Volume 4 No.1 Series 2025

EXPLORING THE CONTRIBUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE: BASIS FOR POLICY REVIEW
Krystal Dane B. Agyao

Abstract

The main focus of the study is participation of civil society organizations in local governance. The mixed method, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, was used in the conduct of the study. The respondents of this study were accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The study was conducted in the City of Tabuk, Kalinga, and included representatives. The total enumeration technique was used. The questionnaire was the main data-gathering instrument used in the study. Interviews were also conducted to verify the answers previously gathered. The percentage formula, Four-Point Likert Scale and Weighted Mean were utilized in interpreting the result of the study. Additionally, Thematic Analysis was applied to examine the issues and challenges faced by the respondents in their participation in local governance, as well as the recommended policies and interventions that could be formulated to address these challenges in city governance. Based from the results and findings, the researcher concluded that sector representation is a significant factor in determining the level of participation of CSOs in local governance in the CGO of Tabuk City. It was also recommended thw Establishment of Dedicated Budget for CSOs, conduct of Capacity-Building and Orientation Programs; implementation of Inclusive Governance Frameworks; implementation of Streamlining Bureaucratic Procedures; Flexibility in Participation; and Promotion of Political Neutrality and Inclusivity; and Regular Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms.

This study explores the experiences of temporary construction workers in the Philippines, focusing on job instability, psychosocial challenges, and coping strategies. Using a phenomenological design and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), the findings reveal that workers normalize employment instability, viewing it as a survival necessity despite its toll. Major psychosocial challenges include persistent anxiety, financial insecurity, and hazardous conditions. Nonetheless, workers demonstr ate resilience through adaptability, resourcefulness, and reliance on informal support networks. The study highlights systemic vulnerabilities such as unfair wage deductions and limited social protection, underscoring the urgent need for stronger labor policies, worker protections, and mental health support. Insights contribute to improving labor rights, policy interventions, and holistic support systems for temporary construction workers in the Philippines.

The study focused on Tabuk City Level of Compliance on Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. It evaluated the level of compliance of the Tabuk City DRRM Office in the PDRRM Act of 2010; identifies the challenges/issues encountered in implementing the PDRRM Act and the intervention programs for the improvement of the compliance of Tabuk City with the PDRRM Act. The study utilized the mixed method of quantitative and qualitative designs. The result showed that the Tabuk City’s Level of Compliance on Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 is fully compliant. It was revealed that the challenges include the lack of technical manpower, equipment and resources, limited trainings for responders and CDRRM employees, and weak coordinating among the stakeholders. Results reveal that the recommended programs /interventions to enhance the implementation of the PDRRM Act of 2010 in Tabuk City includes strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing disaster preparedness and response, allocating adequate resources and improving community engagement and public awareness.

Vision is the primary sense used in independence and social participation in the built environment, and its loss can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. In this study, multisensory dimensions in building design were studied as to how they can contribute to the navigation and wayfinding of visually impaired (VI) individuals in a normal setting. The study aims to develop a multisensory design for a facility that is inclusive of VI individuals, aligning with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Designing infrastructure that engages human senses can enhance the well-being of VI individuals, thereby supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. Gaps in multisensory considerations were identified through a review of policies and guidelines. It employed phenomenological research, supported by a thematic analysis of 30 international studies, validated through case studies of five international buildings, and assessed the impact of multisensory solutions on independence. The findings show that olfactory cues can be a guiding tool in navigation and wayfinding in addition to haptics, auditory, and visual. Multisensory dimensions in a building design can significantly enhance the independence of VI individuals through the process of spatial planning in consideration of linear circulation, different textured materials, adequate lighting, sound of the water, and aromas.

The study aimed to identify and determine the technological competence of non-teaching personnel in the Western & Eastern Tabuk District of Schools Division of Tabuk City as a basis for an enhancement program. It utilized the Mixed method. The respondents of the study were the Non- Teaching Personnel of Western & Eastern District of Tabuk City Division identified through total enumeration. Overall, the non-teaching employees of the two districts of School Division of Tabuk City are highly competent in terms of computer/ ICT skills, written skills and innovation. The emerging themes in line with the challenges and issues encountered are technological barriers and skill deficiencies, complicated software and user difficulties, and lack of reliable internet and connection struggles. Based on the findings of this study the following proposed program is anchored on technology modernization and skills training, technology empowerment and skill advancement, and technology-driven productivity enhancement.

