i

INSTITUTIONALIZING THE INFRA-DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF

BARANGAY SAGANA, SANTIAGO CITY

A Policy Paper

Presented to the

FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

PHILIPPINE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Master in Public Administration

by

RICO G. EDURESE

2018
 ii

CERTIFICATION

This policy paper entitled “INSTITUTIONALIZING THE INFRA-

DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF BARANGAY SAGANA, SANTIAGO CITY” prepared
and submitted by RICO G. EDURESE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master in Public Administration has been examined and recommended for
ORAL EXAMINATION.

DR. JONABEL T. PARANAS

Adviser

APPROVAL SHEET

Approved by the Panel of Evaluators on _________ with a rating of ________.

HELARIO CAMINERO, DPA, Ed.D

Chairman

_________________________ ROBERT F. GALINDEZ, PhD

Member Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master in Public Administration.

ROBERT F. GALINDEZ, PhD

Dean, Extension & Transnational Education
 iii

ABSTRACT

This policy paper was prepared with the intention of exhorting the Barangay Council

of Brgy. Sagana, Santiago City to create a 15-year infra-development plan for reasons

extensively given elsewhere in this work.

The study was developed using a conceptual framework based on a social

constructivism perspective. As such, the subject barangay is treated as if it were a body

composed of different organs. The organs symbolically refer to the stakeholders concerned in

the preparation of the development plan being proposed.

The researcher used approaches based on the so-called grounded theory of

qualitative research. For this reason no statistical data have been presented in the

form of tables showing measures of central tendency; and the results and

recommendations offered in this work have all been based on observed and

archived data, and based on the personal perspectives of the researcher.

This study comes up with the conclusion that, given a co-operative effort by

the stakeholders, the 15-year infra-development plan being proposed can be

formulated.

Complimenting this conclusion is the recommendation that the Barangay

Captain of Brgy. Sagana create a composite team that will be tasked with the

formulation of the 15-year infra-development plan being proposed in this study.

 iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This policy paper is the culminating activity in the course. It being so, it serves as

the best opportunity by which this researcher can express his appreciation of the kindness

of several persons, to whom acknowledgment is herein offered. They are the following:

Dr. Jonabel T. Paranas, Course Coordinator and Adviser for her graciousness in

tirelessly attending to the intellectual needs of her students in the course;

Dr. Helario Caminero, Chairman of the Panel of Evaluators, and also the

Members of the Panel, for their recommendation that this work be approved;

Dr. Robert F. Galindez, Dean of the Extension & Transnational Education, for his

acceptance of this work as partial fulfillment of the course requirements;

The Barangay Officials of Brgy. Sagana, for their open-mindedness in embracing

the main proposal of this work, and thus provided materials needed in this work; and

God Almighty, who grants life and leads the way to righteousness.

RICO G. EDURESE
 v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL SHEET .....................................................ii
ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ....................................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................v
CHAPTER
1. Introduction .................................................................................................1
Background of the Study 1
............................................................................................................
Statement of the Problem 4
............................................................................................................
Significance of the Study 4
............................................................................................................
Scope and Limitation 5
............................................................................................................
Definition of Terms 5
............................................................................................................
2. Theoretical Framework ...............................................................................9
Review of Related Literature and Studies 9
............................................................................................................
Foreign Literature 9
...................................................................................................
Local Studies 12
...................................................................................................
Conceptual Framework 17
............................................................................................................

3. Methodology ............................................................................................... 19
Research Design 19
............................................................................................................
Participants 19
............................................................................................................
Instrumentation 20
............................................................................................................
Data Gathering Procedure 20
............................................................................................................
Data Analysis 21
 vi

............................................................................................................
4. Results and Discussion ...............................................................................
The Need for an Infra-development Plan 22
............................................................................................................
Infrastructure Needed and to be Prioritized 25
............................................................................................................
Hard Infrastructure 25
...................................................................................................
Soft Infrastructure 26
...................................................................................................
Time Frame for the Infra-development Plan 27
............................................................................................................
Participants in the Formulation 27
............................................................................................................
5. Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendation ......................... 29
Summary 29
............................................................................................................
Conclusion 29
............................................................................................................
Recommendation 30
............................................................................................................
APPENDICES
Bibliography ................................................................................................... 32
List of subdivisions in Brgy. Sagana ............................................................... 35
Reproduction of the State of Barangay Governance Report 2016 .................. 36
 1

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The word infrastructure is a collective noun that is so common it has practically

become a byword in the socio-economic and political world. It has been repeatedly mouthed

by everyone but is mostly misconstrued, misused, and misapplied. It is a very common word

yet a scarce commodity in the real world. For instance economists, politicians and educators

alike speak of the need for more roads, but good roads are hard to come by.

