Poverty Alleviation Policies: From the Lens of Barangay Officials in Davao City

The persistent occurrence of poverty in the Philippines continues to affect various families, particularly disadvantaged people in urbanizing communities, despite the government's implementation of poverty alleviation policies; progress remains elusive. This study aimed to explore and examine the lived experiences of barangay officials in Davao City at the local level, their views and insights on implementing poverty alleviation policies, and their recommendations for a responsive and sustainable approach. This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological method. Seven study participants were chosen explicitly from barangay officials in four barangays in Davao City using the purposive sampling method. This study utilized in-depth interviews (IDIs) and formulated an interview guide to collect the data. After analyzing the data, the results revealed that barangay officials in Davao City prioritize serving the least privileged due to encountering limited budget allocation, bureaucratic constraints, and inconsistent program support. Barangay officials implement livelihood opportunities, skills training, anti-gambling initiatives, and community partnerships as strategic coping mechanisms to support vulnerable groups. The results further revealed that while current poverty alleviation policies provide essential assistance, systemic challenges limit their effectiveness, underscoring the need for reform in policy implementation practices. The participants’ views and insights concluded that Davao City barangay officials demonstrate active commitment to addressing poverty at the local level, requiring strengthened institutional support to enhance the reach and impact of poverty alleviation initiatives. Finally, it is recommended that both national and regional governments strengthen barangay autonomy and funding, as well as institutionalize community-specific poverty reduction frameworks.