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Analysis of Land Conversion, Rice Land Values, and Paddy Rice Productivity and Profitability in Santa Rosa, Laguna, 2021
No full textThis study analyzed the land conversion, rice land values, and paddy rice productivity and profitability in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Specifically, it aimed to describe the trends for paddy rice production and rice land area; characterize land conversion; assess the productivity of paddy rice farms; estimate the profitability and foregone income of paddy rice production; and estimate the value of rice land. A total of 31 farmers were interviewed for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, GIS mapping, cost and return analysis, and analysis of rice land values. GIS maps from 1980 and 2015 documented Santa Rosa\u27s landscape transformation, which showed a significant shift from agricultural to industrial, commercial, and residential uses. By 2015, the eastern side of the city had become mainly residential, while the western side saw industrial and mixed-use developments. Despite these changes, agricultural land persisted scattered around the city, particularly for paddy rice and high-value crops. A land cover map for 2021 revealed that majority of the city had medium to high levels of built- up areas, as fewer patches of rice land remained. From 2009 to 2020, there was a notable reduction in paddy rice land, with a total loss of 319.10 hectares, a 64.60 percent decrease. The study found that farms in Santa Rosa were productive and ranged 3.76MT to 4.22MT per hectare in the dry season. Wet season farming was slightly less productive and ranged from 2.37MT to 2.81MT per hectare. Dry season farming was generally profitable, with net incomes ranging from PhP24,225.00 to PhP39,308.33 per hectare. However, the wet season presented challenges, with some farms incurred losses ranging from PhP3,364.29 loss to PhP9,756.67 net income per hectare. Among the seven barangays of the respondents, six barangays were categorized as having medium to high levels of built- up area. Only Malitlit had low levels of built-up area, as well as being productive and profitable. The study also computed the net present value (NPV) of rice farms over 20 years, revealing significant variation across different barangays. Barangay Macabling had the highest NPV of PhP862,947.76, while Barangay Sinalhan had the lowest at PhP284,914.54. These disparities highlighted the varying economic viability of rice farming in the area. Moreover, the estimated market value of rice land was significantly higher than the NPV over 20 years which may lead to many farmers and landowners to consider converting or selling their land. The study recommended strict enforcement of zoning regulations to protect historically productive rice land; targeted intervention through input subsidies and bulk purchasing; mechanization and proper training programs; and maintenance of irrigation canal and trash management. Furthermore, this study recommended that future research be conducted on factors affecting land conversion and the dynamics between tenant farmer and landowner
Analysis of the Wage Gap Between Public and Private Nurses in the National Capital Region of the Philippines
No full textThis study seeks to determine the implicit market prices for the nurse and hospital characteristics, determine the magnitude of the wage gap between public and private nurses, and analyze the factors that contribute to the wage gap between public and private nurses in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. With this, the study integrates Hedonic Wage Theory, Human Capital Theory, and Compensating Wage Differential to provide an analysis of the wage gap between public and private nurses. The study utilized a proportionate stratified random sampling method within Department of Health licensed hospitals in the National Capital Region to ensure a representative sample of the nursing population. Hedonic regression analysis was utilized to determine the implicit market prices of nurse and hospital characteristics. For the implicit market prices of the nurse characteristics, age, years of service in the hospital, having postgraduate education and participating in training programs show statistically significant effects on wage. For implicit market prices of the hospital characteristics, having effective technology, COVID- 19 benefits, accommodation and transportation benefits, patients assigned per day, and infection exposure exhibit statistically significant effects on nurse wages. For the magnitude of the wage gap between public and private nurses, the wage of public nurses is higher by Php 12,099.69 or 47% of average private nurses’ wages. The average monthly wages of nurses in the public hospital is Php 37946.91 versus Php 25847.22 in the private hospital. Using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression with Robust Standard Error, the study found that having a postgraduate degree, participating in training programs, having effective hospital technology, receiving accommodation and transportation benefits, and being a nurse in a public hospital are associated with higher wages
Households\u27 Willingness to Pay for a Solid Waster Collection Service in Sitio Buntog, Barangay Canlubang, Calamba City
No full textWith solid waste related concerns in the country such as increased waste generation and pollution worsened by the lack of properly implemented practices and facilities, services such as solid waste collection is a necessary disposal method nationwide. Using a Contingent Valuation Method, this study determined the valuation for a solid waste collection service in Sitio Buntog, Barangay Canlubang, Calamba City. Random distribution of bids in the survey questionnaire among randomly selected 118 household heads were interviewed. With the use of logistic regression analysis, three explanatory variables were found to be significant in affecting households’ willingness to pay which are: bid amount, household size, and environmental awareness. Bid amount and household size were consistent with various literature to have a negative relationship with WTP. Unlike environmental awareness, which yielded a negative relationship which contrasts cited literature.
