Local Government Units Research Articles

Online training needs assessment (TNA) among Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) in the Philippines

Introduction: A training needs assessment (TNA) was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to design appropriate and relevant trainings for Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs). In the Philippines, MNAO is a nutrition officer who serves at the municipal level and is tasked to ensure the localisation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) in Local Government Units (LGU) to ensure proper implementation of activities on Public Health Nutrition (PHN). Methods: A total of 162 MNAOs in the country answered the online TNA survey conducted from April to May 2023. Results: Based on the results of the TNA survey, there was a need for DOST-FNRI to design and conduct trainings related to the top three core competencies identified by MNAOs: Creating policies and standards related to food and nutrition; advocating legislation, regulation, and nutrition policies; and designing appropriate nutrition information education and communication (IEC) materials. Conclusion: Based on the study results, it is recommended that LGUs allocate funds for capacity building of the public health workforce to create a skilled workforce in the community that will coordinate the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of nutrition plans at the municipal level. For future consideration, curriculum design for professional development in public health nutrition should include core competencies on food and nutrition policy programme, nutrition programme management, and IEC development.

Nervi rei publicae: local governments as economic populists?

ABSTRACT This article introduces a novel Mixed Populism Indication approach to the study of economic populism in the democratic polity to examine populism at the level of local government in the Czech Republic. In particular, we apply quantitative methods to a financial data of 5804 local government units sample to assess economic populism. This quantitative selection is developed on the principles of financial analysis, which form the basis of the algorithm we propose to process financial data. This is followed by an in-depth, qualitative evaluation of election results and the spatial context of suspected cases. From the results for the municipal environment, we identify populism as strategy used by some local governments. As a part of this strategy, local authorities target outsiders (non-residents) who own property. Although this policy of hostility to outsiders goes against the rational economic interests of the residents, they support this policy in local elections. Finally, this article argues that local political leaders in small municipalities act as populists in shaping tax policy.

Analyzing the dynamics of meningococcal vaccinations initiatives by local government units in Poland (2017–2021) – Scope, challenges and recommendations

IntroductionMeningococcal vaccinations are recommended by Polish public health authorities but lack coverage under health insurance, prompting Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement local health policy programs. This study examines the effectiveness and impact of LGU-driven meningococcal vaccination initiatives in Poland between 2017 and 2021. Material and MethodsA retrospective analysis utilized data from reports on local public health interventions submitted annually to the Ministry of Health in Poland. The study focused on the number of meningococcal vaccination programs, their scope, the vaccinated population, and associated program costs. Additionally, nationwide data on meningococcal disease incidence and vaccine uptake were analyzed. ResultsWithin LGUs programs, 48,617 individuals received meningococcal vaccinations, constituting approximately 10% of all vaccinations in Poland during the study period. Notably, cities with poviat rights spearheaded programs covering 54% of the total participants. The total cost incurred by these initiatives amounted to EUR 2,553,661. ConclusionsWhile LGUs activities positively contributed to increased meningococcal vaccination rates, the overall engagement of local governments remains limited. The findings underscore the importance of expanding local government involvement in meningococcal vaccination programs to address public health needs effectively. Improved collaboration and increased funding may enhance the reach and impact of these initiatives.

The effects of lodging infrastructure development in the environmental quality and natural resource management in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Philippines

