Jasmin Lyka De Guzman Tolete, RPh

PA 212 Ethics and Accountability in Public Service

9:00am-12:00pm Saturday

1. What role does local government play in shaping the daily lives and well-being of citizens,
and what is its significance in the broader context of governance and public administration?

Local Government plays a crucial role in shaping daily lives and well-being of citizens by
providing significant aspects of community life and offering necessary services. Its significance
in the broader context of governance rests in its capacity to promote decentralization,
responsiveness, participation by the public, and customized solutions to local concerns,
ultimately contributing to the overall effectiveness and integrity of a government system.
Additionally, the purpose of supplying goods and services; the other purpose is to represent and
involve citizens in determining specific local public needs and how these local needs can be met.
Local representative government is a process that spans and connects representation (Ahmad, R.
(2023).

2. How has the historical evolution of local governance systems varied across different regions
of the world, and what are the global perspectives on the significance and impact of these diverse
approaches to local government?

Historical evolution of local governance systems varied across different regions of the world by
how Different cultural, political, economic, and social factors have influenced local governance
systems have developed historically. For example, the Magna Carta and the beginnings of self-
governing municipalities in Western Europe had an effect on democratic governance. Modern
administrative structures, like India's Panchayati Raj system, have evolved in Asia as a result of
its highly developed administrative systems. Africa has experienced the effects of European
powers imposing their own local governance systems due to its different pre-colonial structures.
The Middle East has seen modern variations influenced by tribalism, monarchy, and centralized
autocracy because of its historical Caliphates. Latin America has undergone changes toward
decentralized governance systems as a result of its colonial past. With its colonial Townships and
federal systems, North America has also created unique systems. The importance of various local
governance strategies lies in their capacity to meet regional needs and involve the public in
decision-making. The dissemination of best practices from these systems helps with global
exchange of knowledge and policy development. This diversity is important for democratic
governance and development.

3. What are the general powers and attributes typically granted to local government units, and
how do these powers contribute to their ability to serve their communities effectively?

Local Government Units (LGUs) are in charge of enforcing environmental regulations,

regulating economic operations, and promoting local culture. Additionally, they control garbage
disposal, manage parks and green spaces, and manage social welfare programs. To maintain
public safety and order, LGUs could operate their own law enforcement organizations. Through
clinics, immunization campaigns, and health promotion projects, they may provide medical care.
They could additionally operate educational facilities and schools. Local government units
(LGUs) in tourist-friendly areas encourage development initiatives to attract tourists and grow
the economy. They work on planning for sustainable development in both urban and rural areas.
They may have local courts or conflict resolution systems to handle civil and minor criminal
issues. To improve accessibility, they could manage or operate systems of public transportation.
LGUs can set up accountability and transparency measures to be ensure responsible governance.
Additionally, they shall have the power to create and broaden their own sources of revenue and
the right to a just share in national taxes and an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization
and development of the national wealth within their respective areas (DILG, 1991).

4. What are the key advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized governance
systems, and how does a comparative analysis of these two approaches shed light on their
respective impacts on government effectiveness and citizen engagement?

In a centralized government systems, power and authority are concentrated in the hands of the
central government, while regions and local governments have little to no control. A centralized
government is sometimes associated with the concept of an authoritarian state that prohibits open
and democratic involvement. This isn't always the case, though. The majority of democratic and
high-functioning nations, including Denmark and Norway, adopt a centralized model of
government, in contrast to military and dictatorial governments that seek to concentrate power in
the hands of a select few. There are several benefits to centralization, including: It is a very
effective system; The decision-making process is swift and effective; There are no duplications,
thus the administrative system works better as for the disadvantage there is a greater chance of
corruption and authority misuse, which may hinder the delivery of services and innovation. As a
result, it's critical to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of centralized governance.