To complicate matters, many people are not even aware that ROROs (those

vessels that carry people, cars and cargoes) and schools and water systems, to mention

only a few, are also infrastructure.

The central proposition of this paper is about infrastructure. But just exactly what is it?

Infrastructure is the term for the basic physical systems of a business or

country — transportation, communication, sewage, water and electric systems are all

examples of infrastructure. These systems tend to be high-cost investments but are vital

to the country's economic development and prosperity.

Transportation is a good example. The transport sector is an important component of

the economy. At the aggregate level, efficient transportation reduces costs in many sectors of

economy—costs that, unfortunately, increase drastically with inefficient transportation.

Unfortunately, building good roads can cost the government billions of money.
 2

In further defining the word, Spacey (2017) states that infrastructure are basic

services that represent a foundational tool for the economy of a nation. Infrastructure can

include physical structures, systems, institutions, services and facilities.

That is how important this thing is. In fact, Schumacher (2016) in his argument,

“Why is infrastructure so important?” asserts that existing infrastructure gaps are

handicapping the Philippines’s productivity and competitiveness.

The importance of infrastructure as the basic factor in economic progress impacts

all levels of the socio-political strata of the country. It is felt in the national level; it is felt

down to the barangay level.

Brgy. Sagana is a case in point.

Brgy. Sagana is an urban barangay of the City of Santiago. With an updated

population count of 5,153 and a land area of 5.46 sq. km. (546 has.), the barangay has a

very high relative population density of 943 persons per square kilometer. The ideal

relative density of population is 50-100 people per square kilometer (DigitalSpy, 2007).

This density is likely to become aggravated as more and more people take up residence in

the barangay.

The increasing population of Brgy. Sagana is a phenomenon brought about by

three important factors: 1) it is only 7 kilometers away from the urban center of the city;

2) peace and order in the locality is excellent; and 3) there are 9 existing subdivisions in

the place, and several others are currently under construction.

The booming commerce of Santiago City is a natural magnet for a yearly batch of

migrants from nearby provinces and from the Metropolitan Manila, bringing along with
 3

them their families. Later on they invite more migrants who in turn invite more and more

to flock to the city, creating a cycle of increasing frequency and thus resulting in a

ballooning population.

This situation compounds the natural demographic growth of the original

residents in the locality; and as the hub of commerce gets overcrowded, people would

seek dwelling elsewhere in nearby barangays. Their first choice is subdivisions.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the subdivisions in Brgy. Sagana altogether

create a migration mania that seems to be going strong presently. The trend is good for

the migrants; it is good for the residents; and it is good for the economy of the barangay.

But if this continuously increasing population is good for the local economy, then

in order to meet its needs, the local government (Barangay Council) has to come up with

a correspondingly growing provision of infrastructure.

The burgeoning populace will definitely need more roads, more school buildings,

an improved water system, sewerage facility, marketplace, playgrounds, etc.

It is for this reason that this policy paper was conceived. It proposes for the

barangay council to draw a 15-year infrastructure development plan for the barangay.

Referred to in this paper as Infra-Development Plan, this instrument can provide

the barangay officials with an unerring guide as to what project to put up and prioritize

from out of their 20% development fund, year in and year out; and, with appropriate

endorsements, even solicit funding from various agencies of the government—national,

regional, provincial, and local.

 4

Statement of the Problem

With a burgeoning population, Brgy. Sagana needs a comprehensive plan for

constructing various infrastructure projects that will meet the growing needs of its people.

Toward this goal, the problems that confront the barangay officials are the following:

1. Is there really a need for a so-called infra-development plan?

1.1 If so, why is there such a need?

1.2 What are the advantages of having an infra-development plan?

1.3 What are the consequences of not having an infra-development plan?

2. What infrastructure should be provided and prioritized for the barangay?

3. For how many years should an infra-development plan be intended? Why?

4. Who should participate in the formulation of an infra-development plan?

Significance of the Study

The discussion of formulating a 15-year infra-development plan for Brgy. Sagana

is imperative for the policymakers of the barangay. Discussing it is tantamount to

discussing how to guide the progress of the locality.

And discussing the progress of the locality involves all sectors of the barangay,

more importantly the officials, the Lupon, the RIC and other existing NGOs, leaders of

the various religious denominations, the school teachers, the Purok leaders, the Tanods,

and all the residents. They comprise the so-called stakeholders that ought to be seriously

concerned with the progress and future of the community.

 5

It is from this standpoint that this policy paper derives its significance.

Additionally, this significance may be more clearly appreciated when the

consequences of failing to draw up such infra-development plan are seen. Failure to do so

could relegate the economy into stagnation; congestion could potentially become a

breeding ground for hoodlums and criminals; and over time the cultural and moral fiber

of the community will be eroded.

Scope and Limitation

While the word infrastructure refers to a broad array of hard and soft components,

the scope of this paper is within the sphere of convincing the barangay officials to sit

together and consider drafting an infra-development plan for the barangay.

