Abstract

The world is a global village. Every country is facing the changes and opportunities attributed by population explosion, advancement in technology, more intense economic competitions, paradigm shifts, innovations and expanding role of civil society in social economic development. There have been many accomplishments by member countries of the said global village. The progress achieved is attributed to many factors. Discipline may be one of them. The presence of abundant natural resources may be another. Still, the presence of sound, mature and brilliant leadership from the national to the lowest political may be a decisive factor, too. At any rate, the fact stands that different countries are constantly surging ahead. Thus, the study determined the localization perspectives on developmental projects in Calapan City. Philippines. The respondents were the 62 barangay chairpersons in the city. The data from the survey instrument were analyzed using weighted mean. The study found out that the center of all economic and social developmental projects and programs were community leaders or barangay chairperson. They planned, decided, implemented and managed all economic activities. Imbued with the right attitudes, values, knowledge and skills, they could create economic miracles. The magnitude of the overwhelming tasks and leadership of barangay chairperson resulted to sustainable development that was characterized by an environment of peace, cooperation, unity, understanding, respect, equity and social justice. Dynamic barangay chairpersons were transparent, responsive and efficient who are honest, professional and competent in their objective. Their challenging job was to balance the competing demands and expectations of multi-sectoral group.

1. Introduction

Thousands of development projects are presently underway throughout the country to achieve progress. Any movement supports research into appropriate technology, disseminates information and operates programs in food production, health and nutrition, mother-and-child health, agriculture and ecology.

In order to accomplish the goal of development, barangay chairpersons in Calapan City, Philippines have to tap external resources for professional and technical assistance or networking, continuity, recognizing that non-governmental and people's organizations are effective partners in development or tripartite strategy and the paradigm of citizen participation is key to effective governance.

Calapan City is located in the northeastern coast of island of Mindoro in the Philippines. It is bounded of the north and northeast by the bay of Calapan City on the south by the town of Naujan and on the west by the town of Baco. It has a total area of 217.30 square kilometers. The built-up area of the city is about 563 hectares in the city center and 325 hectares scattered through the rural barangays. The total area devoted to agriculture and fishing is about 18,607.8 hectares, 1,300 hectares of which are utilized for inland fishing and the rest for agriculture ¹.

As the seat of provincial government and center of trade, commerce and education, Calapan City plays a vital role in the growth and development of Oriental Mindoro. Its conversion to cityhood now provides a better environment with a much-improved venue for the delivery of basic services to all Mindoreños and in general has become an effective vehicle to further address socio-economic opportunities for the province.

Calapan City, is the capital of Oriental Mindoro, an island, which faces the southern coast of Batangas province. With the increase in population due to the rapid increase of migration of inhabitants, especially from Luzon, Calapan City is gradually expanding in land. It has shown rapid progress in various industries especially in farming, lumbering, commerce, trading and fishing. Side by side is the economic development and advancement, it surpasses the status of being a marketing venue. Side by side in the economic development and advancement, it surpasses the status of being marketing venue. As a result of autonomy of local government unit, sixty-two (62) Barangay Chairperson together with their councilors work together for the development of Calapan City.

2. Methodology

The study utilized the descriptive research to determine the localization perspectives on developmental projects in Calapan City. Philippines. The respondents were the 62 barangay chairpersons in the city. Complete enumeration was considered in the study. The data from the survey instrument were analyzed using weighted mean.

3. Results and Discussion

Historically, the barangay today an indigenous as its ancient prototype, yet has grown to be a solid modern foundation of the whole government structure. It has become one of the firm pillars of our truly democratic political system. From time of its rebirth at the onset of martial law up to the present, it has achieved success in many activities, programs and projects for the good of it people and the whole nations.

However, in spite of the nurture and care of the national leadership to the barangay, there are still many things to be desired and hoped for about their improvement. Many problems still stalk the barangays, especially those in the remotest areas. Some urban barangays are hotbeds of criminality. There are many barangays in the country today whose administration is below par. They have not functioned well to the expectation of their people. Many barangay captains, councilmen, and other officials have not had the training and experience to know the intricacies and administering barangay affairs. And their ignorance, indifference and corruption’s of some of their leaders it results the slowdown the momentum of government programs and project intended to advance social and economic well-being of the barangays.

Many politicians spoiled the good values of the rural-folks with liberal dole-outs. They were given money during election campaigns. Many receive wages as unskilled laborers in public works project even though they did not actually work. Community development projects were constructed without the participation of the barrio people. As a result, they have become very dependent on the government even for unimportant problems. Because of that situation many of the people in barangay have always asked from the government for the financial and material assistance even for the things, which they could do without outside assistance. It has been impressed on them that it is the obligation of the government to give them money as a form of financial assistance to the poor.

The barangay, which is the smallest unit in the political set up is the most reliable partner of the government. It is often referred to a “backbone of the nation”. As the basic political unit, it serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs, projects and activities.

Today, the barangay is not only an institution of “participatory democracy” but more significantly the eventual realization of real people power. It is an evolving dynamic mechanism for democratic action in the attainment and promotion of community interested goals.

Government framework, the barangay is a necessary part of the whole. They are considered “instrument for fostering collective political culture where it used to be populist, nationalist it used to be personalist, and humanist is used to be individualist”. In other words, the barangays provide the link between the political authority and the governed where both could be mutual partners in the various aspects of national existence.

The Local Government Code describe the barangay as the primary planning and implementing agent of government programs like the irrigation system, electrification, school buildings, roads, cooperative, rural health clinic, another infrastructure developmental programs ².

