ASIAN REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (ARPA)
The Asian Review of Public Administration (ARPA) is the flagship journal of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA). It is an internationally-refereed journal in the field of public administration and governance in Asia and the Pacific region and beyond.
Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA)
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
“Co” As Governance: A Framework For Participatory Public Policy
The daily life activities of common people are fulfilled via public policy action. Thematic analysis is the foundation for this paper. This paper aims to construct the concept of participatory policy actions for the governance-based practices. The governance-based framework is an action for the collective aims to meet societal goals. It synthesizes six interrelated dimensions as co-production, collaboration; co-existence, co-accountability, co-management and coordination into an integrated model. “Co” is communal and for the sake of common aims of the policy for the establishment of governance. It is conceptualized as the meta-principle of collective togetherness whose focus is on synergy, shared responsibility, communal ownership and responsibility among different stakeholders. In a holistic way, public policy is for the sake of participatory framework with the spirits of participatory governance. Working together is the basic foundation for governance to achieve preset policy goals. Public policy working for the collective actions to achieve common demands in daily life. The ultimate goals of community governance are feeling ownership over resources for the common purposes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sahadev Gautam , Salina Lamichhane (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Factors Contributing to Limited Progress in Municipal Financial and Performance Management in South Africa
This study examines the factors contributing to the limited progress in financial and performance management within municipalities in South Africa. A structured narrative literature review approach was used, and a thematic narrative synthesis approach was applied to analyze and organize the findings into main themes. The findings reveal a lack of performance in municipalities, which is contributed to by factors such as a lack of financial administration, a lack of skills, political interference, and poor oversight. The article further shows that together, these factors translate into more issues within municipalities as they contribute to corrupt activities, poor service delivery, and audit outcomes. These issues are mainly caused by non-compliance with legislation on financial and performance management in municipalities. This study identifies a nexus between financial and performance management, where funds given to municipalities must be effectively utilized for service provision, and performance systems are utilized to measure whether the funds attained the desired outcomes. This relationship has not been clearly established in previous studies. To address these issues, this study proposes strengthening capacity in municipalities based on merit principles, sound and strong oversight, and enforcement of compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Municipal Systems Act (MSA). The findings further suggest that clear targeted performance, less political interference, effective accountability mechanisms, and consequence management are required. Municipalities can benefit from learning from benchmarking with other municipalities to improve their financial and performance management, attain clean audits, service delivery, and reach performance targets.
Copyright (c) 2026 Simon Matome Nkgapele, Sifiso Mofokeng, Maponya, gcabashe (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Spatial Inequality In Clean Cooking Energy Usage In Southern Nigeria Regions
Clean cooking energy is healthier than unclean cooking energy, yet its adoption, especially at sub-national levels, remains less researched. This paper examined spatial inequality in the use of clean cooking energy across three regions in southern Nigeria using the 2024 National Demographic Health Survey. A combination of concentration indices and curves, along with Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, was used to quantify inequality in the use of clean cooking energy across rural and urban areas and among the three regions of southern Nigeria. The results showed that the use of clean cooking energy is highest in the southwest and lowest in the southeastern region. While about 56% of households in the southwest are predicted to use clean cooking energy, only 36% are predicted to do so in the southeast. Urban households in southern Nigeria have a higher predicted probability of using clean cooking energy than their rural counterparts. The concentration index of 0.1193 for the southwest region indicates that households in the region are better off than those in the southeast and south-south regions. While the clean cooking energy use concentration index was 0.0133 in the south-south, it was -0.1326 in the southeast. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition confirmed the concentration indices result for each region. The study suggests that region-specific policies to improve clean cooking energy use should be implemented instead of the usual general approach.