In other words, this paper is concerned mainly with rationalization rather than

execution. It is for this researcher to initiate convincing reasons why a development plan

is necessary; it is for the stakeholders to initiate the actual burden of planning.

As a result, this research is limited to informally interviewing selected persons in

the community, gathering relevant data on the study from the files at the barangay hall,

and observing actual situations in the barangay with respect to matters concerning

infrastructure.

Definition of Terms

The following terms and phrases are defined below in the context they were used

in this study.
 6

Burgeoning populace — growing or increasing population.

Commercial center — the center in which economic. , social, cultural and administrative

services of the town are concentrated. It is a complex of retail store and related

facilities planned as a unified group that offers goods and services for profit and

the performance of various financial and office function.

Hard infrastructure — physical things and supporting information technologies that

provide basic services that are essential to economic activity and quality of life.

Bridges, roads, ports, terminals, commercial buildings, water systems and the like

are examples of hard infrastructure.

High-cost investment — investments that require substantial amounts of money.

Examples of this are airports, trains and railways, communication satellites, etc.

Infrastructure — refers to all conceivable facilities that society needs. Physical things

such as bridges and solar panels are known as hard infrastructure, while courts of

law, universities, government health insurance, etc., are soft infrastructure.

Infrastructure development plan — an aspect of community planning comprising a set of

documents that spell out the local authority's policies and proposals for

the development and use of land in their area.

Local government — unless otherwise specified, local government is used here to refer to

the city government of Santiago City.

Lupon — under the Barangay Justice System, Lupon (or Lupong Tagapamayapa) is the

committee that decides disputes and other matters.

 7

Migrant — any person who is moving or has moved across provincial borders to stay

away from his/her habitual place of residence into a new place.

Migration mania — migration that has become a fad among certain groups of people who

desire to engage in mass relocation.

Moral fiber of the community — the strength and ability to do what you think is right,

even in a difficult situation. The people of a society sharing a standard dignity

through high morals making the moral fabric a keystone of the community.

Natural demographic growth — quantitative increase in human population, including

geographical distribution of people, birth and death rates, socioeconomic status,

and age and sex distributions.

NGOs — non-government organizations; any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which

is organized on a local, national or international level.

Relative density — population density determined by a measurement of population size

per unit area, i.e., population size divided by total land area.

RIC — Rural Improvement Club.

RORO — vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer

trucks, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own

wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.

Soft infrastructure — institutions that are essential to the economy and quality of life

such as government, health, education, financial and legal systems.

Square kilometer — usually designated by the symbol km2 is equal to: 1,000,000 square

metres (m2) and equal to: 100 hectares (ha).

 8

Stakeholders — a person with an interest or concern in something.

Subdivision — an area of land containing many homes built at about the same time, and

usually intended for mass occupancy.

Urban center — the areas in Santiago City that are very developed, meaning there is a

density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges,

schools, etc.
 9

Chapter II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Review of Related Literature and Studies

The intention of this policy paper to offer convincing reasons for the Barangay

Council of Brgy. Sagana to prepare an infra-development plan for the barangay finds

many corroborating assertions both from foreign and domestic scenes.

Below are abstractions from related foreign literature.

Foreign Literature

The IAS Foundation has a very fresh article (2018) about infrastructure,

posted on its own webpage, which goes: “Infrastructure is the basic requirement

of economic development. It does not directly produce goods and services but

facilitates production in primary, secondary and tertiary economic activities by

creating positive external economies. It is an admitted fact that the level of

economic development in any country directly depends on the development of

infrastructure. …Simply speaking, “Infrastructure means those basic facilities

and services which facilitate different economic activities and thereby help in

economic development of the country, Education, Health, Transport and

Communication, banking and insurance, irrigation and power and science and

technology etc. are the examples of infrastructure.”

 10

Patterson (2017) asserts that commercial property and development only

works if good infrastructure supports it. Infrastructure is needed to bring people

to and from home, work, shop and provide the utilities essential to business –

water, electricity, Internet. There is an economic cost, in the order of billions of

dollars, if that infrastructure is clogged or inefficient.

Badre (2014) relates his personal experience thus: “I also learned that

Solomon Islands is one of the world’s most at risk countries from natural hazards

– like earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and floods. This makes it absolutely crucial

to consider disaster risk management in all infrastructure project designs. At the

same time, with supportive infrastructure, it was clear to me that Solomon Islands

has great potential to increase economic returns from its vast and un-spoilt

fisheries and tourism, provide better services to its far flung population and

engage more regularly with its neighbors. A lot of work has been done to improve

critical roads, water and shipping infrastructure in Solomon Islands, with the

support of donors like the Asian Development Bank, the Governments of

Australia and Japan.”

