Managing the Peace and Security Program at the Barangay; Work Experiences of Village Chiefs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.159Keywords:
Barangay Governance, Community Safety, Conflict Resolution, Peace and Order, Peace and Security Programs, Punong Barangay, Qualitative Phenomenology, Village ChiefsAbstract
This study explored the work experiences of village chiefs in managing peace and security programs in the barangays of Getafe, Bohol. It was anchored on Self-Efficacy Theory, Competence Motivation Theory, Routine Activity Theory, Rotter’s Locus of Control Theory, and Crime Pattern Theory to explain leadership behavior, motivation, guardianship, and environmental influences on peace and order management. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological design to capture the lived experiences of the informants. The respondents were village chiefs or Punong Barangays who had rendered at least three years of service and possessed direct knowledge of managing peace and security programs in their barangays. Data were gathered through open-ended interviews, focus group interviews, voice recordings, and field notes, and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. The findings revealed that the informants’ experiences were marked by both positive and negative dimensions. Positive experiences included peaceful conflict resolution and resilient leadership during times of strain, while negative experiences involved the continuing struggle against vice, disobedience, and the emotional, physical, and financial burdens associated with barangay peacekeeping. The study also found that the village chiefs addressed these challenges through visible and proactive action, as well as trust-building and engaged dialogue within the community. Their aspirations focused on strengthening safety systems, professionalizing local peacekeeping, improving support for barangay personnel, and deepening community cooperation. The study concluded that barangay peace and security management is a demanding but essential leadership function that relies on resilience, community participation, and stronger institutional support. It recommended continued training and capacity building for village chiefs and Barangay Tanods, improved incentives and support systems for local watchmen, stronger community participation, enhanced use of monitoring systems and technology, and closer coordination among barangays, the LGU, the DILG, and the PNP. The study aligns with SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities because it promotes accountable local leadership, conflict resolution, and safer communities. Its sustainability impact lies in strengthening community, governance, institutional, and socio-economic sustainability through more effective barangay-level peace and order management.
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