Local Government Units Research Articles

Advancing Blue Carbon Knowledge: Leveraging Geomatics for Capacity Building through the BlueCARES Project

Abstract. Mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, collectively termed as blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. Blue carbon research enables advancing scientific knowledge and gaining insights into their current state, which is crucial for making informed decisions on its conservation and management practices. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the “Comprehensive Assessment and Conservation of Blue Carbon (BC) Ecosystems and their Services in the Coral Triangle” or BlueCARES to pioneer joint research on blue carbon ecosystems and formulate conservation strategies at local and national levels. BlueCARES aims to establish a robust Blue Carbon Strategy and initiate the establishment of the Blue Carbon Network (BCnet), convening various stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. BCnet organizes summits, workshops, and conferences to facilitate collaboration. Through capacity development initiatives, the project empowers stakeholders to actively engage in field surveys, conservation efforts, and the implementation of the Blue Carbon Strategy, even after the project concludes. This paper narrates the capacity-building engagements made by the Geomatics team, leveraging remote sensing and geospatial technologies to foster sustainable blue carbon management practices and ensure the long-term resilience of BCEs in the country.

Ground Deformation and Damage Assessment using SAR Observations: A Case Study of Hinatuan, Philippines in the 2023 Surigao Del Sur Earthquake

Abstract. Earthquakes are among the major hazards that lead to economic loss every year. Rapid damage assessment is essential for a more efficient disaster response. The 2023 Surigao del Sur earthquake in the Philippines with moment magnitude (Mw) 7.4 occurred on December 2, 2023, with Hinatuan as the nearest municipality located 12 km south of the epicenter. Thus, this study examined the co-seismic impacts in Hinatuan using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations. Using phase interferometry and displacement maps to estimate the ground surface deformation, results show that the phase interferograms, Line-of-sight (LOS) displacements, and vertical displacements were consistent, with most of Hinatuan experiencing an uplift of up to 7.2 cm. In contrast, subsidence as low as –9.0 cm was observed in some isolated areas. The damage assessment conducted through change detection analysis revealed 6.15 ha (6.4%) of built area out of the total 84 ha was significantly damaged. The damage mainly occurred in the uplifted regions between 0 to 5 cm. Building codes, land-use planning, and risk management and assessment can be improved and strengthened with these findings for a more earthquake-resilient community. The findings will be a basis for disaster risk reduction and management actions. These may, furthermore, serve as a reference for the development planning of local government units, especially for urban and built-up areas. These can also be used in developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and advisory for residents in Hinatuan and the vulnerable adjacent regions.

An Impact-Based Flood Forecasting System for Citizen Empowerment

This work addresses the critical issue of flooding, a significant natural hazard, consistently ranked highest in the 2023 World Risk Index. The annual onslaught of tropical cyclones and the associated abnormal rainfall threaten lives, and destroy crops and property, thereby causing great economic damage, demanding urgent and science-based decision-making. We introduce an impact-based flood forecasting system as a proactive anticipatory action (i.e., AA) measure, linking climate services and disaster risk management to mitigate extreme weather impacts. Developed by the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute, the National Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Center, and Gerry Bagtasa of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, this system advances disaster resilience efforts, leveraging science-based forecasts to prioritize vulnerable barangays (villages). Unlike traditional early warning systems, the proposed automated system predicts flooding one day in advance and assesses exposure levels based on population distribution. By utilizing global weather forecast models locally calibrated for Philippine conditions and 100-year rain return flood hazard maps for the Philippines, the system forecasts river inundated areas, enabling local government units (LGUs) and humanitarian organizations to prioritize preparations for communities and allocate resources during flooding events effectively. This system enhances the efficiency of disaster response planning, fostering a proactive and impactful strategy to address the recurring threat of flooding in the country. The system also underscores the role of open data in disaster resilience, exemplified by NOAH’s system to disseminating big data, which aligns with open governance principles. By encouraging transparency and stakeholder collaboration, data exchange is promoted, providing actionable information that fosters collaboration between the LGUs, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders. Cognizant of the importance of community engagement in disaster resilience, the newly developed impact-based flood forecasting system encourages community involvement by providing easily accessible information, which can be used to validate the forecasts based on local knowledge and experience. This research contributes to the urgent call for anticipatory action in the face of escalating extreme weather events globally.

