A CRTIQUE ON BARANGAY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PLAN IN BRGY.

CENTRAL, CITY OF MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL

A Requirement in Advanced Community Development (AgExt 210)

Prepared by:

Mark Aljen Binocal

MS Development Communication
Central Mindanao University

Submitted to:

Dr. Emily S. Damag

Subject Professor
Introduction

Community development is a process accompanied by the members of the community. It

is a process where local people can not only make jobs, income and infrastructure, but also help

their community become fundamentally better able to change community (Flora and Flora, 1993).

It is said that the community development improves the ability of communities to

collectively make better decisions about the use of resources such as infrastructure, labor and

knowledge, however should people expect from community development the same results namely

the spectacular and rapid increase of production, income, and facilities for better living.

Over the years, both the public and nonprofit sectors have moved away from

comprehensive community-based planning strategies lured quick fix of a project-by-project

development strategy (Shiffman and Motley, 1990). Unquestionably, these projects have directly

benefited some poor individuals and families. More often than not, however, they do little to

increase the economic vitality of the community in which the project is developed.

Moreover, to deal effectively with the issues of community disorganization and poverty

and to broaden participation in the community renewal process, we must examine in today’s

highlight the originally envisioned community development model and its principles.

We need to plan, initiate and implement community development programs and projects

based on thoughtful and well-integrated model that is cognizant of the social, physical, and

economic dynamics in our society within individual communities.

On the other hand, Barangay Central was chosen to critique their development plan, to see

its effectivity in uplifting the lives of its community in terms of economic, socio-cultural and alike.
The Critique

The information provided by the secretary of Barangay Central regarding to the Barangay

Development Plan (BDP) was analyzed by the critique based of the interview, observation and

location visit.

1. Barangay Central has no profile that’s according to Brgy. Sec Marilou Sanchez,

unfortunately there were no profiles available since then, in fact, even the previous

administration failed to make a profile of the said barangay. A barangay should have a

profile of its constituents, total land area, major source of income, population counts,

number or personnel and etc. this is to determine the possible programs/projects.

2. In order to conduct a program there should be a situation analysis this is the collection and

analysis of background information and secondary data about project goals and

stakeholders, the institutional and policy environmental and potential and resources. This

preliminary assessment helps generate specific research questions on the issues to be

explored during the field PRCA. This is the most important part of making a development

plan when using a participatory rural appraisal approach. Hence, the project listed in the

BDCP did not mentioned any approach to be used.

Additionally, there are no issues needs to address, following the questions like what

problems or issues do project stakeholder consider to resolve through a barangay

development plan intervention? What are the gaps between the ideal situation and the

current situation of the stakeholders group or community? These questions plays a vital

role in making BDCP and unfortunately, it was not included in the submitted plan by the

chosen barangay.
3. There are no resolution in approving and adopting the barangay development council plan.

Prior to the implementation of the projects, the plan should have a resolution in line with

the thrusts of the city.

4. Another lacking from the BDCP is the KSAP (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Practices)

of the stakeholders. KSAP analysis will give an idea of what stakeholders currently know,

what skills they possess, how they feel and what they do in relation to a development

concern, a new practice, technology or livelihood program. KSAP results are crucial to

formulate the communication objectives, select the communication approach and choose

the communication media or channels for the community development plan.

5. Choosing the appropriate communication approach is very vital in ComDev plan because

it identifies what type of communication approach will use in the implementation of the

program or projects. Unfortunately, the BDCP has no communication approach in the

application of the project, I wonder they will implement the programs listed the plan.

6. The project had no vision, mission, goals and objectives. This phase is consider important

in the development plan, it serves as a guide in the aims of the development plan.

7. According to the secretary, there are projects in the plan that have been implemented.

Unfortunately, upon checking the location of the project there were no changes at all.

8. The projects listed has less impact to the lives of the people in the community. The

description of the projects was more on construction and repair of building, purchases of

office equipment and support to the solicitation. Furthermore, the support for livelihood

programs and people’s organization has a minimal budget allocation.

Conclusion

 There are no proper consultations and participation from the important stakeholders of the

barangay like People’s Organization (PO), purok presidents, sectoral representatives such

as health, education, social welfare, peace and order.

 Since the barangay officials decided the projects it is considered to be a top-down approach.

 The projects has no proper planning. It had only implementation but was not clear the

monitoring and evaluation of the listed projects.

 There are no consultation to an expert in designing the barangay development council plan.

Recommendations

This critique recommends;

 The barangay should have a profile.

 Make a vision, mission, goals and objectives

 Make a barangay resolution in the implementation of such projects.

 To the barangay to have a situation analysis or needs assessment before listing the projects.

 Development plan must use a participatory approach instead of using top-down approach.

 The barangay should consult to an expert in designing community development plan to

mobilize the information and to check what is lacking in the development plan.

 The projects must be community-centered and should not focusing only in the purchases

of the office materials, equipment and construction/repairs of the building.

 Make an implementing mechanisms (e.g annual investment plan, resource mobilization

plan, monitoring/evaluation plan/scheme, policy recommendation, implementing

structure).
REFERENCES

Shiffman, R. and Motley, S. 1990: Comprehensive and Integrative Planning for Community
Development. University of Nebraska Omaha. New York, New York.

Barangay Development Council Plan, Brgy. Central, City of Mati, Davao Oriental.

Flora, C.B and J.L. Flora. 1993. “Entrepreneurial Social Infrastructure: A Necessary Ingredient.
“Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences 539: 48-58.
 Documentation

Façade of Brgy. Central, City of Mati, Davao

Mini library inside the barangay hall.
Oriental