1

1
Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Administrators are accountable for all the actions and

decisions made by his/her subordinates, he has the full

responsibility and authority to decide what is good and better

for his/her constituents in a community.

Barangay as part of local government should always give

importance to the public trust, it is necessary that their

constituents are informed and made aware of the operation of the

barangay affairs. Barangay officials especially the Punong

barangay must establish public help desk and information services

that enable access to public information and awareness they could

acquire in terms of the plans, programs, ordinances, enactments

and other related services offered by the local administrators.

Transparency and Accountability is the ideal way of

rendering good services as a part of good governance.

Accountability is about being responsible to someone for action

taken; about being able to explain, clarify, and justify actions.

It implies that someone has a right to know and hold an

 2

organization to account; and that the organization has a duty to

explain and account for its actions.

Transparency is about being easy to understand, and being

open, frank and honest in all communications, transactions, and

operations. It is possible to be accountable by providing a

lengthy and technical explanation of every detail, but if this

information is not easily understood by the audience, and if key

facts are hidden by the sheer volume of information then the

information is not presented in a transparent form.

Transparent and accountable services is a very essential

practice should adopt and abide by the public officials in any

local government in order for the people to know and monitor

necessary and unnecessary actions taken by the officials, and

also for the people to be given a chance to analyze on themselves

whether the actions the officials are good enough or not to make

progress in the society.

Regarding to the transparency and accountability it is now

necessary to document the practices of the local officials for us

to determine and identify if the officials elected and being

trusted for the welfare of the people are transparent and

accountable enough of doing their part as a public servant.

In Catarman, Northern Samar, it has been observed that the

transparency and accountability of Barangay officials especially

 3

the Punong barangay to the public trust is not enough for the

people to fully understand and know what are those services and

help coming from local government being implemented because of

the lack of proper communication and interaction to them.

It is therefore, as a Public Administration student and a

future change agent of the society, the researcher is interested

to document and determine the Practices of Transparency and

Accountability of Selected Punong Barangay in the Municipality of

Catarman, Northern Samar, so that Punong barangay will become

more knowledgeable on how deliver more good service barangay and

constituents.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the Practices of Transparency

and Accountability of Punong Barangays in Selected Barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in

terms of:
1.1 age
1.2 civil status
1.3 educational attainment
1.4 number of years experience in the service
1.5 sex
 4

2. What are the Practices of the Punong Barangay in terms of

Transparency and Accountability in Selected Barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.?

3. What is the most practiced form of transparency and

accountability of punong barangays?

4. What recommendations can be deduced to enhance transparency

and accountability of other barangay officials?

Objectives of the Problem

In determining the Practices of Transparency and

Accountability of Punong Barangays in Selected Barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.

Specifically this study aims to:

1. Document the socio-demographic profile of the respondents

in terms of;
1.1 age
1.2 civil status
1.3 educational attainment
1.4 number of years experience in the service
1.5 sex
2. Determine the Practices of the Punong Barangay in terms of

Transparency and Accountability in Selected Barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.

3. Determine the most practiced form of transparency and

accountability of punong barangays.

 5

4. Draw recommendations from the respondents in order to

enhance transparency and accountability of other barangay

officials.

Importance of the Study

The researcher expected that the result of this study will

give answers and classification to the questions about the

practices of transparency and accountability of selected punong

barangay in the Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar.

The result of this study will helpfully benefit the following:

Punong Barangay. This study will help the Punong Barangay as

a guide to become more knowledgeable in terms of being

transparent and accountable to the public.

Students and Teachers. This study will serve as a reference

for further discussion regarding the transparency and

accountability of punong barangay which serve as a source of

information in acquiring good service to the people in the

future.
 6

Local government unit. This study will be helpful as a tool

for the local government unit to find out those effective

practices to attain transparency and accountability.

Researcher. This study will serve as a stepping stone of the

researcher to conduct and learn more essential studies for the

practices of transparency and accountability of public officials

in the government.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study will focus on determining the Practices of

Transparency and Accountability of Punong Barangays in Selected

Barangays the Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar. These

selected barangays are the Barangay Dalakit, Cawayan, Hinatad,

Jose Abad Santos, and Mckenly.

Specifically, this study aims to document the socio-

demographic profile of punong barangay in terms of age, civil

status, educational attainment, number of years experience and

sex; to determine the practices of transparency and

accountability of punong barangays in selected barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.

Theoretical framework
 7

This study was anchored on the theories that support or

underline mans ethical action especially in its involvement in

decision making processes, such as local legislation, related to

public service delivery in the realm of public administration and

governance to realize our collective goals for development.1

The social contract of theory of political philosopher

John Rawis, developed in his work A theory of Justice,

(freyenhagen, 2005) serves as the frame of this study. This

theory shows that distributive justice ids a form of fairness

exhibiting an impartial distribution of goods. Such that, people

were asked to imagine themselves behind a veil of ignorance that

denies them all knowledge of their personalities, social

statuses, moral characters, wealth, talents and life plans, and

then asks what theory of justice they would choose to govern

their society for themselves. People do not know who in

particular they are, and therefore cannot bias the decision in

their own favor. So, the decision-in-ignorance models fairness,

because it excludes selfish bias.2

As such, Sangguniang Bayan members in their performance in

local legislation process must act, not in accordance with

1 Jayvee Wilfred D. Baya, Ethical Standards and the Performance of

the Sangguniang Bayan Members in Northern Samar, (Unpublished
Undergraduate Thesis, UEP, 2014) p.13. January 10, 2017.

2 Ibid p.15.
 8

personal biases, to guarantee that legislative measures will

effectively addresses development problems existing in their

locality.

Another theory that framed this study is Kantian ethics,

(Ellington, 1993, 30), a deontological ethical theory forts

proposed first German philosopher Immanuel Kant. The theory,

developed as a result of Enlighten rationalism, is based on the

viewer that the only intrinsically good thing is good will;

therefore an action can only be good if its maxim, the principle

behind it, is duty to the moral law, Central to Kants

construction of the moral law is the categorical imperative,

which acts on all people, regardless of their interests or

desires. Kant formulated the categorical imperative in various

ways. His principle of universalizability requires that, for an

action to all permissible, it must be possible to apply it to all

people without a contradiction occurring. His formulation of

humanity as ends in themselves. The formulation of autonomy

concludes that rational agents are bound to the moral law by

their own will, and Kants Kingdom of Ends requires that people

must act as if the principles of their actions stablish a law for

a hypothetical kingdom of ends.3

3 Ibid p. 16.
 9

This theory concentrates on the acts being performed by

local legislators or the Sangguniang Bayan members. Thus, in

local legislation, certain types of acts are intrinsically good

or bad; hence, these acts ought or ought not to be performed,

irrespective of the consequences.

The Devine Command Theory also framed this study since it is

right. All Calvinists accepted the versions of this moral theory,

as they all held that moral obligations arise from Gods command.

According to this theory, the rightness of any action

depends upon that action being performed because it is a duty,

not because of any good consequences arising from that action

(Wierenga, 1983: 387). Thus, if God commands not to covert thy

neighbors goods, this theory holds that it would be immoral to

do so, even if coveting provides the beneficial outcome of a

drive to succeed or do well.4

This theory applies to the performance of the members of the

Sangguniang Bayan, such that their actions must at all times be

based on Gods command, irrespective of the outcome.

Similarly, virtue theory underpinned this study; this theory

concentrates on the moral character of the agent. According to

virtue theory, one ought to possess certain character traits-

courage, generosity, compassion, etc.-and these ought to be

4 Ibid p.17.
 10

manifested in his/her actions. Local legislators therefore, ought

to act in ways that exhibit the abovementioned virtues.

