Banwa Publications (University of the Philippines Mindanao)
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Pathways to the Transformation of the Philippine Food System
No full textAcd. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. is an academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the DOST and Professor Emeritus of UP Mindanao. Prior to joining UP Mindanao, Dr. Rasco served as a faculty member and an official of UP Los Baños and as a scientist in agricultural organizations. Prof. Rasco’s research and advocacies were plant breeding, genetically modified crops, underutilized bioresources, sustainable modern agriculture, and rural transformation through science-based support system for rice farmers, just to name a few. He is the author of The Unfolding Gene Revolution: Ideology, Science, and Regulation of Plant Biotechnology, which won the NAST Most Outstanding Book Award in 2008, and The Nypa Palm: Nature\u27s Gift from the Age of the Dinosaurs, published in 2011. Some of the awards conferred to Dr. Rasco are the following: Outstanding Senior Staff from the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding in 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1990; UPLB Outstanding Alumnus for Vegetable Breeding in 1986; Achievement Award for Agriculture from the Camarines Norte Association in 1987; Bicol Exemplar Award from DOST in 1989; Outstanding Senior Faculty from the UP Mindanao Foundation Inc. in 2009; and the Outstanding Alumnus Award conferred by the UP Alumni Association in 2009
A Preliminary Qualitative Assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s Technology Business Incubation Project in Western Visayas, Philippines
No full textThe primary role of business incubators is to provide a variety of services, resources, and facilities in support of start-ups or enterprises in the early stages of their ventures. While business incubator success indicators have been studied elsewhere, knowledge is scarce regarding incubator processes and how their support programs are organized to achieve their goal of helping out start-ups thrive and survive. This study presents an assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s traditional business incubation facility based in Western Visayas, Philippines, highlighting the activities involved, outputs, and outcomes. Primary data were gathered to describe the project’s activities, outputs, and outcomes, while secondary data were sought from secondary data sources. The key success factors of the incubation project were derived from key informant interviews participated by 16 incubated enterprises. Incubatees underwent six activities throughout the project that led to the formulation of a business plan and improved incubatees’ enterprises. The project’s outcomes gauged through hard (definable and quantifiable results) and soft measures (subjective and unquantifiable results) were highlighted. The most prominent outcome based on hard measures is the growth of their enterprise. The effectiveness of the partnership has the highest impact among the soft measures. Results of the study show that incubatees deemed connections and/or partnerships as crucial to the growth of their enterprises and affiliations with other institutions serve as a window of opportunity to secure financial assistance, marketing services, and technical support. Moreover, gaining trust and establishing good working teams with individuals who are passionate and highly committed were also identified as important factors for the project’s success
Profiling of Heavy Metals in Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) and Seawater and Bottom Sediments in Sarangani Coastline, Southern Philippines
No full textHeavy metals have the ability to accumulate in the human body and disrupt functions of some body organs. These metals can find their way into humans by consumption of metal-contaminated fish. In this study, the presence of heavy metals was assessed in muscle tissues of mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis), locally known as “kawakawa,” collected from General Santos City Fish Port (GSCFP) and Kiamba fish landing sites. Heavy metal presence was also evaluated in seawater and bottom sediments samples collected along the Sarangani coastline. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS); while mercury (Hg), through cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS). Results revealed that the three samples from GSCFP had Hg concentrations ranging from 0.045 to 0.108 mg·kg−1, below the limit set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). In the case of Cd, 0.095 mg·kg−1 Cd was detected from only one out of six samples taken from Kiamba, which exceeded the limit of 0.05 mg·kg−1 prescribed by the US FDA, US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and the European Commission (EC). The data generally indicates that the tuna samples do not pose a serious threat to the health of the consumers. Sediments obtained from Sarangani coastline showed presence of Pb at 62.27 mg·kg−1, which is also below the 128 mg·kg−1 limit. Assessment of pollution status of the study area revealed that the bottom sediments can be classified as unpolluted to moderately polluted based on the levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg, implying minimal heavy metal exposure of this tuna species from the two sampling areas. To ensure no incremental contamination of seawater and bottom sediments occurs, developmental and anthropogenic activities, such as the indiscriminate disposal of industrial and domestic wastes that may be possible sources of heavy metals, should be regulated and more stringent effluent standards adopted
