Strengthening Communities: Conflict Resolution Skills and Strategies in

Barangay Centro 2 of Municipality of Aparri

(names)

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Conflict is not always dysfunctional for the relationship within which it

occurs; often conflict is necessary to maintain such a relationship. Without
ways to vent hostility toward each other, and to express dissent, group
members might feel completely crushed and might react by withdrawal. By
setting free pent-up feelings of hostility, conflicts serve to maintain a
relationship. Conflict thus served the function of maintaining established
social relation. But it is also essential to note that conflicts, nevertheless, can
lead to negative consequences such as decreased productivity, loss of trust,
and even violence. Hence, it is important to understand the root causes of
conflicts and implement effective conflict resolution strategies to promote
harmony and cooperation within the community. It is also important to keep
in mind that peace and order promote investment growth, increase
employment opportunities, and boost tourism (Dan, 2023).

It is essential to note that the crucial principle of a strong and useful

conception of justice is reconciliation, because it is only through
reconciliation that we can begin to legitimately discuss justice. And justice
can only be legitimately understood through reconciliation, hence
reconciliation makes justice possible. Accordingly, it is essential for barangay
chairpersons to possess excellent oral communication skills since effective
communication between or among the people involved in the conflict could
be crucial to its settlement. In addition, effective communication skills can
also help barangay chairpersons build trust and rapport with their
constituents, which can lead to better community engagement and
participation.

In such cases, the government plays a vital role in maintaining peace and
order in the communities. However, communities either do not have the
trained personnel needed to properly manage conflicts or lack the necessary
knowledge themselves, such as the use of communication skills for resolving
conflicts (Camasin et al, 2023). The involvement of an arbitrator(s) may help
bridge the gap by providing community members with guidance and
assistance in conflict resolution and helping to keep both parties' interests
from any legal proceedings that could emerge if the matter is not properly
handled. Luckily, in the Philippines, there are various government units, and
the smallest administrative or local government unit is known as a barangay,
which is governed by the barangay chairperson and other officials (Edleman,
n.d.).

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the conflict

resolution skills and strategies in Barangay Centro 2 of Municipality of Aparri.
Few research and community engagement has been conducted for this study
to provide suggestions for the barangay chairpersons to improve their skills
and strategies in solving community conflicts.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 REVIEWOF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

The legislation of the Philippine Republic Act (RA) 7160, which recognized as
the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, transformed many of the laws
and regulations governing national down to barangay units by decentralizing
many of the tasks previously performed by the central government. The
Philippines has a comprehensive decentralization in governance. That
includes a high amount of discretion among barangay officials leading to
ineffectiveness in local management (Yilmaz & Venugopal 2013). The
inability to deliver better essential services in the barangay is also evident
(Layug et al. 2010). The barangay units perform as the principal authority in
developing and implementing government guidelines, plans, programs,
projects, and activities. However, to fulfill the barangays’ mandates confined
in the LGC, the Punong Barangay must be prepared with the necessary
capabilities. They should observe not only the orders but also practice
morally upright actions.

The community development depends on the capability of leaders at the

national level and, more particularly, on LGU to the lowest political unit of
governance, which is the barangay. It is then essential that we look at the
barangay level’s leadership aspect through the barangay captains. The
formulation of an intervention mechanism reveals a significant concern for
good governance (Nalbandian et al. 2013).

A study by Jacinto et. al. 2023 investigates the competence of barangay

chairpersons in oral communication for conflict resolution, based on insights
from a limited number of participants in the Philippines. The findings indicate
that the chairpersons are generally effective in resolving conflicts, drawing
on their experiences and communication skills. Leadership skills and the use
of the mother tongue are crucial for positive outcomes. While minor
misunderstandings occur, chairpersons typically investigate all parties
involved to understand the conflict better before deciding on a resolution.
The study highlights that a variety of communication skills, along with
personal traits, cultural differences, and power dynamics, play significant
roles in conflict resolution, emphasizing the need for adaptability and an
open mind.