Using the Turnbull estimator, households’ willingness to pay for a solid waste collection service in the Sitio Buntog is Php 66.45 referring to the corrected data. Assuming it is collected monthly, the annual garbage collection fee revenue may fund 39.37% of the total cost of a one year contract for the aforementioned service
Carbon Footprint and the student lifestyle: drivers of carbon footprint of UPLB College of Economics and Management Students
No full textCarbon Footprint has developed into an accessible tool to assess one’s contribution to harming the environment. In this study, the focus is on measuring Carbon Footprint (CF) at an individual level, specifically, from the stance of a student’s lifestyle. Using Carbon Footprint Calculation, and Environmental Kuznets Curve Regression, this study investigated the behavior of the CF under the influence of the different factors and activities that have been found to significantly affect it. The results of CF calculation found that the annual average CF of CEM students amounted to 965.72kg/CO2e. This finding was lower compared to the chosen baseline references of Cortes (2022) and Abarracoso (2022) which results amounted to 1,100kg/CO2e and 2,554.59kg/CO2e, respectively. Of all the activities selected for CF calculation in this study, the top three contributors to were dining, electricity consumption, and personal computer use. Comparing such with the chosen baseline references highlighted the effect of the variation in methodology on the results of CF Calculation, specifically, on the selection of activities included and emission factors used. The regression results found that income and campus proximity were significant variables that affect student CF. Campus proximity had a positive relationship with CF. However, the income variable stands out as its squared term was included to capture the presence of EKC. Results show that income had a negative relationship with CF, and its squared term had a positive relationship with student CF, which leads this study to conclude that there is not enough evidence to support the theory behind EKC, and that as income increases, CF also increases, with no evidence of a turning point
A Benefit-Cost Analysis on Agrivoltaic System Adoption in the Philippines: A Case Study on Acen Solar Gulayan /
No full textThe integration of solar photovoltaic panels within agricultural areas, known as agrivoltaic systems, presents a promising solution to tackle the intertwined challenges of low-impact energy generation to the environment and agricultural production. The study aims to evaluate and analyse the benefits and costs of agrivoltaic systems and their adoption in the Philippines. This study conducted a comprehensive Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to assess the economic viability of the Solar Gulayan Program, an innovative initiative implementing agrivoltaic technology in Alaminos, Philippines. The results reveal a positive Net Present Value (NPV) ranging from Php 67,911,983/ha to Php 72,368,009/ha, emphasizing the economic efficiency of the program. The contribution of adding various agricultural components to the system generated additional benefits of Php 383,320.26/ha scenario 1, Php 473,904.40/ ha scenario 2, and Php 496,702.90 /ha scenario 3 strengthens the economic viability of agrivoltaics.
However, despite its economic potential, agrivoltaics adoption in the Philippines encounters challenges such as archipelagic nature and fragmented agricultural lands, alongside sectoral constraints and limited access to investments. Nevertheless, the adoption of agrivoltaic systems offers a transformative pathway towards sustainable development in the Philippines. While not a general solution for all climate change problems, agrivoltaics presents a valuable and viable technical approach to simultaneously address energy and food production needs while conserving land resources and pushing for sustainability in the energy and agricultural sectors
A Case Study of Casile-Guinting Upland Marketing Cooperative Focusing on Coffee Production
No full textThe coffee industry in the Philippines remains a significant source of livelihood for local farmers and businesses. However, the supply of coffee has been generally declining in the country despite its continuously growing demand. Casile-Guinting Upland Marketing Cooperative, the primary subject of this special problem report, is a cooperative that primarily processes and markets coffee in Barangay Casile, Cabuyao City, Laguna. The community in the area had been producing coffee for 30 years before the cooperative’s establishment in 2011. It has a record of 202 members, 68 of which are coffee farmers with combined coffee farms of approximately 25 hectares. At present, the cooperative’s manager is Ms. Michelle Dela Cruz who has been serving the cooperative for almost 9 years.
