Assessing Community Extension Initiative in Developing Culture-Based IPEd for Teachers and Learners in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines

The advancement of molecular methods resulted in the application of molecular xenomonitoring (MX) as a complementary tool to detect the presence of circulating LF parasites in mosquito vectors. In the Philippines, a number of endemic areas are still undergoing evaluations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health – Philippines (DOH). This study investigated the presence of filarial parasites in Oriental Mindoro (Region 4B) and Sultan Kudarat (Region 12), Philippines through MX. All collected and identified mosquito vectors were subjected to a real-time PCR assay targeting the Wuchereria bancrofti long-dispersed repeat Wb-LDR gene. This study detected the presence of W. bancrofti parasites in two species of mosquito vectors: (1) Aedes poicilius collected in Barangay Sta. Clara, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat (n=10 pools; 10.00%); and (2) Culex quinquefasciatus from Barangay Poblacion II, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro (n=344 pools; 0.29%) and Barangay Sta. Maria, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat (n=96 pools; 1.04%). These results support transmission assessment survey findings of continuous presence of LF parasites in the two endemic provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Sultan Kudarat. This study also suggests that further refinement of MX may produce broader applicability in the control and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases.

This study investigates the relationship between the performance level of administrative staff of selected barangays in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, specifically Barangay Poblacion, New Isabela, and San Pablo. Sultan Kudarat. Simple random sampling was used to determine the respondents, including 396 selected residents from three (3) barangays who had experienced administrative staff services from the selected barangays in Tacurong City. The researchers utilized adapted survey questionnaires to collect data on the demographic profile and level of administrative staff performance in the research locale. As for the demographic profile, most of the respondents were female, with 222 (56%) aged between 18-23 years old with a frequency of 93 (23%), and residents of Barangay Poblacion, Tacurong City with 147 (37%). Furthermore, the administrative staff determined their performance through job knowledge, teamwork, communication, leadership, and decision-making. In terms of job knowledge, respondents described it as "Excellent" (M=3.54). Followed by Leadership and Decision Making with 3.48 rated as "Excellent," and Teamwork and Communication with the lowest section mean of 3.43, described as "Excellent," respectively. The performance level of administrative staff got the grand mean of 3.48, described as "Excellent." The performance level of administrative staff shows no significant difference based on gender (p=0.388), indicating similar performance between males and females. However, significant differences were observed based on age (p=0.002) and locality (p=0.000). Younger staff (18–23 years old) demonstrated the highest performance, and staff from San Pablo and New Isabela outperformed those from Poblacion. Barangay San Pablo and New Isabela show high and consistent performance across all areas—job knowledge, teamwork, and leadership—indicating strong administrative capabilities. In contrast, Poblacion has the lowest scores, suggesting a need for improvement through training and development.

The study investigated the impact of abiotic factors on the yield of harvested mangoes before and after Science and Technology (S&T) interventions in five municipalities, namely: President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, Tulunan, North Cotabato, Tantangan, South Cotabato, Malungon, Sarangani Province, and General Santos City. The study used the simple linear regression model Y=βX + α to determine the extent to which there was a linear relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. In simple linear regression, a single independent variable, ie, rainfall or temperature, was used to predict the value of a dependent variable, the yield of mangoes per hectare during the first and second cycle productions of farmer-cooperators in four provinces, namely: Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and General Santos/Sarangani. The results indicated that the General Santos/Sarangani Province obtained the highest yield in terms of baseline yield after two years of interventions. The derived regression model for rainfall (mm), temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), and soil pH was unable to predict the yield of mangoes in all provinces studied during the second production cycle of the farmer-cooperators. Conversely, the regression model for temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) statistically predicted the yield of mangoes (t ha-1) of farmer-cooperators in Sultan Kudarat during the first cycle of production. Additionally, rainfall (mm), temperature (°C), and relative humidity had linear relationships with the yield of mangoes per hectare. However, soil pH showed fluctuating, curvilinear relationships with the yield of mangoes per hectare. Additionally, rainfall (mm), temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), and soil pH did not show significant relationships with the yield of mangoes per hectare.

The aim of the study is to forecast inflation of Sultan Kudarat based on historical data between January 2019 and October 2024 using Box-Jenkins for informed policymaking and sustainable economic growth. The data was collected from the Philippine Statistics Authority databank, then authenticated by the Philippine Statistics office in Sultan Kudarat. The Box-Jenkins method is used in this research with focus on the ARIMA (5, 1, 1) model for the inflation analysis and prediction. As the study focuses on the policy impact of inflation forecasting, its impact on sustainable economic development and economic resilience is emphasized, especially because of the sensitivity of the region to global and local economic shifts. The most appropriate model to the data was ARIMA (5, 1, 1), which proved to be statistically sound with low volatility and strong log-likelihood values. Diagnostic checks confirmed that the model structure was stationary as well as invertible and the residuals were pure white noise which measures the ability to track inflationary movements in Sultan Kudarat. The moderate inflation forecast for the Sultan Kudarat province is from the fourth quarter of the year 2024 until the year 2030, with reasonable expected variability. These long-term estimates however pose unknown risks, so ongoing evaluation is required. The analysis results portray the potentially significant impact of inflation increase for the Sultan Kudarat economy. The increase in inflation will lower the purchasing power, increase business expenses, and put pressure on government spending. These insights highlight the need for policies and strategies that bolster economic resilience, mitigate the impact of inflation shocks, promote sustainable growth, while striving for enduring economic stability and competitiveness in the region.