The other observation is that, as much as reconciliation depends on the free

will of people to change their minds, its scope and pace will always be
individually decided, it can never be commanded by a political decision.
Seen from an academic point of view, reconciliation is anything but a
conceptualized tool for peace building. Hence, central to our analysis are
rational issue of justice, specifically what have come to be called transitional
justice (Yusoph, 2023).

According to Boysillo (2017), a society that is well governed should provide

maximum opportunities for every individual to realize his full human
potential. As a basic political unit, the barangay is the smallest body politic
used for governance in the country being a political subdivision of the
national government. As a primary planning and implementing unit, the
barangay is mandated to plan development projects and programs and
implement government policies and activities in the community, create
projects in its territory and to deliver basic services of the government to the
people. As a forum, the barangay gets the sound views of the people on
various political topics. Moreover, it also provides a venue for settling
disputes amicably.

Establishing a good governance structure to guide and manage sustainability

and responsibility is essential. By doing so, the leaders responsible for
driving sustainable practices allow to set direction, establish goals and create
policies to execute the strategy (Boysillo, 2017) .

In section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991, states that every local
government unit such as the barangay exercises the powers expressly
granted by law, those necessary implied therefore, as well as powers
necessary, appropriate or incidental for its efficient and effective governance
and those which are essential to the promotion of general welfare. There is a
need for these public officials to possess a more thorough, complete or at the
very least adequate knowledge to acquire merit to the demands of their
constituencies of making them truly functional. They must also possess the
necessary professional training and competencies that will keep them
confident and knowledgeable in their duties.

A study by Sam (2013) proposed a unique program ever implemented in the

conflict affected areas of Maguindanao that has significant impact in the
pursuit of speedy, inexpensive and impartial justice at the local level. With
the Barangay Justice Service System (BJSS) project modules implemented
such as the Katarungan Pambarangay, Counseling, Mediation, Para-legal and
the Shariah or RA1053, the recipient barangay officials have improved
significantly their system of dispute resolution at the local level using
amicable settlement as a method, and as an alternative. Cases, particularly
those that are within the jurisdictions of barangay level were no longer
brought to regular trial courts, instead settled at the barangay level.

The main point of the study is to determine the significant challenges in local
governance, particularly at the barangay level, due to varying levels of
competence among officials. Effective local governance and conflict
resolution require well-prepared and morally upright barangay officials,
substantive citizen-feedback systems, and an emphasis on good governance
practices. The importance of competence of barangay chairpersons in oral
communication plays a crucial role in conflict resolution, highlighting the
need for continuous improvement and monitoring of their skills and
capabilities.

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of this study is to explore the competence of barangay

chairpersons in the Philippines in using oral communication skills to resolve
conflicts within their communities. Also, this will help bring awareness to
possible areas for improvement, as this may encourage them to further
develop their competence in resolving conflicts within their scope.
Additionally, the result of this study may serve as a springboard for future
improvements in their leadership. Since effective leadership is a crucial
component in the course of achieving the goals of good governance and
improving people's lives (Vanlalhlimpuii, 2018). Thus, this study specifically
intends to seek answers to the following questions

1. What are the common types of conflicts experienced in Barangay Centro

2?

2. How do community members perceive and understand these conflicts?

3. What conflict resolution skills and strategies are currently employed by

residents and local leaders?

4. How effective are these strategies in resolving conflicts and promoting

community cohesion?

5. What are the challenges and barriers to effective conflict resolution in

Barangay Centro 2?

Significance of the Study

The aim of this study is to provide insights into the problems and openings
for betterment with a view to informing the development of guidelines and
measures that fortify local justice systems and promote social cohesion. To
emphasize the importance of grassroots participation in solving conflicts, the
study also aims at showcasing practical scenarios of application and
influence of community-based justice systems highlighting how in most
cases the ordinary way is more applicable than adopted promptly in judicial
systems. To create trust as well as involvement within society, this is very
important through bottom-up perspective guaranteeing that fairness not only
prevails but also is viewed as prevailing among the people towards which
justice system operates.

In addition, this study's finding may highlight the other barangays who want
to develop their own skills and strategies for these aspects and challenges
faces within their community – through helping them create a reference
point. By putting down what works best practices and pointing at where
there is room left for improvement. This research becomes an integral tool
for replication and customization elsewhere in any given locality.