PurposeThis study aims to determine the effects of lodging infrastructure development (LID) on Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) environmental quality and natural resource management and its implication to globally responsible leadership. Specifically, this study sought to determine the contribution of LID to environmental deterioration and natural resource degradation in the CAR. As a result, a mathematical model is developed, which supports sustainability practices to maintain the environmental quality and natural resource management in CAR, Philippines.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach. Self-structured interview and survey were used to gather the data. The population of this study involved three groups. There were 6.28% (34) experts in the field for the qualitative data, 70.24% (380) respondents for the quantitative data and 23.47% (127) from the lodging establishments. 120 respondents from the Department of Tourism – CAR (DOT-CAR) accredited hotels. Nonparametric and nonlinear regression analysis was used to process the data.FindingsThe effects of LID on the environmental quality and natural resource management in CAR as measured through carbon emission from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity and water consumption in the occupied guest rooms revealed a direct correlation between the LID. Findings conclude that the increase in tourist arrival is a trigger factor in the increase in LID in the CAR. The increase in LID implies a rise in carbon emission in the lodging infrastructure. Any increase in tourist arrivals increases lodging room occupancy; the increased lodging room occupancy contributes to carbon emissions. Thus, tourism trends contribute to the deterioration of the environmental quality and degradation of the natural resources in the CAR. A log-log model shows the percentage change in the average growth of tourist arrival and the percentage increase in carbon emissions. Establishments should observe standard room capacity to maintain the carbon emission of occupied lodging rooms at a minimum. Responsible leadership is a factor in the implementation of policy on standard room capacity.Practical implicationsThe result of the study has some implications for the lodging businesses, the local government unit (LGU), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the CAR. The study highlights the contribution of the lodging establishments to CO2 emission, which can degrade the quality of the environment, and the implication of responsible leadership in managing natural resources in the CAR. The direct inverse relationship between energy use and CO2 emission in hotels indicates that increased energy consumption leads to environmental degradation (Ahmad et al., 2018). Therefore, responsible leadership among policymakers in the lodging and government sectors – LGU, DOT and DENR – should abound in the CAR. Benchmarking on the model embarked from this study can help in designing and/or enhancing the policy on room capacity standardization, considering the total area with its maximum capacity to keep the carbon emission at a lower rate. Furthermore, as a responsible leader in the community, one should create programs that regulate the number of tourists visiting the place to decrease the number of overnight stays. Besides, having the political will to implement reduced room occupancy throughout the lodging establishments in CAR can help reduce the carbon emissions from the lodging businesses. After all, one of the aims of the International Environment Protection Organization is to reduce CO2 emissions in the tourism industry. Hence, responsible leadership in environmental quality preservation and sustainable natural resource management must help prevent and avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.Originality/valueMost studies about carbon emission in the environment tackle about carbon dioxide emitted by transportation and factories. This study adds to the insights on the existing information about the carbon emission in the environment from the lodging establishments through the use of LPG, electricity and water consumption in the occupied guest rooms. The findings of the study open an avenue for globally responsible leadership in sustaining environmental quality and preservation of natural resources by revisiting and amending the policies on the number of room occupancy, guidelines and standardization, considering the total lodging area with its maximum capacity to keep the carbon emission at a minimum, thus contributing to the lowering of GHG emissions from the lodging industry.

Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters in Selected Water Bodies in Laguna, Philippines

This study was aimed to examine the frequent variations in four selected physico-chemical parameters of surface water of two lakes in Laguna: Laguna de Bay in Calamba City and Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo City. Parameters such as conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and temperature were determined using in-situ water quality tester. The two lakes are both freshwater body, different data are collected and observed throughout the sampling. Due to various anthropogenic activities, the lakes are biotically affected. The water quality of the two important lakes in Laguna have been compared in different parameters like pH, DO, conductivity, water temperature and color. The result indicates that both lakes are within the standard (25-31°C) of DENR Administrative Order (DAO 2016-08 for Class C), but except for water temperature which exceeds the standard value (36.37°C mean values). The results support insights about the future effects of increased water temperature on fish management and the lake ecosystem for numerous aquatic purposes. This is also for the management and call on action for the residents and local government unit in said municipalities of Laguna especially after pandemic season.

