Case Study: Municipality of Kawayan, Biliran: Transforming Traditional Politics
Case Study: MUNICIPALITY OF KAWAYAN, BILIRAN: TRANSFORMING TRADITIONAL POLITICS

The case assigned for our analysis was about the leadership story of Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, Mayor of the Municipality of Kawayan, a fifth-class municipality in the Province of Biliran in Region VIII.

4. Internal Factor Evaluation

In analyzing the leadership style of Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, we come across several significant strengths and weaknesses inherent in the individual (as case-study subject).

Strengths:

Experience / Family Background
Undoubtedly, Mayor Espina’s performance as local executive of the Municipality of Kawayan was greatly affected by his family’s political background. Born into a politically-oriented clan, Espina was exposed very early to the affairs of his father; he had early exposure as well in political campaigning and visiting his father’s constituents.
This early exposure made him comfortable with people, honed his interpersonal skills, and perhaps even made him generally likable. This would eventually prove helpful in his political career.
Mayor Espina also had experience as farm manager – this developed his skills in general administrative tasks, people management, and basic human relations. His experience abroad also strengthened his personal will and character.

Personality
Mayor Espina’s orientation toward people was clearly among his major strengths. Through his personality, Espina was able to talk immediately to his constituents – knowing at once what problems they had that affected their daily affairs.

Weaknesses:

Failure to adapt to the changing needs of the times
Being bred in traditional politics, Mayor Espina was oriented on what was traditionally valued by the constituents – infrastructure and the delivery of basic services like electricity