Consequential also underpinned this study; the theory

stipulates that one must always act in the way that brings about

the best consequences. Thus, Sangguniang Bayan members must act

in ways that bring about best results directed at realization of

local level development.

Definition of terms

To bring a clear and easy understanding of this study, the

following terms are herein defined both conceptually and

operationally.

Accountability. In this study, it refers to the willingness of

the punong barangay to accept responsibility towards the public.

Administrator. It refers to the person who is accountable and has

control towards something in order to attain goals of a certain

organization of office.

Age. Conceptually, it is defined as the length the time that has

existed or duration of ones life5. In this study it refers to

5 Anonsacion S. Tiberio , Environmental Costraints in Policy

Implementation as Perceived by the Regular Employees in the
Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar, (Unpublished Undergraduate
Thesis, UEP, April 2016) p.7.
 11

the number of years of existence of the respondents from birth up

to the time of the study.

Civil Status. Conceptually and operationally, it is civil

description of the respondents whether they are single or

married.

Educational Attainment. Conceptually, it is the highest level of

education in the formal education system. Operationally, it

defines as the highest educational attainment of the respondents.

Transparency. In this study, it refers to the way of Punong

barangay to operates and see clearly how and why a decision was

made.

Sex. Conceptually and operationally, it refers to the biological

and anatomical differences of the respondents whether they are

male or female6

6 Ibid p.8.
 12

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature

Ethics and morality have the Greek and Latin origins,

respectively. Traditionally they refer to customary values and

rules of conduct, as well as insights about what counts as human

excellence. Ethics also refers to moral philosophy, a discipline

of critical analysis of the meaning and justification and moral

beliefs.

Ethical beliefs and standards represent a communitys most

deeply held and widely accepted values. Therefore, these

standards and beliefs are inseparable from the communities that

create them. Ethical discourse addresses both private and public

behavior. An ethical citizen is expected to behave habitually in

a manner that contributes to the public welfare.7

An ethical code is adopted by an organization in an attempt to

assist those in the organization called upon to make a decision

(usually most, if not all) understand the difference between

right and wrong and to apply this understanding to their

decision. The ethical code therefore generally implies documents

7 Jayvee Wilfred D. Baya, Ethical Standards and the Performance of the

Sangguniang Bayan Members in Northern Samar, (Unpublished Undergraduate
Thesis, UEP, 2014) p.31. January 10, 2017.
 13

at three levels: Code of ethics, code of conduct, and code of

practice.

A code of ethics often focuses on social issues. It may set

out general principles about an organizations beliefs on matters

such as mission, quality, privacy or the environment. It may

delineate proper procedures to determine whether a violation of

the code of ethics has occurred and that remedies are exposed.

The effectiveness of such code of ethics depends on the extent to

which management supports them with sanctions and rewards.

Violations of a private organizations code of ethics usually can

subject the violator to the organizations remedies such as

restraint of trade based on moral principles.8

A code of conduct is a document designed to influence the

behavior of employees. Procedures are set out to be used in

specific ethical situations, such as conflicts of interest or the

acceptance of gifts and delineate the procedures to determine

whether a violation of the code of ethics occur and that remedies

are imposed. The effectiveness of such codes of ethics depends on

the extent to which management supports them with sanctions and

rewards. Violations of a code of conduct may subject the violator

to the organizations remedies which can result in the

termination of employment.

8 Ibid p.33.
 14

A code of practice is adopted by a governmental or non-

governmental organization to regulate that profession. A code of

practice may be styled as a code professional responsibility,

which will discuss difficult issues, difficult decisions that

will provide a clear account of what behavior is considered

ethical or correct or right in the circumstances. In a

membership context, failure to comply with a code of practice can

result in expulsion from the professional organization.

Commitment to Public Interest

Public officials and employees shall always uphold the

public interest over and above personal interest. All government

resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed

and use efficiently, affectivity, honestly and economically,

particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues (RA

6713: 1989).9

The imperious official who does not listen to the views of

citizens representations, much less pay some attention to them,

who takes all importuning by politicians as efforts to corrupt,

who cannot imagine genuine public interest in what he does, who

feels no sense of duty to undertake to urge changes in practice

where justice or short coming are evident, does not fit the

pattern for the modern local government administration scene.

9 Ibid p.34.
 15

A normative concept of the public interest assumes that

there is common good that is different than the aggregate of

private benefit and, as usually expressed, that community as a

whole, even if it is against the interest of some of the

individuals kin the community (Boozeman, 2007: 89).

The consensualist view of public interest emphasizes

interest broader than individual or special interest but not

requiring an invariant or universal public interest. One common

feature of consensualist view is an emphasis on the role of

democracy and elections in framing the public interest (Boozeman,

2007: 89).

The process theories of the public interest come in three

variants: 1) an aggregative conception, in which the public

interest is the sum of individual interest; 2) a view of public

interest reconciliation and fair procedures. To some extent

cannot accept the normative view of the public interest but are

not ready to altogether abandon the concept. Scholars professing

this view, find many publics rather than one held bt the

community (Boozeman, 2007: 89).10

The public interest refers to the common well-being or general

welfare. The public interest is central to policy debates,

politics, democracy and the nature of government. While nearly

10 Ibid p.35.
 16

everyone claims that aiding the well-being or general welfare is

positive, there is little, consensus on what exactly constitutes

the public interest.

There are different views on how many members of the public

must benefit from an action before it can be declared to in the

public interest: at one extreme, an action has to benefit every

single member of society in order to be truly in the public

interest; at the other extreme, any action can be in the public

interest as long as it benefits some of the population and harms

none.

To be in the public interest a leader must have the

potential to adversely affect ant person at any time in their

life in ant situation if a core matter is not put into the public

arena or handled in a more reasonable way when a problem clearly

become evident as symptomatic of an underlying

unreasonableness.11

It is possible for acts in the interest to be bad for given

individuals and vice versa. This definition allows one to hold

constant private interest in order to determine those interests

that are unique to the public.

Professionalism

11 Ibid p. 36.
 17

Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge

their duties with the highest degree of excellence,

professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall enter public

service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. They shall

endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as

dispensers of undue patronage. (RA 6713 1989).

Legislative body is independent of performance, risk of

power. Its objective function and oath is grounded in the

responsibility for performance. It is professionalism if

legislation is a function, a discipline, a task to be done; and

legislative body members are the professionals who practice or

perform this discipline, carry out the functions and discharge

these tasks.

Professionalism is basically, the knowledge that an

individual carries about a certain field. At work,

professionalism refers to a person doing his job with sincerity,

and maintaining professional etiquette and professional ethics in

the workplace.12

There are several importance of professionalism especially in the

workplace. Foremost, professionalism in the workplace is

important to ensure good performance by all. If everyone is

professional everyone will do the best they can at their job, it

12 Ibid p.37.
 18

is required to ensure a good team spirit. If people work

professionally, they will know how to value their organizational

goals, along with their personal ones.

Similarly, professionalism is required to keep all the

employees motivated. Happy employees are positive e brand

ambassadors for the organization. Keeping the employees motivated

is important to keep a good reputation in the office. It is also

important to ensure justice to everyones efforts. In a

professional environment, a persons quality of work is taken

into consideration. This phenomenon does justice and appreciates

the efforts of the employees.

