the results of the study were integrated into the extension project for the College of Teacher Education.

The Modern Trends in Internal Auditing and Their Role in Enhancing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Performance in Governmental Units

This research aims to explore and analyze the modern trends of internal auditors in the Iraqi public sector and their role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of performance, with the objective of developing their professional practices. It examines how recent advancements, such as advanced technology and risk-based practices, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of internal auditing within the governmental environment. The study provides data-supported recommendations for policymakers and managers in governmental units to enhance transparency and efficiency through the adoption of best global practices. To achieve the research objective, the researcher designed a questionnaire containing (47) variables distributed across three axes. The first axis (fundamental trends of internal auditing) included (22) items covering aspects of this axis. The second axis (the contemporary role of internal auditing in risk management) comprised (3) main items and (15) sub-items covering all variables of this axis. The third axis (the reflection of internal auditing in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the economic unit) included (10) items. The study reached several conclusions, the most significant being that internal auditing according to modern trends is not limited only to assessing compliance and financial control, but its role extends to vital aspects such as risk classification, risk management evaluation, and fraud and fraud prevention. Internal auditing is a crucial tool not only in control and compliance but also in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness within institutions.

The Correlation Between the Size, Independence and Experience of Internal Audit and its Impact on Reducing Financial Corruption: Evidence from the Public Sector in Iraq

Financial corruption crimes in the public sector are prevalent in numerous developing nations, frequently stemming from political, economic, or social problems, among other things. In order to combat these unethical behaviours in the public sector, governments are aggressively striving to improve the internal audit function. This requires recruiting an adequate number of auditors who can carry out their duties with the highest level of professionalism, fostering the autonomy of the audit function and auditors, and improving the effectiveness of auditors through training, qualifications, and education. In the end, this will help decrease the financial corruption that hinders the long-term progress of Iraq. The goal of this study is to assess the magnitude, autonomy, and expertise of internal auditing in Iraq's public sector entities, as well as the extent of financial corruption within this sector. To accomplish the goals of the study, we created a survey and administered it to a randomly selected group of internal auditors in 15 Iraqi governorates, excluding the Kurdistan Region. We issued a total of 174 questionnaires, each containing two axes. The initial segment has three facets of internal auditing (magnitude, autonomy, and expertise) and a total of 27 inquiries. The second axis consisted of 14 questions that assessed financial corruption using regression analysis. The study used basic and numerous linear tests to investigate the hypotheses, ultimately determining that the inclusion of more staff was essential for carrying out certain audit responsibilities. The department lacks a proportional allocation of internal auditors compared to the workload, resulting in the audit body's weak independence. This is primarily due to the administration's interference in the transfer and employment of individuals based on its own discretion, as well as corruption prevalent in government units, particularly in investment spending. The results also revealed a direct relationship between size, independence, internal auditing experience, and financial corruption.

Economic and Social Benefits and Challenges in the Infrastructure Projects Implementation in a Component City in Negros Occidental

Implementation of infrastructure projects is a critical aspect of achieving sustainable development, especially in archipelagic countries like the Philippines. Hence, this study determined the extent of economic benefits (employment, income, and food security) and social benefits (health, education, safety, security, and environmental protection) from infrastructure projects. It also compared the differences in benefits when communities are grouped based on sectoral divisions and geographical locations. Additionally, the study explored challenges faced by implementers. The research design was descriptive-comparative, with 440 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire, validated and reliability tested using Lawshe’s content validation ratio and Cronbach’s alpha method, assessed the economic and social benefits. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Kruskal Wallis). Overall, the economic benefits received a very high rating, with income being the highest-rated attribute. Social benefits were also highly rated, with environmental protection receiving the highest score. Notably, the differences were observed based on geographical location and sectoral groups. Despite challenges, the study suggests that local government units can effectively manage large-scale infrastructure projects, contributing to inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The emphasis on environmental protection underscores the growing concern for climate change resilience.

The Significance of the Financial Situation of Local Government Units for Their Energy Transition Activities: The Case of the Podkarpackie Region

This paper discusses the financial determinants of the efforts of local government units (LGUs) to invest in the area of energy transition (ET). The main objective is to verify the links between the scale, directions, and funding sources of LGUs’ investments in ET and their budgetary situation described by the level of income independence, budget result, and debt level. The general research hypothesis assumes that the ET investment activity of LGUs is associated with their financial situation. The analysis covers the period 2019–2022 and uses data from the questionnaire-based survey conducted in 2023 among 181 LGUs in the Podkarpackie region in southern Poland. Non-parametric tests were employed to verify the association between the LGUs’ ET investment activity and their financial situation: the Chi2 test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Kendall’s Tau correlation. Financial aspects were shown to influence the scale of municipal ET investments, as well as the type of projects implemented. Among the analysed financial indicators, the debt level was the most important constraint for LGUs to make their own ET investments. The debt level not only determined the scale of municipal ET investment, but also influenced decisions on the type of investments.

Wpływ kryzysu finansowego na dochody gmin miejskich w Polsce – doświadczenia pandemii COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to grave economic consequences, especially for the public finance sector, both at the central and local government level. The aftermath of the pandemic-induced crisis began to be felt particularly by local government units (LGUs), which are responsible for the implementation of most public tasks at local level. As a consequence, the role of budget planning increases and the rationalization of public expenditure in response to declining revenues becomes important. This paper is in line with the ongoing discussion on the implications of the COVID-19-induced crisis. Two research goals were formulated. The former was to assess the effects of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on budget revenues and indirectly on the financial standing of Polish urban municipalities, and the latter was to identify changes in the structure of urban municipalities budgets in Poland as a consequence of the pandemic. For the needs of the study, we used an indicator analysis of urban municipalities budgets, which allows for a synthetic determination of the financial condition and verification of development decisions. The aim of the research was achieved by analyzing the dynamics of indicators that characterize urban municipalities budget revenue in Poland. The scope of research covered the years 2010–2022. The results and the formulated practical recommendations constitute a complementation of the research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for public finance, in particular the finances of local government units. The analyses demonstrate a shift in the urban municipalities revenue structure in Poland, which is the effect of a decreased share of own revenue, especially tax revenue, and an increase in the share of transfer revenue. This was due to three factors. Two of them were directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e 1) reduction in tax revenue (mainly from shares in PIT) as a result of the lockdown and the economic crisis; 2) options of support for local governments in the form of increasing transfer revenue. The third factor that contributed to the decline in own revenue are changes unrelated to the pandemic. These include, for example, changes in personal income tax or changes in the “Family 500+” programme.