SAFETY AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN CHECKPOINTS DURING THE COVID-19

PANDEMIC: THROUGH THE LENS OF TRAFFIC ENFORCERS

Raymart N. Villamero
Jestoni L. Congreso
Juvi L. Valencia

A Thesis Presented to the Research Committee of

Institute of Business and Public Affairs
Davao Oriental State University
In Partial Fulfillment
For the Degree of

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

September 2022
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DEDICATION

Raymart N. Villamero

To my Papa and Mama

Marichu Narvasa Villamero and Aurilo Bueno Villamero

To my sister

Maykyla Narvasa Villamero

To my girlfriend

Careen Mabasa

Jestoni L. Congreso

To my Papa and Mama

Maximo Calubag Congreso and Cristituta Lubang Congreso

To my brother

Ariel Lubang Congreso

To my sister

Ariel Lubang Congreso

Juvi L. Valencia

To my Papa and Mama

Anabelle Valencia and Oscar Valencia

To my sisters

Mae Amor Lubang Valencia, Dhana Lubang

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to thank the following persons who contributed to the

study: the selected CTMO Personnel of the City of Mati, who took time to be interviewed

with honesty and sincerity as the researchers have made their efforts to make the study

possible.

To the respected Head of the Traffic Management Office of the City of Mati,

Napoleon A. Aguinaldo, who permitted us to conduct the study and helped,

accommodated, allowed the researchers to reach out the research participants.

The researchers would also like to extend their sincerest gratitude to their

research adviser Ms. Xera Ciel T. Aguilar; to their panel members and validators: Mr.

Ruther S. Manaopanao, Dr. Jeralyn H. Sacro, Dr. Nonilito O.Carpio; to their research

coordinator Dr. Elson Huesca, for giving us some ideas and inputs in reviewing and

facilitating in the finalization of this research; and to the Dean of Institute of Business and

Public Affairs, Dr. Jeralyn H. Sacro, for the permission to conduct this research study as

she has made her support available in several ways.

To the researchers’ friends, loved ones, and classmates, who encouraged and

helped them in the process of making this research study.

To the researchers’ parents: Mr. and Mrs. Villamero, Mr. and Mrs. Valencia, and

Mr. and Mrs. Congreso, and their loved ones who financed and for giving love and

support as they deserved.

And above all, the researchers are offering this research to God- the Savior as

the ultimate source of wisdom and everything with the bottom line of the dedication of

this research study. Without Him, this research is of no use and in vain for He indeed

showered the researchers with priceless blessings of knowledge or wisdom and both

material and immaterial provision.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page
COVER PAGES i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST
OF APPENDICES vii
ABSTRACT viii

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study 1

Significance of the Study 2
Objectives of the Study 3
Scope and Limitation 3
Theoretical Framework 4
Definition of Terms 5

Chapter 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Safety and Security in Checkpoints amidst the Pandemic 7

Competencies of Traffic Enforcers 10
Coping Mechanisms of Traffic Enforcers 12

Chapter 3: METHODS

Research Locale & Duration 15

Research Design 16
Source of Data 17
Research Participants 18
Sampling Technique 18
Data Gathering Procedure 19
Data Analysis 20
Ethical Consideration 22

Chapter 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Lived Experiences of Traffic Enforcers 27
Unaccustomed to Protocols 28
Defiant Violators 30
Unpredictable Work Shift 33
Risk of Exposure 35
Competencies of Traffic Enforcers 38
Strictly Implementing the Protocols 39
Accosting Violators 41
Toeing the Line 43
Coping Mechanisms of Traffic Enforcers 45
Motivating Oneself 46
Getting Support from Family 47
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Acquiring Government Assistance 48

Chapter 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary 51
Conclusion 52
Recommendation 53

REFERENCES 55
APPENDICES 61
CURRICULUM VITAE 85
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List of Appendices

Title Page

A First Research Instrument 61

B Letter of Permission for Request of Validation 67

C Letter
of Permission for Request of Validation 68
D Letter of
Permission for Request of Validation 69
E Letter to Validator 70
F Letter to Validator 71
G Letter to Validator 72
H Validation Sheet 73
J Validation Sheet 74
K Validation Sheet 75
L Letter to Conduct the Study 76
M Letter to Conduct the Study 77
N Letter to Respondents 78
O Letter to Adviser 79
P Letter to English Critic 80
Q Application for Oral Defense 81
R Application for Oral Defense 81
S Application for Final Defense 82
T Advisory Agreement 83
U Photos in the Conduct of the Study 84
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ABSTRACT

Jestoni L. Congreso, Juvi L. Valencia, & Raymart N. Villamero, Institute

of Business and Public Affairs. Davao Oriental State University. Guang-Guang,
Dahican, 8200 Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines. February 2022. “SAFETY
AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN CHECKPOINTS DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC: THROUGH THE LENS OF TRAFFIC ENFORCERS”

Adviser: MS. XERA CIEL T. AGUILAR

This study explored the lived experiences of the traffic enforcers in

implementing of safety protocols at checkpoints to support the mechanisms in
mitigating the risks and increasing cases of COVID-19. This employed a qualitative
method, specifically phenomenology. Ten traffic enforcer-participants from the City
Traffic Management Office of the City of Mati, Davao Oriental were interviewed. It
used individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions on gathering the
data. Results revealed that the lived experiences of traffic enforcers were
unaccustomed to protocols, defiant violators, unpredictable work shift, and risk of
exposure. Further, the competencies of the traffic enforcers emerged as strictly
implementing the protocols, accosting violators, and toeing the line. Their coping
mechanisms for the challenges they experienced were motivating themselves,
getting support from family, and acquiring government assistance. The traffic
enforcers encountered challenges, and identified their competencies and coping
mechanisms while implementing safety and security protocols at checkpoints during
the COVID-19 pandemic, which eventually led them to find ways and means to
alleviate their predicament. Hence, future researchers should exhaust all means to
explore more related literature on the specific details of the traffic enforcers’ lived
experiences, competencies, and coping mechanisms as to how these impacted their
lives in implementing safety and security protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: coronavirus, covid-19, safety and security, protocols, traffic enforcers