Underreporting of Tuna Catch: Implications to Technical Efficiency of Handline Fishing Vessels in General Santos City, Philippines
No full textWith the increasing demand for tuna products and dwindling marine resources, there is a need to promote sustainability measures. By far, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the most damaging problems in the fishing industry because it directly affects fisheries stocks. In this study, we identified the level of IUU fishing, particularly underreporting of tuna catch, in the Philippines. Moreover, we also identified the drivers of IUU fishing and the implications of IUU activities to the technical efficiency (TE) performance of fishing vessels. We collected the samples in General Santos City, the tuna capital of the Philippines. There were two data sets gathered in this study: an annual panel data (2012−2014) of reported inputs and catch level of 216 registered fishing vessels at the Fish Port Authority and primary data (2014) involving 40 handline tuna fishers. The latter data, assumed to be closer to the “true” level of inputs and catches, were compared per vessel to the former data set. It revealed a widespread underreporting of catches by 51%−100%. Underreporting is more prevalent among vessels of smaller size. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the TE scores of the tuna fishing vessels were overestimated to 0.80 (2012), 0.70 (2013), and 0.72 (2014) using the panel data while the primary data (2014) set suggested a lower TE score of 0.66. This implies that the actual efficiency performance of the handline tuna fishers could be lower by 6% if reporting were true and correct. Hence, we recommend increasing penalties for IUU fishing, increasing frequency of monitoring activities such as the Fisheries Observer Program, and promoting an enabling environment for small-scale fishers
Age Determination and Body Length Relationship of Two-Spot Red Snapper (Lutjanus bohar)
No full textOtolith study on fifty two-spot red snappers (Lutjanus bohar) in Davao Gulf, Philippines, was conducted to describe their growth pattern, determine the age structure, and estimate their age at sexual maturity. Fish samples were obtained from Toril and Bankerohan Public Markets in Davao City from February to June 2015 where fish morphometrics, otolith extraction, and age determination followed. Length-weight relationship showed that L. bohar follows isometric growth pattern (b = 3.0015). Somatic and otolith morphometrics gave significant correlations where otolith length and total length relationship had the highest R2 value (R2 = 0.9382). Out of fifty fish samples, twenty-one of the sagittal otoliths had ages ranging from three to seven years old. The parameters obtained from the age-at-length data fitted to von Bertalanffy growth function were K = 0.81 and L∞ = 28.9 cm, with an estimated age at maturity of six years old. The growth performance index (φ = 2.83) also revealed that L. bohar in Davao Gulf has faster growth rate compared to other locations. Faster growth rate leading to earlier maturity and smaller size-at-maturity may indicate the compounded effects of environmental factors and fishing pressure to slow-growing fishes. Thus, we recommend studying the population ecology of L. bohar in Davao Gulf and considering a larger sample size in future researches
Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Studies on Poly(Hydroxybutyrate-co-Hydroxyhexanoate) / Titanium Dioxide Composites
No full textVarious microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses have been responsible for the rise in food poisoning outbreaks in numerous settings. To prevent this from happening, antimicrobial films can be used as packaging material or coatings on surfaces where food is being processed. However, films like these should not only be effective but also safe. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) when irradiated with ultraviolet light produces free radicals that can destroy organic contaminants and kill bacteria. TiO2 is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a food and pharmaceutical colorant. Polyhydroxybutyrate is a bio-based polymer produced by certain bacteria. Blends of this polymer are being studied for use in implants and drug delivery. Hence, TiO2 immobilized to blends of this polymer may be suitable for use in food processing. Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) and titanium oxide (PHB-HH/TiO2) composite films were irradiated under fluorescent and blacklight lamps. The results show that these films can be activated by both lamps. However, the photocatalytic activity is higher when exposed to blacklight. The films were also irradiated in the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both bacteria had a 0 log count when a 3% PHB-HH/TiO2 composite film was exposed to blacklight for 5 h. Exposure to fluorescent light under the same conditions also showed some antibacterial activity. The photocatalytic activity of the films was enough to inhibit bacterial growth even when exposed to fluorescent lamps. PHB-HH/TiO2 composite films have photocatalytic and antibacterial properties when exposed to both fluorescent and blacklight lamps. The films can therefore be used in the food industry