In short, the National Government gives more attention and importance to the barangay as the base of the country’s economic structure. To attain this, the barangay shall be given authority to implement development project and programs under the guiding principles of people power and self-reliance.

In order that the barangays could perform effectively and successfully their role as the primary planning and implementing units of the government programs and projects, barangay captains, council members and other officers should be provided with guidelines from the extension workers of government agencies and teaching material from which they could learn the management principles and developmental techniques of implementation. They should undergo rigid training to monitor to their respective barangay, what they have learned about the benefit of the project or program, they ways and steps by which it is implemented, and the safeguards against failure of the program.

The government has already gone far in undertaking training activities not only for the barangay leaders but also for small entrepreneurs and all the residents in the locality. But these are not enough. These activities must be continuing effort of the government to make barangay effective planners and implementers of government programs, projects and activities. Barangay officials would then more qualified to be part of the honest and brave effort to change the attitude and character of their people from depending self-reliance.

Table 1 presents the economic developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of trade and industry. The respondents perceive the overall mean of 3.98 shows that the indicators for trade and industry to a high extent. A rating of 4.07 indicates that the respondents provide assistance to small business in the community to a high extent. In proper ranked of order the following criteria are perceived to a high extent: industrial works (4.03); initiating an income-generating hobby (4.02); food production (3.99); and commercial activities (3.80).

The findings imply that barangay chairpersons have extensive economic achievements in terms of trade and industry. This could be attributed to the fact that they make an appropriation on livelihood projects like animals dispersal, vegetable farming because those kind of projects are not suited to their respective communities ³.

Table 2 presents the economic developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of trade and industry in terms of tourism. As the table indicates, the overall mean of 3.59 shows that in general, the areas of tourism is perceived to a high extent. Ranking indicators are “barangay beautification projects,” being conducted 3.78; “billboard projects,” being conducted 3.59; “establishes plaza and recreational center,” being conducted 3.55; “establishes multi-purpose hall,” being conducted 3.53; and “establishes waiting sheds,” being conducted 3.51. The respondents perceive all the indicators to a high extent.

Findings imply that tourism to be sustained depends on the maintenance of good environment, natural attractions that continue to be attractive, and that the environment will not lose its capacity to rejuvenate. In implementing sustainable tourism development, the key factor is the tourism carrying capacity of a particular site. This covers the environment including its physical and social aspects. These are done extensively by the respondents.

Table 3 presents the economic developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of power/energy/communication. The overall mean of 3.73 implies that, in the whole power/energy/communication is perceived to a high extent. The respondents uniformly perceived to a high extent the following indicators: telephone (3.86); purchases of electric generator (3.81); streetlights (3.75); radios (3.64); and cellphones (3.60).

The findings imply that the respondents perform projects in power/energy/communication extensively. They assured efficient and regular projects for their communities in line in this area.

Table 4 presents the economic developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of agriculture. The overall mean of 3.74 for all indicators of agriculture is perceived to a high extent. This can be acquired through agricultural production, animal production, field crop production, fish culture and animal raising rated as 3.89, 3.83, 3.70, 3.68 and 3.62 respectively. All indicators are interpreted to a high extent.

The industries of the farmer and of the fisherfolk have to be sustained through more agricultural projects that would lead to higher yields if food security and opportunities for employment were to be met by the city. More attention will be required in the development of agriculture as it has better potentials for the direct upliftment of the living standards and conditions of the populace of Calapan City.

Table 5 presents the social developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of education. The overall mean score of 3.80 indicates, that education as indicator of social achievements is perceived to a high extent. This is back-up by the following project activities vocational and skills training, literacy activities, livelihood projects, establishes library and information center and computer literacy which are rated 4.01, 3.79, 3.78, 3.74 and 3.6 respectively. All indicators are interpreted to a high extent. The factor that might be considered why barangay chairperson contributed on educational development to a high extent is that this is one priority.

Table 6 presents the social developmental projects of the barangay chairperson of Calapan City in terms of health. The table reveals a high extent rating with an overall mean of 3.80. As the table shows provisions for regular trainings for barangay health workers rated to a high extent, 4.31; full immunization rated to a high extent, 4.15; operation timbang rated to a high extent, 3.64; additional medicine supplies and health facilities rated to a high extent, 3.58; and family planning services rated to a high extent, 3.52. Findings reveal that project designs for health improvement of the community are observed and implemented.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

The barangay is an authority to implements developmental projects and programs. Barangay chairperson economic and social developmental projects in Calapan City are extensive.

Having a high literacy rate, Calapan City populace has a great potential for development if given the opportunities to improve themselves and the proper values to motivate them. This will not only assure social development but also economic development through increased and improved production made possible by the active and competent participation of the populace in the task of development.

The growing movement of Calapan City from agricultural oriented set up to an agro-industrial economy calls for supportive measures in the social services. Hence, a close coordination between and among members of agencies not only within the social services sector but as well as other sectors involved in development program is in order. Furthermore, a more systematic and regular recording and collection of data should be made to upgrade the delivery of social services.

One of the foremost basic input requirements for the development of tourism in the area is the improvement of infrastructure facilities ranging from roads to communication facilities. Manpower training, sanitation and beatification programs as well as information campaigns of the scenic spots while other projects may yield improvement caution however, must be taken into consideration in implementing such projects so as not to destroy the natural resources or disturbed the ecological balance Effort will be devoted to the greater processing of raw materials and the development of small and medium scale industries utilizing domestically available resources.

References