82

UNP Research Journal

Vol. XX

January-December 2011

Decentralization Policy of Local Government Units in the

First District of Ilocos Sur
Christopher F. Bueno
University of Northern Philippines
Keyword index: decentralization, policy, local government, Ilocos Sur

Abstract
The study determined the effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy in the first district of Ilocos Sur. It employed the
descriptive survey research design with documentary analysis on the provisions
of Republic Act No. 7160 in the areas of basic services. The findings revealed
that the group respondents had favorable responses with a descriptive evaluation
of highly effective in the areas of (1) Community-Based Forestry Projects; (2)
Municipal Agricultural Services; (3) Health Services and (4) Social Welfare
Services. Furthermore, the group respondents had similar view as to the
effectiveness and responsiveness of the decentralization policy for extension and
on-site services and facilities and infrastructure services. It is indicated in this
study that the visibility of the projects provides better insights in evaluating the
development programs of the LGUs. However, there were varied responses as to
the effectiveness and responsiveness of the decentralization policy for health
services and social services. The primary respondents provided an objective
evaluation as to the implementation of their implemented their programs while
the secondary respondents evaluated the current state of health services and
social services in the LGUs.

1.0 Introduction
The implementation of Republic
Act No.7160 otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991 had
evolved to new structural process through
the application of decentralization system
in local governance. In this mandate, the
Local Government Units were given more
powers, authority, responsibilities and
resources to become responsive and self-

reliant to needs of the community. This

was also implemented and formulated
based on the operative principle of
decentralization as provided in the policy
and application of Republic Act No.7160.
The operative principle of decentralization
is provided in section 3, Chapter I, title
one; paragraphs (a) to (m) as mandated in
the Local Government Code of 1991.
Specifically, this study evaluated the
effectiveness and responsiveness of the

Decentralization Policy of LGUs in the First District of Ilocos Sur

decentralization policy within the context

of basic services and facilities (Republic
Act No. 7160, Section 17-2). The
devolved programs that were transferred
to the LGUs were: Agricultural Extension
and On-Site Research (DA); Infrastructure
projects (DPWH); Field Health and
Hospital Services (DOH); Social Welfare
Services (DSWD); Community-Based
Forestry Program (DENR) and other
investment support services. It should be
noted that the critical analysis in the
devolved programs relies so much on the
priority
development
programs
implemented by the LGU Executive
Officials including the support of the head
or chief of municipal offices. Thus, it
utilized the LGU Executive Officials,
Department Heads and Personnel to assess
their current experiences as to the
implementation of the decentralization
policy in their respective municipalities.

1.1 Objectives
This
study
assessed
the
effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy in the first district
of Ilocos Sur. It specifically determined
the socio-demographic profile of the
secondary and primary respondents in
terms of: (a) age; (b) sex; (c) monthly
income;
(d)
plantilla
position;
(e) educational attainment; and (f) years
of government service. It analyzed the
effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy of the group
respondents on a) extension and on-site
research services and facilities of the
municipal agriculture office b) health
services of the Rural Health Units in the

83

municipalities of the first district of Ilocos

Sur and social welfare services of the
Municipal Social Welfare Office and c)
evaluated the over-all responses on the
basic services as to the effectiveness and
responsiveness of the decentralization
policy of the Local Government Units. It
finally determined if there was a
significant difference of the responses of
the group respondents regarding the
effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy of said Republic
Act.

1.2 Scope and Delimitation of the

Study
This study was delimited to the
first district of Ilocos Sur which included
the municipalities of Sinait, Cabugao, San
Juan, Magsingal, Sto. Domingo, San
Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina,
Bantay and Caoayan. There were seventy
one (71) respondents who evaluated the
level of effectiveness and responsiveness
of the decentralization policy in the first
district of Ilocos Sur. Majority of the
respondents were LGU executive officials
and heads or chiefs of departments who
were implementing the basic services
program in their respective municipalities.
They served as the key informants to
assess the current status of the
decentralization
policy.
For
the
distribution of respondents; Group A - 15
respondents; Group B - 18 respondents;
Group C 18 - respondents; Group D 20
respondents.
The secondary data of the study
were on the delivery of services and the

84

UNP Research Journal

result
of
research
studies
on
decentralization which includes the
primary
analysis
of
the
fiscal
administration in relation to the Internal
Revenue Allotment (IRA) and budgetary
allocation of the municipality. The
development initiatives were taken from
the implementation of the devolved basic
services along agriculture, health,
environment, and infrastructure. Lastly,
the aspect on popular participation
included the effectiveness of the service
delivery provided by the municipality.