Setting of the Study

This study will take place in Centro 2, Aparri, Cagayan, under the supervision
of the College of Criminology Department.

Aparri in the province of Cagayan, Philippines, is a town that is known for

being rich in history and having cultural diversity. Centro 2, which is one of
the barangays found in Aparri is representative community being studied in
this research. This study focuses on skills and strategies of the Barangay
chairpersons of Centro 2 that contributes significantly to the local conflict
resolution mechanisms that are essential to the peaceful coexistence of
diverse individuals within this area.
Centro 2 is made of a community that cherishes unity and togetherness.
Hence, the skills and strategies of the Barangay chairpersons that acts as
arbitrators between the disputes is often the locals’ way of solving conflicts
amicably. This makes sure that disputes arising are quickly dealt with using
methods which are culturally acceptable by everybody involved at any time.
The Barangay official including the Lupon Tagapamayapa helps maintain
peace through reconciliations and negotiations.

The researchers involved in this study that highlights their academic and
practical significance of examining local justice mechanisms. Hence, the
understanding of this study was to understand the effectiveness and
challenges of Barangay chairpersons’ skills and strategies in a real-world
setting focusing on Barangay Centro 2, Aparri, Cagayan. This research
provides a valuable insight regarding strengths and improvement points in
broader field of criminology and community justice through this research
study.

Theoretical Framework

SOCIAL REPRESENTATION THEORY (Serge Moscovici)

Developed by Serge Moscovici, explores how shared beliefs and common

understandings within a community influence behavior and communication.
This theory posits that social representations help individuals make sense of
their social reality by creating a common ground for interpreting events,
behaviors, and experiences. These representations are formed through
communication and interaction, shaping how community members perceive
and respond to various issues. By applying social representation theory to
barangay conflicts, communities can better understand and address the
underlying beliefs and perceptions that fuel disputes, leading to more
effective and lasting resolutions.

The social representation theory provides a new way in exploring the

barangay service delivery issues and gives and open access to the public’s
cognitive shared concentrating about the matters about service provided by
the Barangay and the leaders within the municipality from the members of
the community. SRT may be used as it is the most effective and efficient
approach because of the present collective social knowledge (Lahlou, 2001).
By this integration of experiences and knowledge that was happened before,
the process will be transformed as object representation (Gaskell, 2001).
Nevertheless, social representation is not only a product of shared
knowledge; it is also a picture of group-constructed reality. Wagner et al.
(2001) also emphasizes that people constructively collect the meaning of
any social object and they attach traits and importance which makes an
object part of the societal world and this theory will allow researchers
capture the social groups’ complexity world-making and meaning-making
(Joffe, 2003) and it also can be explained in conditions surrounding an event
or situation, shared beliefs, customs, norms practices and values (Baquiano
and Montiel, 2011).

CONFLICT RESOLUTION THEORY (Lederach, J.P)

This theory provides a framework for analyzing the methods and processes
used to achieve peaceful resolutions to disputes developed by Lederach, J.P.
Conflict transformation seeks to create a framework to address the content,
the context and the structure of relationships. Lederach defines conflict
transformation thus: Conflict transformation is to envision and respond to the
ebb and flow of social conflict as life-giving opportunities for creating
constructive change processes that reduce violence, increase justice in direct
interaction and social structures, and respond to real-life problems in human
relationships.

INTEREST-BASED CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (Oghenechuko &

Godbless, 2018)

Interest-based conflict management system focuses on identifying the

underlying interests and needs of parties involved in a conflict, rather than
just their positions. This model aims to find mutually beneficial solutions that
go beyond simple compromise or win-lose outcomes. The core of this
approach is the recognition that conflicts arise due to differing interests,
concerns, or values held by individuals or groups. Instead of directly
attacking positions or engaging in confrontations, the interest-based
problem-solving model encourages parties to identify and understand their
underlying interests. This model of conflict resolution promotes open
communication, active listening, empathy, and a collaborative mindset. It
encourages parties to move away from adversarial positions and towards
finding common ground and mutually beneficial solutions. This approach
fosters better relationships, enhances understanding, and increases the
likelihood of sustainable resolutions to conflicts in various contexts. Interest-
based conflict management fosters a systemic approach to resolving
conflicts, enhancing the organization's ability to gain insight into itself by
continually addressing areas of disagreement and discord. Additionally, it
provides system participants with opportunities to develop their interest-
based skills and collaborative problem-solving techniques, which are
essential for utilizing the system effectively and feeling empowered.
Moreover, designing interest-based methods through interest-based
processes serves as both a partnership-building and problem-solving
endeavor. When stakeholders actively participate in the design process, they
become genuine partners in identifying, comprehending, and managing their
disputes, assuming a greater sense of accountability for the conflict
management system's successful operation (Oghenechuko & Godbless,
2018).