Justness and Sincerity

Public officials and employees shall remain true to the

people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity

and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor

and the underprivileged.13 They shall at all times respect the

rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to

law, good morals, good customs, public, policy, public order,

public safety and public interests. They shall not dispense or

extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives

whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to

appointments of such relatives to positions considered strictly

13 Ibid p.38.
 19

confidential or as members of their professional staff whose

terms are coterminous with theirs (RA 6713: 1989).

Justice is concept of moral rightness based on ethics,

rationality, law, natural law, religion, fairness, or equity,

along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics (Konow,

2003: 1188).

Plato uses Socrates to argue for justice that covers both

the just person and the just City States. Justice is a proper,

harmonious relationship between the warring parts of the person

or city. Hence, justice is having and doing on what is ones own.

A just man is a man in just the right place, doing his best and

giving thee applies both at the individual level and at the

universal level.

John Rawls14 used a social contract argument to show that

justice, and especially distributive justice, is a form of

fairness: an impartial distribution of goods. (Rawls, 1999:

266).

Freedom of expressions

Public servants have the same rights of political expression

outside the workplace as ordinary members of the public.

14 Ibid p.39.
 20

Outside of work will usually include when on lunch and other

breaks and for those with flexible working arrangement, at times

when they are able to choose to be absent from work.

Public servants, like any other employees, should not act in a

way that would bring their employers into disputes.

Freedom of association

As a consequence of the statutory right of public servants

to join and be active in organizations (including trade unions)

and as members of trade and unions, it is likely that there will

sometimes be, within fairly narrowly defined limits, an

expression of political views inside the workplace.

Public servants have the same rights of association as other

remembers of the public. Political expression and participation

must be undertaken in the individuals own time.15

To the extent that union activity leads to political expression

within the workplace, this should be carried out at times and in

places dedicated for union activity. In no case should such

activities be visible to the general public.

Balancing rights and political neutrality. At all times

there must be a proper balance between respect for public

15 Ibid p.40.
 21

servants freedom and association, and the public interest in

having politically neutral and effective public services.

The rights of political expression and association must be

against the well-stablished convention that senior public

servants who have regular direct contact with Ministers ought not

to publicly express any view either for or against the policies

of the government of the day. This may mean for staff actively

engaged in providing advice to managers on particular issue, that

it is not appropriate in public protest and political activity

centered on that issue.16

Managers are unlikely to be troubled by such thing as the

participation of Public servants in the kind of expression

(including reasonable protest activity) that is normal in

democracy. The expression of political views by individual state

servants does not in itself undermine the ability of their

agencies to continue to provide free, frank and political advice

and support to Ministers.

Political rights

For most public servants, participation in party politics is

not likely to affect the confidence that the government has in

state servants and is not likely to undermine their ability to

work with future governments. However, public servants must

16 Ibid p.41.
 22

ensure that they do not confuse their political rights with their

employment responsibilities.

Management of issues

Public servants should feel free to discuss any concerns

they have with their managers, but of course are not required to

do so. To avoid misconceptions or misunderstanding, staff might

choose to advice their managers when they are engaging in an

activity that could be construed as conflicting with their

obligations of political neutrality.17

Responsiveness to the public

Public officials and employees shall extend prompt,

courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise

provided by law or when required by the public interest, public

officials and employees shall provide information of their

policies and procedures in clear and understandable language,

ensures openness of information, public consultation and hearings

whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions simplify and

systemize policy, rules and procedures, avoid red tape and

develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic

conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed

rural and urban areas (RA 6713 1989).

17 Ibid p.47.
 23

Responsiveness and accountability to the public is an even

obligation of local officials at all levels, as agents of public

purpose, to serve, to conform, with the collective will, to avoid

taking unwarranted power into their own hands, and to make

certain that public objectives are not scuttled by insolence,

intolerance and inaction. (USAUD 2002:45)

It is claimed that training and career advancement

procedures, a legislative personnel system can also have a

profound impact on attitudes, responsiveness and cultivation of

proper relationships between public employees and public

representatives.

A prominent theme in the literature of public administration

is responsiveness: the effort that is made by a government agency

to provide helpful, expeditious service to the public.18

The agency can empower its employees to resolve problems on the

spot, rather than bouncing the client from one office to another,

and then encourage its employees to use that authority instead of

the Hold on, Ill transfer you pass-the-buck maneuver for which

the bureaucracy is infamous. Successful public organizations

must have a can do attitude. It is when as many employees as

possible display a share of that can-do attitude (Friedman,

2009.)

18 Ibid p.48.
 24

Another aspect of responsiveness involves an effort that

every citizens has access to government services. That means that

government managers and employees must be dedicated to the

principles of nondiscrimination and the related policies of equal

employment opportunity and affirmative action.

Nationalism and Patriotism

Public official and employees shall at all times be loyal to

the public and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally

produced goods, resources and technology and encourage

appreciation and pride of country and people. They shall endeavor

to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign

intrusion (RA 6713, 1989).19

Nationalism involves a strong identification of a group

individuals with a political entity defined in national terms,

i.e. a nation. Often it is the belief that an ethic group has a

right to statehood, or that citizenship in a state should be

limited to one ethnic group, or that multi-nationality in a

single state should necessary comprise the right to express and

exercise national identity even by minority.

Legislative Performance

19 Ibid p.50.
 25

Title IX other provisions Applicable to local Government

Units, Section 125 Limitations upon Sanggunians of the Local

Government Code stipulates that Any proposition or ordinance

approve d through the system of initiative and referendum as

herein provided shall not be repealed, modified, or amended by

the sanggunian concerned within six (6) months from the date of

the approval thereof, and may be mended, modified or repealed by

the sanggunian within three (3) years thereafter by a vote of

three-fourths (3/4) of all the members; provided that in case of

barangays, the period shall be 18 months after approval

thereof.20

Legislative performance can be measured through the key project

outputs called Legislative Performance Appraisal Form (LLPAF),

which is a self-assessment tool can be used as a starting point

for benchmarking among local legislative bodies, as it defines

specific areas in which the performance of local legislative

bodies can be measured.

Poverty Reduction

Poverty reduction is essential about reducing then number of

persons living in poverty. Persons living in poverty are those

that are unable to meet their basic needs to attain a decent

life. They are persons deprived of a long and healthy life, of

20 Ibid p.51.
 26

acquisition of knowledge and of access to resources for a decent

standard of living (UNDP, 1997.)

Local legislation can reduce poverty if it improves the

ability of citizens to purchase goods and services, to produce

these goods and services or avail them from government or

nongovernmental organization. By improving this ability, citizens

are enabled to have along and healthy life and to gain knowledge,

access and opportunities to resources for a decent standard of

living. More specially, local legislation can address poverty by

enacting ordinances that authorize targeted programs addressing

issues relating to: 1) limited access to basic social services

such as basic education, primarily health, nutrition, water and

sanitation and shelter, and 2) low income and employment.21

Gender Equality

Gender equality, as a key to development, means the equal

empowerment and participation of woman, men and other subgroups

of society, i.e. homosexuals, in all spheres of public and

private life: political, economic, social, and cultural. It

means giving woman, men and other discriminated subgroups in

society equal rights and the same opportunities to participate

21 Ibid p.69.
 27

fully in the development of their communities and societies and

to achieve self-fulfillment (DILG).