Vol. XX

January-December 2011

opportunities for revenue generation and

application (Section 18); (2) jurisdiction
over personnel previously under national
government agencies, or NGAs (Section
17i); and (3) material and technical
assistance, particularly from the devolved
NGAs (Section 17h). Likewise, Capuno
(2009) pointed out that they are supposed
to allocate funds for the devolved
functions
from
their
substantial
incremental share in the internal revenues
of the national government and in the
proceeds from sale of natural wealth (like
mineral resources), and from other locally
sourced revenues

1.3 Review of Related Literature

The Code provides for three
forms of decentralization-"devolution,"
"deconcentration,"
and
"debureaucratization. "Devolution is
defined as the transfer of political power
and authority over a distinct territory from
the national government to local
governments (Sections 15 and 17f).
Deconcentration is the parallel transfer of
administrative control over a certain
sector. Debureaucratization is the transfer
of certain public functions to private
entities or NGOs. Specifically, under the
Code, LGUs gain the main responsibility
for the delivery of basic services and
facilities in their communities (Section 17
a and b)
According to Raquiza (1998),
with the implementation of the
decentralization policy of the LGU in
turn, are to acquire: (1) a bigger share of
the internal revenue and other national
assets (Sections 284-290) as well as more

Simultaneous with vesting local

governments with a broader mandate, the
Code
institutionalizes
people's
participation in community decisionmaking processes through, for instance,
the creation of representative local special
bodies,
most
notably
the
local
development councils (Section 107).
(Raquiza,1998)

Decentralization Policy of LGUs in the First District of Ilocos Sur

85

1.4 Conceptual Framework

Profile
I Group Profile
Group A Elective Positions
1. Mayors
2. Sangguniang Bayan Members
Group B Municipal Heads and
Personnel
1. Municipal Treasurers
2. Assessor Officers
3. Budget Officers
4. Bookkeepers
5. Accountants
Group C Local Governance and
Development Officers
1. Local Government Officers
2. Municipal Development Planning
Officers
Group D Agriculturists and Medical
Personnel
1. Agricultural Technicians
2. Agricultural Officers
3. RHU Personnel /Medical
Personnel
II. Personal Profile
1. Age
2. Sex
3. Plantilla Position
4. Educational Attainment
5. Years of Government Service

Effectiveness of
the Decentralization Policy
for Basic Services of the
Local Government Units
A. Agriculture
Extension and OnSite Research
Services and
Facilities
B. Health Services
C. Social Welfare

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Figure 1 presents the conceptual
framework of the study. The independent
variables were: the respondents profile for
elective positions (group A), municipal
head and personnel (group B), local
governance and development officers
(group C), agriculturist and medical
personnel, and social worker. The
personnel profile includes, age, sex,

plantilla position, educational attainment

and years of government service. The
dependent
variables
were
the
decentralization policy for basic services
of the Local Government Units such as
Agriculture Extension and On-Site
Research Services and Facilities, Health
Services , and Social Welfare.

