Enhancing Community-Based Environmental Governance Through Barangay Empowerment and Contextualization of The National Service Training Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I1.88Keywords:
Environmental Governance, Barangay Empowerment, National Service Training Program (NSTP), RA 7160, Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Decentralization.Abstract
This study examines the persistent gap between community environmental awareness and substantive grassroots action in the Negros Island Region’s barangays, despite the robust legal mandates provided by RA 7160, RA 9003, and RA 9163. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research triangulates quantitative assessments across three barangay clusters (PRKs) with qualitative insights from Focus Group Discussions involving barangay officials, purok leaders, and NSTP implementers. Although the overall mean score reached a “High” level (3.06), qualitative themes such as "Frontline Fatigue," "Symbolic Stewardship," and "Academic Parallelism" reveal fragmented coordination and limited technical capacity at the local level. The study identifies a structural gap within the NSTP—specifically its CWTS component—which currently lacks a standardized framework for aligning student-led projects with local development priorities. In response, a recalibrated policy framework was proposed, one that embeds joint planning, shared accountability, and mandatory monitoring and evaluation mechanisms between Higher Education Institutions and Local Government Units. This model aims to transform symbolic environmentalism into institutionalized, community-based stewardship, enabling barangays to move from awareness to well-informed, actionable environmental governance.
References
Bonifacio. (2025). Ecological Solid Waste Management of Bulacan State University. TWIST, 20(1), 160–165. https://twistjournal.net/twist/article/view/583
Bowen, M. C. (2025). Going beyond the numbers: An explanatory sequential mixed method study in postsecondary mathematics. Methods in Psychology, 13, 100204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metip.2025.100204
Brun, V., Madarcos, J. R. V., Celis, A. J., Creencia, L. A., Gurney, G. G., & Claudet, J. (2024). Assessing stakeholder perceptions to guide social and ecological fit of marine protected areas. IScience, 27(10), 110952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110952
Castillo, R. M. (2020). Promoting Environment at Grassroots: Barangay Institutional Mapping of Solid Waste Management. Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences), 13(2), 15–30. https://doi.org/10.14456/jcdr-hs.2020.12
Dinglasan, M., Macalipay, A., Ann, M., Clavio, B., Ann, R., Roxas, C., Balbis, J., Gabarda, J., & Fuertes, M. (2024). Community Needs Assessment of Barangay 694 Towards an Extension Services Program. IJFMR240425452, 6(4). https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/eed9/57cff40173f7713de4666f3e4f3357753dc8.pdf
Eslit, E. (2023). Empowering Change at the Grassroots: Community-Led Initiatives for Local Environmental Protection. Empowering Change at the Grassroots: Community-Led Initiatives for Local Environmental Protection. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1055.v1
Espino, L. C., Sinangote, J. I. T., Sun, G. M., & Caraso, F. T. B. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Local Government Policies on Community-Based Solid Waste Management Initiative: A Phenomenological Inquiry. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, IX(IX), 5343–5364. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.909000433
Falguera, C. C., Tandinco, F. D., Labarda, C. E., Rosaldo, A. G., Firmo, C. N., & Varona, R. N. (2023). A Mixed-Method Study on Rural Community’s Response to Public Health Emergency in the Philippines: Lessons from the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Acta Medica Philippina. https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.6169
Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving Integration in Mixed Methods designs-principles and Practices. Health Services Research, 48(6), 2134–2156. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12117
Fisher, C. B., Bragard, E., & Bloom, R. (2020). Ethical considerations in HIV eHealth intervention research: Implications for informational risk in recruitment, data maintenance, and consent procedures. Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-020-00489-z
Harrowing, J. N., Mill, J., Spiers, J., Kulig, J., & Kipp, W. (2010). Culture, context and community: ethical considerations for global nursing research. International Nursing Review, 57(1), 70–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2009.00766.x
Hibanada, R. R. (2024). National Service Training Program Experience among Pre-service Teachers Towards Civic Engagement and Citizenship. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VIII(IV), 1636–1647. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2024.804118
Ibones, K. A., Enero, J. V., Jore, J. S., Mamhot, V. I., Matheu, C. M., Blaise, H., & Jardin, R. A. (2024). Enabling role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in local environmental management in the Philippines: A systematic review. Journal of Civil Society, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/17448689.2024.2381826
Janmaimool, P., & Denpaiboon, C. (2016). Evaluating determinants of rural Villagers’ engagement in conservation and waste management behaviors based on integrated conceptual framework of Pro-environmental behavior. Life Sciences, Society and Policy, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40504-016-0045-3
Malajos, M. J. (2025). Enhancing Barangay Governance: A Systematic Literature Review of Best Practices, Challenges, and Community Perceptions of Barangay Captains in the Philippines. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5027145
Muñetón-Santa, G., Pérez-Aguirre, C. A., & Angarita-Suárez, J. A. (2026). From causal theory to policy metrics: a mixed-methods approach to measuring the quality of citizen participation. SN Social Sciences, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-026-01355-2
