Advisers

Myrna S. Cuntapay, PhD

Discipline

Criminology

Abstract

A barangay is the smallest local government unit in the Philippines, responsible for managing policies, programs, and basic services for the community. Barangay officials, led by the Barangay Captain and councilors, address concerns such as safety, security, traffic management, and disaster response (Jacinto et al., 2023). Under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160), barangays are mandated to maintain peace and order through initiatives like community policing and the Barangay Tanod, enabling local leaders to take proactive measures to protect residents. However, in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City, safety and security efforts are challenged by limited personnel and inadequate facilities, resulting in weak crime response and system deficiencies (Daguia et al., 2024). Due to limited research on how the barangay manages these issues despite resource constraints, this study examines the safety and security challenges faced by Barangay Batasan Hills. It aims to identify gaps and recommend strategies to strengthen community safety and improve local governance effectiveness. The study employed a quantitative approach using a descriptive research design to analyze variables through appropriate statistical methods. Descriptive research, according to Bhat (2025), focuses on developing research questions, designing the study, and analyzing data without manipulating any variables. In this study, the design was used to examine how Barangay Batasan Hills addresses safety and security concerns. It assessed the implementation of policies and programs, officials’ responses to issues, and residents’ perceptions of community safety. Table 1 presents the respondents’ age distribution, showing that the majority are 51 years old and above, with 24 participants (48%). This is followed by the 34–41 age group with 12 respondents (24%), and those aged 18–25 comprising 22% of the sample. The 26–33 and 42–50 age groups have the lowest representation, indicating that older individuals make up most of the study participants. Most respondents are aged 51 and above (48%), followed by 34–41 years old (24%) and 18–25 years old (22%). The majority are male (82%) and belong to the lower socio-economic class (76%). Most have lived or served in the barangay for 10 years or more (68%). There were statistically significant differences in perceptions across all indicators (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

Keywords

crime prevention, Traffic Management, Disaster Risk Reduction