Copyright (c) 2026 Adewara Sunday Olabisi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital Transformation in Public Administration: Assessing the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Governance and Public Service Delivery
This study evaluates the deep influence of emerging technologies on governance and public service delivery during the public sector’s digital transformation. This research implements a qualitative and descriptive strategy to analyze secondary data from multiple sources, including websites, books, journal articles, newspapers, and reports. This research investigates major advancements, including artificial intelligence and machine learning components (Generative AI, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini/Bard), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data and analytics, digital twins, robotic process automation, augmented reality, and the metaverse. The analysis assesses these technologies based on their value for improving public administration by simplifying service delivery and operational efficiency and establishing fresh value structures between governments and the general public. According to this study, these technologies have advantages and disadvantages, demonstrating their utility in enhancing public service quality while lowering bureaucracy and improving governmental operational effectiveness. Public sector employees require sophisticated skills to successfully implement these technological innovations, while institutions must use technology to fulfill their organizational requirements, according to the research findings. To meet this digital shift, civil servants need proper training; thus, educational bodies and higher education institutions should implement technology-oriented curricula. This research contributes to creating new knowledge by offering systematic assessments of these technologies to support decision- making among policymakers and staff experts across various fields.
Copyright (c) 2026 Md Nahidul Islam (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Regimes and macroeconomic variables in Nigeria: An analysis of Yar’Adua-Jonathan and Buhari’s regimes
This study compares Nigeria’s macroeconomic performance under Presidents Yar’ Adua– Jonathan (2007–2015) and Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023). The study adopts a descriptive method and is guided by political economy, macroeconomic stabilization, and institutional theories. The study reveals that the Yar’ Adua–Jonathan regime adopted expansionary fiscal policies and subsidy programs, whereas the Buhari regime implemented a budget- conscious approach due to different political inspirations and public choice dynamics. The policies adopted by both regimes differently impacted the GDP, inflation rates, unemployment levels, and debt management. The administration of Yar’ Adua–Jonathan achieved an average GDP growth rate of 6.0%, a 10.8% inflation rate, an unemployment rate of 3.82%, an infant mortality rate of 82.8/1000, and an average debt service of $1.5 billion between 2008 and 2015. Contrarily, the Buhari administration recorded an average GDP growth rate of 1.4%, an inflation rate of 16.2%, an unemployment rate of 4.7%, a debt service of $6.2 billion, and an infant mortality rate of 73.7/1000 between 2016 and 2023. Buhari’s leadership approach contributed to policy failures that hampered economic growth, whereas the approach of the Yar’ Adua–Jonathan administration contributed to healthier economic growth recorded between 2007 and 2015. Therefore, the study recommends that the government ‘s reforms should focus on expansionary fiscal policies to boost economic growth and de-emphasize monetary and foreign exchange restrictions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Goodluck Owhe Robert, Sunday Olabisi Adewara (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Strengthening Multi-level Governance for Drought Emergency Response under Climate Change in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia
Multi-level governance (MLG) explains how authority and coordination are distributed vertically across government tiers and horizontally across sectors and among non-state actors. In drought emergencies, which are typically slow-onset and increasingly shaped by climate change, such coordination is critical. Bekasi Regency experienced severe water scarcity during the 2023 dry season, affecting more than 40 villages by October 2023. This study examines how MLG operates in Bekasi Regency’s drought emergency response and develops a framework to strengthen MLG in the context of climate change. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine key informants across national, provincial, and local institutions and non-governmental actors, complemented by a document review. The analysis applied thematic analysis. This study proposes an MLG strengthening framework that links contingency planning, operational plans, and emergency status decrees, thereby clarifying and making the vertical–horizontal lines of authority more consistent and measurable. The framework emphasizes an integrated command mechanism connected to climate indicators and early warning systems, an integrated multilevel emergency financing scheme, strengthened actor capacity, and an information system combining climate and spatial data. Non-governmental actors are positioned as co-governance partners, while cross-level monitoring and evaluation are institutionalized as learning mechanisms for SOP refinement, plan updating, and long-term adaptation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Stella Mariska Yuncie, Dr. Retnadi Heru Jatmiko, M.Sc. (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital Transition in Public Financial Management: A Comparative Study of Strategies, Success Factors, and Challenges in Thailand and Singapore