National Privacy Commission. (2024, July 22). Republic Act 10173 - Data Privacy Act of 2012. National Privacy Commission. https://privacy.gov.ph/data-privacy-act/?utm_source=openai
Oe, H., Yamaoka, Y., & Ochiai, H. (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3528. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063528
Office for Human Research Protections. (2024). The Belmont Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html
Pangilinan, E. R. (2025). Enhancing the Implementation of PCG NSTP-CWTS: Perceptions, Challeng-es, and Recommendations. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 6(6), 2853–2863. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.06.06.17
PHREB, & Ad Hoc CUNEG. (2023, May 22). 2022 National Ethical Guidelines - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/publications/2022-national-ethical-guidelines/?utm_source=openai
Reyes, A. T., Manilay-Robles, C., Serafica, R., Cacciata, M. C., Kawi, J., & Evangelista, L. S. (2026). Health Education Modalities and Influencing Factors in Rural Philippine Communities: A Mixed-Methods Study. Healthcare, 14(2), 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020210
Reyes, M. (2024). Analysis OF the Relationship Between the Level OF Community Participation AND the Effectiveness OF Adaptive Governance in the Coastal Area OF Cebu, Philippines. Adaptive Governance Research, 1(2), 88–97. https://doi.org/10.71435/685970
See, D. (2023). Schools told to partner with city on environment projects. Baguio Herald Express. https://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/schools-told-to-partner-with-city-on-environment-projects/
Tayco, A. (2025). An Analysis of the Relationship Between Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Development Practices Among Senior High School Students in Tablas Island, Romblon. Journal of Environment and Earth Science. https://doi.org/10.7176/jees/15-5-01
UN DESA. (2026). Welcome To Zscaler Directory Authentication. Un.org. https://desapublications.un.org/publications/sustainable-development-goals-report-2023-special-edition?utm_source=openai
UNCC. (2020). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | UNFCCC. Unfccc.int. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change
UNDP. (2025a). Localizing Portfolio Approach in Circular Economy. UNDP. https://www.undp.org/philippines/blog/localizing-portfolio-approach-circular-economy?utm_source=openai
UNDP. (2025b). The Future is Local: Local Conservation Leaders for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. UNDP. https://www.undp.org/philippines/press-releases/future-local-local-conservation-leaders-sustainable-and-resilient-communities?utm_source=openai
UNESCO. (2021). Learn for our planet: a global review of how environmental issues are integrated in education. Unesco.org. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377362
UNESCO. (2023). Education for sustainable development. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education
UNESCO. (2024, May 31). UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge 2024. Unesco.org. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-water-resilience-challenge-youth-action-water-southeast-asia-2021-2024?utm_source=openai
UNICEF Philippines. (2025). Advocating for Clean Water for Communities through Environmental Conservation in Siargao. Unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/stories/advocating-clean-water-communities-through-environmental-conservation-siargao?utm_source=openai
United Nations Philippines. (2024). Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goals | the United Nations in Philippines. https://philippines.un.org/en/sdgs?utm_source=openai
Valerio, A. (2024). URBAN WATERSHED CONSERVATION UNDER MULTI-ACTOR GOVERNANCE: EVIDENCE FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government, 706–713. https://doi.org/10.52152/p0eyjc85
Velayo, A. R., Suson, P. D., Aguilos, M. M., & Bacosa, H. P. (2024). Building Urban Climate Resilience: Assessing Awareness, Perception, and Willingness regarding Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change among Stakeholders in Iligan City, Philippines. Urban Science, 8(2), 53–53. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020053
Vella, J. (2024). In Pursuit of credibility: Evaluating the Divergence between member-checking and hermeneutic phenomenology. Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, 20(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.04.001
Villanueva, M. M., Sigaya, S. S., Maricon, E., & Pedrosa, E. A. (2021). Sustainable Livelihood Program for Purok Arao, Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Kalamboan (STI West Negros University), 1, 43–57. https://doi.org/10.61864/kalamboan.v1i1.6
Wikipedia Contributors. (2026a, February 19). Environmental issues in the Philippines. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_the_Philippines?
Wikipedia Contributors. (2026b, February 25). Mandanas-Garcia ruling. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation.
Yazawa, T., Tablada, K. N., Baring, K. M., Alojipan, K. L., & Watanabe, M. (2025). Act and reality of the ecological solid waste management act on barangay-level waste management in Barbaza, the Philippines. Discover Sustainability, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01965-5
Yecla, J. L. D., Reyes, C. T., Legaspi, C. O., & Relingo, A. M. C. (2022). Citizens’ Assessment of the Environmental Management Programs Delivered by the Local Government Unit of Lezo, Aklan. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research, 3(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.53378/352933
Zabala, C. (2024). BARANGAY GOVERNANCE GAPS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ADVANCING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government, 775–784. https://doi.org/10.52152/1925ax36
Zhang, Y., Xiao, X., Cao, R., Zheng, C., Guo, Y., Gong, W., & Wei, Z. (2020). How important is community participation to eco-environmental conservation in protected areas? From the perspective of predicting locals’ pro-environmental behaviours. Science of the Total Environment, 739, 139889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139889