Environmental Protection

Development can be sustained if the resources in our

environment are managed well so that future generations can also

benefit from them. Local legislation plays a key role in

environmental protection as it lays the legal and policy

framework for the management and protection of environmental

resources through policies, plans and programs on land use,

forest resources, solid waste, management, water management,

marine resource management, and community participation in

protecting the environment, among others.22 Existing national

mandates such as the Philippine Agenda 21, the countrys

blueprint for sustainable development, are best pursued by

issuing parallel local policies and ordinances and supporting

plans and programs, consistent with LGUs mandate to enhance the

right of the people to balanced ecology.

Peace and Unity

The presence of violent conflict interferes with the way

local government is able to function and deliver basic services

to its citizens. It is imperative for local government to be able

22 Ibid p.71.
 28

to build and support the ability of people and organizations to

pursue and enjoy peace.

Legislation plays a critical role in the pursuit of peace

and unity. It creates the necessary rules to guide government

agencies in delivering basic services and in promoting community

participation to ensure that all citizens have access to these

services. Viewed this way, local legislation promotes peace when

people in the LGU feel safe and secure in their communities,

without fear of having their access to and rights to adequate

water, food, shelter and housing threatened, and when there is

respect for difference and diversity and cultures promoted.23

Accountability and Transparency

Legislators hold public office, and as public officers must all

times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost

responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with

patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Local legislation promotes accountability and transparency

among LGU officials if it results in government services that are

responsive to citizens needs; if it provides mechanisms for

citizens to make their local officials answerable for their

actions on non-action to problems; and if it provides mechanisms

23 Ibid p.72.
 29

for citizens to feedback to local officials about the

effectiveness of government services.

Local legislations also promotes accountability and

transparency if local government policies and programs authorized

or created through legislation use public resources efficiently.

This means control of public resources is not abused and public

funds are not wasted due to graft and corruption or inefficient

implementation of programs.24

Citizen Participation

Legislation is about promoting the well-being of citizens.

But it is the collective action of citizens that can secure well-

being. Legislation should thus involve the participation of

citizens, citizens groups, nongovernmental organizations,

peoples organizations, business groups or what is collectively

called civil society, in all its stages. Local legislative bodies

must be able to engage civil society proactively to ensure that

their legislative actions result in meaningful development. By

involving civil society in legislation, broader ownership is

built, which is essential in securing the needed support for

successful implementation or enforcement of local laws.

Powers, Duties, and Functions of a Sangguniang Bayan

24 Ibid p.73.
 30

Section 447 of the LGC defines the powers and functions of

the Sangguniang Bayan (Republic Act No. 7160, 1991).

(1) Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an

efficient and effective municipal government.

(2) Generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues

for the development plans, program objectives and priorities of

the municipality as provided for under Section 18 of the LGU with

particular attention to agro-industrial development and

countryside growth and progress.

(3) Subject to the provisions of BOOK II of the LGC, grant

franchises, enact or licenses, or enact ordinances levying taxes,

fees and charges upon such conditions and for such purposes

intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the

municipality.25

(4) Regulate activities relative to the use of land,

buildings and structures within the municipality in order to

promote the general welfare.26

(5) Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and

effective delivery of the basic services and facilities as

provided for under Sec. 17 of the LGC.

25 Ibid p.74.

26 Ibid p.75.
 31

(6) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties

and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

Mechanisms for Legislative Participation

It is the responsibility of the sanggunian to make citizens

aware of the mechanisms and venues which allows them to

participate in legislative decision-making (Local legislators

Toolkit, 2004). These includes:

1. Committee Meetings

Unless declared as closed-door executive meetings, committee

meetings are generally open to the public. They can be maximized

by establishing links with concerned sectors and involving them

in committee deliberations on a regular basis.

2. Committee Hearings

Committee hearings are also called public hearings because

their purpose is to consult stakeholders and experts in the LGU

on proposed ordinances or on matters relevant legislation. These

legislative matters should not be limited to consideration of tax

measures but include all other measures that may affect the LGU.

The process can be further maximized by the sanggunian by giving

 32

the concerned sector or stakeholders timely information and

advice prior to the holding of committee hearings, e.g. committee

hearing schedule, agenda and advice to prepare presentation

materials or position papers.

3. LA Formulation

Public consultations and workshop designed to build sipport

for the Legislative Agenda are effective means of getting

citizens aware of the sanggunians vision and sincerity to its

work.

4. Budget Hearings

Citizens interest in the budget process can be encouraged by

inviting the concerned sectors and public to local budget

hearings. This process takes off from ensuring that the local
27

development council, being the mandated planning structure, comes

up with a recommended set of priority programs and projects to be

considered for inclusion in the budget. Local budget hearings

serve to validate or ensure the consistency of the LGUs budget

with local plans articulated in terms of programs and projects.

5. Accreditations

While accreditation of NGOs is not a requirement for

participation in legislatives activities, accreditation is a good

27 Ibid p.78.
 33

opportunity for the sanggunian to know who does what in the NGO

community. This will make it easier for the sanggunian to

identify groups they can tap for their expertise in research,

writing, or simply for information. This mechanism can be further

improved by adopting rules and procedures to encourage CSOs to

get accreditation and to provide for a system of continuing

accreditation of CSO. However, the lack of accreditation should

not be an obstacle for the sanggunian to tap CSOs from

participating in sanggunian activities.

Related Studies

Ethical Standards

Public Service Ethics and Constitutional Practice (Bohr,

2007)28, a public policy paper, encourages civil servants to

reflect on specific constitutional principles and events and

learn to apply them to the decisions they make.

The study stressed that ethical practice, as independent

variable demands an immersion in the specifics of our

constitutional tradition, the dependent variable, and advocated

in attaining a greater sense of those constitutional principles

that can be translated into action. Along the way, the study

28 Ibid p.79.
 34

considered such timely issues as financial disclosure, the proper

treatment of civil servants and enhances of civil servants caught

between executive and legislative forces.

The data from survey questionnaire, demonstrated that

responsible use of administrative discretion is the key issue for

career civil servants. Furthermore, this study endeavored to

remind public servants of the nobility of their calling,

reinforce their role in articulating public interests against the

excesses of private concerns, and encourage managers to make

greater use of constitutional language to describe their everyday

activities.

Similarly, the colloquium on Higher civil service ethics

(Periera, 2000)29, brought about the idea that public officials

are part of the elite. The variables of this study are adopted

such corruption of professional ethics has two origins: personal

and political. Negative personal traits such as dishonesty,

laziness, etc. are in the first category while pursuing corporate

interests and nepotism are examples of the second. Accordingly,

from the questionnaire of this study, these forms of corruption

of the public functions are prevalent in contemporary states, but

they are compensated by the personal virtue of a large number of

officials. The study further concluded that civil servants

29 Ibid p.80.
 35

understand that they are political agents, that they have a

direct responsibility to their nation.

The Philippine government is facing a deep-rooted problem

the cause of which is moral nature. As cited by Pearanda,
Shahani contended that the sickness affecting the country is
moral in nature. At the bottom of economic problems and political
instability is the weakness and corruption of the moral
foundation of our society we do need an economic recovery
program. We also urgently need a moral, intellectual and
spiritual recovery program.

Legislative Performance

On Term limits in the state legislatures (Carey et al

2003)30, a historical research, found that legislators they

interviewed described the variables such as terms limits as

increasing individualism within the legislative environments

and decreasing cooperation. They say that their research

suggests that term limits encourage legislative e

showboating and taking of positions and undermine

legislative cooperation based on long-term relationships of

mutual compromise and exchange.

From the interview conducted in said study, it concluded

that the effective use of collective action and social

capital by legislators can increase the ability of the

legislative body to deliberate and act in the public

interest, and to craft meaningful public policy of interest,

30 Ibid p.81.
 36

then, is whether term limits and the time of legislative

sessions improve or diminish the ability of legislators to

use these tools.