When outsiders are resource users: Fishers’ migration in Southwest Panay, Philippines, and its impact on small-scale fisheries

This paper examined the fishers’ migration in Southwest Panay, Philippines, how it has shaped the small-scale fisheries management in the receiving area, influenced local resource access and utilization, and the potential impacts of the phenomenon on fishing technology and practices. The study was conducted in two municipalities in the province of Iloilo (Miagao and San Joaquin) and two in the province of Antique (Anini-y and San Jose de Buenavista). It utilized household surveys, key informant interviews (KII), and focus group discussion (FGD) as research methodologies. Results show that there are various push and pull factors that influence the migrant fishers (locally known as pangayaw) to migrate to other areas. The most common reason cited is the presence of a richer fishing ground or better livelihood opportunities in their host community.Migrant fishers play a vital role in the local fishing economy as sources of new fishing technology. However, results revealed that most of the technologies that they introduced were either more efficient gears (e.g., use of purse seine and gill nets) or modifications (e.g., use of kati or decoy) that would increase the efficiency of the fishing gears. This may have a consequent negative impact on the sustainability of the fishery resources in the host community.It is evident from the available data of the local government units and the observations of the participants through their local ecological knowledge that migration has a potential impact on local resource access and utilization patterns, and may influence the socio-cultural landscape of the receiving area. It poses a challenge to the sustainable utilization of the resources, and exerts additional pressure on the social services of the receiving local governments. Instead of treating them as “outsiders”, they should be treated as partners of the local community and must share the responsibilities of sustainable utilization and management of the fisheries resources.

Application of the Levinisian Face-to-Face Dialogue among Local Government Units: Basis of Trendsetting Organizational Communication

This paper explores the concept of organizational communication by tracing it from the perspective of Levinasian face-to-face dialogue in today’s contemporary interpretation of management in general and organizations in particular. This paper made use of positivist and constructivist philosophical frameworks for research. The data were gathered using a questionnaire checklist. The data were described, measured, and tested to interpret the perception of the government employees in face-to-face dialogue. The results implied a weak application of face-to-face dialogue where face-to-face communication with superiors is not fully observed and there is a high degree of communication barriers. There were a few individuals who hoard information and benefitted from the information they were hoarding. Inter-departmental communication was not fully observed, and face-to-face dialogues were not being utilized to improve job performance and meet organizational goals and objectives. Information from colleagues was not always accurate and detailed. This paper has implications for organizational, leadership, and managerial as it imposes behavioral change by anchoring its concepts from the Levinisian perspective of face-to-face dialogue.

The tenure of the local executive tenures on the example of local government elections in the Łódź voivodeship

The article concerns issues related to the tenure of the executive body in Polish local government units. The paper aims to make a spatial analysis of the phenomenon of multicadency of mayors in Łódź voivodeship. The study was carried out in two dimensions: spatial (rural municipalities in Łódź voivodeship) and temporal (local government elections in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018). The analysis based on data from the State Election Commission revealed that re-election is a frequent phenomenon in the rural municipalities of Łódź voivodeship. It is probably because local authorities respond to the needs and expectations of voters. This strengthens their positive feelings, increases satisfaction and leads to the formation of positive motives for participation in local government elections and election decisions (identified with the re-election of the municipal executive).

DECENTRALIZATION AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES IN UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE OF THE EU COUNTRIES

The analysis of modern Ukrainian political and legal research suggests that the theory is dominated by the understanding of the territorial organization of power according to which the territorial community is the basis for the organization of the system of community development management. According to the researchers, it is the excessive number of small administrative-territorial units of the basic level that has determined the need for reform. The lack of the necessary economic and human resources makes it impossible for basic local government units to effectively exercise their powers. The main problem of decentralization is that the creation of new territorial communities did not take into account resource provision, transportation tasks, and economic and geographical zoning in general. The author analyzes and compares the experience of EU countries in decentralization. To ensure a favorable climate for the decentralization process, special regional development institutions have been created in different countries as executive bodies that assist various departmental structures in their activities, and these can also be independent institutions for the development of regional development programs and fund management, public non-profit organizations, and other non-governmental organizations working in partnership with government institutions. Today, in the context of war, our state as a whole and each individual territorial community in particular lives by different principles, budgets are formed and used in a completely different way, many projects have been suspended, funds allocated for them have been redirected to other areas, and mass migration has taken place both within the country and abroad.
 The article reveals that, according to the researchers, an excessive number of small administrative-territorial units of the basic level determined the need for decentralization reform. It is found that the main problem of decentralization is that the creation of new territorial communities did not take into account resource provision, transportation tasks, and economic and geographical zoning in general. The author analyzes and compares the experience of EU countries on decentralization issues. It is determined that the goals and objectives of the state policy on reform and decentralization are formed and coordinated with each other, they are specified in various programs and regulations. It can be argued that, in general, Ukraine is moving in the right direction in terms of reforming local self-government and territorial organization of power and covers all socially important areas.