86

UNP Research Journal

2.0 Methodology
This study employed the descriptive
survey research design with documentary
analysis on the provisions of Republic Act
No. 7160 in the areas of basic services.
This research study evaluated the extent
of effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy of the Local
Government Units through the delivery of
basic services with the goal of improving
the quality of life of the people of the
municipality. The basic services and
facilities evaluated in this study were; (1)
Extension and On-Site Research Services
(2) Community-Based Forestry; (3)
Health Services; (4) Social Welfare
Services; and (5) Infrastructure Services.
The questionnaires were gathered
through
the
__________
group
respondents who provided relevant data
and information on the extent of
effectiveness and responsiveness of the
decentralization policy of this study:
Group A - LGU executive officials for
elective positions: (1) Mayors; and (2)
Sangguniang Bayan Members; Group B Chiefs/Heads of Departments: (1)
Municipal Head and Personnel; (2)
Municipal
Treasurers; (3) Assessor
Officers; (4) Budget Officers; (5)
Bookkeepers; (6)Accountants; Group C
Local Governance and
Development
Officers: (1) Local Government Officers;
and (2) Municipal Development Planning
Officers; and Group D Agriculturists
and Medical Personnel : (1) Agricultural
Technicians; (2)Agricultural Officers; (3)
RHU Medical Officers and Personnel;
and (4) Social Welfare Officers.

Vol. XX

January-December 2011

The responses of Group D were

classified into primary and secondary
respondents to have an objective analysis
as to the set of data questionnaire
answered by them. The secondary
respondents were those not directly
involved in the implementation of the
basic services in the municipality
including Group A, Group B and Group
C. The primary respondents were the
following; (1) Extension and On- Site
Research Services and Facilities Agricultural Technicians and Agricultural
Officers (2) Health Services RHU
Medical Officers and Personnel; and (3)
Social Welfare Social Welfare Officers.
(4) To determine the level of effectiveness
and responsiveness of the decentralization
policy, the following numerical and
descriptive analysis are presented to this
study:
Scale
4.21 - 5.00
3.41 - 4.20
2.61 - 3.40
1.81 - 2.60
1.00 - 1.80

Description
Very High Level of
Effectiveness and
Responsiveness ( VH )
High Level of
Effectiveness and
Responsiveness ( H )
Average Level of
Effectiveness and
Responsiveness ( A)
Low Level of
Effectiveness and
Responsiveness ( L)
Not Effective and
Responsive ( NE)

This study used the frequency

counts, mean scores and percentages to
analyze the level of effectiveness and
responsiveness of the decentralization

Decentralization Policy of LGUs in the First District of Ilocos Sur

policy in the 1st district of Ilocos Sur. The

respondents evaluated the extent of
effectiveness in the decentralization
policy of Republic Act No. 7160
otherwise
known
as
the
Local
Government

87

Code of 1992 through the responsiveness

of delivery of basic services with the goal
of improving the quality of life of the
people in the municipality.

3.0 Results and Discussion

Socio-Demographic Profile of Respondents
Table 1.

Distribution of the profile of respondents in terms of Age, Sex, Monthly

Income, Plantilla Position, Educational Attainment and Years of
Government Service.

Profile of Respondents

Group A
No.
%

Age
Over 60
2
6.60
51 60
2
13
41 50
9
60
31 40
2
13.40
21 30
Total
15
100
Sex
Male
8
53.33
Female
7
46.67
Total
15
100
Monthly Income
26,000- 30,000
21,000 - 25,999
15
100
16,000 - 20,999
11,000 - 15,999
Below 10,999
Total
15
100
Plantilla Position
Permanent
15 Journal
100
88Elective
UNP Research
Total
15
100

Table 1 continued

Group B
No.
%

Group C
No.
%

Group D
No.
%

2
8
6
2
18

11
44.44
33.33
11.11
100

4
12
2

22.22
66.67
11.11

9
10
1

18

100

20

10
8
18

55.55
44.44
100

10
8
18

55.55
44.44
100

10
10
20

1
8
3
5
1
18

5.56
44.44
16.66
27.78
5.56
100

3
7
8

16.67
38.89
44.44

18

18

100

18

18

100

Vol. XX

18

TOTAL
No.
%
2
17
39
11
2
71

2.82
23.94
54.93
15.49
2.82
100

50
50
100

38
33
71

52.52
46.48
100

100

7
3
10
20

35
15
50
100

4
30
18
8
11
71

5.63
42.25
25.36
11.27
15.49
100

100

20

100

56

100

45
50
5

78.87
21.13
January-December 2011
20
100
56
100

Profile of Respondents
With MA Units
College Grad.
Total
Years of Govt. Serv.
Above 20
16-20
11-15
6-10
0-5
Total

Group A
No.
%

Group B
No.
%

15

100

18

100

2
2
8
3
15

13.35
13.35
53.00
20.00
100

7
7
2

38.89
38.89
11.11

2
18

11.11
100

Socio-Demographic Profile of the

Secondary and Primary Respondents

The profile of respondents in

terms of age, sex, monthly income,
plantilla position, educational attainment
and years of service is shown in Table 1.