The study on Term Length and Political Performance

(Rossi, 2008)31, evaluated the effects of the duration of

legislative terms on the performance of legislators. It

exploited a natural experiment in the Argentine House of

Representatives where term lengths were assigned randomly.

Results for various objectives measures of legislative

output show that longer terms enhance legislative

performance. Similarly, it used a second experiment in the

Argentine Senate to determine whether the results of the

study are specific to a particular chamber and a particular

time. A results from the Senate reinforce the idea that

longer terms enhance legislative productivity. The results

highlight limits to classic theories of electoral discipline

predicting that shorter terms, by tightening accountability,

will incentivize hard work by politicians. The study

discussed and tested possible explanations. The results

suggest that the accountability logic is overcome by

investment logic.32

31 Ibid p.82.

32 Ibid p.82.
 37

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted in selected barangays of the

Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar.

 38

Catarman33 is the first class Municipality and the capital of

Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has

a population of 94, 037, making it the most populous Municipality

in the Eastern Visayas. It is the commercial, educational,

financial, political, and government center of the province. It

lies on the northern part of Samar Island, bounded to the east by

Mondragon, to the west by Bobon, to the south by Lope de Vega,

and to the north by the Philippine Sea.

The Municipality of Catarman is politically subdivided into fifty

five (55) barangays, seventeen (17) of them in the poblacion.

Research design

This study utilized the descriptive method of research

method of research for the purpose of arriving relevant

information from the respondents regarding to the practices of

transparency and accountability of punong barangay in selected

barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar.

33 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catarman,_Northern_Samar.August 10, 2016.

 39

Descriptive designs provide comprehensive information about

a problem or situation, its variable and its features. There are

precise in their focus and scope than exploratory designs.

Specifically this study utilizes the simple survey design. A

simple survey design utilized a survey questionnaire as complete

the study.34

Research Instrument

Questionnaire was the main instrument of this study, from

which data gathered were analyzed. And interpreted.

The survey questionnaire consists of three parts.

Part I documented the socio-demographic profile of the

respondents in terms of age, sex, civil status, educational

attainment, number of years in the service.

Part II dealt on gathering data regarding the practices of

transparency and accountability of punong barangays in selected

barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar.

Part III elicited recommendations to enhance transparency

and accountability to other Barangay Officials in Catarman,

Northern Samar.

34 Anonsacion S. Tiberio , Environmental Costraints in Policy

Implementation as Perceived by the Regular Employees in the Municipality of
Catarman, Northern Samar, (Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, UEP, April 2016)
p.30.
 40

Respondents

The respondents of this study were the punong barangays in

selected barangays of the Catarman, Northern Samar. The selected

barangays are five (5); namely, Barangay Cawayan, Barangay

Dalakit, Barangay Hinatad, Barangay Jose Abad Santos and Barangay

Mckenley; including the sangguniang barangay members and twenty

(20) residents from each barangays for a total number of one

hundred fifty (150) respondents.

The respondents chooses these barangays to conduct a study

because of her familiarity with the place and know certain

people to each barangays who helped her to fasten the study and

finished it according to the time allotted.

Variables

The variables of this study were measured and categorized

by:

A. Socio-Demographic Profile of the Respondents

SEX. Sex of the respondents were categorized as male and female.

Frequency counts and percentages were used.

 41

AGE. Age of the respondents were categorized into 20-25 years

old, 26-30 years old, 31-35 years old, 36-40 years old, 41-45

years old, 46-50 years old, 51-up years old. Frequency counts and

percentages were used.

CIVIL STATUS. The civil status of the respondents were

categorized as single, married, widow/er, and separated.

Frequency counts and percentages will be use.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. The educational attainment of the

respondents were categorized as elementary graduate, high school

graduate, college graduate and masters/post graduate. Frequency

counts and percentages were be used.

NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE SERVICE. The number of years in the

service of the respondents were categorized into 2 to 6 years, 7

to 12 years, 13 to 20 years and 21 years above. Frequency counts

and percentages were used.

B. Respondents perception on the practices of transparency

and accountability.

This was determined through the use of the survey

questionnaire and were categorize as: strongly agree, agree,

neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. The overall computed

weighted mean and grand weighted mean of the practices of

 42

transparency and accountability were used through following

categorization: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

Scorescategory

4.50 5.00 Excellent

3.50 4.40 Very Good

2.50 3.50 Good

1.50 2.40 Fair

1.00 1.40 Poor

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher first passed a letter request to the research

adviser and college dean for the approval of the conduct of this

study. Then, a consent letter was also passed to the office of

each barangays for the approval of the conduct of the study.

The researcher also used a survey questionnaires and

administered personally the gathering of data from the

respondents. The questionnaire were also retrieved personally by

the researcher.
 43

Statistical Treatment of Data

In order to come up with systematic statistical treatment of

the data, the following formulas were used:

A. Percentage Distribution

The frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze

the data properly.

The formula for percentage distribution:

P = ----- x 100

Where:

P = percentage

f = frequency

N = number of cases

100constant
B. Weighed Arithmetic Mean

The weighed arithmetic mean were used to interpret the data

gathered in the survey to measure the overall reaction of the

several variables. 35

35 Antonio S. Broto, Statistics made in simple, second edition.

 44

Formula:

xw xw

WX = ----- = -----

x N

Where:

Wx = weighed arithmetic mean

W = weight of x

xw = sum of weight of x

X = frequency of the distribution

N = total population

Chapter IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA

This chapter presents the interpretation and analysis of the

data gathered from the punong barangays in selected barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar.

 45

ON SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sex

Table 1.1 presents the sex of the respondents in selected

barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar.

Data shows that 52 or 34.67 percent are males, and 65.33

percent are females. Based on the results, most of the

respondents are female. It describes that females are most aware

and has more knowledge about certain things on the barangay.

Table 1.1

Sex of the Respondents

SEX FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Male 52 34.67
Female 98 65.33
TOTAL 15O 1OO

Age

Table 1.2 presents the age of the respondents in selected

barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar.

Data showed that 23 or 15.33 percent were 20-25 years old,

22 or 14.66 percent were 26-30 years old, 47 or 31.33 percent

were 31-45 years old, 32 or 21.33 percent were 46-50 years old,

26 or 17.33 percent were 51 up years old.

 46

The data indicated that the most of the respondents belong

to the age bracket of 31-45 years old. In their age bracket, it

describes that majority of the respondents has more knowledge and

awareness in the barangay.

Table 1.2

Age of the Respondents

AGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

20-25 years old 23 15.33

26-30 years old 22 14.66

31-45 years old 47 21.33

46-50 years old 32 17.33

51-up years old 26 31.33

TOTAL 150 100

Civil Status

Table 1.3 presents the civil status of the respondents who

are the punong barangays in the municipality of Catarman Northern

Samar.

The table showed that 32 or 21.33 percent were single, 107

or 71.33 percent were married, 7 or 4.67 percent were widow/er, 4

or 2.66 were separated.

 47

The data indicated that most of the respondents in the

selected barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar were married.

Table 1.3

Civil Status of the Respondents

CIVIL STATUS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Single 32 21.33

Married 107 71.33

Widow/er 7 4.67

Separated 4 2.66
TOTAL 150 100

Educational Attainment of the Respondents

Table 1.4 presents the educational attainment of the

respondents in the selected barangays in Catarman Northern Samar.