Women’s Role in Local Governance and Development in Mindanao, Philippines: Views and Challenges

The role of women is critical for holistic and inclusive growth in Philippine local governance and development since women are active partners in all aspects of society. This study contributes to the roles played by women by supporting the fundamental equality of women and men as viewed by the local officials and women representatives of the People's Organizations (POs) in General Santos City, Mindanao, Philippines. It also affirms the importance of providing equal access to resources and opportunities. This qualitative descriptive research uses Key Informant Interviews (KII) and archival research in data-gathering. The findings show that women's role is already a norm rather than an exception in the selected local government units. Moreover, challenges such as their lack of participation, funds, and information were also encountered.

Implikacje zastosowania trybu in-house przy zamówieniach publicznych z udziałem regionalnych funduszy rozwoju

The article has a scientific and research nature and addresses a problem of significant importance for the implementation of statutory tasks by local government units. The authors focus on the implications of awarding in-house procurement to regional development funds. They analyse the prerequisites for the use of in-house mode of public procurement and assume the hypothesis that the scope of the activities of the contractor of an in-house contract, which is a regional development fund, should include the full conducted activities of such an entity, regardless of the type of contract awarded, as long as these activities are within the scope of the tasks entrusted to it by the contracting authority exercising control over it (or by another legal entity over which this contracting authority exercises control). The originality of the research results concerns not only the chosen approach to the subject of in-house procurement, i.e. elaboration on regional development funds as public procurement contractors, but also the argumentation itself, which was based on the current case law and legal doctrine. The above brings a new cognitive value in the sphere of science and practice and has a potential to help local government stakeholders manage municipal property more confidently.

Local development and entrepreneurship: legal, economic and managerial determinants. A multidisciplinary approach

ObjectivesEntrepreneurship is defined as a process in which not only business is a participant, but also local governments and social organizations (more broadly, the public and social sectors). In the management process, entrepreneurship is manifested, for example, by choosing the right strategy, creating flexible structures, promoting innovation, avoiding excessive administration and choosing the right forms of control.Material and methodsThe research methods used in the work are: comparative analysis, functional analysis, questionnaire, interviews with municipal managers through a direct conversation with the respondent, a dynamic research method and statistical methods of data analysis. The research was conducted using many quantitative and qualitative methods.ResultsThe commune management process is active and aims to create prospects for the development of these units. Therefore, this process should be based on a strategic approach understood as an orderly set of activities, from the identification and assessment of potential opportunities and threats to the environment and the determination of the strengths and weaknesses of a local government unit.ConclusionsThe basic unit of local government: 1. The commune's mission is to use the commune's resources and potential on the basis of sustainable development, in order to raise the standard of living of the inhabitants and effective management. 2. The mission of the commune is to provide people with jobs and income allowing for the necessary standard of living for the society. 3. The commune's mission is to use the commune's development potential to create conditions for the development of entrepreneurship and to constantly improve the living conditions of its inhabitants.

Tax-legal and economic-management determinants of the liability of the health resort fee collector

ObjectivesThe role of the tax collector is to facilitate the fulfilment of tax obligations by taxpayers. The applicable tax laws provide for the possibility to use it for the collection of taxes constituting the income of local government units, while the decision-making on the ordering of tax collection by means of collection, the determination of collectors and the amount of remuneration for collection is entrusted to municipal councils by means of acts of local law (resolutions). The entities on which the municipal councils impose the obligation to collect tax by way of collection are obliged to perform it.Material and methodsThe first is combined with needs of a theoretical or cognitive nature, that is, it includes all those needs that are associated with the development of a particular science. The second is combined with the various needs of practice.ResultsAnalysing the issue of collection of the health resort fee and the legal regulations governing the tasks and responsibilities of the collector, the following conclusions can be formulated.ConclusionsCollection of taxes by way of collection may only take place with regard to taxes the amount of which is directly prescribed by law or the tax authority is obliged to calculate the tax. The provisions of the Tax Ordinance do not impose an obligation on the tax collector to calculate the amount of the tax.

