IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 4, NO. 4, DEC.

, 2022

LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN GUIMARAS: SMART

PRACTICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

ROME B. MORALISTA, Ph. D1, ROGER B. RUEDA, Ph. D2, ERLY M. MARTIR, Ph.D3
TOMMY M. ARTAJO, Ph. D4, HELEN R. VILBAR, Ph. D5
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6653-6148
[email protected]
Guimaras State University
Philippines, ASEAN

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54476/ioer-imrj/015660

ABSTRACT

This correlational-descriptive study established the level of local and provincial economic development in
Guimaras, as well as the relationship between local and provincial economic growth. It was fused with a
segmented quiz on local and provincial economic development. More so, SPSS was used to interpret the
data collected. Findings revealed that the island's local development was "Highly developed" while the
island's provincial economic development was "Highly developed". As the local economy continues to
grow, the provincial economy has the potential to expand. Thus, the local and provincial communities may
collaborate in advancing Guimaras Island's economic growth. The Local Government Unit may inspire
economic development in both areas to be advantageous mutually.

Keywords: Local Economic Development, Provincial Economic Development, Smart Practices, and Good
Governance

INTRODUCTION Appropriate budgeting, staffing, and

coordination of operating work plans, programs,
Guimaras province is much more than and day-to-day services are used to translate
luscious mangoes. It is a biodiverse island with a approved policies and programs into operational
diverse range of vegetation and wildlife. It is a work plans, programs, and day-to-day services.
strategically placed island province located The local government highlighted agriculture,
southeast of Panay Island and northwest of Negros fisheries, and tourism as critical economic drivers
Island. It is the smallest and youngest of the six for the region's continued development. Three (3)
provinces that comprise Region VI of the commodities are emphasized in the Agriculture
Philippines, sometimes known as Western sector based on their food sufficiency and
Visayas. It is composed of five municipalities: economic contribution to the provincial economy:
Jordan (the province's primary gateway and rice, mango, and cashew.
service center), Buenavista (the university center), Furthermore, focusing on its various
Nueva Valencia (the tourism center), Sibunag, and initiatives is one of the most critical local variables
San Lorenzo (the agriculture centers). that could enhance the selected industry' growth
The provincial administration spent potential. These businesses, including as tourism,
investments after a lengthy consultation process mango and cashew farming, and food processing,
with the province's many development all contributed to the island's economic prosperity.
stakeholders to ensure the province's Finally, note that fisheries, especially seaweed
comprehensive development plan is implemented. farming, are a limiting performance that performs
best when supported. Another is that Guimaras
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MORALISTA, R.B., RUEDA, R.B., MARTIR, E.M., ARTAJO, T.M., VILBAR, H.R., Local and Provincial Development in
Guimaras: Smart Practices and Good Governance, pp. 6 -10
6
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 4, NO. 4, DEC., 2022
has proclaimed the province "coal-free," prohibiting relationship through the use of Smart
the admission of coal-fired power plants and coal Practices and Good Governance.
mining projects. The San Lorenzo Wind Farm
generates clean, renewable energy, and the white- METHODOLOGY
sand beaches and numerous other sites where
people can connect with nature conceal secrets This study employed a descriptive
about Guimaras that are about to be unearthed. correlational design to investigate the relationship
Additionally, it intended to provide new between Guimaras's municipal and provincial
development prospects in agricultural hubs around economic development. This study examined
Sibunag, a fifth-class municipality. Indeed, a road smart practices and good governance in order to
construction program is now underway to upgrade discover how Guimaras Island's economic
the province's cross-island transportation network. development might be improved. Additionally, it
The Provincial Economic Development aimed to characterize its practice and governance.
Office (PEDO) assists the provincial government in To accomplish the objectives, a questionnaire was
leading, strengthening, and pushing the province's created and distributed to the target audience. This
economic agenda in a more holistic, integrated, questionnaire contains statements about
and focused manner. Its establishment enables the Guimaras Island's local and provincial economic
provincial government to collaborate with development. After administering the survey, the
component municipalities, the provincial data obtained was analyzed using SPSS.
government unit's LGU-based economic offices,
national government line agencies such as the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 1. Implementation of Smart Practices and
and TESDA that have established offices and Good Governance
presence in the province, and private sector
associations such as those representing
producers, traders, and ancillary industries
operating in the province.
Finally, through local government efforts, it
was hoped that the local environment code would
be nationally approved and then included into a
provincial physical framework plan. This will
concretize the island province's spatial strategies
for the next 10–25 years, by altering the local Figure 1. The results in the Local Economic
revenue code to align with the province's agri- Development in Guimaras Island
tourism goals. This would include establishing a
revenue code with investment rules that encourage The description was made on the basis of the indicated
scale: Highly Developed (4.21-5.00), High Developed (3.41-
growers to plant priority crops in accordance with 4.20) Developed (2.61 -3.40), Underdeveloped (1.81-2.60)
the framework plan via a series of tax incentives or and Undecided (1.00-1.80).
penalties.
The graph–1 exhibits data on how Guimaras
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Island implemented Smart Practices and Good
Governance based on its local level. It shows that
This study aimed to accumulate factual item nos. 10 and 11 (M = 4.17) observed as "High
data regarding the economic development of Developed" with the statements: "Local
Guimaras Island at the local and provincial levels communities are open to the development of
through prudent practices and sound governance tourism and people are safe and secure inside the
in the year 2020. It sought to determine the extent community" got the highest mean in the study
of local and provincial economic growth and its conducted, while item no. 15 got the lowest mean
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
MORALISTA, R.B., RUEDA, R.B., MARTIR, E.M., ARTAJO, T.M., VILBAR, H.R., Local and Provincial Development in
Guimaras: Smart Practices and Good Governance, pp. 6 -10
7
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 4, NO. 4, DEC., 2022
(M = 4.00) observed as "High Developed" with the 3. Performance of the Province as to
statement: "resources of environmental smart practices and good governance
significance are being identified and protected."
Local government includes tourism in the 4.12
development of Guimaras Island, as Aasco and 4.1
Lizada (2017) highlight enhancing economic and 4.08
employment opportunities that are becoming more 4.06
and more evident in the local community, and its 4.1
4.04
positive impact is felt by both direct and indirect
4.02 4.04
beneficiaries.
4
Category
2. Provincial Development of Guimaras
Local Provincial