Poverty has been one of the major considerations in the government’s blueprint for the course of investment priorities in the Philippines. In the annual Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) of the Philippines, the government has concentrated on the sectors that were enumerated in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 Under the different administrations, the government has shown its aim to lower the poverty level through the periodic development plans. It was only in the 1987-1992 Development Plan, however, when poverty target was included. The 1999-2004 MTPDP further included the regional target plans. The 2001-2004 MTPDP, on the other hand, did not take into account the poverty reduction levels. Poverty was extensively pointed as prevalent in the rural areas in the MTPDP 2004-2010. To address this, the plan intended to develop at least two million hectares of agribusiness land within the six-year period to generate two million jobs and to increase availability of food at reasonable prices (MTPDP 2004-2010). In Mindanao, the island with the highest number of poor provinces, nine commodities are prioritized for development to alleviate poverty. Commodity road maps have been crafted for these commodities which aim to facilitate the achievement of the following goals of the Agricultural Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA): food security, poverty alleviation, social equity, global competitiveness, and resource sustainability. These were also aimed to create one million jobs in the rural sector. The product-specific program in line with this is the “One-Town, One-Product” or OTOP which was patterned after the “One Product, One Village” model in Japan. One of these commodities is oil palm. This paper highlights oil palm as an example to illustrate the impact of its promotion on poverty level. It concentrates on Sultan Kudarat as one of the provinces in Mindanao which was found to be the eight poorest province in the country in 2000 from the 38th rank in 1997. Oil palm is the commodity considered in Sultan Kudarat’s OTOP. The paper generally aims to assess the impact of this product to the intended beneficiaries in terms of poverty level. Secondary data were used for the analyses. These data were sourced from various literatures and agencies. Primary data were gathered through interviews with 87 oil palm growers and other key actors in the oil palm industry using semi-structured questionnaires. The results show that many small-scale farmers benefit from oil palm growing. About 56% of the respondents have farms area of 5 ha or less. Other related study, however, suggests that farm experience and farm size are significantly related to monthly income. It is ascertained that there is a need for technical assistance and sourcing of finance in their operations since farming activities are restricted and return on investment is not immediate.

Savary, S., Fabellar, N., Tiongco, E. R., and Teng, P. S. 1993. A characterization of rice tungro epidemics in The Philippines from historical survey data. Plant Dis. 77:376-382. We used historical survey data to compare patterns of rice tungro epidemics in two endemic areas and one nonendemic area in The Philippines. Four categorized variables-planting date, cropping season, vector population, and proportion of viruliferous vectors-were tested for their ability to characterize the variation in tungro incidence. Correspondence analyses indicated that high tungro incidence was associated with intermediate planting dates, whereas absence of tungro was associated with very early or very late planting dates. In the two endemic areas (North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao; data from nine cropping seasons), increasingly higher tungro incidence was associated with increasing vector population and proportion of viruliferous vectors, but the relationships among the three variables differed in the two areas. In Sultan Kudarat, a high proportion of viruliferous vectors compensated for a moderate vector population size to produce high tungro incidence. In the nonendemic area (Central Luzon, 16 cropping seasons), moderate to high tungro incidence was associated with the presence of viruliferous vectors and moderate to very large vector populations. Further analysis indicated that epidemic years in Central Luzon are primarily associated with the occurrence of viruliferous vectors, with the size of the vector population playing a secondary role only. The analyses suggest that tungro outbreaks are more responsive to inoculum (represented by viruliferous vectors), when present, in the nonendemic area (Central Luzon) than in the endemic areas (North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat). Additional keywords: categorical data, endemicity J

This study on NIA water system management and productivity in lowland farming in the Municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat was conducted to determine the implementation of water system management and assess the productivity of the lowland farming particularly in the 208 respondents in the barangay of Kapingkong, Katitisan, and Matiompong of the Municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. The study reveals that NIA water system management is properly and well observed in lowland farming, particularly in terms of water supply network, with a mean of 4.22, “Strongly agree.” In terms of the productivity of lowland farming, it shows that aside from rice cropping, other incomes also contribute to the livelihood of the farmers and the yields have increased due to the well water system management of the NIA with a mean of 4.10. The study also found out that there is a significant relationship between the water system management and productivity of lowland farming with r of 0.75 and p value of <0.0001. Lastly, the study revealed the top 5 challenges beyond water access: pest control, expensive agricultural inputs, financial dependence on subsidies, and calamity risks. Addressing these issues through improved irrigation, economic programs, and farmer education is necessary for sustainable and resilient farming in Lambayong.

