Localizing Global Goals: Assessing the Awareness and Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals Among BLGU Officials in Iligan City, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62071/sfkjt248Keywords:
sustainable development goals, SDG localization, local governance, Barangay governance, iligan city, institutional awarenessAbstract
Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) are pivotal to the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because they translate global commitments into local planning, programming, and service delivery. This study examined how awareness shapes the integration of the SDGs among Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) officials in Iligan City, Philippines. Quantitative research design was employed particularly descriptive-correlational, with survey data analyzed through descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank-order correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. The study conducted a survey of 528 BLGU respondents from 44 barangays in Iligan City.
Findings show that although most respondents (86.70%) reported general awareness of the SDGs, the overall level of understanding remains moderate (M=3.07), indicating only basic familiarity rather than deep conceptual knowledge. Awareness is highest for SDGs related to social services, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). In contrast, lower awareness was observed for environmentally-related and cross-sectoral goals such as SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
When it comes to integration, SDG integration in BLGU is largely partially integrated (74.62%), with most barangays incorporating SDG principles only to a limited extent in their plans, programs, and policies. Correlation results also show weak but significant positive relationships between SDG awareness and integration, suggesting that awareness supports integration but is insufficient on its own. The study concludes that SDG localization in Iligan City is still in a transitional stage characterized by moderate awareness and moderate institutionalization, requiring stronger capacity-building, leadership engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