Figure 3. Descriptive Results of Local and Provincial

Economic Development

Graph no. 3 indicates that the province

performs smart practices and good governance (M =
4.1) better than locals (M = 4.04) in regards to their
Figure 2. Results of Mean of each item aligned to the development based on the study conducted. Having
Provincial Development of Guimaras policies related to the provinces and local
governments means government at these levels is
The graph also illustrates results regarding the closer to the people and on the principle of promoting
Provincial Development of Guimaras based on the public participation for the development of the
study conducted. It is notable that it is "Highly island. Considering that the DILG launched the
Developed" on items 12 and 15. It contains the 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance: Pagkilala sa
highest mean (M = 4.2) that there is a continuous Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal is
monitoring in any form of government programs an instrument which tracks the performance of local
and development and the province promotes a government units (LGUs) and awards LGUs with
sense of purpose, perseverance, creativity, and good performance. It is an award and incentive
integrity in doing their part to contribute to overall program for performing local governments, in an
LGU goals, while item number 17 garnered the attempt to encourage and challenge all provinces,
lowest mean (M = 3.0), observed as "Developed," cities, and municipalities to improve on their
saying that the continued concerted efforts of all performance and service delivery set across six (6)
the stakeholders in the industry in the components comprising the areas. Good
implementation of all these initiatives will surely governance promotes transparency and
lead to sustainable Philippine tourism. Perhaps accountability in the delivery of basic services that
they are prioritizing how to keep their residents are responsive to people’s needs. Possibly, Republic
safe and secure in various endeavors. Thus, the Act No. 7160, "An Act Providing for a Local
local government possibly neglected how to Government Code of 1991," may be beneficial in
protect their environmental resources. Identifying order for the island to foster development in
environmental issues on the island aided in upcoming years.
understanding how to deliver how to endanger
human health, undermine long-term economic
growth, and endanger ecological systems critical to 4. Correlation between Local and Provincial
sustainable development. Economic Development

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MORALISTA, R.B., RUEDA, R.B., MARTIR, E.M., ARTAJO, T.M., VILBAR, H.R., Local and Provincial Development in
Guimaras: Smart Practices and Good Governance, pp. 6 -10
8
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 4, NO. 4, DEC., 2022
Table 1 The LGUs may highlight attractions
Results of Correlation between Local and Provincial Economic that can make the island seem more appealing to
Development
Category r Sig (2tailed) tourists and may also highlight the most unique
features of the island so that it is easily recognizable
Local .236** .000
and stands out from others. They may also have an
Provincial in-depth analysis of the maximum sustainable visitor
***p<.001 capacity to ensure visitors have little impact on the
sensitive environment of the island.
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AUTHORS’ PROFILE

Dr. Rome B. Moralista is the former VP for

Research and Extension and Dean of the College of
Business and Management of the Guimaras State
University.

Dr. Roger B. Rueda is the Director of

Instructional Materials Development of the Guimaras
State University.

Dr Erly M. Martir is the Dean of the Graduate

School of the Guimaras State University.

Dr. Tommy M. Artajo is the former director

of Community Extension Services of the Guimaras
State University.

Dr. Ronilo G. Berondo is the Director of the

Office of Student Affairs of the Capiz State
University.

Dr. Helen R. Vilbar is the OIC Dean of the

College of Arts and Sciences of the Guimaras State
University.

COPYRIGHTS

Copyright of this article is retained by the

author/s, with first publication rights granted to
IIMRJ. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms and conditions of the Creative
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MORALISTA, R.B., RUEDA, R.B., MARTIR, E.M., ARTAJO, T.M., VILBAR, H.R., Local and Provincial Development in
Guimaras: Smart Practices and Good Governance, pp. 6 -10
10