The study entitled “A Case Study of Casile-Guinting Upland Marketing Cooperative” was conducted to assess the business performance of Casile-Guinting Upland Marketing Cooperative in Barangay Casile, Cabuyao City, Laguna. The specific objectives were to (a) describe the current state of CGUMC’s performance in each of its four business functions; (b) identify the internal and external factors affecting CGUMC’s business environment and their implications; (c) examine the critical issues faced by CGUMC and its members; (d) generate and evaluate the potential impact of each strategy to the critical issues; and (e) design an implementation plan for the top strategy.
The researcher employed a case study approach that utilized both primary and secondary data to gather information for the study. The primary data were acquired through key informant interviews conducted with five members of the cooperative. Meanwhile, the secondary data were obtained from existing sources such as documents provided by the cooperative including access to its financial statements for the last five years and company profile. Others were collected from research materials and other publications pertinent to the study.
The analytical framework for the study centralized on the strategic management process adopted from Ketchen and Short (2013, p. 32), a four-stage process as follows: (1) understanding strategy and performance, (2) environmental and internal scanning, (3) strategy formulation, and (4) strategy implementation. The primary and secondary data aided in understanding its strategy and performance. Meanwhile, the PESTLE analysis for the external environment and the assessment of the core business functions were used to scan the environmental and internal factors affecting the cooperative. Furthermore, the SWOT analysis was conducted to outline key internal and external factors. On the other hand, the problem identification and analysis determined the core issue in the cooperative. Both of these aided in the formulation of strategies for the cooperative. Finally, the strategic plan or the end output for the study was designed for the implementation of strategies.
The problem flowchart identified the cooperative’s unorganized management structure as the core problem, which primarily affects member involvement and operational efficiency. The primary causal factors include (a) communication gap between management and members, (b) lack of general reserve funds, (c) failure to distribute interest on share capital and patronage refund, and (d) declining revenues. Meanwhile, the secondary causal factors include (a) inefficient supply chain, (b) poor management practices, (c) low brand visibility, (d) weak pricing strategies, and (e) vulnerability to cost fluctuations.
The strategic plan provided a proposed strategic direction for the cooperative including new vision and mission statements. Specific goals were also proposed centralized to the primary goal of uplifting the lives of Casile-Guinting Upland Marketing Cooperative members. The overall strategy formulated was to amend the current organizational structure into one that better streamlines processes within the cooperative across all business functions. Specific yet interconnected strategies were also formulated for each business function, all of which aligned with the overall strategy’s primary goal
Consumer Preference and Purchase Intention on Frozen Yogurt Among College Students in Calamba, Laguna
No full textThe global frozen yogurt market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2031, potentially reaching around USD 17 billion in revenue by 2031 (Market Square Insights, 2023). Over the past years, there has been a notable expansion in the frozen yogurt market and its awareness, fueled by shifting consumer preferences and lifestyle choices. Within the diverse consumer segments, college students stand out as a significant demographic, characterized by their unique tastes, preferences, and buying behaviors. This study aimed to investigate college students preference and purchase intentions for frozen yogurt in the context of Calamba City, Laguna, and identify factors that drive their consumption. By analyzing the factors that drive the preferences and purchase intentions, it enables businesses and marketers to better tailor their offerings for different consumer segments, especially for college student consumers. The significance of this study is enhancing the market strategies and product offerings accessibility for businesses in Calamba, Laguna. With limited frozen yogurt shops in the area, understanding consumer preferences can also reveal broader market trends, particularly among college students, who often drive consumer trends.
