Abstract:
Development has played a big role recently in the grassroots
level. The development of a barangay is now on the shoulders of the
local government, more specifically, the barangay administration.
Development entails factors such factors such as people
participation, dynamic barangay leaders, responsive projects and
programs and adequate funds.
The objective of this paper is to study how selected barangays
get their development funds and whether their use redounds to the
welfare of the barangay constituents, especially the poor and
marginalized.
The barangay development funds were given form and essence
through the Local Government Code of 1991. It was explicitly stated
that 20% of the IRA share should be allocated as development
funds. Specific provisions required that these funds should be solely
spent for development purposes only.
Two barangays were selected on which to conduct the study.
The selection was based on location and on the amount of IRA share
that they are receiving. One barangay received the smallest IRA
share and the other one received one of the highest among all the
other barangays in the city. There are several factors that contribute to the way the
barangay development funds are being used. The political
commitment of the barangay officials and their willingness to
genuinely work toward development affects the direction
development will take in their barangay. The acceleration of
development would take off depending on the efforts of the
barangay administration.
Responsive development projects and programs to the actual
conditions in the barangay level is one gauge to check if the funds
are being used well and responsibly.
People participation is still the biggest determinant if the
project has been successful. If without the participation of the
people, one might as well consider the project a flop and a waste of
funds.
Barangay officials should be conscious of the big task that is
upon them. The grassroots level is the best stage to start
development and to not make the most out of this opportunity is to
do injustice to the concept of barangay autonomy and devolution.
