The Administrative Capability of The Barangay Governments in The Municipality of Jolo, Philippines

This research aims to: 1. Assess the administrative capability of the barangay governments in the Municipality of Jolo, 2. Find out factors adversely affecting the capability of these barangays, and 3. Propose alternative capabilitybuilding approach suitable for the subject barangays. This study utilized a descriptive method which involved one hundred nineteen (119) study samples determined through Purposive sampling. The administrative strength of the barangay governments in Jolo is mainly confined on the construction of rock-caused-ways and foot bridges. Other pressing problems in the community remained poorly addressed to the dismay of their respective constituents. Their capability of discharging the devolved function as required in the LGC of 1991 is minimal. By and large, the barangay governments in Jolo failed to fully realize the expectations of the code and to address the daily concerns of their constituents with utmost efficiency and effectiveness. Their capability is adversely affected factors such as: scarcity of resources, inadequate training, insufficient political support, poor inter-governmental coordination, and lack of accountability. The administration of most of these units is characterized by gross inefficiency, nepotism, and patronage system. The proposed alternative approach of enhancing the administrative capability of these units focused on the internal value reformation which is mainly anchored on the Islamic system of leadership which are suitable due to the fact that all barangay officials in Jolo are Muslims. Besides, any approach towards improving administrative capability will be doomed to fail if the local officials do not have the proper moral values. Local units possess different level of administrative capability. Hence, decentralization has to match with local capability and endowments. Thus, there is a need to revisit the code should the benefits of local autonomy is to be fully reaped.


Introduction
The underlying concept behind local autonomy is to maximize popular participation in governance and to ensure efficient and effective delivery of basic services. Towards this end, the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 was formulated to facilitate the delegation of powers and functions from the central government to the Local Government Units (LGUs).
With the code, it is assumed that LGUs will be able to attain their fullest development as self-reliant and self-sustain communities, and transform themselves into dynamic partners of the central government in the attainment of national goals and agenda.
In the Philippines, a very basic unit exists -the barangay. Brought about by the country's historical experience, this unit is considered as the bed rock of governance long before the Spaniards reached the country' shorelines. Local autonomy encompasses the entrustment of authority and responsibility to all tiers of local government. However, local units began experiencing issues on their administrative capability when additional mandates, powers and duties were devolved to them. Yet, problem on administrative capability has always been a common concern among LGUs since the national government made decentralization as its main framework of propose an alternative paradigm that is deemed appropriate to enhance the administrative capability of these units.

Methods
This research utilized a descriptive method. The data were generated via a Six-Point Likert-Type Questionnaire ( In determining the study sample, a Purposive

Maintenance of Katarungan Pambarangay
With a mean score of 5.97, the barangay officials confirmed that they are maintaining a Katarungan Pambarangay (Barangay Justice System). They claimed that they are often preoccupied with the settlement of disputes every day. They also asserted with a mean score of 5.62 that most of them have handled amicable settlements which usually involved marital problems, family disputes, youth troubles and thievery. To them, they are regularly attending to an average of four civic problems every month. They also confirmed with 2.31 mean score that cases involving killing were beyond their capability to resolve.

Conflicts involving influential families in their area
were usually elevated to the municipal or provincial

Maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and water system
Construction of rock-cause-way and foot bridges as indicated by a mean score of 5.67 has been the common endeavor among barangays in Jolo.
Construction and maintenance barangay roads are often handled by either the municipal or provincial 322 government.
As indicated by amean score of 1.02, no barangay in Jolo maintains a water supply system. Barangay officials averred that water supply in their respective area is not a major concern since their constituents are availing the sufficient water service This points out that the planning and program management aspects of these units are apparently weak.

Information and reading material center
As confirmed by a mean score of 1.23 together with the FGD sessions result, all barangays in Jolo 323 do not have information and reading material center.
In spite of this, the barangay officials asserted that they are planning to construct said center as soon as they have the sufficient funds for it. While the residents consider such centers as another important service, most barangay officials deemed it as a less priority projects, and thus, it can wait.

Satellite or public market, where viable
Only few barangays in Jolo have satellite market.
Others asserted that constructing a mini market is beyond their financial capability as attested by a mean score of 2.21. Most barangay officials claimed that a mini-market is not viable in their area and may only worsen their concern regarding community pollution. This claim, however, is contradicted by the residents. They averred that having satellite market within their reach will absolutely save them time and transportation expenses. They asserted that their barangay can actually afford to establish one should they wish to really make the lives of their constituents easier and more convenient.

Administrative Capability Of These Barangays
From the data gathered, the study found out the following as adverse factors affecting the administrative capability of the barangay governments in Jolo, such as:

Scarcity of Resources
Scarcity of resources is one of the problems faced by the barangay governments in Jolo that cripple their operation. With a mean score of 5.52, most barangay officials claimed that they find is difficult to meet the expectations of their respective constituents due to this concern. The study discovered that these units merely rely on their annual IRA for their revenue of which most barangay officials considered it to insufficient as indicated by a mean score of 2.10.
Most barangay officials claimed that their IRA can only cater to the personal services (salary and honorarium, etc.). To them, this is one of the main reasons why many of their planned programs and services remained unfunded and undelivered. We can therefore see that resources allotted for projects and programs are so meager to warrant effective addressing of the needs of the constituents. Even the best of plans will be rendered futile without the necessary resources.
Resources -human and material -are the most important assets of every organization regardless of its nature of operation. Resources are considered to be the life blood of the organization. It is regarded as . . . another force in the work environment (Newstrom and Davis, 1972:330). It is indeed safe to say that highly competent personnel will be of no use without the necessary resources. Its contribution to the organization, however, depends largely on how said resources are managed and utilized.