Infill development solves urban sprawl by optimizing space and improving urban environments. It maximizes land use by developing underutilized sites, creating new community growth, and promoting sustainability. This study investigates the challenges of urbanization in Philippine cities, where rapid growth has resulted in urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and strained infrastructure. It examines infill development as a strategic solution, focusing on revitalizing underutilized urban spaces to promote sustainable, compact, and connected growth. The study analyzed the literature on infill development, architecture, and site characteristics. It identified infill sites based on urban context, economic conditions, land use, and design considerations. Strategies for infill architecture were identified based on Key Success Factors (KSF) and relevant guidelines. This research evaluates infill architecture case studies in urban areas facing growth problems. It categorizes infill sites into brownfield, greyfield, greenfield, and sub-categories like gapsite and backland. Infill solutions are specific to their problem and context, but there is a notable association with sustainability and green building techniques. Green building techniques apply to almost any situation and should integrate well into the context. Community engagement and compatibility are also crucial for successful infill projects. The study supports the need for thorough strategic planning and innovative design to optimize underutilized land in infill development and revitalize urban spaces effectively.

This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with nursing care quality at CVMC, explore perceptions of hospital stay, identify areas for improvement, examine links with demographic factors, and offer recommendations to enhance overall care quality. Healthcare is a rapidly evolving field that prioritizes quality and patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is a key indicator, reflecting a hospital's ability to meet expectations and identify areas for improvement. This study investigates patient satisfaction with nursing care at Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC), a tertiary healthcare facility in the Philippines. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Cagayan Valley Medical Center's general wards, including Medical, Pediatric, Orthopedic, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pay Wards. A total of 163 in-patients or their watchers who had been confined for at least three days participated. Data were collected using a structured and translated questionnaire based on the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean) and ANOVA were used for data analysis. The study revealed a "Very Good" (Satisfied) overall mean satisfaction score of 3.92 for the hospital stay and 3.82 for nursing care quality among respondents, with care and compassion receiving particularly high ratings. However, aspects related to room privacy and environmental comfort received lower ratings.Significant differences in patient satisfaction were found based on the area of confinement, sex, disposition upon discharge, and room setting. No significant differences were observed in watcher satisfaction across their demographic profiles. The findings affirm a high level of patient and watcher satisfaction with nursing care and overall hospital stay at CVMC, validating the effectiveness of current nursing practices. The study highlights the critical role of humanized care, communication, and the physical environment in shaping patient experiences. While generally positive, the results indicate specific areas for improvement related to privacy, room overcrowding, and discharge education. These insights provide actionable recommendations for targeted policy interventions to further enhance patient-centered care and optimize healthcare outcomes at CVMC

The study explored data management in a City Division. The study utilized the mixed method design. The participants of the study were the forty (40) administrative officers in the four districts of Tabuk City. The result showed that data management in the City Division was fully implemented. The best practices identified were ICT integration, established and clear policy formulation. It was also revealed that the challenges encountered were mismanagement of files, related issues, limited training. The proposed program for enhancement of identified are establishment of enhanced data management and training and seminars. The results suggest that the Department of Education may implement a structured audit schedule; conduct training and awareness programs on record management; utilize E-Learning platforms on leveraging online training resources.

This study was conducted to assess the implementation and outcomes of a redesigned Kardex system in improving communication and continuity of care within hospital nursing practice. A project-based quality improvement initiative was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, introducing a structured Kardex tool across selected nursing units. The project spanned three months and involved observational audits, staff feedback, and pre- and post-implementation assessments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis, focusing on the Kardex’s impact on documentation accuracy, handover quality, and user experience. Postimplementation results indicated marked improvements in documentation completeness, clarity, and staff engagement. Handover reports became more structured and efficient, with a 40% improvement in information accuracy (p < 0.05). Staff reported greater confidence in communicating patient needs, with 85% expressing satisfaction with the modified system. Feedback also highlighted areas needing further standardization and training. The redesigned Kardex system enhanced the quality of nursing handovers, improved interdisciplinary communication, and supported safer, more coordinated patient care. Its structured format aligns with evidencebased practice and offers scalability for broader institutional use, provided continuous training and monitoring mechanisms are established.

The study investigated the evolving role of libraries in the 21st century, with a specific focus on Philippine libraries adapting to patron needs. Employing a triangulation approach that utilized seating sweeps, participant-driven photo elicitation, and a systematic literature review, the research delved into identifying patron preferences, spatial utilization, and design considerations. Key findings indicated a substantial shift in library dynamics, highlighting the importance of individual study areas for privacy and reading areas as vital social spaces. The results underscore the urgent need for libraries to evolve from traditional reading spaces to multifunctional spaces that promote learning, collaboration, and community engagement. Furthermore, the research identified a critical demand for collaborative zones, enhanced digital access, and designated spaces for multidisciplinary activities. By establishing actionable design considerations, this study aims to empower architects, planners, and policymakers to develop libraries that align with patron needs, establishing the significance of libraries in the 21st century.

