Experiences in the Enforcement of Minimum Health and Security Protocols: The Case of BPSO in Tolosa, Leyte

This study pertains to the experiences of the Barangay Police Safety Officers in enforcing the Minimum Health and Safety Protocols in Tolosa, Leyte. This study aims to explore the experiences, problems encountered, and coping mechanisms of the participants of the study. This study utilized the Qualitative Research Design in a form of a Case Study. There were seven participants who underwent an individual interview with the aid of an Interview Guide and an audio recording device. An accomplished Consent Form by the participants was also secured by the researcher to signify the participants’ voluntariness in participating in the data gathering. The researcher made-used Colaizzi’s method in treating the gathered data. Out of the responses analyzed by the researcher, the following themes were formulated: Community towards COVID-19 Protocol Implementation, Adaptation from the Changes in the New Normal, Barangay Council; Its Vigor to Mediate and the Legislative assistance as BPSOs problems arise. The findings of the study are as follows; From the experiences of the BPSOs, the researcher found out that the community responses had affected the performance of the BPSOs in the proper implementation of protocols. Also, each barangay varies in policy implementation, and the changes in the routine of work of the participants affect their personal time in looking for means of living. On the problems encountered by the participants, the researcher found that there was leniency in attendance and performance monitoring of the participants, insufficient support for Personal Protective Equipment, inconsistent remuneration for hazards, incidental fees, and allowances. Lastly, there were no concrete coping mechanisms employed by the participants. They just ignore and disregard the effects of the problems encountered. They don’t undergo stress debriefing or intervention programs and when serious problems transpire in the community, they only rely on the LGU and Barangay Officials in dealing with the community