Dr. Mishra (2017) emphasizes that infrastructure means connectivity like

road, rail, ports and telecommunications. These are basic to economic

development and growth. With connectivity the economy will open to outside

world, trade and commerce will flourish. With connectivity industries will be

established as labor and capital will flow from surplus regions to connected and
 11

developing areas. Housing, education and health services also constitute part of

infrastructure development which ensure improvement in quality of life.

Ayesha (2018) discusses in EconomicsDiscussion.net that road transport is

another important infrastructure which is essential for movement of goods, raw

materials and fuel. The availability of transport expands the market for

agricultural and industrial products and thereby enables the producers to produce

on a large scale and reap the benefits of the economies of scale. Besides, transport

development helps to open up more regions and resources for production. Some

parts of a country may have abundant forests and reserves of mineral resources

but they remain unexploited for production because they are remote and

inaccessible through means of transport. There is thus a need for linking these

backward regions with building of roads and railways so that their untapped

mineral and forest resources be utilized for production.

Puentes (2015) emphasizes about infrastructure thus: “Important national

goals also depend on it. The economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect

supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across borders.

Infrastructure connects households across metropolitan areas to higher quality

opportunities for employment, healthcare and education. Clean energy and public

transit can reduce greenhouse gases. This same economic logic applies to

broadband networks, water systems and energy production and distribution”

Again, Puentes (2015) asserts that high-profile natural disasters, such as

Hurricane Sandy, drew attention to problems with water infrastructure.

 12

Overwhelmed waste water systems, washed-out roads, shorted electrical circuitry

and flooded train stations not only highlighted the economy’s reliance on these

networks, but also revealed their poor condition.

Spacey (2017) mentions that developing infrastructure enhances a

country's productivity, consequently making firms more competitive and boosting

a region's economy. ...The accessibility and quality of infrastructure in a

region help shape domestic firms' investment decisions and determines the

region's attractiveness to foreign investors.

Local Literature

From the domestic front the following readings emphasize the need for

infrastructure if economic progress is to be attained.

Schumacher (2016) makes this assertion: Existing infrastructure gaps are

handicapping the Philippines’s productivity and competitiveness. Traffic congestion in

Metro Manila and Metro Cebu is severely reducing the productivity of millions of

workers every day, while international gateways for passengers and cargo, such as

the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Manila port, struggle to keep up

with increasing demand. Therefore, if economic growth is to be sustained, there is

an urgent need for the development of major infrastructure projects that meet high

international standards. For that to happen, there is a requirement for capital

investment, innovation and knowledge/technology transfer of the latest

international trends.
 13

Warwick (2017) Country Director of World Bank in the Philippines

prepared a speech which she asked to be read in a forum; and in part it said: “The

impact of infrastructure on economic and social development is well documented

in East Asia and around the world. Access to reliable, high-quality, efficient and

affordable infrastructure services is a critical factor in reducing poverty and

inequality, promoting economic growth and creating jobs. At the same time, for

some of the global population, especially the world’s poorest, limited access to

basic physical assets such as roads, piped water supply, power generation and

electricity distribution remains a significant constraint on human health, quality of

life, education, and employment, in urban as well as in rural areas.”

The Philippines enjoys tremendous endowments of natural, and human

resources that provide great potential for economic development and poverty

reduction. However, overall development outcomes over the last decades have

fallen short of potential. The gap can be largely attributed to weak performance of

public institutions in providing services to citizens, which leads to a vicious cycle

of weak public services, lack of trust in the government, and unwillingness on the

part of citizens to provide adequate resources to the government (Citation: World

Bank, 2005).

The same article emphasizes: “Infrastructure development in the country

is hampered by a poor business environment; weaknesses in planning,

coordination, and financing; and a decrease in private sector involvement in

infrastructure provision (Citation: World Bank, 2005).

 14

Miller (2018) in her blog released by the Borgen Project states:

“Historically, insufficient infrastructure development has stunted both economic

growth and poverty reduction, but there is an active movement toward

improvement. Within the past couple of years, proposals have been met with

action to pave the way for a change. The following are four important facts

regarding infrastructure in the Philippines. $7.6 billion has recently been approved

to establish new infrastructure in the Philippines. Additional financing for the

Rural Development Project for the Philippines was approved January 11, 2018.

The Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II

(MTF-RDP2) was approved April 4, 2018. From 2006 to 2015, poverty in the

Philippines took a dive.”

Last year President Duterte’s administration announced a “Build, Build,

Build” initiative, pledging to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure” in the next

five years as a response to a decade-long neglect in the infrastructure sector. The

$180 billion program includes big-ticket items like new bridges and roads, a new

terminal for Clark International airport, and the country’s first underground

railway. The impact of the infrastructure push is already making waves: despite

the slowdown in agriculture sector, the Philippines posted an unexpected 6.9

percent economic growth in the third quarter of 2017, plunging it ahead of China

and other neighboring ASEAN countries (Ocampo, 2018).

