Citizen Perception in the Context of the New Municipal Restructuring in the Paracentral Zone of El Salvador

Abstract

The citizen perception study was conducted in the Paracentral Zone of El Salvador (departments of San Vicente, Cabañas, Cuscatlán, and La Paz) with the aim of analyzing the population’s opinions on the new municipal restructuring and the management of local governments. A total of 1,226 individuals over the age of 18 were surveyed, with a diverse sample in terms of age, gender, and residence area (55% urban and 45% rural).

The research followed a descriptive and quantitative approach, using structured surveys organized into three phases: planning, execution, and data analysis. In the planning phase, a questionnaire was designed with closed and multiple-choice questions addressing topics such as citizens' perception of the efficiency of local administration, municipal resource allocation, transparency in governance, and access to public services.

The execution phase was carried out in person, reaching a representative sample of the population over 18 years old in the municipalities of the Paracentral Zone. The research was conducted with the collaboration of students from the Paracentral Multidisciplinary Faculty of the University of El Salvador. Once the data was collected, it was entered into PSPP software for processing. The results were organized into a report that includes tables, graphs, and interpretive analysis, providing a detailed view of citizen perception regarding the new municipal restructuring.