POLITICAL AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

STUDENTS OF OMSC

Melchor P. Dioso
Liberty R. Mendaña, DPA
Faculty
College of Business, Administration, and Management

ABSTRACT

This study is a descriptive-correlational in design and was undertaken to determine the

relationship between the political awareness and participation of public administration
(undergraduate and post-graduate) students of Occidental Mindoro State College. Quantitative
method of research was used in this study using self-constructed questionnaires with a respondent
of 50 students of Bachelor in Public Administration and Master in Public Administration. Pearson
correlation analysis was used in order to determine the relationship of political awareness and
participation of the respondents.
The study found out that the level of political awareness of the respondents in terms of
public policies, political leaders, political institutions, political processes, and political issues is
very high. On the other hand, the level of political participation of the respondents in terms of
voting, participation in public forums and discussions, and political activism is high. With regards
to the relationship between the two main variables, awareness with political leaders is significantly
related with voting and participation in public forums and discussion, and awareness with political
issues is significantly related with participation in public forums and discussions. The remaining
variables were not significantly related with each other.

Keywords: Political Awareness, Political Participation, Public Administration

INTRODUCTION

Politics is defined as the mobilization of support for a position, decision or action whereby
“people act together through institutionalized procedures to resolve differences, to conciliate
different interests and values, and to make public policies in the pursuit of common purposes”
(Leftwich, 2004). In this regard, politics is a pursuit of common interests wherein collective effort
from the public, private sector, and the government is needed to achieve common purposes.
According to Althubetat and Jarrar (2013), the degree of awareness of individuals in any
community affects the development of the state. They further added that man is both the means
and purpose for development; the more the individual in the community is aware of his abilities
and potentials, the more contribution is manifested in the field of development. Thus, awareness
in politics and governance is an essential factor for social progress and prosperity.
The study of political awareness is needed for any democratic political construction that
respects human rights and fundamental liberties (Althubetat and Jarrar, 2013). Fortunately,
learning the Philippine Constitution is now part of the curricula in all levels of instruction in all
schools pursuant to Art XIV, Sec. 3 (1). Discussions such as fundamental rights and privileges,
basic concept of the government such as the branches, and procedures and processes of the
Philippine politics are included. They need to keep themselves informed about political issues,
functions of political institutions, and more importantly their political rights and their role as
political participants (Kuo tsu, 2016). On the other hand, it is also necessary to have some
awareness not only of the political institutions and the process of politics but also about the issues,
as added by Kuotsu. Aside from formal education, events and happenings causes political
awareness among people. According to Wilson (2013), after some dreadful events like 9/11, the
political awareness has increased all over the world and even illiterate people and kids also know
about the latest political news and events. However, level of political awareness differs. As added
by Wilson (2013), there are five levels of political awareness, namely: politically illiterate,
misinformed person, general awareness people, activists, and political experts. These levels are

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basically influenced on how and what elements influenced the knowledge of people with regards
to politics.
Political participation can be understood as voluntary rather than coerced activities of
persons in political affairs such as voting, membership and activities connected with political
groups, political parties and political bodies (Rani, 2001). Therefore, it stands to reason that people
who are unfamiliar with politics and related issues would be less interested to participate (Kuotsu,
2016).
The citizen's right to vote is an indication of political participation in a democratic county
(Rani, 2001). Voting can be classified as one of the most ubiquitous political activities through
regular elections, yet one that exerts diffuse pressure over elected representatives and parties, with
a broad outcome affecting all citizens (Norris, 2004). However, according to the United Nations
(ND), participation involves much more than just voting. Political participation derives from the
freedom to speak out, assemble and associate; the ability to take part in the conduct of public
affairs; and the opportunity to register as a candidate, to campaign, to be elected and to hold office
at all levels of government. In connection with this, those who engage in political discussions with
others usually show an interest in politics and some level of knowledge (Kuotsu, 2016). Public
forums are conducted so that people will be familiar with the candidates.
According to United Nations (ND), many youths in the region have remained politically
active through “political movements” instead of engaging with and in political parties since the
Arab awakening. Citizen-oriented activities, exemplified by voting participation and party
membership, obviously remain important for democracy, but today this represents an excessively
narrow conceptualization of activism that excludes some of the most common targets of civic
engagement (Norris, 2004). Activism in the form of rallies and resistance with the aid of interest
and pressure groups is considered normal nowadays. Still, the Philippine Constitution has granted
Filipino citizens these basic rights and freedom as the country is adopting democracy which
advocates social progress and development.
Political participation is generally considered to be symbolic of the extensiveness to which
democratic ideals are applied (Rani, 2001). The educational system of the country is mandating
higher educational institutions to include Philippine history, Politics and Governance which
includes lessons such as the Philippine Constitution. The aim is for students to be aware of his
fundamental rights and freedom as he is the most significant element of the State. In order to
respond to the needs of young people, and to guarantee that their basic human rights are recognized
and enforced, young people’s active and meaningful participation in their societies and in
democratic practices and processes is of crucial importance (UN DESA, 2007). However, the level
of political awareness and political participation among students has not been fully studied and as
a result, some are still not knowledgeable of their functions as members of the society.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study was to identify the level of political awareness and its
relation to political participation of Public Administration students of OMSC.
Specifically, the study has following objectives:

1. Determine the level of political awareness of the respondents in terms of:

a. Public policies;
b. Political leaders;
c. Political institutions;
d. Political processes; and
e. Political issues.
2. Determine the level of political participation of respondents in terms of:
a. Voting;
b. Public forums and discussions; and
c. Political Activism.
3. Determine the relationship between political awareness and political participation of the
respondents.

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 Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Political Awareness Political Participation

Public policies; Voting;

Political leaders; Public forums and discussions;
Political institutions; and
Political processes; and Political Activism
Political issues.
Fig. 1. Conceptual Framework of the study.

METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

This study was conducted in the Graduate School and the College of Business,
Administration, and Management of Occidental Mindoro State College – Labangan Campus.

Research Design

This study used the descriptive-correlational research design.

Research Instrument and Data Collection

A self-administered survey questionnaire consisting of 3 sections was employed in this

study. The first section included the questions with reference to the demographic profile of
respondents such as age, sex, civil status, and level of education. The second part consists of 25-
item questions for the level of political awareness of the respondents with the following
parameters: public policies, political figures. political institutions, political processes, and political
issues, having 5 questions each. The third part consists of 15-item questions for the level of
political participation of the respondents in terms of: voting, engagement in public forum and
discussions, and activism, having 5 questions each. The political awareness and participation
included were derived by reviewing the literature. Each item would be rated using 4-point Likert
scale ranging from “very high (4) to very low (1)”.
Before distribution, the research instrument was subjected to validity, pilot testing and
reliability test. Assistance from the experts was requested. After the final revision/checking, data
gathering took place. The data collected were tabulated and analyzed with the help of a statistician.
The research instrument has been distributed among the 47 respondents consist of 32
(thirty-two) fourth year college students of Bachelor in Public Administration and 15 (fifteen)
graduate school students of Master in Public Administration.

Data Analysis

To determine the profile of respondents, level of political awareness and participation,

descriptive statistics were used. To determine the relationship between the profile and political
participation, and political awareness and participation, Pearson product moment correlation were
used.

RESULTS and DISCUSSION

Level of Political Awareness

Table 2 reveals that the level of political awareness of the respondents is “very high” with
a total mean of 3.73.