Fortune Business Insights (2020) reported that the Asia Pacific Region is witnessing growth driven by changing lifestyles and a rising of health-conscious consumers. Moreover, digital platforms increase positive awareness, with the frozen yogurt market growing due to increased online sales, improved logistics, simplified payment methods, and international market expansion opportunities, it is an opportunity for greater accessibility and consumer reach. However, these businesses encounter difficulty in differentiating their products in a competitive environment due to market saturation. The increasing availability of substitutes in the frozen yogurt market poses a potential obstacle to its growth (Chaudhary, 2023). Consumer behavior is a dynamic process, characterized by the interplay between preferences and purchase intentions, creating a feedback loop. The study was grounded in the conceptual framework from various studies. Different extrinsic and intrinsic factors can shape the preferences and purchase intentions of college students when it comes to frozen yogurt. From this, potential marketing strategies or insights mar emerge from studying consumer behavior.
The study used quantitative research design to efficiently observe a large portion of the population with convenience sampling methods to gather respondents. The primary data was obtained through surveys, particularly self-administered questionnaires. The study employed descriptive data analysis techniques to point out trends and relationships. Modified Kruskal Drivers Analysis identified the key factors that drive both consumers preference and purchase intentions while the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient assessed the likelihood of purchase on their preferences.
The study collected a total of 192 respondents, with 68.23% consumers and 31.77% non-consumers who are mostly consists of 18-25 year old student with an active lifestyle. Consumers had more product knowledge from media, specifically with its benefits, compared to non-consumers. The most famous frozen yogurt was ice cream although they see it as a less healthy compared to frozen yogurt. Among college students, the influence of their purchases was mostly from their friends and due to the good taste of the product. Many non-consumers were hesitant to consume frozen yogurt even though a sizeable portion of the respondents intent to buy frozen yogurt in the future. Their hesitations were rooted from not being a fan of the product, preference for other frozen desserts, and lack of access to frozen yogurt shops. Additionally, non-consumers perceive frozen yogurt as good and beneficial, but they see it as an overpriced dessert. Non-consumers will open to trying the product if it has good taste and smell, lower prices, and good reviews.
The main constructs of the study were derived from both the consumer and non-consumer respondents. Three factors were assessed, particularly intrinsic factors, and purchase considerations, to determine which affect their preferences and purchase intentions towards frozen yogurt. For both the consumers and non-consumers, the intrinsic factors that drive their preferences are pleasure, enjoyment, and satisfaction of consuming the product. Moreover, the store reputation and the services of salespeople are important extrinsic factors for consumers while convenience and ease of access to transportation were taken into account by non-consumers. Overall, the purchase considerations that drive preferences of both consumers and non-consumers are product availability and easy access to the store, they would prefer frozen yogurt and frozen desserts if it is readily available to them.
On the other hand, the purchase intentions of consumers were driven by intrinsic factors of satisfaction and enjoyment, which are in line with the intrinsic factors that drive their preferences. While non-consumers will intend to purchase frozen yogurt if it affects their well-being positively. For the extrinsic factors of consumers, it was again driven by the service of salespeople. Conversely, the intention to purchase of non-consumers was driven by extrinsic factors of convenience. Lastly, the most significant purchase consideration that drove the purchase intention of consumers was product availability, however, the creaminess and texture of the product were more important for non-consumers.
It can be said that a strong preference for the product increases the likelihood of purchasing it for consumers since there is a notable correlation of 0.301 between preference for frozen yogurt and purchase intention. If consumers strongly prefer frozen yogurt, it directly influences their purchasing decisions, leading to increase demand (Yong, 2021). On the contrary, non-consumers did not exhibit a direct link between the preference for frozen desserts and the intention to purchase. The accessibility and location of a product are key factors influencing consumer preferences for store selection, however, non-consumers are more inclined to consider purchasing products they perceive as high quality (Hakim et al., 2020).