The data showed that 24 or 16 percent were elementary

graduate, 70 or 46.66 percent were high school graduate, and 56

or 37.33 percent were college graduate. Based on the results,

most of respondents were high school graduate.

Table 1.4
 48

Educational Attainment of the Respondents

EDUCATIONAL FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

ATTAINMENT
Elementary Graduate 24 16

High School Graduate 70 46.66

College Graduate 56 37.33

TOTAL 150 100

Years in Service

Table 1.5 presents the number of years in the service of

the respondents who are the selected punong barangays in Catarman

Northern Samar.

Data showed that 35 or 70 percent had 2-6 years in the

service, 9 or 18 percent had 7-12 years in the service, 5 or 10

percent had 13-20 percent years in the service and 1 or 2 percent

had 21 up in the service.

 49

As the computed result, most of the respondents had 2-6

years in the service.

Table 1.5

Number of Years of the Respondents in the service

YEARS OF SERVICE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

21 years above 1 2

13-20 5 10

7-12 9 18

2-6 35 70

TOTAL 50 100

ON PRACTICES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

This part presents the classification and situation of

practices and transparency and accountability of punong barangays

in selected barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Table 2 presents the transparency and accountability

classification of practices of transparency and accountability of

punong barangays in selected barangays of Catarman, Northern

Samar.
 50

Government is responsible in using their power in advancing

public welfare. As you can see in the table shown 50 out of 150

respondents answered strongly agree; 67 out of 150 respondents

answered agree; 32 out of 150 respondents answered neutral;

and 2 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree. Based

on the computed weighted mean of 4.10, and the respondents agreed

that Government is responsible in using their power in advancing

public welfare, which was found to be very good on practicing

transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Government allows people to question concerning where the funds

went and what was achieved by them. The data showed 46 out of 150

respondents answered strongly agree; 57 out of 150 respondents

answered agree; 38 out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 4

out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree; and 5 out of

150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed

weighted mean of 3.90, and the respondents agreed that government

allows people to question concerning where the funds went and

what was achieved by them, and was found to be very good on

practicing transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Government has the ability to get peoples trust and confidence.

The data showed 35 out of 150 respondents answered strongly

agree; 59 out of 150 respondents answered agree; 53 out of 150

respondents answered neutral; 2 out of 150 respondents answered

 51

strongly disagree; and 1 out of 150 respondents answered

disagree. Based on the computed weighted mean of 3.83, and the

respondents agreed that government has the ability to get

peoples trust and confidence, and was good on practicing

transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Public officials act in accordance with the provision of laws.

The data showed 35 out of 150 respondents answered strongly

agree; 59 out of 150 respondents answered agree; 53 out of 150

respondents answered neutral; 2 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly disagree; and 1 out of 150 respondents answered

disagree. Based on the computed weighted mean of 3.83, and the

respondents that agreed that public officials act in accordance

with the provision of laws, and was found to be very good on

practicing transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Punong Barangays obey statutes and special laws in the

performance of public service for the people. The data showed 47

out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 66 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 32 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 2 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

and 3 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 4.01, and the respondents agreed that

punong Barangays obey statutes and special laws in the

performance of public service for the people, and was found to be

 52

very good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Punong Barangays make sure that the publics general welfare is

given primacy in decision and policy-making. The data showed 32

out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 74 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 39 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 3 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

and 2 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 3.87, the respondents agreed that

punong Barangays make sure that the publics general welfare is

given primacy in decision and policy-making, and was found to be

very good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Punong Barangays adhere to the principle that public office is

public trust and hence make policies and ordinances that cater to

the needs and welfare of the people. The data showed 49 out of

150 respondents answered strongly agree; 59 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 35 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 5 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

and 2 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 3.98, the respondents agreed that

punong barangays adhere to the principle that public office is

public trust and hence make policies and ordinances that cater to
 53

the needs and welfare of the people, and was found to be very

good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Government provides opportunity for all people in all aspects of

human endeavor. The data showed 35 out of 150 respondents

answered strongly agree; 68 out of 150 respondents answered

agree; 36 out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 7 out of

150 respondents answered strongly disagree; and 4 out of 150

respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed weighted

mean of 3.10, the respondents agreed that government provides

opportunity for all people in all aspects of human endeavor, and

was found to be good on practicing transparency and

accountability to the barangays.

Government ensures social well-being of the people. The data

showed 36 out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 62

out of 150 respondents answered agree; 46 out of 150

respondents answered neutral; 4 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly disagree; and 2 out of 150 respondents answered

disagree. Based on the computed weighted mean of 3.84, the

respondents agreed that government ensures social well-being of

the people, and was found to be very good on practicing

transparency and accountability to the barangays.

 54

Government includes all people into the mainstream thereby

ensuring accountability and responsibility. The data showed 39

out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 61 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 38 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 6 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

and 6 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 3.80, the respondents agreed that

government includes all people into the mainstream thereby

ensuring accountability and responsibility, and was found to be

very good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Barangays and that of the punong barangays transaction records

are freely available and accessible to people affected by their

decisions. The data showed 39 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly agree; 45 out of 150 respondents answered agree; 57

out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 5 out of 150

respondents answered strongly disagree; and 4 out of 150

respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed weighted

mean of 3.73, the respondents were neutral on the Barangays and

that of the punong barangays transaction records are freely

available and accessible to people affected by their decisions,

and was found to be very good on practicing transparency and

accountability to the barangays.

 55

Government is open and receptive to the harsh power of public

opinion. The data showed 32 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly agree; 51 out of 150 respondents answered agree; 53

out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 12 out of 150

respondents answered strongly disagree; and 2 out of 150

respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed weighted

mean of 3.66, the respondents were neutral on the government is

open and receptive to the harsh power of public opinion, and was

found to be very good on practicing transparency and

accountability to the barangays.

Policies are clearly stated for people to understand. The data

showed 35 out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 64

out of 150 respondents answered agree; 43 out of 150

respondents answered neutral; 5 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly disagree; and 3 out of 150 respondents answered

disagree. Based on the computed weighted mean of 3.82, the

respondents agreed that policies are clearly stated for people to

understand, and was found to be very good on practicing

transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Information dissemination is effective. The data showed 40 out of

150 respondents answered strongly agree; 58 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 40 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 9 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

 56

and 3 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 3.82, the respondents agreed that

information dissemination is effective, and was found to be very

good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Public officials observe freedom of the press. The data showed 40

out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 64 out of 150

respondents answered agree; 35 out of 150 respondents answered

neutral; 8 out of 150 respondents answered strongly disagree;

and 3 out of 150 respondents answered disagree. Based on the

computed weighted mean of 3.82, the respondents agreed that

public officials observe freedom of the press, which was found to

be very good on practicing transparency and accountability to the

barangays.

Financial transactions are make accessible to the public by means

of publication. The data showed 41 out of 150 respondents

answered strongly agree; 63 out of 150 respondents answered

agree; 33 out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 10 out of

150 respondents answered strongly disagree; and 3 out of 150

respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed weighted

mean of 3.86, the respondents agreed that financial transactions

are make accessible to the public by means of publication, which

 57

was found to be very good on practicing transparency and

accountability to the barangays.

Project bidding and contracts entered into by the punong

barangays as the duly elected representative of the barangay are

made accessible to people by posting, and publication. The data

showed 41 out of 150 respondents answered strongly agree; 56

out of 150 respondents answered agree; 44 out of 150

respondents answered neutral; 6 out of 150 respondents answered

strongly disagree; and 3 out of 150 respondents answered

disagree. Based on the computed weighted mean of 3.84, the

respondents agreed that project bidding and contracts entered

into by the punong barangays as the duly elected representative

of the barangay are made accessible to people by posting, and

publication, which was found to be very good on practicing

transparency and accountability to the barangays.

