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An Analysis of the Socio-Economic Characteristics Conditioning the Use of Business Loans by Members of the Calamba Parish Development Cooperative
No full textAccording to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2021 financial inclusion survey, the number of Filipino adults with outstanding loans increased by 12%. A salient point in the data is the growth of cooperatives as a source of borrowing in the Philippines. However, the literature on financial inclusion has extensively explored supply-side factors (Llanto, 2015). Therefore, this study shifts the focus to the demand side. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the socio-economic characteristics of the members of the Calamba Parish Development Cooperative that influence their use of financial services. It also seeks to identify the potential factors affecting business loan availment and loan amounts through cooperative microfinance in Calamba City. To achieve the research objectives, self- administered questionnaires were distributed to the members of the Calamba Parish Development Cooperative. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and Multiple Linear Regression.
Descriptive statistics revealed that the majority of loan availers are women entrepreneurs engaged in wholesale and retail. Female respondents further reported that the majority availed of business loans, followed by home renovation loans. In addition, household heads who primarily join to obtain cooperative benefits are the main business loan availers. Furthermore, the data suggest that, despite having alternative borrowing options, most individuals still prefer to obtain loans from the cooperative.
The use of Multiple Linear Regression revealed that longevity (p \u3c 0.10), access to other FSPs (p \u3c 0.05), and repayment period (p \u3c 0.01) significantly influence the loan amount availed by the members of the CPDC.
The study\u27s findings can enhance the quality of research on cooperative studies as a tool for financial inclusion
Transfer Cost Analysis of Processed Duck Eggs from Victoria, Laguna to Selected Market Centers, 2022
No full textThe study aimed to analyze the transfer cost of processed duck eggs from Victoria, Laguna to selected market centers. Specifically, it identified the market participants, destination and centers, marketing operations, transport equipment and services involved in the transfer of processed duck eggs, estimated the transfer cost incurred by market participants, and assessed the profitability of transferring processed duck eggs from source to selected destinations. Primary data were gathered from 34 respondents from Victoria, Laguna. Descriptive and quantitative analysis and transfer cost and profitability analysis were used to analyze the primary data collected among the respondents.
It was found out that there were four types of market participants in the study area depending on involvement in farming, processing, and marketing activities. These were duck egg producer respondents (market participant 1), duck egg producer-assembler-processor- wholesaler respondents (market participant 2), duck egg producer-processor-wholesaler respondents (market participant 3) and assembler-processor-wholesaler respondents (market participant 4). It was observed that the market participants mostly utilized tricycle and utility vans in procuring and delivering fresh and processed eggs from farm to market centers. The market participant who had the cheapest transfer cost per tray per week was market participant 2, while market participant 3 paid the highest transfer cost per tray per week.
The provinces of Laguna and Cavite had the highest percentage of market destinations of processed duck eggs. It was observed that market participant 2 delivered to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and National Capital Region, while market participant 3 delivered to the province of Laguna only. Additionally, the market centers where processed eggs were sold to are public markets, sari-sari stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. The results revealed that the market participant who ventured into procuring and processing of fresh duck eggs were more profitable than those involved in producing, procuring, and processing. Market participant 4 was the only one who ventured into procuring and processing of fresh duck eggs. Market participants 2 and 3 were engaged in producing, procuring and processing. Furthermore, market participant 2 was more profitable than market participant 3 due to economies of scale.
The study found out several problems that the market participants have been dealing with in selling and transferring processed duck eggs to selected market centers. Most of the market participants were problematic due arbitrary grading system and handling of eggs that affected prices, traffic delays on the delivery of the product, and bad weather affecting the quality of the eggs since processed eggs are sensitive to environment.
