Assessment of Neighborhood Watch Program in GIDAS Communities in Bohol Province: Basis for a Community Security Action Plan

Abstract

This study assessed the Neighborhood Watch Program in selected geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS) of Bohol Province as a basis for a Community Security Action Plan. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational survey included 302 respondents, comprising 10 barangay officials and 292 heads of families, during Academic Year 2025–2026. The appended questionnaire contains 17 implementation items, 10 awareness items, and 18 perceived-effectiveness items, rated on five-point scales. Reported implementation was moderate overall (M = 2.94), with community participation (M = 2.81) lower than program structure and organization (M = 3.01) and police–community coordination (M = 3.00). Awareness was moderate (M = 2.96), as was perceived effectiveness (M = 3.07). The reported correlations were positive for implementation and awareness (r = .624), implementation and perceived effectiveness (r = .522), and awareness and perceived effectiveness (r = .516), all p < .001. These findings describe associations rather than causal effects or verified crime reduction. Unequal stakeholder groups, unresolved scoring of negatively worded items, and conflicting reliability records limit inferential conclusions. The proposed action plan prioritizes accessible information, resident participation, role clarification, reporting and referral, and monitored police–community coordination. Final submission requires confirmation of the administered instrument version and scoring key and reanalysis of individual records.