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 Under public policies as parameter of political awareness, the item “Laws, ordinances,
and/or barangay resolutions are examples of public policies” got the highest mean of 3.82
interpreted as “very high”.
Overall, public policies got a total mean of 3.76 and interpreted as “very high”.
Under political leaders as parameter, “Political leaders are either elected or appointed” got
the highest mean of 3.85 and is interpreted as “very high”. “Political leaders are mostly referred as
politicians or public officers” and “There are political leaders from the national level down to the
local level” both got the lowest mean of 3.64 but interpreted as “very high” also. Overall, political
leaders got a total mean of 3.70 and is “very high”.
Under political institutions, “Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in lower
courts” got the highest mean of 3.83 and interpreted as “very high”. The lowest mean is 3.32 which
is “The Local Government is given non-sovereign communities with subordinate status,
government which are below the National government” and is interpreted as “high”. Overall,
political institutions got a total mean of 3.64 which is “very high”.
Under political processes, “Local government units may be created, abolished, divided,
merged, or boundaries altered only after the approval of the majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite
in the units affected” is the item with the highest mean of 3.85 and is interpreted as “very high”.
“Department secretaries are appointed by the President and approved by the Commission on
Appointments” got the lowest mean of 3.68 and is interpreted as “very high”. Overall, the political
processes got a total mean of 3.79 which is “very high”.
“The Philippine government has focused on eradicating crimes and drugs under the Duterte
administration” under political issues got the highest mean of 3.83 and is interpreted as “very
high”. “The government is still in the process of negotiating with the New People’s Army (NPA)”
is the item with the lowest mean of 3.28 and is interpreted as “high”. Overall, political issues got
a total mean of 3.60 which is “very high”.

Table 2. Level of Political Awareness of the respondents.

Public Policies Mean Interpretation
Laws, ordinances, and/or barangay resolutions are examples of 3.82 Very High
public policies.
Public policies are expressed in the body of laws, regulations, 3.74 Very High
and decisions and actions of the government.
Public policies mostly aimed at protecting the rights of 3.78 Very High
individuals.
It is the Legislative body which create or formulate public 3.74 Very High
policies.
The cooperation and participation of the community as well as 3.74 Very High
the private sector is essential in the implementation of public
policies.
Total 3.76 Very High

Political Leaders
Political leaders are mostly referred as politicians or public 3.70 Very High
officers.
There are political leaders from the national level down to the 3.72 Very High
local level.
Political leaders are either elected or appointed. 3.90 Very High
They are people responsible for making and implementing 3.66 Very High
strategies and policies meant to better serve the interests of the
community.
Elected political leaders are accountable to the people and not 3.76 Very High
to their heads.
Total 3.75 Very High

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 Political Institutions
The Congress of the Philippines where legislative power is 3.74 Very High
vested, is consist of the Senate and a House of Representatives.
It is in the Executive branch where cabinet members and their 3.70 Very High
respective departments can be found.
The Local Government is given non-sovereign communities 3.38 High
with subordinate status, government which are below the
National government.
Constitutional Commissions such as COMELEC and CSC are 3.70 Very High
established by Constitution and is independent and exercise
fiscal autonomy.
Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in lower 3.84 Very High
courts.
Total 3.67 Very High

Political Processes
Lawmaking is a process wherein it needs the approval of both 3.80 Very High
houses before the approval of the President.
Department secretaries are appointed by the President and 3.84 Very High
approved by the Commission on Appointments.
Local government units may be created, abolished, divided, 3.68 Very High
merged, or boundaries altered only after the approval of the
majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the units affected.
President, Vice President, and other government officials with 3.74 Very High
the highest position enumerated in the Section 2, Article XI of
the Philippine Constitution may be removed through
impeachment.
Politicians are elected in a popular vote directly by the people. 3.84 Very High
Total 3.78 Very High

Political Issues
President Duterte is planning to convert the current political 3.76 Very High
system to a Federal system of government.
The Philippine government has focused on eradicating crimes 3.82 Very High
and drugs under the Duterte administration.
TRAIN law has been implemented to support the “Build Build 3.68 Very High
Build” program of the President.
The current administration has allowed China to explore in the 3.60 Very High
disputed islands.
The government is still in the process of negotiating with the 3.48 High
New People’s Army (NPA).
Total 3.67 Very High

Overall 3.73 Very High

Legend: 1.0 - 1.49 = Very low 1.5 - 2.49 = Low 2.5 - 3.49 = High 3.5 - 4.0 = Very High

Level of Political Participation

Table 3 reveals that the level of political participation of the respondents is “high” with a
total mean of 2.52.
Under Voting as indicator of political participation, “Vote for barangay posts aside from
SK positions” is the item with the highest mean of 3.53 interpreted as “very high”. The item
“Campaign actively my chosen candidate during elections” got the lowest mean of 2.43 and is
interpreted as “low”. The total mean of voting is 2.87 and is interpreted as “high”.