Lee (2017) reports that President Duterte has made infrastructure

improvements a prime development priority in his “Dutertenomics” economic

 15

strategy. The “Build, Build, Build” programme is at the centre of his Socio-

economic Agenda. The idea is that infrastructure projects will increase the

productive capacity of the economy, create jobs, increase incomes and ultimately

reduce poverty. The government aims to raise infrastructure spending to 5% of

GDP by the end of 2017, and further increase it to 7% of GDP over 2018 and

2019. Public infrastructure spending is targeted to reach PHP8-9 trillion (about

US$180 billion) during the period 2017-2022.

The bulk of the Philippines’ economic activity is centered in Luzon, the

largest and most highly populated island in the archipelago that makes up the

country. Transport infrastructure is not only poor in the rural areas outside central

and southern Luzon, it is also inadequate in the island’s urban areas. Metro

Manila, the region centered on the capital, suffers from congested road, sea and

air traffic; while in Manila itself, one of the world’s most densely populated cities,

the metro rail transit system is poorly maintained and does not have the capacity

to serve the swelling population (Lee, 2017).

Cigaral (2018) made this analysis: The Philippines’ crumbling

infrastructure has [also] resulted in transport and economic woes. A 2014 study by

the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showed that, without

intervention, traffic costs will likely surge to P6 billion a day by 2030 from P2.4

billion. The same study also said transport cost will be 2.5 times higher by 2030 if

congestion is not alleviated. To address this, Mr. Duterte said he will upgrade the

country’s dilapidated infrastructure, which his economic advisers qualified as one

 16

of the reasons why the Philippines, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,

had lagged behind its Southeast Asian peers for so long.

Ordinario (2017) asserts that for years, the Philippines has lagged

behind other Southeast Asian countries in terms of public infrastructure. In

the recent 2017 Competitiveness Index report of the World Economic

Forum (WEF), the country ranked 97th out of 137 economies in terms of

infrastructure. The Philippines is third to the last when it comes to

infrastructure in the entire Asean region. Among the Asean-5, the

Philippines is the laggard.

The lack of irrigation systems, roads, bridges and efficient transport

systems has served as a major constraint to increasing the productivity of

farms and workers, and further expanding the country’s GDP. For the

economic managers of President Duterte, only an ambitious “golden age of

infrastructure” campaign will remove one of the major stumbling blocks to

Philippine growth (Ordinario, 2017).

Marcos (2009) in his speech in Congress, made the following

pronouncements: “It is in this light, Mr. Speaker, that the Administration

has proposed the passage of a P300-billion “Economic Stimulus Package”,

or Economic Resiliency Plan as Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto

prefers to call it. There is a quibble about names because strictly speaking

the term “economic stimulus” refers to the use of fiscal policy to revive an

economy in recession. Our economy is not in recession. Far from it. It grew
 17

by 4.6% last year, and should grow again this year – though probably more

slowly. But whatever we call it – stimulus, resiliency plan or pump-priming

— the aim is the same: to boost economic activity… The first of these

priorities is the modernization of infrastructure in our country. Everyone

got it right that this is a must in order to create jobs and stimulate the

domestic economy. Now, that is quite clear. What is not clear is what kind

of infrastructure we should be spending on in order to get the biggest bang

from every peso.”

Conceptual Framework

The design of this study is based on a social constructivism perspective. The

subject barangay is treated at a macro-level orientation , which is a broad focus on

the social structures that shape the community as a whole.

The distinct entities in the community are treated at a micro-level

orientation, able to contribute to the infrastructure planning for the barangay.

As an analogy, these distinct groups in the community are treated as "organs"

that work toward the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole (Urry, 2000).

In other words, the barangay is the whole body, while the distinct groups

are the organs that work together to create and maintain a healthy body. They

comprise the stakeholders that need to be concerned with the improvement of the

barangay, and maintain it accordingly.

 18

The 15-year infra-development plan on proposition in this study can be

realized fittingly and well with these “organs” working together and co-

operatively.

This design of this policy paper can be better understood in the conceptual

framework graphically presented below.

Figure 1. Paradigm showing the conceptual framework of the study.

 19

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The intended end result of this paper is to get the stakeholders of Brgy. Sagana to

create a 15-year infra-development plan. Thus, the researcher used the qualitative

research design, in the process heavily depending upon interviews, analysis of archived

data, ocular observations, and personal perceptions in order to develop the central

objective of this study.

Participants

The participants in this study included the barangay officials of Brgy. Sagana, the

different Purok leaders, the members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the members of the

barangay police force, the RIC, and even the leaders of the different religious

denominations in the place. These participants were sources of ideas that were gathered

in the making of this paper.