From the results of the study, the following recommendations were made: a standard grading system should be developed and implemented to ensure a systematic grading process, develop a new packing technology that can minimize losses, and consider venturing into the procurement and processing of fresh eggs, as it was found to be a profitable business venture
A mixed-methods study on how resilience and passion foster grit among senior high school students
No full textWhile grit has been widely recognized in psychological research as a key factor in academic success (often linked to passion and resilience), most studies have focused on Western ideations. These investigations emphasize grit as a predictor of long-term achievement, yet offer limited insights as to how it is understood and developed in non-Western settings. In the Philippines, little is known about how adolescents experience and cultivate grit, particularly in relation to their cultural, emotional, and academic environments. This study addresses that gap by exploring grit not merely as a psychological trait, but as lived experience shaped by social and personal contexts This study argues that grit among Filipino adolescents is not a fixed trait, but a dynamic, socially embedded, shaped by the interplay of passion, and resilience—traits that are influenced by both individual agency and environmental support. Drawing on existing theories of grit, the study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to examine how senior high school students at the University of the Philippines Rural High School understand and experience grit in their daily lives. Quantitative data were collected through standardized psychological scales, including Duckworth’s Grit Scale, the CD-RISC-10, and Vallerand’s Passion Scale, followed by qualitative data from thematically analyzed focus group discussions. Findings reveal that cultural values, emotional regulation, and social support play key roles in shaping grit, as reflected in three core themes: commitment to long-term goals, adaptive coping and goal setting, and a passion for self-development. This study contributes to grit literature by framing Filipino adolescents not merely as possessors of psychological traits, but as active co-constructors of resilience and motivation within their sociocultural context
The role of nutrition in early childhood development : perspectives of daycare workers from two Barangays in Laguna
No full textIn the Philippines, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has highlighted alarming levels of learning poverty, with many children failing to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills by age ten. One overlooked but critical factor contributing to this issue is early childhood nutrition, which lays the biological and cognitive foundation necessary for school readiness, sustained attention, and long-term academic performance. This study examines how nutritional status can affect the developmental milestones of daycare students. Additionally, it aims to identify challenges in addressing nutritional needs and propose viable intervention strategies. This was conducted on two selected daycare centers in Laguna that have an ongoing feeding program. The study used secondary data to assess children\u27s nutritional status and conducted interviews with daycare workers to evaluate developmental milestones through thematic analysis. Results showed that while the majority of children in both barangays were within normal growth ranges, a notable percentage in Barangay A were either underweight or stunted. Meanwhile, the interview identified different developmental domains which are used as a guide to keep track of the development milestones of the students which are the following; cognitive, socio-emotional, expressive language, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and self-help skills. Daycare workers linked poor nutrition with the challenges that occur especially in early childhood. Three primary challenges were identified: lack of support, financial constraints, and inconsistent food availability. These findings emphasize that nutritional health is deeply interconnected with developmental milestones especially in early childhood. Therefore, the study suggests that interventions such as help staff addition, health-related schools activities, and cooperation of the bodies involved such as teachers, parents, and the government, can pave a way for well-rounded, long-term growth nurturing a child’s potential which requires continuous, sustainable, and collaborative care not just inside the classroom, but also beyond this aspect
A capstone internship at the UPLB Plant factory with artificial lighting laboratory on the market study on plant factory-grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
No full textVertical farming offers a promising, sustainable alternative to conventional farming. At the forefront, the University of the Philippines Los Baños Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting (UPLB-PFAL) has pioneered the research on controlled-environment farming of leafy vegetables. This capstone research internship combined hands-on training in PFAL operations with a market study examining faculty purchasing preferences for indoor-grown lettuce to address the critical gap in understanding consumer acceptance of this innovative farming method. Through 104 hours of immersive training using specialized equipment, the researchers gained practical experience in environmental monitoring and crop measurement. These were later used in the development of an 18-item survey assessing three key purchasing factors: compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), source reliability, and price sensitivity. The survey was administered to 29 UPRHS faculty members and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data revealed that the source is the primary determinant of purchase preference (adjusted mean score = 2.9080). While price and GAP were slightly surpassed by source among purchasing factors, cost remains a hindrance, as 31.03% of respondents would not pay premium rates. Nevertheless, 82.76% said they would buy PFAL lettuce if accessible locally, which suggests a large market potential reliant on greater accessibility. Although the survey showed good overall reliability (Cronbach\u27s α \u3e 0.70), lower consistency in the GAP and Price sections indicates opportunities for instrument refinement in future studies. These findings provide valuable insights for PFAL\u27s market strategy as they emphasize the need for targeted outreach involving clear value communication to address cost concerns and involving related disciplines to further discover possible opportunities and barriers for sustainable agriculture innovation
6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
No full text6 - Clean Water and Sanitationhttps://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/un-sdgs_images/1005/thumbnail.jp
Impact of Sowing Time and Plant Density on Selected Traits and Yield of Cotton Genotypes in Pakistan
No full textExtremely diversified cropping environments prevail in most cotton-growing areas of Pakistan due to prevailing rainfed conditions, prolonging the crop’s cultivation period. To contribute to the development of desired breeding traits for effective breeding programs, this study examined the production and growth pattern of 8 cotton genotypes. Four experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 at 2 locations in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, to evaluate the performance of the studied genotypes at 3 plant densities and 2 sowing dates. Traits such as days to first flower opening, flowering duration, monopodial branches per plant, plant height at harvest, height-to-node ratio, fruiting branch length, and boll retention at the first fruiting branch position were investigated. Results showed that CIM-632 had a higher yield in late sowing and at high plant density, as shown by less growth of vegetative branches, early start of flowering, short flowering duration, and lower boll retention at the first fruiting branch position. In addition, CIM-663 and CIM-343 performed outstandingly in early sowing and at low plant density, as shown by more growth of vegetative branches, delayed flowering, lengthy flowering duration, and higher boll retention at the first fruiting branch position. Based on these findings, ideotypes with high heritability for days to first flower opening, plant height at harvest, height-to-node ratio, and fruiting branch length, and with medium heritability for monopodial branches per plant, flowering duration, and boll retention at the first fruiting branch position are recommended to be used in breeding programs for cotton genotypes that are adaptable to different growing conditions
An Economic Analysis of Addictive Behavior: the Case of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Among CEM-UPLB Students
No full textElectronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes) have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes, particularly among young adults. While initially marketed as a less harmful smoking cessation tool, increasing evidence suggests that e-cigarettes pose significant health risks. The study investigates the likelihood of undergraduate students in the University of the Philippines Los Banos College of Economics and Management (CEM-UPLB) to be frequent consumers of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). The study employed descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to analyze the factors associated with frequent ENDS use.