In the first quarter of the 21st century, digital transformation emerged as a key catalyst for reshaping public administration systems across Asia. This study examines the transition of public financial management (PFM) systems toward digitalization in Thailand, with comparative insights drawn from Singapore, which is recognized as a regional leader in digital governance. Anchored in the field of public administration, this study explores how national strategies, institutional frameworks, and technological integration influence the effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness of public fiscal systems. Using a qualitative comparative approach, this study analyzes secondary data, including national digital policies, government reports, and academic literature. Key findings highlight that while Thailand has made significant progress through centralized platforms such as the GFMIS and e-GP, challenges remain in areas such as inter-agency data integration, cybersecurity, and adaptive capacity. In contrast, Singapore demonstrates strengths in strategic planning, AI adoption, and whole-of-government infrastructure development. The study concludes with policy recommendations for enhancing Thailand’s digital PFM by leveraging lessons from Singapore, emphasizing data interoperability, capacity building, and regulatory innovation. This study contributes to contemporary public administration discourse by addressing digital governance challenges within emerging economies and offering a practical roadmap for enhancing fiscal accountability and efficiency in the digital age.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dhanabhadr Sookhdee (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
How Does Indonesia’s 2025 Budget Reform Reflect the Logic of Austerity Governance?
The year 2025 saw Indonesia enacting a very authoritative presidential directive through Presidential Instruction No. 1/2025, encompassing a huge efficiency boost on the part of government ministries and intergovernmental transfers alike. While this drastic measure is couched in the language of technocratic necessity, it also relates to larger global trends in austerity governance-were decline in state expenditure is legitimized by notions of management and modernization. This article analyses the construction of budget efficiency as a priority strategy in the area of fiscal discourse and its implications for nonprioritized state actors such as provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, and actors in the MSME sector. The study does a selective review of approximately thirty articles from reputed journals to derive credible insights into the context around important national policy documents, centers its discussion on the Nota Keuangan APBN 2025 and Presidential Regulation No. 12/2025 on RPJMN 2025-2029. These documents are considered discursive materials that do not simply elaborate fiscal preferences but also constitute overarching principles of efficiency within governance. Some results show bifurcated pathways: In flagship programs and strategic sectors, protection and growth occur, while non-priority expenditures face restrictive contraction. This reallocation may present opportunities for several short-term efficiency gains, but it has the adverse effect of centralizing fiscal authority, limiting local discretion, and narrowing institutional capacity in components of utmost importance to inclusion and accountability. These processes are aggressively defined as coercive efficiency in the paper, whereby austerity is secondarily entrenched through technical discourses and rearrangement of institutions. This means that Indonesia’s post-2025 reform is not just a temporary adjustment but an actual structural embedding of austerity within governance along the fiscal trajectory of the country.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mujibur Rahman Khairul Muluk, Sajida Sajida (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Social Equity in Nonprofit Organizations: An Exploratory Study of Practitioners and Scholars’ Perspectives
