Political Participation in Iloilo City: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

Officials of local government units have great need for citizen inputs to enable them to formulate and implement significantly relevant and responsive development programs and projects. Thus, the participation of citizens in the political process should become of paramount importance to these public officials. The findings of this study may help fill up the need for the citizens’ perspective in governance, specifically, in the Iloilo City government. The study examined the nature and extent of political participation of residents of present-day Iloilo City. Using the factors of political values, political attitudes and political behavior, efforts were made to relate these three factors to the socio-economic characteristics of the sample Ilonggo respondents in order to determine whether these are associated. Overall, the findings of the study reveal the following: The factor number of family members relatively, was significantly related to the respondents’ political values, attitudes, and behaviors, particularly in voicing issues that affected their families. The factor of age was as significantly related to their political behavior. The young and the middle-aged declared strongly their concern for voting behavior and other political processes, especially the inadequate performance of their public officials. The members of these two age-groups holding this view were more than the older residents sharing the same attitude. The females, whose attitudes and values were those of strong concern for what they clearly perceived were not acceptable in political behavior, stood out and contrasted with those of the males whose attitudes were those of less concern. The factor of livelihood source of the respondents was a less significant factor, being inversely related to their political participation. This means that the more substantive was the source of income of the respondents, like those who w here regularly employed or professionals or self-employed entrepreneurs, there was less or little concern for political participation, than those who were laborers, farmers or fishermen or those without any visible means of livelihood. The education factor appeared to be the most dominant factor motivating the respondents for political participation. For relatedly, the higher the educational level of the respondents, the stronger was their declaration of concern on the political processes and their participation. What is very significant was their declaration of cynicism or their doubts about the relevance of the political process in meeting their articulated needs. Likewise, the integrity of some politicians and/or public officials was held suspect by respondents across all levels of the economic and educational classes, as well as, by age and sex. As their forbears have done, present-day Ilonggos are bound by the tradition of kabalaslan; their votes reflect gratitude for past favors given by politicians/candidates; this subjective political morality of the voter denied the public “good”. Yet in the face of this fact, many Ilonggos perceived clearly that some public officials tend to protect criminal interests and that people were often manipulated by politicians. This perception was bolstered by their awareness that many political candidates made many promises and commitments that were not fulfilled, if only to get elected. Although the Ilonggo does not believe strongly that his vote would really count, yet he voted for it was the only way he could have a say on how the government runs things. This feeling of being politically ineffective is demonstrated by his perception that even if he approached political leaders or public officials on issues or regulations needing their attention, he would not succeed. Neither would he succeed in attempting to change City rules/ regulations perceived to be unfavorable to the people’s interest. Generally, the Ilonggo feels politically ineffective and not so competent when it comes to influencing the making of or changing public policy. This has been brought about by his perception of the public officials’ indifference to his opinions and his skepticism of their motives, as well as the complexity of the political structures and processes which many do not really understand. There appears to be no strong political party involvement, nor a strong issue orientation, and a lack of political information. All these limit the quality and extent of his political participation. For the act of voting alone is not the end-all and be-all of political participation. And when faced with adverse political situations, the Ilonggo will tend, generally, to make pragmatic decisions, which will benefit him and his family. The strength of the Ilonggo’s political participation is in his upholding of the democratic tenet and political equality as well as his sense of citizen duty as a voter, with the regularity and endurance of his voting activities on elections time, regardless of the motivation of his choice of candidates. The study findings on the quality of citizen political participation as manifested by their political behavior in voting, political discussions, consultative assemblies, political rallies/demonstrations, issue orientations, and political information reflect a kind of political involvement that leave so much room for improvement. There is great need for strengthening of Iloilo City’s existing mechanisms, for articulation and communication between citizens and political leaders. This imperative for achieving genuine participation can be done by: Strengthening the City Administrator’s Office so that it can better initiate this political innovation by undertaking a “continuing” City organizational development that will enhance citizen participation; and Implementing Citizen Empowerment (CE) through an integrated program of educational and economic measures which can help eliminate the Ilonggos’ sense of dependency on government for the resolution of their problems, while enhancing their creativity in community involvement. Hopefully, when these alternative are realized, Iloilo City, with its rich history, its socio-political structures and resources, the people’s potentials and the capabilities and concern of its public officials may achieve the “good life” for all Ilonggos.