Group C
No.
%
3
16.67
15
18
100

Group D
No.
%
20
20

100

12
6

16

80

1
2
1
20

5
10
5
100

18

66.67
33.33

100

TOTAL
No.
%
3
4.22
69
95.78
71
100
35
15
10
20
8
71

and 46.67% female; Group B with 55.55

% male and 44.44 % female; and Group C
with 55.55% male and 44.44 female. For
Group D, 50% were female and 50%
male. An analysis of the profile of the
group respondents according to sex shows
that the respondents had almost similar
view on the decentralization policy with
the male respondents composed of
(52.52%) while the female respondents
were just a bit below at 46.48%.

Age. For the group respondents,

Group A (Mayors and Sangguniang Bayan
members) had the oldest age bracket of
over 60 years old of age with 0 2.82%.
For group C, whose respondents were the
Monthly Income. Group A for
Local
Government
Officers
and
the Mayors and Sangguniang Bayan
Municipal Development Planning Officer
members were on the monthly income
had the bracket range of 41-50 with 66.67
bracket of P21,000.0025,000.00, which
%. While Group D whose members were
this is within the salary grade of 25 to 29.
the Chiefs of Offices in the municipal
Group B which includes Municipal Health
Decentralization
Policy
of
LGUs inMunicipal
the First District
of Ilocos
Sur
government had the bracket range of 41Officers,
Treasurers,
Municipal
50, however, the other respondents
Civil Registrars, Municipal Assessors and
(municipal personnel and staff) had lower
Municipal Accountants were within the
age bracket of 31- 40.
similar salary grade bracket. Municipal
Development Planning Officer and Local
Sex. The profile of the
Government Officer were within the
respondents according to sex was almost
monthly income bracket range of
equally distributed among the 3 groups of
P16,000.00P20,999.00 with salary grade
respondents: Group A with 53.33% male
range of 16 to 24. It must be noted that the
salary grade level 1629 with an
poverty threshold income is within the
equivalent monthly income bracket of
salary grade level 514 or a monthly
P16,000.00- P 25,000 is favorable income
income of P5,000.00 P12,000.00.
bracket as compared to the poverty
threshold income below P12,000.00. This
Plantilla Positions. Majority of

89

the respondents had permanent plantilla

positions. But Group A respondents are
elective positions such as Mayor and
Sangguniang Bayan Members. The
security of tenure is provided for those
permanent plantilla positions, it is
assumed that the responses of Groups B,
C and D are more objectively analyzed in
this study.
Educational
Attainment.
Majority of the respondents were college
graduates in their respective fields of
specialization. The Group C respondents,
Local
Government
Officers
and
Municipal Development Planning Officers
had higher educational attainment since
they had MA Units. The respondents did
not
consider
their
professional
development by enrolling in this Graduate
School.
Based on the interview
conducted,
the
career
service
appointments including promotion for
municipal positions depend on the
discretion of the incumbent executive
official in the municipality. The
decentralization policy on human resource
and development as provided for in Book
1, Title 3, Section 77 of Republic Act No.
7160 mandates that the chief executive of
the LGU is responsible in the human
resource and development of the unit.
Years of Government Service.
Majority of the respondents were within
the above 20 years of service for Groups
C and D with 66.67 % and 80%
respectively. This also holds true with
Group B with 38.89% with the percentage
distribution for 15-20 years in government
service. This long years of service in the
government can also be justified by the
age group bracket as majority of them

were already 50-60 years old for the

above 20 years in government service and
4050 years old for the 15-20 years of
government service. Group A is different
from the other groups as they have been in
the service from 0-5 years with 20%; 6-10
years, 53%; 10-15 years, 13.35%; and 1620 years of service. The Group A
respondents
were holding elective
positions so those with more years in
government service were possibly
reelected.