The school principal also contributed useful ideas previously incorporated in her

annual school development plan.

Some barangay residents who are members of the Lions Club and a few Masons

likewise contributed their valuable ideas. Thus the author claims involvement of the

NGOs in this study.

 20

A few engineers and two lawyers, all practicing their professions privately

elsewhere, and a health official from the local government of the City likewise

contributed their valuable ideas.

Finally, the ultimate participants were the residents of the community, out of

which came various talent resources such as the many professionals (usually low-profile

residents), the store owners, a furniture maker, a few farmers, and others.

Instrumentation

Using what can be classified as the grounded theory in qualitative research, the

researcher relied heavily on personal interviews as the main instrument used for this

undertaking.

In the grounded theory the personal perspectives and interpretations by the

researcher are derived continually from fresh raw data as the whole infrastructure picture

of Brgy. Sagana emerges.

It can be stated, therefore, that this study mainly used only one type of instrument.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher roamed around the barangay, he being himself a resident of the

place. He did this several times, in the process talking casually with people and asking

their opinion on what infrastructure are needed in the barangay.

The responses were carefully noted and eventually summarized to come up with a

short list for use in this paper.

 21

Data Analysis

The data gathered in this study were subjected to arbitrary analysis, meaning they

were interpreted according to the personal perspectives of the researcher.

This is so because the study is a qualitative-based research, as against a

quantitative undertaking where data are arrayed in ways that can be analyzed with

mathematical accuracy.
 22

Chapter IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Need for an Infra-development Plan

There is a need for an infra-development plan for Brgy. Sagana.

1.1 Reasons why an infra-development plan is needed

1.1.1 The barangay officials need a clear guide in deciding what

infrastructure to establish every year according to the capacity of

their 20% infra development budget and which projects needed for

outsource funding from various Government Agencies and other

public and private entities.

1.1.2 The barangay officials need a clear guide in calendaring projects,

when one should be started, programmed, and when expected to be

finished.

1.1.3 The barangay officials need a clear guide in establishing standards

of quality for all undertaken projects.

1.1.4 An infra-development plan will serve as a compass, showing a

clear direction that the future of the barangay should have.

1.2 Advantages of having an infra-development plan

1.2.1 Barangay planners will have a ready blueprint to follow year after

year.
 23

1.2.2 Infrastructure facilities will one by one be provided to the barangay

constituents as the years go by and funds allow.

1.2.3 More feeder roads will be constructed; an improved water system

will be established; garbage disposal will be systematized;

additional school buildings erected; playgrounds well laid out, etc.

1.2.4 A clear, simple and orderly zoning can be instituted and correctly

implemented.

1.2.5 Peace and order in the neighborhood will be greatly enhanced.

1.2.6 The infra-development plan will serve as additional document

when soliciting funds.

1.2.7 An infra-development plan will show the barangay officials which

projects can be undertaken in one go, and which can be undertaken

progressively every year as funds become available.

1.2.8 An infra-development plan will encourage a more intelligent socio-

political management of the barangay.

1.2.9 Governance in the barangay will be greatly facilitated, ordinances

well-implemented, cooperation among constituents obtained, etc.

1.2.10 An infra-development plan will have a positive overall impact on

the socio-economic progress of the barangay.

1.2.11 Residents will live in a progressive, pleasant, healthful and vibrant

environment.
 24

1.2.12 A well-implemented infra-development plan might encourage

tourists to temporarily stay in the barangay if some barangay-

funded facilities, such as a good hostel, are erected.

1.3 Negative Consequences in not having an infra-development plan

1.3.1 Barangay officials will have no guide, and undertaking

infrastructure projects will be haphazard and disorganized.

1.3.2 No priorities will be established. This could stymy projects,

leaving one project unfinished because another one has been

unwisely started.

1.3.3 Accounting of funds can be problematic, a situation that could lead

to corruption.

1.3.4 Overall progress could be very slow because no one will have the

initiative to plan and start a project all by himself, even if the idea

might be very good.

1.3.5 Roads could be neglected, and practically no additional ones

constructed. This will lead to very poor mobility within the

barangay.

1.3.6 Other important aspects in the barangay could be neglected, such

as sanitation, environmental management, etc.

1.3.7 The constant influx of migrants into the barangay, when unabated

and mismanaged, could lead to crowded neighborhood. A crowded

 25

neighborhood within an economically depressed area could breed

criminality.

1.3.8 Overall economic progress of the barangay will be greatly slowed

and stunted.