Estimation of Above-ground Biomass in Mt. Apo Natural Park in the Southern Philippines Using Terrestrial LiDAR System
No full textExtraction of plot-level field measurements entails a rigid and time-consuming task. Fine resolution remote sensing technology offers an objective and consistent method for estimation of forest vertical structures. We explored the development of algorithms for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) at the plot level using terrestrial LiDAR system (TLS). This research follows IPCC Tier 2 approach, by combining field and remote sensing data, in estimating forest carbon stocks. Permanent plots (30 × 30 m diameter) were established inside Mt. Apo Natural Park. Forest inventory was conducted in July 2013, recording tree heights and stem diameters for all hardwood species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm in three management zones: multiple use, strict protection, and restoration. Quadratic mean stem diameter was employed for large DBH intervals for deriving midpoint biomass. Three tropical allometric equations were used to derive referenced biomass values. Regressions results showed satisfactory modeling fit in relating plot-level AGB to DBH class size: 80%–89%. Mean tree heights from field and TLS data were related showing R2 = 88%. TLS variables derived include percentile heights and normalized height bins at 5-m intervals. The generalized linear model is a more robust model for percentile heights, while stepwise regression showed a better regression performance for normalized height bins. Strict protection zone contained the highest carbon storage. This study demonstrated the significant TLS-derived metrics to assess plot-level biomass. TLS scanning is also the first work to be done in this ASEAN Natural Heritage Park, which is constrained with local insurgency problems. Biomass in plot-level can be used to extrapolate to landscape-level using available multispectral or radar imagery
A Comparison Between Conventional and High-Priority Bus Services in Davao City, Southern Philippines
No full textThe increasing demand for transport system in Davao City has paved the way for the proposal of two transportation options, namely, the conventional bus service (CBS) and high-priority bus service (HPBS). A necessary step for transport policy making is quantitatively determining the differences between these transport options. In this study, we compare the projected performances of CBS and HPBS in terms of their expected load factor and passenger waiting time at chosen stations in Davao City. Our assessment is based on the data gathered about the existing public transport system at eight stations in the Mintal area during the morning rush hours. A single server batch service queueing model was adopted in this study to approximate the passenger waiting time at a station for each transport option. Passenger arrivals are fitted to a Poisson distribution using least square methods yielding a headway/service time of 3 min and service frequency during the observation period is 40. Our results show that though the load factor of CBS is higher than the HPBS, it fails to meet the passenger demands at some stations, which resulted in increased passenger waiting time. Our analysis points to HPBS having a better projected performance than CBS in terms of load factor and passenger waiting times at Mintal stations. The methods we developed can be used to perform similar studies for other stations or times, e.g., off-peak and evening rush hours, and provide new insights about these transport options
Survival and Growth Rates of Rafted Sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottboell) Suckers as Influenced by Size and Trimming under Nursery Conditions
No full textIn Mindanao, the sago palms (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) grow in the marsh as semi-wild stands. Attempts to grow suckers in garden soils have shown low survival. This study aimed to determine the survival and growth rates of suckers based on stem base diameter (small, 4–9 cm, and large, 10–15 cm), either trimmed or untrimmed, rafted for 0, 1, 2, and 3 months in the wild (Agusan del Sur) prior to polybagging in the nursery (Davao City). Holding suckers in bamboo rafts by floating in waterways for up to three months and trimmed of their leaves were shown to improve survival in the nursery. During rafting, a mean survival rate of 81% for trimmed suckers (both large and small) was observed when rafted for a month, but survival dropped to 40% when extended to three months. Untrimmed large and small suckers exhibited 60% mortality after a month of rafting. When extended to three months, large suckers were considerably affected with a low 6% survival. In the nursery, rafted suckers (one or two months) did not vary with control (no rafting) in terms of survival of trimmed suckers. However, rafting for three months significantly improved survival rates to 62% for large and 74% for small samples. For untrimmed suckers, large and small suckers in rafts for three months obtained 100% and 67% survival, respectively; while 88% for small suckers in raft for two months. Trimmed suckers rafted longest produced significantly higher leaf count than non-rafted suckers regardless of base size
