A Study on the Process of Identifying the Residents of Barangay. U.P. Village

A Study on the Process of

Identifying the Residents of

Barangay. U.P. Village

IntroductionAs a requirement for Political Science 150 (Public Administration in the Philippines), we conducted a research on the bureaucratic management in the lowest level of the local government---the barangay. We looked specifically into the process of how they identify the residents of their barangay. This paper would present the specific purposes and benefits of organizing the barangay database of residents through comprehensive research using the concepts we have discussed in Political Science 150 as a framework.

Basic social services and different programs are delivered particularly to cater the needs of the barangay residents. It is the barangay council’s responsibility to ensure that every decision is executed to improve the welfare of its citizens. In this light, it would be important to take a look at the process being undertaken in identifying the residents under the jurisdiction of the barangay. By determining the number of its residents as well as its composition, the barangay will be able to formulate the appropriate policies and provide the services that would best suit the needs of its citizens.

Research Questions1. What system does the barangay use in identifying its residents?

2. How often they update the existing database? 3. In the administrative structure of the barangay council, who are

designated with the specific task of taking into account the necessary information regarding the number and composition of its residents?

4. What is the responsibility of the residents in informing the barangay council of their entry into and exit from the barangay?

5. What is the basis of distinguishing permanent from temporary residents?

6. Based on their existing database of residents, how does the barangay council determine who would be covered by the barangay ordinances and services?

7. Are there particular programs that are exclusive for permanent residents only?

Objectives

• To identify the specific actions taken by Barangay U.P. Village to have a documented system of recording their residents.

• To identify the difficulties in accomplishing the task of obtaining a well-documented record of barangay residents.

• To be able to point out the responsible person/s for this particular duty.

• To be able to find out if there is a systematic way of monitoring the residents’ behavior in moving into and out of the barangay.

• To be able to identify the scope of particular barangay services

Scope and Limitations

The study focused on the entire area under the jurisdiction of Barangay U.P. Village in Quezon City, including all the documented residents and informal settlers of all ages currently living there.

Significance

This research will help us to know the due process at the barangay level in conducting course of actions in monitoring the population in their barangay in order to deliver the public services such as for health, livelihood, sports, and education. As well as to contribute to the documentation of research studies regarding public management in local governments of the country.

Methodology

For this particular research, a qualitative approach was used by the researchers. We started finding relevant literatures and references that would be useful to our research. Then, we started writing a letter to the barangay we have chosen to conduct a study to inform the barangay officials about our goal and have a schedule of interview.

The officials and staff at the barangay hall of Brgy. U.P. Village were very welcoming and accommodating. We did not have the chance to interview their Barangay Captain, Hon. Virgilio Ferrer II. So we were referred to the Barangay Kagawad who is on duty during the day of our interview last March 10, 2014, from 2:30-3:15 PM. We were warmly entertained by Kgwd. Leticia Castillo who is in-charge for education and cultural affairs. She answered all the questions succinctly and generously provide some data of the barangay profile that would help us in our research. During our second visit, another kagawad welcomed us, Kgwd. Janet Infante who is assigned for Youth and Sports Development and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children. Despite of being a newbie in the field of public service, she shared a lot of her encounters and their projects during her short term as a barangay kagawad.

Results and FindingsBarangay U.P. Village has 2,000 households/families and 1,800 voters. The estimated population of the depressed areas is around 300. It was divided into four territorial boundaries namely North (Marilag St.), East (Marilag and Malambing Sts.), West (Kalayaan Avenue), and South (Matimtiman and Malamig Sts.).

The Office of the Barangay conducted recently a census but the barangay does not have the results yet. They have their own census which started just few years ago because according to them, the census provided by the local government would take too long. Another factor was it was not accurate because some residents resist the personnel assigned by the city hall for security purposes. The student boarders at the area were not also included by the owners of boarding houses in the census. So the barangay officials decided to divide themselves into areas of the barangay to distribute official census forms.

In terms of monitoring the residents, the barangay has five home-owners associations who help in collecting regular association dues and maintaining their areas. In a way, they help the barangay officials in performing their functions excpet in the legislative matters.

Discussion

During the research, it helped us to widen our knowledge and be aware of the process at the barangay public mangement. As well as to know how the public officials work for sustainable development. And how do they respond to the needs and problems of their barangay residents. We are also able to see the devolution in the lowest level of the local government. There could be a possibility that there would be a confusion with the overlapping functions of the barangay leaders. There are both pros and cons of having home-owners associations. We also found out that there are barangay officials in Metro Manila who composed by professionals like lawyers and professors. The entire research process was not too hard because the officials of our barangay assignment were very helpful.

Conclusion

Identifying and monitoring the population of a certain territory is very significant in order to provide all the services needed by the citizens according to their responsibilities as servant leaders. Although these matters were not given enough focus by many barangay councils based on our study. In spite of all the efforts conducted like census, there is no assurance that services would reached its goal. People participation and involvement was still a problem for most of the barangays like the U.P. Village.