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

This qualitative case study on conflict resolution skills and strategies in
Barangay Centro 2, Aparri, Cagayan, is framed within an interpretive
paradigm. This approach emphasizes understanding the subjective
experiences and perspectives of community members involved in conflicts
and their resolution.

The study draws on Social Representation Theory to explore how shared

beliefs and common understandings influence conflict perceptions and
resolution strategies. Transformative Mediation Theory provides a lens to
examine the role of empowerment and mutual recognition in the conflict
resolution process, while Community-Based Conflict Resolution highlights the
importance of local customs and social networks.

Data collection methods include in-depth interviews, focus groups,

participant observation, and document analysis to gather comprehensive
insights into the types of conflicts, the skills and strategies used, and their
effectiveness. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify patterns and
themes within the data, revealing the underlying dynamics and factors
affecting conflict resolution in the community.

Through this paradigm, the study aims to uncover the nuanced and context-
specific approaches to conflict resolution in Barangay Centro 2, offering
practical recommendations for enhancing these processes and contributing
to broader theoretical and policy discussions on community-based conflict
management.
Samples of the Schematic Diagram
 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

this study aims to provide an understanding of how the Barangay

chairpersons of Centro 2, Aparri, handles the disputes between its residents –
the effectiveness of their strategies and their competence as Barangay
chairpersons. This research involves the community members, particularly
the disputes, and the Barangay chairpersons. This study is limited to the
Barangay Centro 2, Aparri, and not extended to the other barangays and
towns.

Significance of the Study

The aim of this study is to provide insights into the problems and openings
for betterment with a view to informing the development of guidelines and
measures that fortify local justice systems and promote social cohesion. To
emphasize the importance of grassroots participation in solving conflicts, the
study also aims at showcasing practical scenarios of application and
influence of community-based justice systems highlighting how in most
cases the ordinary way is more applicable than adopted promptly in judicial
systems. To create trust as well as involvement within society, this is very
important through bottom-up perspective guaranteeing that fairness not only
prevails but also is viewed as prevailing among the people towards which
justice system operates.

In addition, this study's finding may highlight the other barangays who want
to develop their own skills and strategies for these aspects and challenges
faces within their community – through helping them create a reference
point. By putting down what works best practices and pointing at where
there is room left for improvement. This research becomes an integral tool
for replication and customization elsewhere in any given locality.

Hypothesis

Barangay chairpersons who possess proper skills and demonstrate effective

leadership are more successful in resolving conflicts and improving local
governance outcomes in their communities. In such achievement, the
barangay chairpersons will have a gauge in addressing future communitarian
issues and may have an advantage to oversight diverse conflicts and be able
to possess an alteration in their approach, seeking improvement for the
betterment of the residents.

Effective conflict resolution in barangays is significantly influenced by the

oral communication skills and leadership capabilities of barangay
chairpersons, which aligns with findings in local governance literature that
emphasize the importance of competent and communicative leaders in
ensuring community stability and service delivery (Jacinto et al., 2023).

Assumption of the Study

The assumption of the study is that skills and general competency of

barangay chairpersons play a major role in how well Barangay resolves
conflicts. To improve local governance and service delivery, it is essential to
have stronger leadership qualities, speak in the mother tongue, and properly
monitor and evaluate barangay officials.

Barangay chairpersons with strong oral communication skills are better

equipped to resolve conflicts within their community.

Leadership experience and knowledge significantly contribute to the

effectiveness of barangay chairpersons in managing and resolving conflicts.

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