Social equity is a fundamental pillar in defining the main contributions of nonprofit organizations to civil society. Through a survey and focus group interviews, this study examines how nonprofit scholars and practitioners perceive social equity by focusing on nonprofits’ governance, policies, and program operations. By surveying and interviewing both practitioners and scholars, this study observes the importance of social equity in the nonprofit field in terms of its practical implications and program activities. Results show that nonprofits incorporate social equity values into their practices in varying degrees regarding policies; scholars associated more with accountability related criteria while practitioners placed more emphasis on practical management and action-oriented elements in their perceptions of social equity. This study contributes to the increasing significance placed on social equity in the nonprofit sector by recognizing and comprehending various approaches in scholarly research and practice management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bok Gyo Jeong, Jung Ah (Claire) Yun, Sung-Ju Kim, Deborah Mohammed-Spigner, Sarah A. Mack (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Public Sentiment Toward AI and Digitalization in Government Services: A Sentiment Analysis Approach to Assess Bureaucratic Readiness and Trust
Given the speed at which technology is developing, public administration is about to enter a crucial transitional phase in which digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are being increasingly incorporated into government services. This study examines how the general public feels about digitalization, especially the use of AI in government agencies, with an emphasis on possible changes in bureaucracy and the resulting dynamics of trust. This study intends to map prevalent sentiments, both positive and negative, surrounding AI-driven reforms in public services by using sentiment analysis on a sizable dataset of public comments sourced from YouTube news videos about government digitalization and user reviews from nine priority government applications. To find the prevailing narratives and emotional tones reflected in citizen responses, the analysis looks into frequently used keywords and phrases. It also evaluates whether the sentiment trends indicate resistance, skepticism, or optimism about digitalization and AI’s potential to replace conventional administrative and public service roles. The results are used to assess how prepared government institutions are for the AI era and to suggest tactical methods for dealing with these administrative obstacles. Finally, by offering data-driven insights into public trust and expectations and suggestions for promoting openness, diversity, and flexibility in public administration, this study adds to the conversation on digital governance. Understanding public opinion is crucial to ensuring moral implementation and upholding the integrity of public service as governments increasingly use automated systems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Pujiatmo Subarkah, Rezky Yayang Yakhamid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Fiscal Sustainability of Local Governments in Nepal: Challenges, Prospects, and Policy Implications
The Constitution of Nepal, enacted in 2015, abolished the long-standing centralized monarchical system and adopted a federal democratic republic with three tiers of government: federal, provincial, and local government. Given the constitutional recognition, autonomy, and major responsibilities of local governments in service delivery and local development, their fiscal capacity, accountability, and overall success will determine the future of federalism in the country. However, the early experience reveals several challenges, including vertical and horizontal fiscal imbalances, growing audit irregularities, and the dependence of most local governments on grants and transfers. These obstacles threaten fiscal sustainability and decentralized governance in Nepal. This study aims to reflect the current state of fiscal decentralization, following a decade of federal practice in Nepal. It includes both urban and rural local governments to examine how fiscal design and its implementation affect overall local fiscal sustainability in Nepal. Applying a mixed-methods approach, it analyzes local fiscal trends to understand how fiscal federalism operates at the grassroots-level. The preliminary findings suggest that the current local fiscal health appears balanced owing to external transfers and budget surpluses resulting from poor execution. However, the persistent deficit of the federal treasury waves a red flag for local fiscal health and Nepal’s overall federal system.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rana Jit Bahadur (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Repositioning the Seal of Good Local Governance: Strengthening Local Performance Systems for a Meaningful Decentralization