Semantic change and word formation during Covid-19 in the Philippines

This study explored the semantic change and word formation of the English language terms used during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines. There were 50 words selected from the memorandum and executive orders of the national and local government units and those from news reports posted online on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). These words were analyzed using the components of the neologism framework proposed by Krishnamurthy (2010) on the word formation, borrowing, and lexical deviation and that of Crowley and Bowern (2010) for semantic change. The results of the study revealed four types of semantic change (i.e., widening, narrowing, semantic shift, and bifurcation), and the newly discovered words were categorized into compounding, acronym, and conversion. This study provides implications that in times of crisis (such as the Covid-19 pandemic), Filipinos tend to create and recreate words within a context easily understood by the community to establish clear communication.

Inclusive Tertiary Education: A Tale of Untold Stories among People Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Under Probation

This study phenomenologically evaluated the lives and experiences of two (2) individuals who earned college degrees at the Glan Institute of Technology (GIT). These individuals were former inmates sentenced by court in a legal proceeding due to culpable violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in the Philippines, which in the latter part was given probation status by the court. The findings revealed that these individuals were given the opportunity to study and eventually complete a college degree at a local community college funded by the Local Government Unit of Glan, Sarangani Province. According to this study, the use of shabu among these individuals was likely influenced by their peers before imprisonment. This research also explored the key concepts that explain how shabu negatively impacts relationships among family members.

An integrated fuzzy evaluation of photovoltaic systems adoption barriers in rural island communities of developing economies

Among the renewable energy technologies that address sustainability issues in energy consumption, photovoltaic (PV) systems are found most applicable in rural island communities. However, due to several interplay factors, the adoption of PV systems in such areas faces barriers. In this regard, this study presents a thorough analysis of these barriers using an integrated analytic modeling approach. The fuzzy Delphi method was used to reduce the 85 barriers initially sourced from the literature to 35 significant barriers. To draw a holistic understanding of the problem, the transitive relationships of the identified barriers were examined using the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Findings suggest that insufficient policies and regulatory frameworks, research and development, education, and training were among the most crucial barriers that impact other barriers. To address these barriers, five policy measures are outlined that may have synergistic effects in the increased adoption of solar PV systems, including the inclusion of local government units in energy planning and activities, incentivizing enhanced cooperation initiatives, supporting technology transfer programs, development of battery energy storage industry, and implementing community solar programs. The analysis of these barriers in the context of a developing country provides useful insights to policy- and decision-makers. Other developing economies with minor differences in socio-economic and political makeup may consider the policy measures to augment solar PV system adoption in their rural island communities.

Public Awareness of Anti-Violence against Women and Children Law in Tagum City: Basis for Information Dissemination Plan

Purpose: This quantitative study intended to investigate people's awareness regarding RA 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and to propose an intervention based on the study results.
 Materials and Methods: There were 384 respondents selected through stratified sampling who answered the standardized survey questionnaires. The respondents were 18 years old and above and randomly picked. Furthermore, the research design in this study was quantitative, non-experimental, and descriptive-correlational. After the collection of data, responses were encoded for data analysis. Mean and Standard Deviation statistics described the respondents' awareness of the protection, liability, physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, penalties, and protective measures of RA 9262. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) determined the significance of the difference between variables.
 Findings: The mean and standard deviation showed high respondents' awareness of all the salient provisions of RA 9262: subject of protection, subject to liability, physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, economic violence penalties, and protective measures. The ANOVA results revealed significant differences in people's awareness of RA 9262 by age, marital status, educational attainment, employment status, and the number of years living together. Those with better awareness of the said law are the 42 to 49-year-olds, married, with higher educational attainments, with higher employment status, and with a partner for more than ten years.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study offered intervention strategies to increase awareness of the A-VAWC law at the community level. The local government unit of Tagum City may target awareness-raising and education campaigns to reach those groups with lower levels of awareness and understanding. Future researchers may investigate other factors that influence awareness and understanding of RA 9262 among different demographic groups. Policy makers may also include updating of gender and development related laws to improve proposed intervention strategies.

