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Correlates of Power Among Council Members in Selected Barangays of Northern Samar
Dissertation Abstract:
This study sought to find out the extent of power among the barangay (village) council members in 10 selected barangays in six municipalities of Northern Samar, Philippines. Specifically, it attempted to: 1) determine the personal and job-related characteristics of council members and the situational factors affecting their exercise of power in the councils and the community; and 2) ascertain in the nature and extent of their participation in activities and how they use power in their function as council members.
The study was conducted among 168 respondents composed of 68 barangay council members and 100 household heads. Data were gathered through interviews and participant observation during the barangay council's meetings.
Data showed that 100 percent of the barangay captains and only 25 percent of the council members were powerful members of the council and the community. Findings also revealed that the barangay councils of Northern Samar were dominated by old members, 71 percent of whom were in the middle age group (41-60 years).
Based on the mean educational attainment of seven - equivalent to first year high school - more than half were of high educational attainment. Eighty-seven percent had attended at least one training course during their incumbency.
Of the respondents, 84 percent were farmers who had an average annual income of P4,351. The majority of the council members belonged to the low-income group and had low social status.
Of the 68 percent who were affiliated with community organizations, 49 percent had leadership experiences before becoming council members.
Almost four-fifths (79) of the respondents had served long in the councils (12 years or more) and were more relationship-oriented in their leadership style. Since they were inclined to be satisfied with their positions in the council, more than two-fifths were highly involved in community projects. Fifty-nine percent indicated interest in re-election and affiliating themselves with the majority ruling party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, expressing community-oriented motives as their reason for desiring re-election. Ninety-three percent of barangay projects received an average of P10,985 as government support.
Meetings of barangay councils in the sample barangays were dominated by members who were more articulate (with high ability to communicate), presumably because of their high educational attainment, longer service in the council, and previous leadership experience.
Leader-member relationship in the council was rather pleasant. Seventy-four percent were being consulted by council members themselves and by household heads on political, social, occupational, educational, and religious issues.
Based on the chi-square and T-tests, the following conclusions were drawn:
1) Barangay council members with high educational attainment, who attended training institutes, with previous leadership experiences were more likely to be powerful in the council and in the community.
2) The position of a member in the council and the kind of task he performs contribute to a council member's becoming a powerful individual in the community.
3) High social status of an individual, ability to communicate, attendance in council meetings, and more government support for barangay projects appeared to enhance individual's power in the community.