Collective Action Dilemmas and Integration Mechanisms in the Time of COVID-19: Examining Government Responses to the Pandemic in the Philippines

Authors

  • Rizalino B. Cruz The National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines, Diliman Author
  • Zarina Marie E. Vazquez Google Operations Center Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64423/arpa.v32i1.34

Keywords:

Institutional Collective Action framework, collective action dilemmas, integration mechanisms, collaborative governance, COVID-19, crisis management

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the country’s weaknesses in health and emergency management. Against the backdrop of scarce resources and governance challenges, the health crisis has highlighted the importance of collective action among government units in containing the virus and meeting the day-today needs of constituents. This article examines the collective action dilemmas faced by national and local governments in the Philippines during the pandemic and the integration mechanisms they implemented to address these challenges through the lens of the Institutional Collective Action framework. By examining various cases, it argues for the need to incorporate new elements into the framework—such as power asymmetries, leadership role, political pressures, technological applications, institutional capacity—that are shaping collaboration risks, mechanism costs, and the choice of collaborative mechanisms. The Philippine experience can inform future governance arrangements and crisis management strategies, such as in harnessing existing networks and self-organized partnerships, leveraging technology, and fostering institutional adaptability.



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Published

2025-07-29

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