Extension and On-Site Research

Services and Facilities
Table 2 shows the level of
effectiveness of the agricultural services
through extension and on-site research
services
and
facilities.
This
decentralization
policy
showed
a
responsive delivery of agricultural
services as shown by the conformed with
high level responses by the primary
respondents, the agriculture specialists
and the secondary respondents, the
implementers and planners for the
agricultural services. It has been
effectively implemented as provided for in
the Republic Act No. 7160 (Section 17,
(2) ii) in the enforcement of community
based forestry projects which include
integrated social forestry programs and
similar projects, management and control
communal
forests
including
the
establishment of tree parks, greenbelts,
and similar forest development projects.
The group respondents in this study
provided an average level of effectiveness
in the areas of transfer of technology,
other collective organizations and
fishermens cooperative. The Department

90

UNP Research Journal

Vol. XX

of Agriculture through the Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
and the University of Northern
Philippines has been supporting the LGUs
in the coastal management and aquaculture development. The transfer of

January-December 2011

technology has also been receiving

support from DA, TESDA and the DOST.

Decentralization Policy on the Delivery of Basic Services and Facilities

Table 2. The Level of Effectiveness and Responsiveness of Extension and On-Site Research
Services and Facilities.
Basic Services
1. Prevention and Control of
plants
2. Prevention and control of
animal pests and disease
3. Dairy Farms
4. Livestock Markets
5. Animal Breeding Station
6. Artificial Insemination Center
7. Assistance in the
Organization of Farmers
8. Fishermens Cooperatives
9. Other Collective
Organizations
10. Transfer of appropriate
Technology
11.Community-Based Forestry
Project

Average Mean Score

Group A

D
3.43 H

Group B

D
3.17 A

Group C
D
3.18
H

Group D
D
4.00
H

Average
D
3.44
H

3.50

3.25

3.42

3.89

3.52

2.08
3.15
2.62
1.85
3.62

A
A
A
L
H

1.81
2.72
2.92
1.83
3.69

L
A
A
L
H

1.58
2.20
1.70
1.45
3.69

NA
L
NA
NA
H

1.33
2.59
1.09
1.30
4.05

NA
NA
NA
NA
H

1.70
2.66
2.08
1.61
3.76

NA
A
L
NA
H

3.62
2.54

H
L

3.54
3.00

H
A

2.70
3.75

A
H

3.38
2.18

A
L

3.31
2.87

A
A

2.62

2.58

2.59

3.94

3.02

3.33

3.37

3.44

4.50

VH

3.66

2.94

2.90

3.73

2.93

2.88

The current status on the

responsiveness and effectiveness in the
health provisions showed a high level of
responses particularly the primary
respondents (Medical Officers, Midwifes
of the decentralization policy along Book
I, Title 5, Republic Act No. 7160. The
Local Health Board has the direct control
as to the implementation of priority health

and other RHU Personnel). It had

91
effectively implemented primary health
(=4.09) and maternity health care
(=4.00). It is the initiative of the Local
Health Board to implement the mandate
programs including budgetary allocations
for the purchase of medicines, medical
supplies and equipment.

Decentralization Policy of LGUs in the First District of Ilocos Sur

Table 3. Effectiveness and Responsiveness of the Decentralization of Health Services

in the Local Government Units

HEALTH
SERVICES
1. Primary Health
Care
2. Maternity Health
Care
3. Communicable
And Non
Communicable
Services
4. Access To
Secondary And
Tertiary Health
Services
5. Purchase of
Medicines,
Medical
Supplies And
Equipment

Group A
D

Group B
D

Group C

Group D
D

Primary
Respondents
Group D

3.57

3.67

3.90

3.40

3.12

4.56

VH

3.38

3.42

3.82

3.60

3.56

4.44

VH

4.09
(H)
4.00
(H)

3.30

3.25

3.45

3.44

3.36

3.66

3.51
(H)

3.08

3.09

3.09

3.44

3.18

4.11

3.64
(H)

3.62

3.5

3.45

3.33

3.47

3.88

3.68
(H)

Secondary Respondents

However, the communicable and

non-communicable diseases
control
services had the lowest level of response
(=3.51) among the variables presented
in this study. This is attributed to the
awareness of the respondents that
92
UNP Research
Journal
prevention
and control
of communicable
diseases is the area of responsibility of the

Average

Ave.