Budgetary allocations and spending are open for public scrutiny

and recommendations. The data showed 32 out of 150 respondents

answered strongly agree; 59 out of 150 respondents answered

agree; 47 out of 150 respondents answered neutral; 9 out of

150 respondents answered strongly disagree; and 3 out of 150

respondents answered disagree. Based on the computed weighted

mean of 3.72, the respondents agreed that budgetary allocations

 58

and spending are open for public scrutiny and recommendations,

which was found to be very good on practicing transparency and

accountability to the barangays.

TABLE 2
Respondents Classification of Practices of Transparency and Accountability

SITUATIONAL RESPONSE TOTAL WEIGHTED ENTERPRETATION

STATEMENT MEAN
SA A N D SD

(5 (4) (3) (2) (1)

)
Government is responsible
in using their power in 50 67 32 2 150 4.10 Very good
advancing public welfare.
 59

Government allows people

to question concerning
where the funds went and 46 57 38 4 5 150 3.90 Very good
what was achieved by them.

Government has the ability

to get peoples trust and 35 59 53 2 1 150 3.38 Good
confidence.

Public officials act in

accordance with the 44 61 36 8 1 150 3.92 Very good
provision of laws.
Punong barangays obey
statutes and special laws
in the performance of 47 66 32 2 3 150 4.01 Very good
public service for the
people.

Punong barangays make sure

that the publics general
welfare is given primacy 32 74 39 3 2 150 3.87 Very good
in decision and policy-
making.

Punong barangays adhere to

the principle that public
office is public trust and
hence make policies and 49 59 35 5 2 150 3.98 Very good
ordinances that cater to
the needs and welfare of
the people.

Government provides
opportunity for all people
in all aspects of human 35 68 36 7 4 150 3.10 Good
endeavor.

Government ensures social

well-being of the people. 36 62 46 4 2 150 3.84 Very good

Government includes all

people into the mainstream
thereby ensuring 39 61 38 6 6 150 3.80 Very good
accountability and
responsibility.

Barangays and that of

punong barangays
transaction records are
freely available and 39 45 75 5 4 150 3.73 Very good
accessible to people
affected by their
decisions.
Government is open and
receptive to the harsh 32 61 53 12 2 150 3.66 Very good
power of public opinion.

Policies are clearly Very good

stated for people to 35 64 43 5 3 150 3.82
understand.

Information dissemination
is effective. 40 58 40 9 3 150 3.82 Very good

Public officials observe

freedom of the press. 40 64 35 8 3 150 3.86 Very good
 60

Financial transactions are

made accessible to the 41 63 33 10 3 150 3.86 Very good
public by means of
publication, posting and
notice.

Project bidding and

contracts entered into by 41 56 44 6 3 150 3.84 Very good
the punong barangays as
the duly elected
representative of the
barangay are made
accessible to people by
posting and publication.
Budgetary allocations and
spending are open for 32 59 47 9 3 150 3.72 Very good
public scrutiny and
recommendations.

Overall Weighted Mean 3.81 Very good

Table 2 exhibits the practices of transparency and

accountability of Selected Barangays in Catarman, Northern Samar.

The data revealed that the overall level of transparency and

accountability of the respondents is generally very good with a

computed mean of 3.81. It can be cleaned from the results that

the officials of these barangay adhere to the rules of

transparency and accountability.

III Recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability of

other Barangay Officials.

Table 3 presents the recommendations drawn from the selected

punong barangays and residents in Catarman, Northern Samar. They

recommended that: the barangay officials and residence of the

 61

barangay should be unite to made improvements and changes

(recommended by 10 respondents which is the rank 1), all the

relief goods and help coming from the government should insure

and distributed equally to the people and for the people of the

barangay (recommended by 8 respondents), all the officials of the

province and municipalities should be the one who go and do

survey to barangays to personally witness the inefficiencies of

the barangay to provide some actions (recommended by 8

respondents), construction of the road should be given attention

most especially in the rural area to lessen the burdens of the

residence (recommended by 8 respondents), provide more water pump

in the barangay especially in rural area (recommended by 7

respondents), produce more projects and programs that is more

needed by the people in the barangay (recommended by 6

respondents), transparency and accountability of expenditures and

fund balances of every barangay (recommended by 6 respondents),

Punong barangay should serve his constituents as a whole and that

not be selective on who to serve (recommended by 5 respondent),

keep the general welfare of the community and fulfill all the

task and responsibilities given (recommended by 3 respondents),

cooperation of all barangays officials to each other in order to

solve the problem easily (recommended by 3 respondents), held

barangay assembly more often in order for the people to be aware

of and also in order for them to voice out their suggestions and
 62

opinions to the barangay officials (recommended by 2

respondents), and the cooperation and support of the barangay

officials to the catholic church is insufficient, they should at

least give some times and attention to it (recommended by 1

respondents 1 which got the lowest rank).

Table 3

Respondents Recommendation

Recommendations Frequency Rank

The barangay officials and residence of the barangay should be
unite to made improvements and changes.
10 1
All the relief goods and help coming from the government should
insure and distributed equally to the people and for the people
of the barangay. 8 2
 63

All the officials of the province and municipalities should be

the one who go and do survey to barangays to personally witness
the inefficiencies of the barangay to provide some actions. 8
2
Construction of the road should be given attention most
especially in the rural area to lessen the burdens of the
residence. 8 2

Provide more water pump in the barangay especially in rural area.

7 3
Produce more projects and programs that is more needed by the
people in the barangay.
6 4
Transparency and accountability of expenditures and fund balances
of every barangay.
6
4
Punong barangay should serve his constituents as a whole and that
not be selective on who to serve.
5 5
Keep the general welfare of the community and fulfill all the
task and responsibilities given.
3
6

Cooperation of all barangays officials to each other in order to

solve the problem easily.
3 6

Held barangay assembly more often in order for the people to be

aware of and also in order for them to voice out their
suggestions and opinions to the barangay officials. 2 7

The cooperation and support of the barangay officials to the

catholic church is insufficient, they should at least give some
times and attention to it. 1 8

Chapter V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings
 64

This study focused on the determination of practices of

transparency and accountability Punong barangays in selected

barangays in Catarman, Northern Samar.

It specified the socio-demographic profile of the

respondents in terms of sex, age, civil status, educational

attainment, and number of years in service. The study also

determined the most practiced form of transparency and

accountability of punong barangays in selected barangays in

Catarman, Northern Samar and drawn recommendations from

respondents to enhance transparency and accountability of other

barangay.

This study used descriptive survey method of research, which

made used of questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering

data.

The respondents were one hundred fifty (150) residents

including the fifty (50) barangay officials came from the

selected barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar, namely; Barangay

Cawayan, Barangay Dalakit, Barangay Hinatad, Barangay Jose Abad

Santos, and Barangay Mckenley.

Most of the respondents are females. They were 31 to 45

years old and were married. They were mostly high school

graduates and were two (2) to six (6) in the service.

 65

In determining the practices of transparency and

accountability of punong barangays in selected barangays of

Catarman, Northern Samar the practiced of transparency and

accountability were found to be very good; and the most practiced

form of transparency and accountability were that Punong

barangays make sure that the publics general welfare is given

primacy in decision and policy-making.