The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11292 (2019), is the Philippine government’s flagship, performance-based recognition and incentive program for local government units (LGUs). Designed to promote accountability, transparency, and holistic service delivery, the SGLG has provided a common governance roadmap but is now facing mounting challenges in the wake of the Mandanas–Garcia ruling and growing demands for decentralization. Drawing on qualitative policy analysis, this study combined document review, consultations with six LGUs, and dialogue with the DILG’s Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) team to examine systemic friction in the program. The findings highlight five interrelated issues: (1) an overemphasis on documentation and input indicators, (2) fragmentation across overlapping audit and performance systems, (3) divergent perspectives on output- versus outcome-based indicators, (4) insufficient institutional capacity, compounded by the decisive role of local chief executives in steering compliance, and (5) importance of leadership in SGLG compliance. The paper argues that SGLG risks devolving into a compliance exercise that rewards “good documenters” rather than genuine performers, while overburdening weaker municipalities. To reposition the SGLG as a developmental performance framework, four reform directions are proposed: (1) performance improvement support for LGUs that fall short but demonstrate progress, (2) transparency through an interactive SGLG performance dashboard, and (3) reducing duplication through data integration. The study further proposes a (4) tiered indicator framework—inputs (annual, all LGUs), outputs (three-year cycle, tied to recognition), and outcomes (selective, for exceptional LGUs)—to balance inclusivity, feasibility, and developmental ambition.Reforms along these lines would not only strengthen the SGLG but also advance the broader goals of decentralization by empowering LGUs, expanding citizen capabilities, and fostering a more accountable and responsive government.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lesther D. Balmatero, EnP. (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Resilient Governance in the Age of Populism: Strengthening Public Administration Integrity Through Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA)
On July 27, 2023, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced the Madani Economy initiative, aimed at making the country economically competitive by promoting balanced, inclusive, and value-driven growth. To respond to these goals, the government marked public sector reform as a critical strategy and aimed to promote trust in the government through effective governance and agility in service delivery. Therefore, the government has proposed the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will be implemented starting December 1, 2024, and will enhance service delivery with an improved structure of the public service. The SSPA introduces comprehensive improvements in performance assessment and talent development, with particular emphasis on productivity enhancement and value integration. The SSPA is established based on five (5) quick-win initiatives that aim to increase the productivity of civil servants by promoting values and adopting technology. This study examines the role of the SSPA in enforcing key values of public service in terms of accountability, professionalism, and fairness in a changing political environment and how they continue to provide the best services to the people. The main aim of these efforts is to sustain public services’ apolitical quality. The study is based on information found on official government websites, information collected with the participation of civil servants in different parts of the country during stakeholder consultations, and a review of major policy and strategy documents. The results suggest that the enhancement of bureaucratic integrity in terms of better governance and value promotion in public service is a key issue in addressing today’s challenges. Finally, improving bureaucratic integrity is a mandatory step towards improving governance, institutional trust, and the long-term confidence of the population, especially in light of the complexity of the interactions between populism and public administration.
Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA)
Copyright (c) 2025 Nuryusnita binti Yusoff, Inas binti Zulkipli (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Workplace Inclusivity in the Bangsamoro Region: The Interplay of Employee Engagement, Adaptive Leadership, and Public Administration Practices
This study investigates workplace inclusivity in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a post-conflict region characterized by ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity. Aligning with Gartner’s Inclusion Index, quantitative data from 411. Bangsamoro employees were analyzed to assess inclusivity across seven dimensions: fair treatment, integrating differences, decision-making, psychological safety, trust, sense of belonging, and diversity. The results indicated a high overall inclusivity perception (mean = 3.73), with diversity scoring the highest (mean = 3.92) and psychological safety the lowest (mean = 3.55). Multiple regression revealed employee engagement (b = 0.478, p-value < 0.001), adaptive leadership (b = 0.244, p-value < 0.001), and public administration practices (b = 0.207, p < 0.001) as significant predictors of inclusivity. Hierarchical regression highlighted moderating effects of sociodemographic factors: (a) age and gender strengthened the impact of adaptive leadership on inclusivity; and (b) ethnicity and geographic location influenced the efficacy of engagement and administrative practices. The findings underscore BARMM’s progress in fostering inclusive governance through participatory policies and culturally sensitive leadership while identifying gaps in psychological safety and minority representation. Recommendations include decentralizing inclusivity initiatives, enhancing adaptive leadership training, and integrating local equity frameworks into public administration. This study contributes to the discourse on inclusive governance in fragmented societies and offers a model for balancing national policies with local implementation. This aligns with the emphasis of the New Public Service framework on equity and collaborative decision-making.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alimodin M. Hassan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Market-Based Planning Instruments for Ecotourism Governance: Lessons from Vietnam’s National Parks