Infrastructure Needed and to be Prioritized

In the researcher’s perspective, the following infrastructure should be needed and

prioritized in Brgy. Sagana:

1. Hard Infrastructure

1.1 Additional roads; improvement and/or repair of existing roads

1.2 Gutters and canals alongside roads for rainwater overflow

1.3 A talipapa under a barangay-funded open-type building

1.4 More school buildings

1.5 A playground in every Purok, and a park in the barangay

1.6 One public toilet in every Purok equipped with water-sealed bowls

1.7 Enough waiting sheds for passengers waiting for tricycle or bus

1.8 Improved water system exclusive for the barangay

1.9 Another covered court, complete with structurally worthy bleachers

1.10 Posts bearing street names at every corner

1.11 House plate numbers

1.12 Street signage and informational posters made of permanent materials

for public guidance and information

1.13 Intricate drainage system by sewers

 26

1.14 One garbage-collecting truck (not necessarily a compactor)

1.15 Mobile patrol tricycles, one unit for each Purok

1.16 One covered truck for hauling people and commodities in emergency

cases and disasters

1.17 One ambulance

1.18 One birthing clinic with complete clinical facilities

1.19 One small fire truck

1.20 One strong, reliable siren installed at the Barangay Hall and used to

sound alarms during calamities

1.21 A dog pound

1.22 A disaster relief and evacuation center

2. Soft Infrastructure

2.1 Zoning within the barangay

2.2 New ordinances appropriate to the changing socio-economic, socio-

cultural and socio-political transformations in the barangay

2.3 Well-planned garbage management and disposal system

2.4 A fire brigade composed of Purok volunteers

2.5 A Reaction Team that can be instantly mobilized for civilian defense

purposes and during calamities and disasters

2.6 One Bayanihan Team to do community service when occasion so demands

2.7 One resident physician and at least two resident nurses whose salaries are

locally funded. These personnel should be in the barangay clinic daily.

 27

2.8 Barangay-funded budget for relief operations and supplies for ready

distribution to assist fire victims and victims of natural calamities. This

without waiting for assistance coming from outside the barangay.

Time Frame for the Infra-development Plan

It is the position of this paper that the infra-development plan should be

calendared for a fifteen-year period.

This implies the necessity for a thorough and thoughtful planning on the part of

the participants under the leadership of the Barangay Captain.

The 15-year duration of the plan is proposed in order to ensure continuity of

implementation and so that barangay planners need not sit together every year just to

make new plans for that year.

Also, long-term plans usually make for long-term policies, which means more

stable settings for the public and the society as a whole.

Participants in the Formulation

The formulation of the infra-development plan should be led by the barangay

captain himself. He should create a composite team with the following participants:

1. The Barangay Council

2. The Barangay Lupon

3. The Purok leaders

 28

4. Representative/s from the school

5. Representative/s from the NGOs

6. Representative/s from the RIC

7. Concerned members of the barangay police force

8. Concerned residents such as businessmen, store owners, professionals, etc.

9. Select technical consultants from other places, e.g., engineers, health

authorities, builders, electricians, sewer experts, etc.

The above-enumerated participants are considered major stakeholders in this

planning activity.
 29

Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

This policy paper was prepared with the intention of exhorting the Barangay

Council of Brgy. Sagana, Santiago City to create a 15-year infra-development plan for

reasons extensively given elsewhere in this work.

This work is a concept based on a social constructivism perspective. This means that

the subject barangay is treated at a macro-level orientation, with broad social structures that

shape the community as a whole; and the constituents treated at a micro-level orientation,

with specific roles as “organs” that constitute a healthy “body” (the barangay).

The researcher used approaches based on the so-called grounded theory of

qualitative research. For this reason no statistical data have been presented in the

form of tables showing measures of central tendency; and the results and

recommendations offered in this work have all been based on observed and

archived data, and based on the personal perspectives of the researcher.

Conclusion

From the perspective of the researcher, the conclusion arrived at in this study is:

that creation of a 15-year infra-development plan is feasible and can be prepared with the
 30

willing cooperation of the Barangay Council through the leadership of the Barangay

Captain.

Recommendation

The arguments given in Chapter IV hereof enumerate the salient reasons why the

suggested preparation of an infra-development plan is brought forward; delineate the

advantages of having such plan; and mention the potential disadvantages of not having

the plan.

Likewise, the hard and soft infrastructure that are sorely needed in the barangay

have all been itemized.

Even the stakeholders that should be asked to participate in the planning have all

been identified.

In the light of all the foregoing, it is hereby recommended that the Barangay

Council of Brgy. Sagana create its own 15-year infra-development plan as soon as

possible.
 31

APPENDICES
 32

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ayesha, J.P. 2018. Infrastructure: Meaning and Importance. EconomicsDiscussion.net.