КОНЦЕПТУАЛНА ПИТАЊА ОДГОВОРНОСТИ ЈАВНИХ СЛУЖБЕНИКА: ИСТРАЖИВАЊЕ СПРОВЕДЕНО У ЈЕДИНИЦАМА ЛОКАЛНЕ САМОУПРАВЕ У РЕПУБЛИЦИ СРБИЈИ

Public integrity, transparency and accountability have been identified as part of the founding principles of the public sector which should be enacted in legislation and applied consistently in practice. Effective implementation of the accountability principle shall underpin integrity of public service and its legal, professional and transparent operation.The purpose of the paper is to analyze conceptual issues of public officials' accounta­bility, focusing on disciplinary responsibility and application in practice. The paper also presents the results of the research conducted in 30 local self government units in the Re­public of Serbia. The results point out the (non)efficient implementation of legal and ethi­cal rules and values concerning disciplinary procedures, sanctions, performance appraisal system in the context of possible improvements and capacity building. In order to enhance public integrity, appropriate legislative and institutional frameworks must be in place to enable public-sector organizations to take responsibility for effectively managing the integ­rity of their activities, as well as that of the public officials who carry out those activities.

Barriers to obtaining cohesion policy funds from the perspective of municipalities that received the least funding under the 2014–2020 budget period

Cohesion policy is one of the most important European Union’s policy.The lack of cohesion between states and regions would not only result in less-than-optimum use of the endogenic potential of the EU, but it might also threaten the existence of the common market, and thus, the whole European integration. This problem has become particularly evident after the enlargement of the European Union by 10 new Member States in 2004. It is therefore justified to study the effectiveness of this policy and the barriers that accompany it. The aim of the study was a qualitative analysis of problems in obtaining funding by communes that received the least EU funds in the 2014–2020 financial framework. The study was conducted using the CAWI method. The text presents and discusses the results of the study, which allowed, among others, to confirm the still persistent problem with generating own contribution for most local government units.

Exploring the pathway to innovation: the mediating role of employee engagement in the Trust-Creativity Nexus

ABSTRACT This study investigates how employee engagement mediates the relationship between trust and creativity within local government agencies in Ranong Province, Thailand. The research collected data from 401 participants across 31 units, including one Provincial Administrative Organization, two City Municipalities, five Town Municipalities, and 23 Sub-district Administrative Organizations. This diverse sample provides a strong foundation for exploring how trust in supervisors influences employee creativity, with employee engagement serving as a key mediator. By employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through Smart PLS, the study demonstrates that employee engagement positively impacts creativity, which in turn fosters trust-based relationships that drive organizational innovation. The findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for stimulating innovation in local government units, not only in Thailand but also in other global contexts.

Discourses of Poverty: The Narratives of the Poor in Samar

The study aimed at exploring, through the view of the future for themselves and their children, the perceptions of the poor about the temporal dimensions of poverty. The study adopted a discursive perspective, to illustrate the hopes, dreams and expectations of the poor regarding their future and, ultimately, how they view their status and how the LGU officials would address the different faces and current status of poverty in their respective locality. The researchers used Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The following are the themes obtained from the responses of the participants: limited knowledge and lower health status, lack of ambition and motivation to improve the situation, inadequate basic needs like food due to large family size, and poverty are transmitted to the next generation. Eradicating poverty is a challenge that sees no means of receding. LGUs do whatever they can to improve people’s lives. Despite those programs and initiatives of the local government units, there are still municipalities in Samar that are experiencing poverty. The poorest of the poor in Samar suffer from a lack of jobs in rural areas, low motivation to pursue education, and limited resources for large families. This has led to a widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Add to that frequent natural disasters being experienced in Samar at least fifteen typhoons in a year which takes away what little the poor have. The fundamental solution for reducing poverty is to tackle poverty and to pursue equity in income, and education, provide more livelihood programs or interventions, and social participation. Community projects that focus on the restoration and development of social networks and social cohesion and the improvement of the social, communication, and coping skills of the deprived, should be encouraged.

