PESTLE ANALYSIS

Mendez abides by the “Sangguniang Bayan”, serving as the legislative body for the municipality and is used to  formulate ordinances, pass resolutions, and allocate funds to promote the welfare of the community.

Mendez abides by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with regards to its trade policies and there is no distinct labor law of Mendez as it also abides by the labor law of Cavite. The DTI has a program called the One Town, One Product (OTOP) in Cavite which stimulates local business and employment by pushing the local community to promote and create products. The LGU also provides support in providing various training and counseling that train the locals.

To continue, Mendez isn’t a separate entity from the laws and regulations of Cavite, as their tax policy is also dependent on the province and other nationwide regulations. Mendez following the Local Revenue Code of Cavite.

The incumbent mayor of Mendez is Francisco Mendoza Jr. and the vice mayor is Raygan N. Dimapilis. The mayor belongs to the  National Unity Party (NUP). While his vice mayor belongs to the National People’s Coalition Party (NPC). There are no reports of corruption within the LGU of Mendez, both presently and in the past.

The latest census figures back in 2020 denote a positive annualized growth rate of 2.15% in their overall population, or an increase of 3,350 people, from the previous population of 31,529 back in 2015.  Meanwhile, based on the graph back in 2015, when combining the age groups together, those aged 14 and below, makes up an aggregate of 27.98% (8,822). As for those ages 15 up to 64, they constitute a total of 65.48% (20,644). Finally, the old dependent population which ranges from the ages of 65 and over, comes up to a total of 6.54% (2,063).

The safety of the residents in Mendez is addressed through several provincial-level initiatives from the Cavite Office of Public Safety (PG-COPS). They focus on their policy, emergency responses, police support, and as well as municipal efforts like establishing local emergency hotlines. Meanwhile, Health awareness in Mendez is fostered through several local government initiatives. This includes programs such as health campaigns that actively promote a healthy lifestyle, and the provision of free health services through medical and dental missions provided by the provincial government. 

As for their lifestyle in Mendez, it can be described as a blend of traditional agricultural practices due to the emerging influences of tourism and urban development in recent years. Residents benefit from the town's favorable cool climate for their farming and agriculture, which remains a significant part of the local economy and identity today. Career attitudes in Mendez are shaped by its local economy. With the assistance of the Provincial Government of Cavite, they can actively facilitate employment through initiatives like the Cavite Career Caravan to connect job seekers with opportunities in sectors like retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. 

Mendez is under national and provincial legislation which ensures compliance with laws which protect the rights of their residents. Mendez adheres to implementing anti-discrimination laws by complying in Gender and Development Code of Cavite which supports gender equality across Cavite and prohibits any discrimination based on gender, age, or religion (Cavite Provincial Government, n.d.). While the municipality doesn’t have their own antitrust laws, the Philippine Competition Act promotes a national prohibition to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position which helps Mendez in regulating fair actions and preventing monopolistic behaviors (Lawphil, n.d). For employment laws, the municipality’s residents and establishments are governed by the Presidential Decree No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines. This ensures that labor conditions, equal work opportunities, and the rights of workers are properly maintained and cohered.

Mendez also enforces the national Consumer Act of the Philippines which safeguards the rights of consumers to maintain fair trades in businesses (Philippine Commission on Women, n.d.). In terms of copyright and patent laws, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, which is applied nationwide, ensures the transfer of technology, starts foreign investments, and secures market access products. As for the health and safety laws, Mendez gives priority to a healthy welfare by aligning to Republic Act No. 7452 which enhances access to different healthcare services and upholds sanitation standards and by going through a regular medical and dental missions. (Cavite News, 2024; Signal PH, n.d.). All in all, these legal measures contribute in maintaining a just, secured, and well-regulated environment for the residents of Mendez.