Effectiveness of the Implementation of the Poverty Alleviation Policy of the Phitsanulok Provincial Administrative Organization

Abstract

          The objectives of this research are 1) to study the effectiveness of the poverty alleviation policy on the implementation process of local government organizations in Phitsanulok Province. 2) to study the factors affecting the effectiveness of poverty alleviation policy on the basis of the implementation of local government organizations in Phitsanulok Province, and 3) to study problems and obstacles and to present some guidelines for poverty problem solving in Phitsanulok Province.
          This research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods, namely mixed methods research. Survey research was launched by collecting quantitative data from sub-district headmen and village headmen in nine districts of Phitsanulok Province, totaling 316 people. The qualitative data were analyzed by using inductive methods, content analysis, and interpretation through in-depth interviews with key informants to explain the phenomena. The results of research were found that
          1. The level of effectiveness of the implementation of poverty alleviation policies by local administrative organizations in Phitsanulok Province was at the highest level (with a mean of 4.70, standard deviation of .090).  When considering each aspect, it was found that the top position in terms of government service access had an average of 4.96, at the highest level.  The second top rank was income, with an average of 4.95, at the highest level, and the third one was in education, with an average of 4.71, at a very high level.
          2. Factors that affect the effective of implementing poverty alleviation policies into practice by local administrative organizations in Phitsanulok Province are community potential factors (Beta =.570), policy implementation leadership factors (Beta =. 415) policy factors (Beta =.412) and resource adequacy factors (Beta =.503)
          3. In terms of problems and obstacles from implementing the poverty alleviation policy by local government organizations in Phitsanulok Province, it was found that (1) data collection reflected lack of knowledge and understanding in surveying and collecting data at the local level.   (2) project implementation/activities had no consistency.  Therefore, the target group did not have confidence in problem solving by the local government organizations. (3) Attitudes and behavior of the target group who were used to receiving assistance from the government made this group provide inaccurate information because the group was afraid of not receiving state welfare. (4) Attitude of policy leaders to practice without comprehensive scrutiny of the facts had negative impacts on certain groups of poor people who did not have access to government assistance.  And (5) The integrated participation of the operating units had no connections to the integrated collaboration from each sector.
          Guidelines for poverty problem solving in Phitsanulok Province are: use the same data set and create working attitude by integrating with ‘Matching Policy’ from the level of creating plans/projects in a holistic level that is appropriate to the target group. Besides, do set common goals, link to common budgets (Matching Fund) and design target measures from the same database, create cooperation with various sectors, and work together to solve spatial problems.