Financial Management of the Regional Public Service Agency at Puskesmas in Sumbawa District

The Local Public Service Agency is part of the local government unit, with a legal status not separate from the local government, which has a flexible financial management pattern in the form of flexibility to apply fair business practices to improve and develop services, as an exception to the provisions of financial management in general. The flexibility of financial management includes revenue and expenditure management, cash management, debt management, tariff determination, employee procurement, procurement of goods and services, and investment management. The pattern of flexible financial management still refers to the regulations that have been set, namely the Sumbawa Regent Regulation Number 5-year 2020 concerning guidelines for financial management of the regional public service agencies within the Sumbawa government. Regulations or policies that have been established by the Sumbawa Regency government to be implemented and adhered to in implementing BLUD financial management policies at Puskesmas are expected to improve and develop health services with transparency and accountability. Based on the description, the research problem is how far is the financial management of the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) at Puskesmas in the Sumbawa Regency region based on the Sumbawa Regent Regulation Number 5 of 2020 concerning guidelines for financial management of regional public service agencies within the scope of the Sumbawa Regency. Researchers used a qualitative descriptive method approach using interview and observation tools to collect data both directly and through document review. The data obtained were analyzed using Likert scale categorization, which consists of Very Good, Good, and Less Good. The findings of the research provided an overview that public policy evaluation is closely related to the level of compliance and readiness of Human Resources in conducting the financial management of the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) at Puskesmas in Sumbawa. The results of this study can complement Wiliam Dunn’s opinion or theory on public policy evaluation to emphasize the level of compliance and readiness of Human Resources in conducting public policy evaluations, which not only focus on the values and objectives but also the targets of a policy. Keywords: regional public service agency, policy evaluation, financial management

Pracownik samorządowy a prowadzenie działalności gospodarczej

The economic system of the Republic of Poland is based on a social market economy, one of the pillars of which is freedom of economic activity. Therefore, everyone is allowed to start, run and terminate a business activity. A special category of employees are local government employees who are expected to be professional, reliable, conscientious and diligent in their work. It is also an obligation to act impartially and take care of the public interest first. Local government employees are obliged to refrain from activities that may expose them to accusations of self-interested and biased behavior and must report their additional activities to their superiors. Performed outside of employment in offices and local government units additional employment or running a business may expose a local government employee to accusations that his/her activities are not guided by the public interest and the legitimate interests of citizens. For this reason, local government employees experience a number of restrictions in conducting various types of activities, also commercial ones, including business activities, outside of work in offices or other local government units.

Effect of Budget Goal Clarity and Budget Participation on Budgetary Slack: Information Asymmetry as Moderation in SKPD Palangka Raya City

This study examines the influence of budget goal clarity and budgetary participation on budgetary slack, with information asymmetry as a moderating variable. The research was conducted on 60 respondents from 20 Regional Work Units (SKPD) in Palangka Raya City. Using multiple regression and moderated regression analysis, the results show that budget goal clarity negatively affects Budgetary Slack, while budgetary participation positively affects it. Information asymmetry moderates both relationships, strengthening the effect of budget goal clarity and weakening the effect of budgetary participation on Budgetary Slack. These findings imply the importance of clear budget goals, managed participation levels, and minimized information asymmetry in reducing Budgetary Slack. The study contributes to the understanding of budgetary practices in local government units and provides insights for improving budget management in the public sector.

Structural and Functional Consolidation Processes of Local Government Units in Norway and Croatia. A Comparative Study

The aim of the article is to synthesise the process of the introduction of the reform of the basic territorial division of the state in Norway between 2016 and 2020, creating a new structure of municipal and regional self-government with a simultaneous change in some of the tasks carried out at both levels of municipal and provincial (regional) self-government. We comparatively analyse the process of development of territorial selfgovernment in Croatia, with a particular focus on changes in the attitude of academia and politics towards the consolidation of local self-government units. The analysis is based on the assumptions and categories of neo-institutional methodology. The main thesis of the paper emphasises the importance of the process of structural and functional consolidation of local government units carried out in order to optimise the delivery of public services, enhance the well-being of local communities and exploit economies of scale. The essence and evolution of local self-government institutions in Norway and Croatia and their political and theoretical conditions will also be the subject of synthesis in the paper.

Factors influencing community engagement approaches used in Aedes aegypti management in Cairns, Australia.

An important part of preventing and managing Aedes-borne mosquito disease outbreak risk is engaging the community. Research shows that high-income countries tend to use top-down measures for Aedes mosquito management, favouring educational approaches to engage the community over participatory approaches that actively involve and empower the community in addressing disease risk. Little is known about the reasons behind the use of these approaches and how they could be strengthened. This research explores the community engagement approaches used in Aedes mosquito management in Cairns, Queensland, Australia and the factors influencing the choice of these approaches. A case study design was used, drawing on two qualitative methods-key informant, semi-structured interviews (n = 25), and a document review (n = 20). Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse and attribute meaning from the data. Various approaches were used to engage the community, including direct interaction through door-to-door inspections, broad outreach via mass media campaigns, and community participation in a novel mosquito replacement strategy. Factors influencing the choice of these approaches included government legislative responsibilities, research-related ethical obligations, work norms within local government and public health units, the perceived importance of gaining community trust, constraints on workforce capacity, time and funding. There were multiple factors influencing the community engagement approaches used in this study. Resource constraints, institutional norms and prevailing attitudes and beliefs were identified as hindering the use of more empowering approaches to engaging the community. These barriers should be considered and addressed in the planning of Aedes mosquito management to better support community engagement in this setting. SO WHAT?: Community engagement is an important aspect of managing the Aedes mosquito disease threat. With the global increase in Aedes mosquito-borne disease risk, these findings can help other at-risk settings understand potential organisational impediments to engaging the community. This is particularly important when advocating for the inclusion of bottom-up approaches in policy, and to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to strengthen community engagement in Aedes mosquito management.