Ecotourism development in a forested national park has several negative environmental impacts, but the public sector is increasingly struggling to fund forest conservation. Vietnam has applied market-based planning instruments to manage ecotourism development and protect forest areas, including a payment for forest environmental services (PFES) scheme and leasing of forest environments for ecotourism business plans. However, the effectiveness of these instruments in addressing the overexploitation of resources by tourism development and reducing the funding gap for forest conservation remains unclear. Seeking alternative solutions to address these issues, this study examines three market-based planning instruments, including a cap-and-trade system, transferable development rights as non- monetary compensation, and an auctioning system, to manage ecotourism development in Vietnam’s national parks. The results of this study may not only be useful for addressing problems in Vietnam but also for a broader scope, as they expand the general debate on the feasibility of employing a market-based approach to environmental conservation. This highlights important governance and policy design questions that are central to public administration in the Asia–Pacific context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mai Duong, Ngoc T.B. Duong, D. Ary A. Samsura, Erwin van der Krabben (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Reciprocity beyond Exchange: Reimagining Governance through the BARTER Principles with Select Cases from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam
This paper reimagines governance through the principle of reciprocity, drawing from the ancient practice of barter to address the challenges of a brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible (BANI) world. Whereas conventional governance relies on hierarchy and compliance, barter’s heuristics, such as direct negotiation, resource pooling, and implicit trust, highlight how cooperation can be sustained under uncertainty. Building on these insights, the study advances the BARTER framework (Bridging Actors of Responsive, Trust-based, Empowering, and Resilient governance) as a mid-range theory that links micro- level reciprocity with polycentric governance design. Comparative cases from Southeast and East Asia, specifically the participatory budgeting in the Philippines, Indonesia’s musrenbang, Vietnam’s cooperative models, Singapore’s Smart Nation Reforms, bayanihan mutual aid, and Taiwan’s digital co-creation, illustrate how reciprocity can be institutionalized into deliberation, trust-building, and adaptive mechanisms. The analysis suggests that BARTER governance complements rather than replaces formal institutions by embedding trust, enabling shared authority, and enhancing adaptability. The findings provide both conceptual clarity for scholars and practical pathways for policymakers to design resilient, trust-based governance in volatile contexts.
From Annual to Medium-Term Budgetary Framework: Evolution of Public Financial Management in Bangladesh
The financial management of the Bangladesh government was in a precarious position in the late 1980s. The budget size increased manifold compared to that of the 1970s, ominously relying on development assistance that concurrently meted out feeble fiscal management. To ameliorate this creeping fiscal position, the Government undertook an array of financial management reforms, most of which came through the implementation of the Medium-Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF). Reforms in budget forecasting, budget presentation, linkage between the budget and medium-term macroeconomic goals, and modernization of accounting and auditing were major components targeted and transformed in the reform process. In this paper, I provide a historical overview of the budgeting, accounting, and auditing processes before the 1990s to explicate the necessity for the reforms brought about under the aegis of the MTBF. I then elaborate on the major reforms in budgetary, accounting, and auditing practices introduced under the MTBF.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ashraf Haque (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Collective Action Dilemmas and Integration Mechanisms in the Time of COVID-19: Examining Government Responses to the Pandemic in the Philippines
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.