Results indicate that social influence, particularly from family and peers, is a significant determinant of frequent e-cigarette use. Odds ratio analysis identified males, dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, absence of prior smoking history, and age as contributing factors to frequent e-cigarette use. Having good health knowledge is associated with greater likelihood of frequent use, challenging the assumption that knowledge of health risks deters consumption. These findings highlight the complex nature of ENDS consumption among young adults and highlight the need for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms
Productivity of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as Affected by the Integration of Nutrio® Biofertilizer
No full textRecent developments in rice cultivation in the Philippines are integrating sustainable methods in production systems to boost productivity and safeguard environmental integrity. An example of this is the use of biofertilizers such as Nutrio®, a microbial-based foliar fertilizer that promotes nitrogen fixation and the production of plant growth-promoting hormones. Nutrio® has been tested for sugarcane and is being explored for rice cultivation applications to maximize its utilization and benefits. This study aimed to assess the effects of Nutrio® biofertilizer on rice production in selected farms during the 2019 wet season and the 2020 dry season in Victoria, Laguna, Philippines. Six different treatments were applied over 2 growing seasons. The parameters measured were plant height, panicle number, biomass at maturity, grain yield, and harvest index. The cost-benefit ratio (CBR) and net present value (NPV) were also calculated. Plants applied with Nutrio® showed a comparable performance to untreated plants across various parameters and seasons, with no significant differences observed. Moreover, the highest NPV of PH₱939,346.90 was obtained by combining half of the farmer’s recommended rate of fertilizer with Nutrio®, indicating that this is the most profitable among the tested treatments. These findings highlight the potential of Nutrio® in enhancing current farming practices and improving local rice production
Effects of Water Deficit Stress and Mycorrhiza, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Azospirillum lipoferum Biofertilizers on Yield and Morphological Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars
No full textCrop production in various parts of Iran faces significant constraints due to insufficient water availability, which is a major challenge to agricultural productivity. To study the effects of water deficit stress on shoot and root growth characteristics and seed yield of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, an experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement and 3 replications. The main factor was irrigation treatments (full irrigation during the growing season [S1], water withholding after flowering [S2], and water withholding after grain filling at the milk stage [S3]). The secondary factors were wheat cultivars (Chamran and Behrang) and biofertilizers (no biofertilizer [control], mycorrhiza, mycorrhiza + Azotobacter chroococcum, and mycorrhiza + Azospirillum lipoferum). Results showed that full irrigation during the growing season and coinoculation with mycorrhiza and Azotobacter chroococcum produced the highest grain yield (6,212.5 kg ha−1), while the lowest grain yield was observed under the treatment involving water withholding after flowering. Analysis of the combined effects of cultivar and biofertilizer application also revealed that the Chamran cultivar applied with mycorrhiza and Azospirillum lipoferum produced the highest grain yield (5,718.6 kg ha−1). Conversely, the Behrang cultivar grown without biofertilizer application produced the lowest grain yield (3,819.3 kg ha−1). The highest values for root length, root volume, and root fresh weight were obtained from the Chamran cultivar under full irrigation during the growing season and with biofertilizer application. These findings indicate that the Chamran cultivar has greater production potential than the Behrang cultivar, and that biofertilizer application, particularly mycorrhiza and Azotobacter chroococcum, may significantly improve grain yield and grain quality of wheat