Factors Affecting the Level of Knowledge on RA 5487 among Licensed Security Guards in Iloilo City: Re-Examining the Legislative Framework

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge among licensed security guards assigned at major commercial guards in Iloilo City. Specifically, the study aimed to describe the security guards in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, monthly income, and civil status; describe their work characteristics in terms of length of service, nature of assignment and trainings attended in the last five years, entry requirements, and pre-deployments; describe the characteristics of the commercial center where they were assigned in terms of the number of security agencies contracted and the presence of an organic security department/unit and determine the security guard’s level of knowledge on RA 5487.

The one-shot survey design was used in this study. The population consists of the security guards assigned in the largest commercial centers in Iloilo City, namely: Gaisano City, Robinson Plaza and SM City. From a total of 09 security guards, the sample population of 171 was derived. The sample size was proportionately allocated to the three sample areas.

Data were collected with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. The collection of data will be closely monitored and supervised by the researcher together with two research assistants. Due to the nature of the questions contained in the questionnaires, the purpose of the study was clearly explained in order to erase doubts and apprehensions from the respondents. The researcher was assured full cooperation by agency managers. The data gathered from the sources were coded and encoded for computer processing. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows was used for the statistical analysis of the study. Analysis of all data was done using descriptive and relational analysis.

Means and standard deviations were used to measure central tendencies and dispersion of data respectively. To determine the significant relationships between variables, the Gamma, and Cramer V were computed and analyzed. Pearson product-moment correlation efficient was used to determine extent of relationship between and among variables. The Regression Analysis was used in determining the strongest determinant of the dependent variable “professionalism”.

Nearly one-half of the respondents have ages 26-30 and more than three-fourth were males. Slightly over one-half of them were married and none indicated that they were either widowed or separated. Nearly one-half have earned some college units, while 38.6 percent have college degrees. Slightly over one-half of the respondents have net monthly income of P5,001-8,000.

Results further show that 64.3 percent of the respondents have been in service as guards for 6 years and below. As to the nature of assignments, the biggest number of security guards were assigned as store guards and closely followed by roving guards. The mean number of training was 2.11, which means that security guards were adequately trained in providing security services.

The majority of the respondents were required by the security agencies to undergo both interview and written examination before they were hired. The rest of the respondents were either made to undergo only interview or examination. Majority of the respondents were required to undergo both job orientation and “on the job training” before they were given their new post assignment. Majority of them were assigned at the commercial center which contracted the services of four security agencies. More than three-fourths of them were not supervised by an organic security department/ unit, while the rest of the respondents were not supervised by an organic security department or unit.

Regardless of respondents’ personal characteristics, such as: age, educational attainment, sex, civil status and monthly net income, majority of the respondents had shown moderate knowledge on their role and functions as mandated by RA 5487. The results show that there was no significant relationship between respondents’ level of knowledge on RA 5487 and their personal characteristics.

Regardless of respondents work characteristics, such as: number of years as security guard, nature of assignment, number of trainings attended in the last three years, entry requirements, pre-deployments, majority of the respondents had shown moderate knowledge on their role and functions mandated by RA 5487. The results of the study show that there was no significant relationship between respondents’ work characteristics and their level of knowledge on RA 5487.

The data show that there was no significant relationship between the characteristics of the commercial center where the security guards were assigned, such as: number of security agencies contracted by the commercial centers, the presence or absence of an organic security department and respondents’ level if knowledge on RA 5487. The results show that regardless of the number of security agencies contracted by the commercial centers and whether there was an organic security department or not, majority of the respondents had shown moderate knowledge as to their role and functions mandated by RA 5487.

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusion are drawn:

1. There is no significant relationship between respondents’ personal characteristics, such as: age, educational attainment, sex, civil status, monthly net income and their level of knowledge on RA 5487. This means that respondents’ knowledge on RA 5487 is not affected by their personal characteristics.
2. There is no significant relationship between respondents work characteristics, such as: number of years as security guard, nature of assignment, number of trainings attended in the last three years, entry requirements, pre-deployment requirements and respondents’ level of knowledge on RA 5487. This means that respondents’ knowledge on RA 5487 is not affected by their work characteristics.
3. There is no significant relationship between the characteristics of the commercial center where the security guards were assigned, such as: number of security agencies contracted by the commercial centers, the presence or absence of an organic security department and respondents’ level of knowledge on RA 5487. This means that their level of knowledge is independent from the characteristics of the commercial center where the guards were assigned.

Enhancing the guards’ level of knowledge on RA 5487 at the macro level would require a new orientation towards training and hiring policies. Along this premise, a new orientation would mean treating the security agency as an active partner of the client-corporation, rather than mere a subcontracted entity which can be acquired or disposed anytime. To achieve this end, client-corporations must redefine their traditional perception of a private security agency ad improve their budget allocation for security services. In the end, real questions are: “Is the interest of the client corporation supportive of the development thrust of the agency? How much share of the profits can a client-corporation share with the agency in order for the later to develop as a respectable corporation?”

Finally, one challenging issue is raised, What can true knowledge on RA 5487 in terms of competence and values become faithfully upheld and practiced by all components of the industry so that ultimately, the maker itself is value-laden in its operations for the general good.