Proposed Sustainable Voluntourism Guidelines for Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

The study conducted on Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines, aimed to assess the impact of voluntourism on socio-cultural, environmental, and economic aspects. The researcher used a descriptive survey form, collecting data from 347 purposively chosen respondents. Here are the key findings from the study: 1) Before Typhoon Yolanda, many tourists went to Bantayan Island, and the local people benefited from them; however, after the typhoon, fewer tourists went to the Island, which directly affected the life of the local people; 2) All the respondents perceived that voluntourism helped the socio-cultural, economics and environment of the local people in Bantayan Island; 3) There is no significant difference in the perceptions of the respondents on the impact of voluntourism to the socio-cultural and economics dimensions in Bantayan Island; however, there is a significant difference in their perceptions towards the impact of voluntourism to the environment; 4) The tourists and the local people have a different perception about the impact of voluntourism to the environment with a p-value .003 which is significant; 5) There is a significant. The study concludes that voluntourism significantly contributes to the socio-economic, economic, and environmental well-being of Bantayan Island. However, its sustainability hinges on addressing all relevant elements and recognizing their interconnectedness. Collaboration Among Stakeholders: All tourism stakeholders in Bantayan Island should unite as a team, sharing a common vision and strategies. Capacity Building: The public and private sectors of Bantayan Island’s tourism industry should organize seminars and training programs. Local Ordinances: Bantayan Island’s local government units should craft and approve local ordinances. These regulations will safeguard the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects, guiding the activities of both foreign and local tourists. Community Involvement: The local people of Bantayan Island should actively participate in the planning and development of voluntourism programs. Regular Evaluation: Continuous assessment of the voluntourism program by all stakeholders is essential to ensure its long-term sustainability. Reference for Future Research: Future researchers can utilize the findings of this study as a valuable reference to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.

The Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in the City of Baguio

Individuals with disabilities possess fundamental and inherent human rights. However, prevailing cultural perspectives, particularly concerning conducting and learning capacity, have often resulted in persons with disabilities (PWDs) being predominantly confined to their homes. The exact number of PWDs in this situation remains unclear, and many are unaware of their rights and the potential for active participation in the community. In the Philippines, laws such as Republic Act 7277, known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and Republic Act 10070, which established the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in local government units, now govern disability affairs. This study examined the implementation status of RA 10070 in the City of Baguio. Utilizing a qualitative approach, including key informant interviews and the analysis of carefully selected documents, the study revealed the necessity of establishing a PDAO in every Local Government Unit (LGU) in the country. A PDAO ensures representation of PWDs in local development council meetings and other relevant bodies, facilitates broader dissemination of information on programs and activities for PWDs, and promotes training and employment opportunities. The imperative shift from exclusion to inclusion must be evident across all facets of public administration to guarantee that no one is marginalized in pursuing national development.

Municipal Financing of Environmental Protection Activities as Part of the Sustainable Development Strategy of Local Governments in Poland (Selected Issues)

Local government units are obliged to implement sustainable local development strategies in the field of environmental protection. This article presents the scope of pro-environmental tasks incumbent on the municipality and the principles of their financing. For this purpose, an analysis of the provisions of the law was carried out with simultaneous reference to the literature, and court decisions and decisions of supervisory bodies were presented. The work established that the currently applicable regulations regarding the financing of environmental protection tasks by local government units constitute a legal barrier to the implementation of these tasks, and changes to the law in this area are proposed.