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 Under public forums and discussions of political participation, “Attend our Barangay
General Assembly” and “Attend and participate in Public forums and debates of candidates during
campaign period” got the highest mean of 2.72 which is interpreted as “high”. “Attend public
forums on municipal ordinances” got the lowest mean of 2.47 which is interpreted as “low”. The
total mean of public forums and discussion is 2.62 which is interpreted as “high”.
Under political Activism, “Convey my political opinions in social media such as facebook”
is an item with the highest mean of 2.32 and is interpreted as “low”. The item “Actively engage in
political activities in our institution such as rally, resistance, etc.” got the lowest mean of 1.89 and
is interpreted as “low”. The total mean of political activism is 2.08 which is “low”.

Table 3. Level of Political Participation of the respondents.

Voting Mean Interpretation
Serve as a watcher during elections. 3.38 High
Vote for barangay posts aside from SK positions. 3.68 Very High
Report prohibited activities during elections. 2.64 High
Give and share feedback, thoughts, or opinions about the 3.44 High
outcome of elections.
Campaign actively my chosen candidate during elections. 3.56 Very High
Total 3.30 High

Public Forums and Discussions

Attend our Barangay General Assembly. 3.62 Very High
Attend and participate in Public forums and debates of 3.30 High
candidates during campaign period.
Attend public forums on municipal ordinances. 2.40 Low
Attend public consultations on pressing issues in the 3.30 High
community.
Actively participate in public forums and discussions in social 3.46 High
media.
Total 3.14 High

Political Activism
Convey my political opinions in social media such as facebook. 3.54 Very High
Air my sentiments and grievances through mass media such as 3.08 High
radio.
Actively engage in political activities in our institution such as 3.14 High
rally, resistance, etc.
Express activism by not participating with government 2.46 Low
activities/events.
Express activism through different forms of arts such as using 3.18 High
pen, lens, brush, the voice, the body, and the imagination.
Total 3.08 High

Overall 3.18 High

Legend: 1.0 - 1.49 = Very low 1.5 - 2.49 = Low 2.5 - 3.49 = High 3.5 - 4.0 = Very High

Relationship between the Level of Political Awareness and Participation of Public

Administration students of OMSC

Table 4 reveals that all independent variables are not significantly related with the
dependent variables. However, the correlation coefficient shows that awareness in political leaders
and participation in voting and political activism is inversely related. This is the same between
awareness in political institutions and participation in voting and public forums and discussions.
All dependent variables are also inversely related with awareness in political processes. Only
public forums and discussions as political participation is inversely related with political issues.
Overall, political awareness is not significantly related with political participation.

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Table 4. Relationship between the Level of Political Awareness and Participation of the
respondents.
Independent Dependent Variable Correlation Sig. Interpretation
Variable Coefficient
Public Policies Voting -.013 .912 Not Significant
Public Forums and .85 .475 Not Significant
Discussions
Political Activism -.010 .937 Not Significant

Political Leaders Voting .332** .005 Significant

Public Forums and .362** .002 Significant
Discussions
Political Activism .032 .795 Not Significant

Political Institutions Voting -.194 .090 Not Significant

Public Forums and -.207 .076 Not Significant
Discussions
Political Activism .134 .264 Not Significant

Political Processes Voting -.007 .954 Not Significant

Public Forums and .201 .099 Not Significant
Discussions
Political Activism -.100 .424 Not Significant

Political Issues Voting -.049 .662 Not Significant

Public Forums and -.283* .014 Significant
Discussions
Political Activism .050 .673 Not Significant
Legend: ** Correlation is significant at 0.01 level (2-tailed)
* Correlation is Significant at 0.05 level (2 – tailed)

CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the result of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The level of political awareness of the respondents is very high.

2. The level of political participation of the respondents is high.
3. There is no significant relationship between the political awareness and political
participation of public administration students of OMSC.

Based on the findings, the researchers recommended the following:

1. Students Affairs and Services (SAS) should develop more programs that will help students
to be politically aware and engage in political participation through leadership trainings
and seminars.
2. The Local Government Unit of San Jose and other municipalities should formulate youth-
friendly programs or projects and encourage their participation.
3. Teachers should integrate discussion of politics and governance in their subjects or
courses.

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