In Decentralized systems share authority among local authorities in order to avoid centralized
government control. They can be split up into variously independent areas, provinces, or cities.
Decentralization addresses problems including low public engagement, centralized power, and
decreasing economic activity. Advantages include preventing power concentration, promoting
economic development, encouraging participation in politics, promoting innovation, and
recognizing ethnic and variety in culture. However, the disadvantage are excessive
decentralization can worsen regional inequality, fragmentation can make coordination difficult,
and distributed accountability can make it difficult to assign blame for policy outcomes.

Government efficiency, citizen participation, risk management, and corruption are different
between centralized and decentralized systems. While decentralized systems develop in local
responsiveness and community participation, centralized systems excel in efficiency but may
find it difficult to adjust locally. (Squadrin, 2019).

5. How does decentralization contribute to community development, and what are some
examples or case studies that highlight the positive or negative effects of decentralization on
local communities' social, economic, and infrastructure development?

Decentralization may entail only the (re) establishment of local participation or it can involve a
shift to the local level of a variety of functions and new financial resources in a country that has
held local elections regularly for decades. When the transfer of authority is sufficient, local
governments obtain the political, financial, and administrative autonomy to better address
community needs. Local governments can more easily become inclusive and accountable to the
public with increased autonomy from the center and communities can become more pluralistic
absent central political control. Through local participation and practices such as public
meetings, citizens can participate more effectively in local decision-making, gain experience in
democratic processes, and hold local officials responsible for their decisions. In short, local
development can emerge (Massuanganhe, 2005).

6. What is the fundamental concept and rationale behind decentralization in governance, and
how does the delegation of authority and resources from central to local levels of government
aim to address specific societal and administrative needs?

Decentralization is the transfer of power from the national to the local or regional levels of
government. Its goal is to establish a more effective, responsive, and accountable government
system by bringing decisions closer to the people who will be affected by them. Decentralization
encourages local autonomy, responsiveness, effectiveness, accountability, involvement, equity,
and resolution of conflicts. Local governments can use it to customize policy, allocate funds
based on local needs, improve service delivery, and promote innovation. As local governments
might need assistance and resources to handle new duties, it also promotes capacity building.
Decentralization promotes local experimentation and creativity by allowing different regions to
develop their own solutions for common issues. Additionally, it improves citizens' capacity to
participate in democratic government and inclusion processes.

7. How does decentralization impact community empowerment, and what evidence or case
studies illustrate the ways in which decentralized governance structures influence local
communities' ability to participate in decision-making, self-governance, and the improvement of
their own well-being?

8. Present, at least three (3), case studies on successful decentralized development projects.

A study by Lyra Paz P. Luz (2020) from University of Eastern Philippines entitled,
"SURVIVING AND QUITTING: THE CASE OF 4PS (PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO
PROGRAM) STUDENT DROPOUTS" states that The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
(4Ps) is a cash transfer program.Here in the Philippines, a transfer program tries to end severe
poverty by funding healthcare and education. This study concentrated on the individual
experiences of kids who were 4Ps beneficiaries and the causes of their school abandonment.
Data was collected from six (6) student dropouts who were 4Ps beneficiaries using a case study
design and a qualitative method. The majority of students who benefit from the 4Ps come from
low-income families, according to the results, which also emphasized the importance of family
living circumstances and the desire to support one's parents and siblings. Family living situations
and the low standard of living remain a serious issue that might cause pupils to drop out of
school.

References:

Ahmad, R. (2023). The Role of Public Administration in Building a Harmonious Society.

Asian
Development Bank.
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29671/napsipag.pdf)

(https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/reports_resources/dilg-reports-resources-
2016120_fce005a61a.pdf)

Squadrin, G. (2019, September 6). Difference Between Centralization and

Decentralization. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects.

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/politics/difference-between-
centralization-and-decentralization/.

Lluz L., (2020). SURVIVING AND QUITTING: THE CASE OF 4PS (PANTAWID
PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM) STUDENT DROPOUTS. International Journal
of Research GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(8), 297-301. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaa
layah.v8.i8.2020.971