Devolution of line agencies in two cities of Nueva Ecija : status and problems
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Date
1996
Authors
Jesibeth R. Mercado
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Abstract
This study aimed to determine the status and problems of personnel of devolved line agencies in selected cities of Nueva Ecija and to recommend possible solutions to these problems. It involved a random sample of 62 personnel from three (3) devolved line agencies, namely: the Department of aAriculture, Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cabanatuan and San Jose Cities.
The main instrument used in gathering the data was the interview schedule. The data were analyzed with the use of frequency rank, percentage, means, t-test, Analysis of Variance and Pearson-Product Moment of Correlation Coefficient.
The respondents were mostly females, married, and have finished a bachelor's degree, with an average of 16.5 years in work service and received a mean salary of P5,674 per month. Their age ranged from 35 to 44 years old.
Results of the study revealed that the philosophy of devolution was perceived to be "inadequate" by the respondents before and "inadequate" after devolution.
Before the devolution, the budgets for travel allowance, additional compensation and supplies were found "very inadequate" while salary, clothing and PERA were "inadequate". All the aforementioned items were similarly perceived "inadequate" after devolution.
Personnel development before devolution was found to be "inadequate". after the devolution, it deteriorated to "very inadequate".
Incentives were found to be both "inadequate" before and after devolution, while office structure, equipment, relationship with local executives and delivery of services were perceived from "adequate" to "moderately adequate" before and after devolution implementation.
Majority of the respondents were not even aware of the concepts of devolution, their functions and responsibilities under the new setup, and even on the mechanics (process) of the devolution.
Main issues identified relative to devolution were the absence of a common understanding of the definition of devolution and its application and the lack of evaluation standards useful in the assessment of devolution consequences and impact on an integrated manner.
Under the Department of Agriculture, delivery of services was found to be significantly different with devolution.
In the Department of Social Welfare and development, the devolution philosophy, office structure and delivery of services has became significantly different with devolution.
Under the Department of Health, philosophy was found to be significantly different with the status of devolution.
Correlation analysis between the status of devolution by line agency and the delivery of services to their constituents before and after devolution revealed an insignificant relationship.
Too much politicking and non-selective promotion were the two dominant problems of the devolved agencies.
Based on the findings, the following recommendations could be offered. First, the national government, especially the oversight committee, must look into the present status of the devolved line agencies by conducting a nationwide evaluation on the effects of devolution to the delivery of services. Second, the 1991 local government code must be amended to check some loopholes, and/or the inadequacies in the operationalization of decentralization, specifically, devolution.