This study aimed to explore the Implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) curriculum and the issues and challenges of IP learners and teachers across key domains, this study serves as a basis for a curriculum enhancement program. Mixed research methods were used with IPED teachers and IP learners as respondents. The survey on teachers’ assessment of the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) curriculum showed an overall rating of 3.09 (“Implemented”) reflects an overall positive assessment. Interviews with the teachers revealed that the lack of orientation, unfamiliarity with Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs), lack of community-school collaboration, inconsistent monitoring, and lack of localized materials hinder effective curriculum delivery. On the other hand, interviews with the IP learners revealed issues like; limited opportunities to experience ancestral domains, and the absence of indigenous knowledge experts, and indigenous materials. The study concludes that to fulfill IPED's curriculum objectives, DepEd must adopt the proposed Curriculum Enhancement Program proposing comprehensive teacher training, strengthen community-school collaboration, utilization of ancestral domain, consistent monitoring, and development of culturally contextualized resources. Addressing these gaps can enhance the implementation of the IPED curriculum, and the learning experiences for indigenous learners, providing support for their academic development and cultural identity. Recommendations focus on creating professional development programs for teachers, establishing collaborations with the community and Indigenous leaders, improving teachers’ expertise in Indigenous knowledge, consistent monitoring and evaluation, and increasing resource allocation for materials and infrastructure that promote Indigenous culture and continue adherence to the IPED standards, contributing to an inclusive and culturally respectful educational environment for Indigenous communities in the Philippines.

The study assessed the implementation of Electronic Business Permit and Licensing System (eBPLS) in Tabuk City LGU. This study utilized a mixed-method approach to evaluate the responsiveness of the Electronic Business Permit and Licensing System (EBPLS) and identify areas for improvement. The quantitative component assessed the system's responsiveness, while the qualitative component explored the issues and challenges encountered during its implementation, as well as potential policies to enhance its functionality. Findings revealed that the EBPLS is generally perceived as highly responsive. However, several challenges were identified, primarily slow internet connections and challenges in Digital Transformation. It was recommended that City must established comprehensive the support channels; collaboration with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) ; conduct regular training sessions to improve the digital literacy of LGU employees, regular system maintenance and data security ; continuously gather user feedback through surveys and suggestion boxes will inform ongoing enhancements and engage to stakeholders and conduct benchmarking against best practices from other LGUs will help identify innovative solutions that can be adapted.

The increasing global challenges of the 21st century demand that higher education institutions cultivate graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also ethically grounded and actively engaged in addressing global issues. This study examined the relationship between Global Citizenship Competence (GCC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) awareness among university students in Northern Philippines. Employing a descriptivecorrelational research design, the study involved 250 college students who completed standardized instruments measuring three dimensions of GCC—intercultural competence, social responsibility, and global civic engagement—and awareness of all 17 SDGs. The results indicate that students demonstrate high levels of global citizenship competence, with social responsibility being the most pronounced dimension. Similarly, overall SDG awareness was high, with students particularly cognizant of goals related to education, climate action, peace, and partnerships. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between all dimensions of GCC and SDG awareness, highlighting that students with stronger ethical values, intercultural understanding, and civic engagement tend to have greater recognition and understanding of global sustainability initiatives. These findings contribute new knowledge by emphasizing the role of moral and ethical development in translating global citizenship into sustainable development awareness, and by identifying areas of lower recognition, such as innovation, industry, and institutional partnerships, as targets for curricular enhancement. The study underscores the importance of integrating cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains in higher education programs to develop graduates capable of acting as informed, responsible, and proactive global citizens.

Alcohol consumption is prevalent in the Philippines, with high risks of alcohol misuse significantly influencing family dynamics and well-being. Parental alcohol misuse often extends beyond childhood, affecting adult relationships and psychological well-being. Among these challenges, forgiveness serves as a protective factor that mitigates deep emotional wounds caused by adult children’s early experiences. This study explores the lived experiences of adult children of parents with alcohol misuse, particularly how they navigate forgiveness and process healing. Using a phenomenological approach, ten adult participants who lived with a parent with alcohol misuse during the first 18 years of life were interviewed. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), findings revealed that participants’ childhoods were marked by psychological adversity, emotional and behavioral struggles, and disrupted family dynamics, all of which shaped their adult values and coping mechanisms. Forgiveness is marked on their motivations to forgive, influenced by cultural norms, spiritual belief, values, desire to ease the feeling, passage of time and change in their parent’s attitudes. Healing was deeply personal and complex, with forgiveness playing a central role in reducing emotional burdens. Avoidance coping emerged as a central mechanism, while adaptive coping strategies reinforces resilience among the adult children. This research offers meaningful implications for rehabilitative services, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3), and informs policies on the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act. It also provides valuable insights for clinical practice and counseling, particularly in developing culturally responsive family-based therapeutic models and group counseling.