Consumer preference and purchase intention are mainly on the positive side, even though there are few hesitations when consuming frozen yogurt, especially for non-consumers. These reservation are related to concerns or uncertainties about the product, such as being overpriced, tangy taste, and poor texture. The barrier should first be exceeded by leveraging the availability and ease of access to frozen yogurt shops. For both consumers and non-consumers, the insights and recommendations are centered on addressing consumer demands. Business would benefit from expanding their presence in areas such as malls. convenience stores, proximity to schools and universities, and tourist spots. Additionally, marketers can capitalize on promoting the health advantages of consuming frozen yogurt to the market, considering that both consumers and non-consumers view frozen yogurt as healthier option compared to other frozen desserts
Boar Sperm Performance in Polystyrene Transport Cool Box Under Various Storage Conditions and Holding Times [RSEARCH NOTE]
Get PDFWhen transporting highly valuable boar semen samples over long distances, it is crucial to ensure that boar semen is stored ideally at approximately 15 – 17°C to minimize the impact of cold shock and oxidative damage on sperm quality. This study evaluated the performance of a commercially available semen and embryo polystyrene transport cool box, BotuFLEX®, in preserving the quality of extended boar semen under different storage conditions and holding times. Boar ejaculates were extended at 1:1 or 1:3 using a commercial mid-term extender, stored in a BotuFLEX® semen cool box, and examined 24 vs. 48 h thereafter (Experiment 1; n = 12), or 24 h after storage in air-conditioned room vs. ambient room (Experiment 2; n = 9) conditions. Comprehensive sperm motility using the Sperm Class Analyzer® CASA system revealed no significant difference in either total and progressively motile sperm, and the combined progressivity and velocity characteristics across different treatments. Almost similar results were observed on sperm vitality using the standard supravital staining technique except that percent live spermatozoa were higher at 24 h of storage using the 1:1 dilution
Optimization and phytochemical characterization of seed oil and bark extracts from Mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.)
No full textThis study investigated the optimal extraction conditions for maximizing oil and bark extract yield from Mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) using the Soxhlet method and decoction, respectively. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze and optimize the effects of extraction time, solid-to-solvent ratio, and particle size. A Box-Behnken design (BBD) with 17 experimental runs was conducted for each extraction method. Statistical analysis revealed that particle size significantly impacted both oil and bark extract yield. Optimized conditions for oil extraction were determined to be 8 hours extraction time, 1:14. g/ml solid-to-solvent ratio, and particle size below 0.850 mm, with a predicted yield of 8.6%. On the other hand, bark extract yield was maximized under 3.55 hours extraction time, 1:11 g/ml solid-to-solvent ratio, and 0.1 cm particle size, achieving a predicted yield of 6.7%. Additionally, a quadratic polynomial model was found the most suitable model for each analysis with an equation of Y= 11.77 0.10A + 12.90B-7.97C+1.41C2 for the seed oil, and Y = 4.44+ 1.44A- 3.68C 0.20A2+0.89C2 for the bark extracts. Moreover, the phytochemical analysis identified Coumarins, Phytosterols, and Quinones in the seed oil, while the bark extract contained Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Tannins, Quinones, Saponins, and Terpenoids. These bioactive compounds suggest potential applications in cosmetics, external medicines, wood preservative treatment, and other areas requiring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This research work has successfully optimized the extraction process for both oil and bark extract from Mangium, and characterized their phytochemical content, revealing. potentially suitable applications
Nested PCR assay detection of Piroplasms (Babesia and Theileria) in cattle from Isabela Province
No full textBovine piroplasmosis, caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by ticks, constitutes a formidable challenge to the cattle industry, impacting both productivity and animal health. Despite its significance, epidemiological data and surveillance in Isabela Province are lacking. Thus, this study was conducted to provide data on the distribution of piroplasms in Isabela. Blood was collected from 314 cattle from commercial and backyard farms across five municipalities through purposive convenience sampling. Information including age, sex, breed, tick infestation, body condition score (BCS), and packed cell volume (PCV) were noted. After extraction of DNA, samples were initially tested for the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasms through nested PCR. Positive samples were further subjected to nested PCR targeting the rapl-a gene of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina and conventional PCR targeting the MPSP gene of Theileria orientalis. Results showed an overall positivity rate of 59.2% for piroplasms, specifically with B. bovis (37.9%) being the most prevalent, followed by B. bigemina (34.7%) and T. orientalis (26.8%). Mixed infections underscored the intricate interplay between piroplasms. Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between sex and the presence of piroplasms (Babesia/Theileria spp.). B. bovis infection was also significantly associated with the breed. There were significant associations between tick infestation and the presence of B. bovis and B. bigemina. No significant associations were found between piroplasms and age, BCS, or PCV. These findings highlight the need for the implementation of control measures against piroplasms in Isabela Province and continued surveillance in mitigating the burden of bovine piroplasmosis