Evaluating the Impact of AICS on Chronic Illness Management: A Case Study of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Service in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

As the leader in social protection, the Medical Aid for Patients program, a type of assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), consistently implements AICS services to support government efforts in providing aid to individuals and families in need. This is a stop-gap measure to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events adversities or crises. This study explores the efficiency of medical assistance received by clients with chronic illness in Cagayan de Oro City using a qualitative case study design. A purposeful method was used to comprise the 15 participants who are active AICS beneficiaries and residents in Cagayan de Oro City. The data were collected using In-depth Interview (IDI), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and Key Informant Interview (KII). The Hyper-RESEARCH software was utilized to help the researcher identify codes, categories, and themes. Based on the narratives of the participants, four themes emerged: Necessity, Obtainability of Services, Responsive Services, and Saving Lives. The AICS is not only a big help, but patients with chronic illness describe the service as an extension of their lives. It is, thus, recommended to strengthen the Local Government Units, LGU's partnership and other stakeholders to sustain the efficiency of the implementation of the AICS services. Future research may consider the evaluation of the assistance to individuals in crisis services particularly the impact of Institutionalization Standard Operation or ISO accreditation on the efficiency of service in the Crisis Intervention Section in Cagayan de Oro City. This study takes a qualitative approach as the intent is to comprehend the intricate issues influencing the quality of medical assistance for beneficiaries during crises

Socio-Demographic Profile, Farming Challenges and Local Government Unit (LGU) Support to Rubber Farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga Del Norte: A Pre and Actual Pandemic Analysis

This study investigates the socio-demographic profile, farming challenges, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) support to rubber farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. The research employed a pre and actual-pandemic analysis to assess the effectiveness of LGU extension services in empowering rubber farmers. Data from 50 rubber farmers across 15 barangays were analyzed using a descriptive-correlation method. Findings reveal that rubber farmers in Tampilisan are predominantly middle-aged, have a high school education level, and have low monthly incomes. Farmers engage in diverse farming practices, including intercropping and integrated farming systems, demonstrating adaptive strategies for income diversification. While participation in LGU extension services was high before the pandemic, it significantly declined during the pandemic due to restrictions and limitations. Farmers identified several key challenges, including low rubber prices, capital constraints, and lack of skilled labor, which persisted before and during the pandemic. Despite these challenges, farmers reported moderate agreement on the benefits derived from LGU extension services, particularly regarding education for their children and food security for their families. Findings also suggest that farmers' income correlates with the types of crops planted, indicating that diversifying crops like coconut, banana, and fruit trees can lead to increased income. More so, the correlation between farmer participation and the acquisition of farming tools and planting materials underscores the positive impact of active engagement on resource access. Analyzing the above results, the study revealed the importance of sustained farmer engagement in extension services for enhancing agricultural resilience and livelihood sustainability. The insights elicited from this study include strengthening technical training and infrastructure, promoting farmer group participation, and fostering collaboration between the Local Government Unit (LGU), educational institutions, and government agencies to ensure the effectiveness of extension programs and support sustainable rubber farming practices in Tampilisan.

Job satisfaction of the public administration employees based on example local government unit

Job satisfaction of the public administration employees based on example local government unit

Assessment of the utilization of modern agricultural machinery in rice production and its problems: A case from San Leonardo, Philippines

This study examines the relationship between the utilization of modern agricultural machinery and the business technical aspect of rice production of paddy field farmers in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of modern machinery on the business technical aspect of the farmers and the paddy field owners. The study utilized descriptive analysis to assess the use of modern agricultural machinery in rice production and its problems. The design was quantitative, using percentage, frequencies, and weighted mean. The results revealed that the majority of respondents have been operating for 11 to 20 years, owned 1 hectare of land that cultivate 2 times a year and harvest 86 rice sacks per hectare. Rice cultivation is happened during wet and dry season. To maximizing the land, farmers can try other crops while waiting for the season of rice cultivation. In agricultural mechanization, it concluded that plowing machines helps remove clods from the soil, transplanting rice seedlings and applying chemicals using machine can saves time. Harvester machine is suitable in small and large farmland for harvesting and may help farmers to save time, effort and total cost requirements. Local Government Unit to support through grants and funding the local rice farmers in maximizing utilization of machines that shows positive effect.