Department of Health. The devolution of

the health services has been confronted
with financial constraints because of the
limited Internal Revenue Allotment of the
municipality provided. This could have
led to the low level of effectiveness in the
Vol. XXof prevention
January-December
area
and control2011
of
communicable and non-communicable
diseases.

Table 4. Effectiveness and Responsiveness on the Decentralization Policy of Social

Welfare in the Local Government Units.

Social Welfare
Services

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group D
Primary
Respondents

Average

1. Child And Youth

Service
2. Family And
Youth Welfare
3. Women Welfare
4. Welfare Of The
Elderly And
Disabled
Persons
5. CommunityBased
Rehabilitation
6. Livelihood And
Major Projects
7.Nutrition Services
8. Family Planning
Services

Decentralization
Welfare

3.62

3.50

3.75

3.67

3.62

3.63

3.31
3.38

A
A

3.29
3.54

A
H

3.82
3.64

H
H

3.33
3.67

A
H

3.62
3.67

H
H

3.47
3.58

H
H

3.15

3.46

3.55

3.22

3.62

3.40

2.61

2.67

2.33

2.67

3.50

2.76

3.38
3.46

A
H

6.57
3.46

H
H

3.09
3.36

A
A

3.88
3.16

H
A

3.50
3.33

H
A

3.48
3.35

H
A

3.46

3.27

3.18

3.77

3.89

3.51

Policy

on

Social

respondents identified community-based

rehabilitation with an Average response
(= 2.76). The low promotion on
It was found that there were high
nutrition services could be attributed to
responses on Child and Youth Service
the specialization of social welfare to
(=3.63); Family Planning Services
concentrate in the areas of child, youth
(=3.51); Womens Welfare (=3.40);
and family welfare. This service is related
to the work of the RHU in health services.
Family and Youth Welfare ( =3.47) and
The Community-based rehabilitation has a
Livelihood Program (=3.48). All these
concern on the financial resources needed
areas are identified in the priority social
to implement these kind of projects for the
services in Article 13, Book III of
Decentralization
Policy7160.
of LGUs The
in theprimary
First District ofcommunity.
Ilocos Sur Aldaba (2007) proved 93
that
Republic Act No.
financial resources remained to be the
respondents (Social Welfare Officers) had
problem in the implementation of social
an Average responses on nutrition
services that almost all the current major
services (=3.33) and secondary
studies of devolution in the social service
social services has received minimal
delivery from the LGU perspective have
allocation from both the national budget
shown. This is a compelling proof that
and LGU budget.
Table 6. Difference on the Responses of the Different Groups of Respondents on the
Level of Effectiveness and Responsiveness of the Decentralization Policy of
Republic Act No. 7061

Variables
1. Extension and On Site
Research and Facilities
2. Health Services
3. Social Services

