Gacusana, David M.2026-02-072019-05Gacusana, D.M. (2019). Candon city constituents' understanding and acceptability of federalism in the Philippines. (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City.https://dspace.uc-bcf.edu.ph/handle/123456789/451The form of government in the Philippines is unitary and presidential system. This has been the kind of government in the country since the time when the Spaniards colonized Philippines up to the present. However, one of the major political agenda of President Rodrigo R. Duterte when he ran for president in 2016 is to federalized the country. President Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing for a constitutional change that would allow for a shift to a federal form of government, saying this would lead to a more equitable distribution of wealth and political power throughout the regions and bring lasting peace in Mindanao. This study is undertaken to find out whether or not federalism as pushed by the national government is acceptable to the elected officials of Candon city, Ilocos Sur. The findings of this study may be used by the government as data during their consultations with their constituents. This study determined the level of acceptability of the proposed federalism in the Philippines as perceived by the constituents of Candon City, Ilocos Sur. It answered specifically the following questions: 1. what is the level of understanding of the constituents in Candon City, Ilocos Sur regarding federalism along: a. political; b. economic; c. socio-cultural; and d. peace and security? 2. what is the level of acceptability of the proposed federalism in the Philippines as perceived by the constituents of Candon City, Ilocos Sur along: a. political; b. economic; c. socio-cultural; and d. peace and security? 3. how do the local situations along the following areas relate to the acceptability of the proposed federalism in the Philippines along: a. political; b. economic; c. socio-cultural; and d. peace and security? In this study, the researcher used the descriptive method of research wherein the questionnaire was the main tool in gathering data. The respondents of this study are the constituents in the coastal, tribal and urban barangays of Candon City, Ilocos Sur. The following are the major findings of the study: 1. the level of understanding of the constituents of Candon City, Ilocos Sur on the proposed Federalism in the Philippines is revealed as “ moderately understood” with an over-all mean 3.15 along the political aspect, the mean is 3.09; closely by a mean of 3.08 for both the economic and socio-cultural aspects; and finally a mean of 2.94 on peace and order aspect. 2. The level of acceptability of elected officials and their constituents on the proposed federalism is moderately acceptable garnering an over-all mean of 3.17 along the political aspect a mean of 3.12; 3.11 along the economic aspect, a slightly higher mean of 3.27 on the socio-cultural aspect; and for the peace and security component mean of 3.17. 3. Most of the respondents favor the adoption of federal form of government as the political system in the Philippines. They said that federalism will result into more favorable political stability, economic prosperity and socio-cultural aspects in the country. It will also provide an avenue to improve the peace and order situation of the country. Though there few who are still adopt a skeptical attitude about the adoption of federalism in the Philippines. Based from the findings of the study, the following were concluded: 1. the constituents of the city of Candon, Ilocos Sur have moderate understanding of the proposed federalism in the Philippines along the political, economic, socio-cultural and peace and security aspects. 2. the constituents of the city of Candon, Ilocos Sur have moderate acceptability of the proposed federalism in the Philippines along the political, economic, socio-cultural and peace and order security aspects. 3. most of the respondents favor the adoption of federal form of government as the political system in the Philippines. They said that federalism will result into more favorable political stability, economic prosperity and socio-cultural aspects in the country. It will also provide an avenue to improve the peace and order situation of the country. The local political, economic, socio-cultural and peace and security situations in Candon City influence most of the respondents to favor the adoption of federal form of government in the Philippines. The researcher made the following recommendations based on the findings and conclusions of the study: 1. The proponents of federalism should be more aggressive in explaining well to their constituents the strengths or advantages as well as the weaknesses or disadvantages of federalism so that they will have a better idea about the proposed political system as an alternative to the present unitary form of government in the country. This may be done through a series of lecture-fora, symposia or town hall discussions to expound on the merits and demerits of federalism. These activities must be attended by all stakeholders in the community of Candon City, Ilocos Sur. 2. Since the level of acceptability of federalism is moderate among respondents in the three barangays, the strengthened in all barangays of Candon City, Ilocos Sur. Specifically, explanations and discussions must be strengthened on the socio-cultural aspects as a manner of cultural unification and integration. 3. Since majority of the interviewed respondents responded positively on the advantages of federalism to respond to local issues on political, economic, socio-cultural, and peace and security matters, series of campaigns promoting the advantages of federalism must be launched by the national and local officials who are proposing this. They can network with the educators and civil society and non-profit organizations to campaign fully for the adoption of federalism in the city. 4. Further studies should be conducted by other researchers using other setsen-USThesis