The respondents forwarded the following recommendations: the

barangay officials and residence of the barangay should be unite

to make improvements and changes, all the relief goods and help

coming from the government should insure and distributed equally

to the people and for the people of the barangay, all the

officials of the province and municipalities should be the one

who go and do survey to barangays to personally witness the

inefficiencies of the barangay to provide some actions, the

construction of the road should be given attention most

especially in the rural area to lessen the burdens of the

residence, should provide more water pump in the barangay

especially in rural area, must have produce more projects and

programs that is more needed by the people in the barangay,

transparency and accountability of expenditures and fund balances

of every barangay, Punong barangay should serve his constituents

as a whole and that not be selective on who to serve, should keep

the general welfare of the community and fulfill all the task and
 66

responsibilities given, cooperation of all barangays officials to

each other in order to solve the problem easily, should held

barangay assembly more often in order for the people to be aware

of and also in order for them to voice out their suggestions and

opinions to the barangay officials, and the cooperation and

support of the barangay officials to the catholic church is

insufficient, they should at least give some times and attention

to it to enhance transparency and accountability of barangay

officials.

Conclusions

This study stressed on the following findings:

Since majority of the respondents were married, 31-45 years

old, and were 2-6 years in service, they were regarded as mature

and responsible enough to be aware of practices of transparency

and accountability

Most of the respondents are females and high school

graduates. This means that females dominate the barangays and

have the tendency to work and serve people in a transparent and

accountable way.

Generally, the study implied that the most practiced form of

transparency and accountability of punong barangays was that

 67

punong barangays make sure the that the publics general welfare

is given primacy in decision and policy making with 49.33 percent

of responded.

The recommendation therefore were forwarded by the

respondents so that the barangay officials and residence of the

barangay should be unite to made improvements and changes, all

the relief goods and help coming from the government should

insure and distributed equally to the people and for the people

of the barangay, all the officials of the province and

municipalities should be the one who go and do survey to

barangays to personally witness the inefficiencies of the

barangay to provide some actions, construction of the road should

be given attention most especially in the rural area to lessen

the burdens of the residence, provide more water pump in the

barangay especially in rural area, produce more projects and

programs that is more needed by the people in the barangay,

transparency and accountability of expenditures and fund balances

of every barangay, Punong barangay should serve his constituents

as a whole and that not be selective on who to serve, keep the

general welfare of the community and fulfill all the task and

responsibilities given, cooperation of all barangays officials to

each other in order to solve the problem easily, held barangay

assembly more often in order for the people to be aware of and

also in order for them to voice out their suggestions and

 68

opinions to the barangay officials, and the cooperation and

support of the barangay officials to the catholic church is

insufficient, they should at least give some times and attention

to it to enhance transparency and accountability to other

barangays.

Recommendations

As a researcher and after evaluating gathered research data,

it is strongly recommend that punong barangays and officials may

be practiced and follow the rules of transparency and

accountability.

Based on the findings of this study the followings are

hereby recommended:

1. Barangay officials must be transparent and accountable at

all times in all cost.

2. Punong barangays with his constituents must conduct and

allow the residents to evaluate their performance at least

one or twice a year for them to be aware whether they give

satisfaction or not to the people they serve and also for

them to be able to improve the services and programs

provided in the barangay.

3. Conduct further study where the respondents are not the

barangay officials. This is to have better perspective in

 69

determining the most practiced form of transparency and

accountability with the used of descriptive correlational

method of research design.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Unpublished Materials

Anonsacion S. Tiberio, Environmental Constraints in Policy

Implementation as Perceived by the Regular Employees in the
Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar, (Unpublished
 70

Undergraduate Thesis, UEP, April 2016)

Antonio S. Broto, Statistics made in simple, second edition.

Jayvee Wilfred D. Baya, Ethical Standards and the Performance of

the Sangguniang Bayan Members in Northern Samar,
(Unpublished
Undergraduate Thesis, UEP, 2014)

B. Online Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catarman,_Northern_Samar, August 10, 2016.

 71

Appendices

Appendix 1. Request Letter

Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines
University Town, Northern Samar
 72

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION

Date: _________

HON.__________________________
Punong Barangay
Brgy. ____________, Catarman, N. Samar

Sir/ Madam:
The undersigned is presently conducting a study titled PRACTICES OF ACCOUNTABILITY
AND TRANSPARENCY OF PUNONG BARANGAYS IN SELECTED BARANGAYS OF
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR. This study is a major requirement for the degree Bachelor of
Arts in Public Administration in the College of Arts and Communication, University of Eastern
Philippines, University Town, Northern Samar.
May I request your permission that I will be allowed to administer my questionnaire among my
respondents who are the barangay officials.
Rest assured that all responses will be held confidential. Thank you so much for your cooperation!

Respectfully yours,
Rhealyn T. Umaguing
Researcher
Noted:
NERISSA B. PETATE, LLB, MPA
Research Adviser

Recommending Approval:
ZENAIDA C PEARANDA
Research Professor

LEONILA A. LONGCOP, DALL

CAC Dean

Appendix 2
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE PRACTICES OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND
TRANSPARENCY OF PUNONG BARANGAYS IN SELECTED BARANGAYS OF
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR
 73

I On the profile of the respondents

Name: (Optional) __________________

Age:
( ) 20-25
( ) 26-30
( ) 31-45
( ) 46-50
( ) 51-Up

Civil Status:
( ) Single
( ) Married
( ) Widow/er
( ) Separated

Educational Attainment:

( ) Elementary
( ) High School
( ) College
( ) Masters/Post Graduate

Length of Service:

( ) 2-6
( ) 7-12
( ) 13-20
( ) 21-up

Sex
( ) Male
( ) Female

II Practices of Accountability and Transparency

The word governance is associated with the principles of

accountability and transparency. What does each prescription mean to
you? Please check the column that corresponds to your understanding
on the prescriptions of governance particularly accountability and
transparency.
 74

SA Strongly Agree (5)

A Agree (4)
N Neutral (3)
D Disagree (2)
SD Strongly Disagree (1)

Indicators SA A N D SD
(5 (4) (3) (2 (1
) ) )
Accountability

Government is responsible in
using their power in
advancing public welfare.
Government allows people to
question concerning where the
funds went and what was
achieved by them.
Government has the ability to
get peoples trust and
confidence.
Public officials act in
accordance with the provision
of laws.
Punong Barangays obey statutes
and special laws in the
performance of public service
for the people.
Punong Barangays make sure
that the publics general
welfare is given primacy in
decision and policy-making.
Punong Barangays adhere to the
principle that pubic office is
pubic rust and hence make
policies and ordinances that
cater to the needs and welfare
of the people.
Government provides
opportunity for all people in
all aspects of human endeavor.
Government ensures social
 75

well-being of all the people.

Government includes all people
into the mainstream thereby
ensuring accountability and
responsibility.
Transparency

Barangays and that of the

Punong Barangays transaction
records are freely available
and accessible to people
affected by their decisions.
Government is open and
receptive to the harsh power
of public opinion.
Policies are clearly stated
for people to understand
Information dissemination is
effective.
Public officials observe
freedom of the press
Financial transactions are
made accessible to the public
by means of publication,
posting and notice.
Project bidding and contracts
entered into by the Punong
Barangay as the duly elected
representative of the barangay
are made accessible to people
by posting and publication.

Budgetary allocations and

spending are open for public
scrutiny and recommendations.

III Recommendations/suggestions to enhance transparency and

accountability of other Barangay Officials.

Please indicate your recommendation/suggestion:

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
 76

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
______________.