This research documented the performance of local public enterprises (LPEs) in Pagadian City and the municipalities of Molave, Domingag, Bayog and Margosatubig in Zamboaanga del Sur. The study analyzed the efficiency and physical accessibility of selected LPEs, and the effectiveness of Public markets.
LPEs that were efficiently operates by the LGUs were the water systems and public markets. On the other hand, slaughterhouses and integrated bus and jeep terminals (IBJTs) were inefficiently handled by the LGUs. The LPEs in the study areas were efficient in Bayog and Molave, inefficient is Margosatubig and had erratic results in Pagadian City and Dumingag in terms of net operating margin and debt service coverage ratio.
Public markets were effective in terms of fulfillment of social objectives such as quality service to the market stallholders, employment generation and improvement of living conditions. Most of the LPEs were physically accessible within the 5-kilometer distance and 125-minute travel time to the LPEs. However, there were barangays that have no direct or poor access to roads.
The results of the study will be very useful for Zamboagna del Sur in improving the operation of LPEs through strengthening institutional support, improvement of collection efficiency and increase of fees. Further, public markets will be more effective by increasing awareness on the benefits of public markets to market stallholders, and increasing market accessibility to users/consumers. Lastly, physical accessibility of LPEs could be increased through improvement of road access and road conditions.