2018 http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/infrastructure/infrastructure-meaning-

and-importance-economic-growth-economics/30223

Badre, Bertrand. 2014. The Importance of Infrastructure for Economic Growth, Jobs, and

Access to Markets and Services in Solomon Islands. The World Bank. February

28, 2014. 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 USA Tel : (202) 473-1000

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2014/02/28/the-importance-of-

infrastructure-for-economic-growth-jobs-and-access-to-markets-and-services-in-

solomon-islands

Cigaral, Ian Nicolas P. 2018. Philippines’ infrastructure challenge: A huge gap or a black

hole? BusinessWorld. January 7, 2018. © 2018 BusinessWorld Publishing. 95

Balete Dr Ext, New Manila, Quezon City, 1112 Metro Manila

https://www.bworldonline. com/philippines-infrastructure-challenge-huge-gap-

black-hole/

IAS Foundation. 2018. Importance of Infrastructure for Socio-Economic Development of

Community. GS Score. Office No. 06, First Floor, Apsra Arcade, Pusa Road, 1/8,

Karol Bagh, Near Karol Bagh Metro Station, Gate No.5, New Delhi, 110005

https://iasscore.in/economy/importance-of-infrastructure-for-socio-economic-

development-of-community
 33

Lee, Kenix. 2017. The Philippines: Infrastructure Opportunities and Challenges.

HKTDC. Hong Kong Means Business. 24 October 2017. 38/F, Office Tower,

Convention Plaza, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

https://hkmb.hktdc .com/en/1X0ABULX/hktdc-research/The-Philippines-

Infrastructure-Opportunities-and-Challenges

Marcos Jr., Ferdinand. 2009. The Importance of Infrastructure and Tourism Development,

A Privilege Speech of. Posted on BBM personal website. 2 February 2009.

https://www.bongbongmarcos.com/news/post/the-importance-of-infrastructure-

and-tourism-development/

Miller, Mary Grace. 2018. Four Important Facts to Know About Infrastructure in the

Philippines. The Borgen Project. July 2018. 1416 NW 46th Street, Suite 105

PMB 145, Seattle, WA 98107 https://borgenproject.org/know-infrastructure-in-

the-philippines/

Mishra, Matruprasad. 2017. Published in Quora. Utkal University, Bhubaneswar (2017)

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-infrastructure-important-for-economic-growth

Ocampo, King Francis. 2018. To Realize Duterte’s ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’ in

Philippines, Better Roads a Must. The Asia Foundation. 465 California St., 9th

Floor. San Francisco, CA https://asiafoundation.org/2018/01/31/realize-dutertes-

golden-age-infrastructure-philippines-better-roads-must/

Ordinario, Cai. 2017. Ushering in the ‘golden age of infrastructure’ in Phl. Business

Mirror. October 12, 2017. Address: 9th Floor, Taipan Place Building, F Ortigas Jr
 34

Road, OrtigasCenter, Pasig City, 1600 Metro Manila. Phone: (02) 817 2807.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/ushering-in-the-golden-age-of-infrastructure-in-phl/

Paterson, Matt. 2017. Opinion: Why infrastructure is important to your business. Property

Council New Zealand. 14 Jul 2017 https://www.propertynz.co.nz/news/opinion-

why-infrastructure-important-your-business

Philippines: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges. 2005. Published by OKR Open

Knowledge Repository. World Bank Group. Citation: “World Bank.

2005. Philippines: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges. Washington, DC. ©

World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/8459 License:

CC BY 3.0 IGO.” https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/8459

Puentes, Robert. 2015. Why Infrastructure Matters: Rotten Roads, Bum Economy.

Brookings. Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Brookings. Washington DC, USA

https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/why-infrastructure-matters-rotten-roads-

bum-economy/

Schumacher, Henry J. 2016. Why is infrastructure so important? BusinessMirror. June 29,

2016 https://businessmirror.com.ph/why-is-infrastructure-so-important/

Spacey, John. 2017. Types of Economic Infrastructure. Simplicable. May 31, 2017.

https://simplicable.com/new/economic-infrastructure

Warwick, Mara K. 2017. Philippines 2021: Steering Towards the Golden Age of

Infrastructure. As prepared for delivery and posted on Philippines Infrastructure:

Lessons from China’s Development. The World Bank. Speeches &

Transcripts August 18, 2017. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2017/

 35

LIST OF SUBDIVISIONS IN BRGY. SAGANA

List of currently existing Subdivisions in Brgy. Sagana:

1. Don Francisco CMP Subdivision

2. Sta. Ines Village Phase I

3. Sta. Ines Village Phase II

4. La Trinidad CMP

5. Milagrosa Village CMP

6. Villa Rufino

7. Sun Land Subdivision Phase I

8. Sun Land Subdivision Phase II

9. Jamboree Subdivision

List of Proposed Subdivisions in Brgy. Sagana:

1. Washington Subdivision Phase I to V

2.
 36

REPRODUCTION OF
THE STATE OF BARANGAY GOVERNANCE REPORT 2016
BRGY. SAGANA, SANTIAGO CITY
37
38
39