Strengthening Local Employment Services Through Barangay Peso: Administrative Readiness, Awareness and Challenges in Libmanan, Camarines Sur

Abstract

This study evaluates the extent of administrative readiness, level of awareness, and perceived challenges among stakeholders in the Municipality of Libmanan, Camarines Sur regarding the establishment of Barangay Public Employment Service Offices (PESO). It is anchored on the enactment of Municipal Ordinance No. 24-20 (2024), which mandates the creation of Barangay PESO in all seventy-five (75) barangays. However, at the time of the study, these offices had not yet been implemented or made operational.

The study uses the decentralization and institutional governance framework as its theoretical framework. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design/methodology is employed. A structured survey questionnaire instrument, based on a predetermined descriptive statistic list, was utilized to collect data from appointed (or potential) focal persons for PESO in each barangay, municipal PESO staff, and community residents of each suburb (barangay) via stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The two data analysis techniques utilized were descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation.

The overall findings show that most barangays have moderate administrative readiness (particularly with respect to the availability of personnel and coordination mechanisms), but limitations with regard to the allocation of budgetary resources, infrastructure, and lack of formalized operational guidelines; that stakeholder awareness of Barangay PESO objectives is at a moderate level; and that the absence of leadership support (i.e., political will) is the most significant perceived barrier to establishing Barangay PESOs. The correlation analysis indicates a statistically significant positive correlation between administrative readiness and stakeholder awareness; however, no significant correlation was identified between administrative readiness and perceived barriers.

The study concludes that there is a basic level of capacity within each barangay's system to implement PESO. However, in order to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the PESO, there is a need to strengthen leadership commitment, establish clear operational policies, ensure adequate resource allocations, and conduct ongoing awareness programs. Recommendations are made regarding policies and strategies to enhance organizational support, capacity of personnel, system coordination, and long-term viability of the program through the Barangay PESO Service Office.