The status of municipal government in the sphere of ecological security

AbstractThe article covers the issue of ecological security in Poland with a view to international regulation, the objectives of which are pursued at the municipality level, i.e., the basic unit of local government. It is in local areas and at the source of any threat that a rapid response is often needed to eliminate environmental pollution and its effects. Accordingly, the municipal authorities have been equipped with a number of powers enabling them to take action for environmental safety. It should be assumed as a research hypothesis that, in terms of activities in the sphere of ecological security, a municipal authority is a body that complements the activities of the state resulting from EU obligations and other higher-level local government units and that these activities are aimed at issues closest to individuals. The study is characterised by a legal theory-based approach. The main research method used in the study is the doctrinal method, as well as the method of legal text analysis. It mainly draws on theoretical views presented in legal studies and those offered in case law practice.

Modernization of Hanunuo Millennials: A Qualitative Ethnographic Study

As one generation comes after the other, the Hanunuo millennials encountered a social change in different aspects of their lives. This is a descriptive qualitative study using ethnography which aims to determine the modernization of the millennials in the eyes of the Hanunuo elders in terms of lifestyle, marriage set-up and political beliefs. The researcher used as data collection methods, participant observations triangulated with interviews and key informant interviews. Evidence was collected in the form of taped interviews and field notes. The researcher used codes for the raw information and categorized the data. Sociocultural theory asserts how culture and society molded the social life of Hanunuo Mangyan who were born the way they are. The study showed that the Hanunuo millennials have been preserving their culture by educating the Hanunuo youth on their respective learning center despite of modernization. As every generation has its own identity, Hanunuo millennials are fond of using different technologies which create a new order of life in modern time. It is therefore recommended that the Local Government Unit should be vigilant and be supportive to the sociocultural development of this particular cultural community.

Maintaining Indoor Air Quality in Government Offices with Frontline Services

This study sought to assess the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the Local Government Unit of Matungao, Lanao del Norte Frontline Offices, by measuring the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) level. The study also sought to assess if minor interventions (putting indoor plants and opening of windows and doors on the first hour in the morning) can significantly affect the CO2 level in the offices. The offices involved in the study are those that offer frontline services for the community. Paired T-test was utilized in the study. In the first and second week of the data gathering, the offices were assessed based on their regular operations, and on the third week, the interventions were made for all the offices. The first and second week of the assessment shows that, the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO) are the offices which have average CO2 levels that are close to 1000ppm, which implies that these offices do not have efficient air ventilation. On the third week of assessment, the result still shows the same, with RHU and HRMO, and other offices are still on the normal range. The results shows that even with the interventions made on all of the eight offices, CO2 level didn’t show a significant change.

Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study

Background: The Badjao, a nomadic maritime group in Southeast Asia, face heightened vulnerability during public health crises due to their reliance on maritime livelihoods, limited healthcare access, and historical marginalization—challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding their unique needs and vulnerabilities especially its specific impacts on their health and well-being due to pandemic.Methods: This study explores the psychological and social health of the Badjao and the factors affecting theme during the COVID-19 pandemic using an exploratory qualitative design. Guided interviews were conducted through focus-group discussions with 10 purposively selected Badjao respondents from Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo-Sulu, Philippines. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: The study identified five key themes related to the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the Badjao community. These included Feelings and Apprehension, with anxiety over contracting the virus and financial instability; Responses to the Pandemic, marked by fear of death, job loss, and hospitalization concerns; Coping Mechanisms, where the community relied on traditional remedies, social support, and quarantine adherence; Social Status, highlighting food insecurity and disrupted social interactions; and Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health, focusing on the importance of support systems and access to accurate information and resources.Conclusion: The pandemic has significantly disrupted the social and economic stability of the Badjao community, exacerbating their existing vulnerabilities. They need a culturally sensitive interventions that address both their immediate and long-term needs. Collaboration with local government units and stakeholders are crucial in supporting the resilience and well-being of the Badjao in future crises.