Inadequate Training
Barangay any shift in work that may be undertaken within their organizations or even outside. However, the skills and knowledge that people gained through training depends on their "capacity to learn" (Sferra et.al. 1971:55).

Insufficient Political Support
LGUs as political subdivisions of the state have inherent quasi-political power. But for more effective implementation of policies, political support from higher levels of governance is always a necessary.
The study found out that the barangay

Lack of Accountability
Another factor that affects the capability of the local units in Jolo is the lack of the sense of being Problem on accountability is not only confined within the local level but in the national level as well.
It is not only a minor problem thriving in almost all government instrumentalities, but . . . a central problem for governments which are, or claimed, to be democratic (Carino 1993:539). To ensure public accountability, there is a need for "accountability mechanism." Aside from the fact that this mechanism will prevent mal-practices among public servants, it will also . . . ensure that agencies and agency leadership . . . as well as baranagay officials .
. . have a vested interest in maintaining a structure of incentives that benefit the public (Vaughn 1980:21 Having these qualities, a leader finds it easy to secure the full support of his subjects. As Hapas (1990:11)  Along this line, the barangay officials confirmed with a mean score of 5.41 that internalizing accountability among them can improve their administrative capability. They likewise claimed with a mean score of 6.00 that accountability in Islam covers the following concepts: 1. a leader is accountable both to his God and his constituents; 2.
governance means responsibility to the public, and 3.
leadership must be founded upon justice. "A person who is appointed in the authority over people, and he betrays them, will not be allowed to enter paradise after his death" Although the second Hadith refers to the appointed officials, it is also applicable to the elected ones. As long as one is entrusted with authority to look after the welfare of the people, this warning covers him.

Trust
In all aspect of governance, trust constitutes one of its important pillars -that is, trust of the almighty and trust of the ruled. Trust is one of the commandments of God that is inherently embedded in the political and administrative authority of a leader. It also permeates the social-economic activities outside the administrative system. Hence, those who are given the trust must at all cost discharge it accordingly. As the Holy Qur'an (8:27) stressed: "O ye who believe! Betray not the trust of Allah and the apostle nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you." This revelation calls those in authority to exercise the trust of God righteously. Otherwise, they will betray none other but God. Without knowledge of this divine teaching, a leader is bound to violate it.
The barangay officials, therefore, must be made aware of the nature and inherent divine duties of a leader. Bara (1993:153)

Authority and Responsibility
Authority and responsibility is another basic Islamic principle of administration that is inseparable in nature because authority connotes responsibility.
Authority maybe inherited or by nature. Inherited authority refers to those delegated by the higher authority to its subordinates as the secular concept of the delegation of power. Authority by nature is best portrayed in a husband-wife relationship where the husband has the authority over his wife and at the same time responsible in providing the wife's needs. values instill in one's heart, his commitment in accomplishing his assigned task in the best way possible will be unprecedented. As Bara (1993:195) emphasized, efficiency and effectiveness are difficult to achieve if one's commitment is not well-cultivated.

Administrative Principles
In

Conclusion
The objective behind the delegation of powers and functions from the central government to the local units is to develop a sense of autonomy in the latter. Decentralization will bear no fruit without the necessary capability to carry out the given tasks.
Hence, local autonomy has to be granted to local units especially the barangays in consonance with their natural endowments and their capability to discharge the delegated functions, along with adequate support system from the municipal government in the form of training and seminars, and political will.
The administrative capability of these units requires further improvement if they are to become successful ally of the central government in nationbuilding and in service delivery.
The task of developing the capability of these barangays will be effectively facilitated if the identified factors be properly considered as springboard in the formulation of practical strategies.
Equally essential are willingness and enthusiasm of the local units concern to support the capability building effort. Without these two important elements, attempts to strengthen these units will be rendered difficult, if not totally impossible.
Finally, unless further studies on the state and operations of the barangay governments in Jolo is initiated and the alternative approach towards capability-building proposed in this study is adhered to, the barangay governments in Jolo remain as feeble as they are in the coming years.

Recommendation
In the light of the gathered data, the following steps are recommended: The LGC of 1991 has to be revisited to make it more responsive to the current fast changing society.
The provisions on devolution of powers and functions has to be reexamined to make into consideration the capability and endowments of local units as The alternative approach towards capabilitybuilding proposed in this study must be implemented. To enforce this endeavor, the municipal government being the immediate mother government of the barangays has to devise programs, symposia, and the like, and design mechanism to monitor the adherence of local leaders.
Finally, more researches on the state and operations of the barangay governments in Jolo must be initiated in order to generate comprehensive data anent the issues and concerns that hamper the capability of these units. The same study must also be conducted in other municipalities or cities in the country so that a genuine approach towards local capability-building can be developed to further supplemented the already developed ones.