F-ratio

Value
of T

Critical
Value

Interpretation

4.18
1.78

2.84
1.86
1.761

Not Significant
Significant
Significant

.179

Table 6 presents the differences

primary health care, maternal and child
on the responses of the different groups of
care and communicable and nonrespondents on the level of effectiveness
communicable diseases. This runs counter
and responsiveness of the decentralization
to the study of Capono (2009) and
policy of Republic Act No. 7160 in the
Raquiza (1998) which state that
areas of extension and on-site research
devolution in health services have not
services and facilities, health services, and
been given enough budget to support the
social welfare services. It was found that
program.
there was no significant difference in the
responses of the different groups of
There was a significant difference
respondents on the level of effectiveness
on the level of effectiveness and
and responsiveness of the decentralization
responsiveness of the decentralization
policy for extension and on-site research
policy for health services as indicated by
services and facilities with an F value of
the computed t value of 4.18 which was
0.179 which is lower than the tabular
higher than the critical value of 1.761.
UNP of
Research This
Journalimplies thatVol.
January-December
2011
value of 2.84 94
at
0.05 level
theXXvariation may
be
significance.
attributed from the financial resources
provided for social services in the LGU. It
It is shown from the responses
responded well to the insight of Aldaba
covering extension and on-site research
(2007) that the effectiveness of delivery of
services and facilities that the farmers
social services depends so much on the
organization provided effective and
local budget for social welfare .
responsive support given by the LGU in
the delivery of agricultural services.
However, there was a significant
difference on the level effectiveness and
responsiveness on the decentralization
policy for health service as indicated by
the computed t-value of 1.78 which was
lower than critical value of 1.86. It must
be noted that the primary respondents
were evaluated well in terms of their
performance in health programs for

4.0 Summary of Findings

Socio-Demographic Profile of the
Secondary and Primary
Respondents
Age. Majority of the age bracket of
the respondents were 41-50 (54.93%) and
followed by 51-60 (23.94 %). For the
group respondents, Group A (Mayors and

Sangguniang Bayan members belonged

to the oldest age bracket of over 60 years
of age with 2.82%.
Sex. On the profile of the
respondents according to sex, the three
groups of respondents were almost
equally distributed as the following:
Group A with 53.33% male and 46.67%
female; Group B with 55.55 % male and
44.44 % female; and Group C with
55.55% Male and 44.44Female . For
Group D, there were 50% female and 50
% male.

Years in Government Service.

Majority of the respondents were above
20 years in service for Groups C and D
with 66.67 % and 80% respectively. It
also holds true for Group B with 38.89%
and the percentage distribution for 15-20
years of government service.
Effectiveness and Responsiveness of
Decentralization Policy of Group
Respondents

Extension and On-Site Research

Monthly Income. Group A
Services
and
Facilities.
The
composed
of
the
Mayors
and
decentralization policy has been found to
Sangguniang Bayan members belonged to
be responsive in the delivery of
the income bracket of P21,000.00
agricultural
services
through
the
25,000.00 within the salary grade of 25 to
organization of farmers with the highest
29. They belonged to the same bracket
responses under group D, the agricultural
with Group B which includes
Municipal
technologies
withDistrict
a of
high
Decentralization Policy of
LGUs in the First
Ilocoslevel
Sur of
Health Officers, Municipal Treasurers,
effectiveness (=4.05). This is also
Municipal Civil Registrars, Municipal
supported by the high level of
Assessors and Municipal Accountants.
effectiveness as rated by group A
(=6.32), group B (=3.69 ) and group
Plantilla Position. Majority of the
C ( 3.69) with an over-all mean score
respondents (78.87%) had permanent
of 3.76 or high level of effectiveness.
plantilla positions.
But Group A
respondents (21.13%) occupying elective
Health Services. The current
positions such as Mayor and Sangguniang
status on the responsiveness and
Bayan Members.
effectiveness in the aforementioned health
provisions showed high level of responses
Educational Attainment. Majority
particularly along the primary respondents
of the respondents (95.78) were college
(Medical Officers, Midwifes and other
graduates in their respective fields of
RHU
Personnel).
Primary
health
specialization. The Group C respondents,
(=4.09) and maternity health care
Local
Government
Officers
and
(=4.00) were properly implemented.
Municipal Development Planning Officers
had higher educational attainment because
Social Welfare .It was found out
they were baccalaureate degree holders
that there was high responses on Child
with masteral units.
and Youth Service (=3.63); Family

95

Planning Services (=3.51 ); Womens

Welfare (=3.40); Family and Youth
Welfare (=3.47) and Livelihood
Program ( = 3.48).
Significant Difference of the Responses
of the Group Respondents Regarding
the Effectiveness and Responsiveness
on the Decentralization Policy
1. There was no significant
difference on the responses of the
different groups of respondents on the
level of effectiveness and responsiveness
of the decentralization policy for
extension and onsite research services and
facilities with an Fvalue of .179 which is
lower than the tabular value of 2.84 at .05
level of significance.
2. There was a significant
difference on the level of effectiveness
and responsiveness of the decentralization
policy for health service as indicated by
the computed t value of 4.18 higher than
critical value of 1.86 at .05 level of
significance.
3. There was a significant
difference on the level of effectiveness
and responsiveness of the decentralization
policy for social welfare services with a
computed t value of 1.78 which is higher
than the critical value of 1.711 at .05
level of significance.

