EXAMINING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN BARANGAY POLICIES IN CALOOCAN CITY: BASIS FOR PROPOSED INTERVENTION STRATEGY

Abstract

This study examines community participation in barangay policies in Caloocan City as a basis for a proposed intervention strategy. It focuses on residents' engagement in policies on pet ownership, curfew, and parking. Demographic factors such as age, gender, and monthly income were considered in analyzing awareness and participation levels. The goal is to identify gaps in policy awareness and enforcement and propose strategies to strengthen community involvement in barangay governance. A descriptive research design was used, employing survey questionnaires as the main data-gathering tool. The survey involved thirty (30) residents of Barangay 167, Llano, selected based on availability and willingness to participate. The questionnaire collected demographic data and assessed awareness, participation, and perceived challenges related to barangay policies. Most respondents were female, aged 18–25, with a monthly income below ₱10,000. They showed high awareness of pet ownership and curfew policies but only moderate awareness of parking regulations. Although respondents were generally willing to comply, several issues hindered participation, including unclear communication, limited involvement opportunities, inconsistent enforcement, difficulty understanding certain policies, and lack of updates from barangay officials. The study reveals a gap between community awareness and participation in barangay policies. To address this, it proposes interventions such as educational seminars, informational materials, and community events like free pet vaccinations and health drives. For curfew policy awareness, posters, social media campaigns, and barangay meetings are recommended. To address illegal parking, improved signage, designated parking maps, and greater involvement of barangay officials are suggested. These strategies aim to build a more informed, participative, and cooperative community supporting barangay governance.