Institutional Collective Action framework
Copyright (c) 2024 Rizalino B. Cruz, Zarina Marie E. Vazquez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Analyzing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary Health Care and the Service Delivery Network in Baguio City, Philippines
A study was conducted in Baguio City, Philippines, with the objectives of evaluating the delivery of primary health care (PHC) and establishing its health care provider network (HCPN) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges encountered were identified, and the actions taken and key strategies to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 were analyzed. Guided by the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative Conceptual Framework, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 25 participants from the city government, public and private healthcare providers, and patients. Thematic analysis from interviews revealed significant deficiencies in PHC, a fragmented HCPN, and a lack of robust public health infrastructure. Actions taken were consistent with the PHC triad of multi-sectoral policies and actions, engaged communities for health promotion, and the delivery of integrated clinical and public health services. Among the key strategies to mitigate the deleterious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was participatory governance and leadership. The local chief executive collaborated with multisectoral stakeholders and ensured responsive adjustments to population health needs. These included aggressive disease surveillance and the use of digital technologies, efficient supply chain management, health workforce augmentation, robust community engagement, and proactive population outreach for health services. Fast-tracking the HCPN, with primary care providers becoming the first point of contact and navigators in the referral network, contributed to better health outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jamie Eloise M. Agbayani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Representative Bureaucracy: Implementing Effects and Structural Barriers of Affirmative Action Initiative in Nepal
Since its adoption in 2007, affirmative action policy within the Nepalese civil service has been the focus of research concerning representative bureaucracy dynamics. This study elucidates the extent to which affirmative action initiatives have fostered representation of marginalized groups within the bureaucratic framework of Nepal, thereby promoting social equity and inclusivity. Through qualitative research methods and a scoping review of 75 secondary scholarly articles and authorized publications, the research reveals that the affirmative action policy has positively impacted the representation of women and historically marginalized communities. The findings of this research shed light on both the adverse and positive effects of affirmative action and key barriers in Nepal’s civil service since 2007–2022. While affirmative action policy has contributed to a notable growth in the representation of marginalized groups, including women, Dalits, and ethnic minorities, inequalities persist in terms of equal opportunities for empowerment and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Furthermore, structural barriers such as deep-rooted biases, a lack of adequate education and resources, patriarchal organizational culture, and limited political commitment pose major hurdles to the effective implementation of affirmative action initiatives in Nepal.
Copyright (c) 2024 Baburam Bhul https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jeepney Phase(In): The Unaccountable Innovation and Ethical Dilemma of the PUJ Modernization Program
Public innovation refers to the implementation of transformative ideas designed to enhance the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of service delivery. In the Philippine transportation sector, the Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Modernization Program represents such an innovation, aiming to provide environmentally sustainable transportation solutions and dignified livelihoods to its target beneficiaries while alleviating urban congestion nationwide.However, like many public innovations, the PUJ Modernization Program has generated unintended perverse effects that negatively impact both direct and indirect stakeholders. These outcomes raise critical questions regarding the extent to which stakeholders’ values were adequately considered during implementation and whether program administrators upheld appropriate ethical standards and accountability measures. This study employed Alfiller’s Political-Administrative Accountability Continuum and Spicer’s Value Pluralism as theoretical frameworks to examine government practices. Through document and content analysis of secondary data—including academic literature, laws and policies, news reports, press releases, and public statements—this research investigated how the Philippine government practiced ethics and accountability in implementing the PUJ Modernization Program. The findings reveal significant governance failures. Despite being answerable to the public, lawmakers, implementing agencies, and sectoral representatives failed to reconcile diverse stakeholder values or promote meaningful participatory governance. Consequently, jeepney drivers and operators—the program’s most directly affected groups—experienced multiple adverse effects: economic exclusion, information asymmetry, value conflicts, ambiguous government planning, misallocation of public funds, displacement of local industries, erosion of cultural identity, and inadequate democratic oversight.
Copyright (c) 2025 Reiou Regie Manuel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Data-Driven Devolution: Empowering Philippine LGUs forEffective Service Delivery
This paper assesses the challenges posed by Executive Order 138 (EO 138) in devolving functions from national government agencies (NGAs) to Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines. Emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in perceiving LGUs as crucial partners in nation-building, this study presents data-driven evidence of the fiscal inadequacy of LGUs in assuming additional responsibilities. Such inadequacies are reflected in the data pertaining to the average increase due to the Mandana-Garcia Ruling per level of LGU, the increase in spending by LGUs following the downloading of additional funds, and the variation in fund balances across LGUs. Proposing a service delivery-focused approach, this study advocates identifying “universal” services to be delivered by LGUs and “targeted” services based on local needs. A mathematical framework is suggested to determine LGU financial capability, emphasizing the subsidiarity and decentralization principles. This paper calls for the issuance of an Executive Order focusing on this shift in perspective and repealing EO 138, s. 2021, and the formulation of a National Strategic Framework for Local Government Empowerment.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ralfhee Blake Barrios https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/