4. Conclusions
The respondents who were 20
years old and above were within the age
of maturity, thus their decisions were
based on their professional responsibility/

On gender analysis, the four (4)

groups of respondents had similar views
on the decentralization policy.
The LGU Personnel who fall
under the Group D respondents
(Agricultural specialists) had a low
monthly income as supported by their
salary range
which
was
below
P10,000.00. The security of tenure is to
provide for those permanent plantilla
position. It is assumed that responses
were more objectively presented by those
occupying plantilla positions. Majority of
the respondents were college graduate.
Majority of respondents who were
college graduates and have been in
government service for ___ years rated
the delivery of agricultural services
through the assistance of farmers
organization
highly
effective
and
responsive. The respondents assessed
highly responsive and effective the
delivery of the health services programs
on primary health care and maternity
health care but low level of responses for
communicable and non-communicable
control diseases.
The respondents
evaluated high responses on responsive
and effective social welfare program on
child and youth service, family planning
services, womens welfare and livelihood
program. However, there was low
promotion on nutrition services as
attributed to the specialization of social
welfare to concentrate on areas of child,
youth and family welfare. This service is
related to the work of the RHU in health
service.
The group respondents had
favorable responses (1) CommunityBased Forestry Projects ; (2) Agricultural

96

UNP Research Journal

Services; (3) Health Services; and (4)

Social Welfare Services.
The group respondents had
similar views which were rated highly
effective as to the effectiveness and
responsiveness on the decentralization
policy for extension and on-site services
and facilities. However, there were varied
responses as to the effectiveness and
responsiveness of decentralization policy
for health services and social services.
The primary respondents provided an
objective
evaluation
as
to
the
implementation of their programs while
secondary respondents evaluated the
current state of health services and social
services in the LGUs.

Vol. XX

January-December 2011

GOETZ, E. G., 1993. "The new localism from

a cross-national perspective," in Goetz
and Clarke, Eds., The New localism:
Comparative Urban Politics in a
Global Era,
ALTINTAS, H. et al, 2002. Devolution and
decentralization patterns of local
government in Turkey. EGPA Annual
Conference, Turkey Potsdam.
CAMPBELL, A. 1996. "Russia: The
Reinvention of Local Government?" In
Ben-Elia, Editor, Strategic Changes
and Organizational Reorientations in
Local Government: A Cross-National
Perspective, pages 135-157.

SCHULTZ, A. 1979. Local Politics and

Nation-States: Case Studies in politics
and policy. Santa Barbara: Clio books,
234 pages.
Decentralization
Policy
of
LGUs
in the First District of Ilocos Sur
Literature Cited
ELAZEGUI, D. et al, 2001 Policy
imperatives for management under a
decentralized regime: The Philippine
ALBADA, F. 2008 A review of DSWD
Case. SANREM Research Synthesis
devolution. Department of Social
Conference, Athens, Georgia, USA,
Welfare and Development Social
November 28-30.
Welfare Development Journal, volume
2,Issue No. 2
SANREM 2001. Conference on sustaining
upland development in Southeast Asia:
CAPUNO, J. 2009 A case study of the
issues, tools and institutions for local
decentralization of health and education
natural
resource
management,
services in the Philippines. Human
sponsored by SANREM CRSP,
Development Network, Philippine
ACCEED Conference Center, Makati,
Human Development Report Issue.
Metro Manila, Philippines, May 28-30.
UP , School of Economics
RAQUIZA, A.R. 1998 Decentralization and
official development assistance:
USAID s local development assistance
program : A case study. USAID:
Philippine Rural Reconstruction
Movement,

97