fforts continue to label each school in the Philippines as a zone of peace. However, instability in regions with ongoing conflicts keeps schools, teachers, students, and staff at risk. The vulnerability in these areas remains a persistent challenge. The National Policy Framework on the Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace (LSZOP) acknowledges this vulnerability, aiming to address the immediate impact of armed conflicts on learners and schools, thereby fostering the establishment of a resilient society. Thus, this study was created to delineate the implementation of the national policy framework on LSZOP and explain its correlation with educational outcomes in Private and Public Secondary Schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed method design, the study enlisted 84 school stakeholders as respondents. A researcher-made questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were facilitated through stratified random sampling. Quantitative analysis reveals the significant influence of the LSZOP implementation on secondary school development, particularly concerning education for peace, peace for education, and crisis management. Meanwhile, qualitative insights reveal schools' commitment to fairness irrespective of students' tribe, religion, or ethnicity, emphasized by crafted rules promoting cultural sensitivity, fairness, and children's rights. Notably, schools prioritize values formation and respect for individual differences, fostering peace and order within their premises. Nevertheless, findings indicate no significant relationship between the national policy framework implementation and governance as an educational outcome among secondary schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. The study advocates for reinforcing LSZOP implementation to realize its envisioned objectives.

BackgroundAfter decades of progress towards malaria elimination, Plasmodium vivax is now the predominant source of infection and the major obstacle towards elimination in the Asia-Pacific region. In the Philippines, the situation is slightly different with P. falciparum still accounting for the largest burden. However, there has been a steady increase in the total number of reported P. vivax cases in the main transmission hotspot of Palawan, as well as two years of consecutive outbreaks of P. vivax in the near-elimination setting of Sultan Kudarat. Here, we describe the protocol for a new study in Sultan Kudarat that aims to identify whether an underlying, hidden, burden of P. vivax contributes to the ongoing risk of outbreaks.MethodsA challenge for surveillance of P. vivax is the presence of an additional hidden liver-stage, where parasites (hypnozoites) lie dormant for weeks to months before causing a relapse of infection. Hypnozoites cannot be detected with commercial diagnostic tests. We have designed novel serological exposure markers of recent P. vivax infection, which indirectly inform on hypnozoite carriage. In this study we will conduct a prospective 18-month survey in health facilities within Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, and compare epidemiology and serological data with that in archival samples from Palawan. We will enroll both care-seeking individuals and their companions, and utilise remote geolocation to uncover spatial trends.DiscussionThis study will generate important data for the malaria control program in the Philippines whilst also demonstrating utility of P. vivax serological exposure markers in near-elimination settings. We will utilise this data to build a decision-making framework to support novel, evidence-based elimination strategies relevant for the Philippines and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Bryophytes are nonvascular plants that comprise mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. The current study evaluates the diversity and ecological state of bryophytes in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. Three sampling sites were established based on the vegetation type of the area. Assessment of the bryophytes was done through opportunistic sampling. A total of twenty-one (21) species of bryophytes were identified, seven (7) mosses and twelve (12) liverworts belonging to twelve (12) genera and seventeen (17) families in the entire sampling area. Decayed logs, three trunks, wet rocks, rocks, and moist soil were observed as microhabitats. A high diversity index of 2.4959 with evenness of 0.8198 was observed in site 2. Site 2 is located at the highest elevation (664.72 m asl) recorded during the sampling. Bryophytes diversity increased with altitude. Although the site 1 elevation (610.78 m asl) is recorded as the lowest. The area is near the river, which can be the reason for the findings. Another factor that affects diversity is the disturbance level. Where the increasing diversity pattern of bryophytes was associated with an increasing level of disturbance. One (1) species (Breutelia arundinifolia [Dudy] Fleish) was found endangered, while others are widespread based on IUCN status.

This study examines the effects of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on poverty alleviation, health, and education in Sultan Kudarat Province. The research addresses the gap in understanding the program's impact on beneficiaries, focusing on its effectiveness in improving living conditions. Utilizing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 617 randomly selected beneficiaries across 11 barangays through a survey questionnaire. The analysis revealed that while implementing cash grants was perceived as moderately effective, the health benefits provided through PhilHealth were viewed positively. The findings indicate significant improvements in poverty alleviation, maternal health, and educational outcomes, with mean scores reflecting a highly effective impact. The study concludes that the 4Ps program is essential for sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for families in Sultan Kudarat. Continued efforts are necessary to address implementation challenges, such as delays in cash grant disbursement, to maximize the program's overall effectiveness.

Multiculturalism is increasingly shaping contemporary societies, yet food, a fundamental human necessity, often becomes a point of cultural and belief-based contention. The halal food industry has grown significantly, garnering support both locally and internationally. However, this burgeoning sector faces challenges related to establishing standardized regulations that acknowledge its role in nation-building and promote cultural diversity. This study aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of pre-certified halal food among non-Muslim students across secondary schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study utilized a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 350 students selected through simple random sampling from seven identified schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Findings indicated that despite Lambayong's diverse population, most respondents demonstrated awareness and positive perceptions of pre-certified halal food. However, some community elders and church leaders expressed reservations about allowing younger generations to consume such food. The study also observed that while many vendors and proprietors were Muslim, not all adhered to the practice of wearing hijab (for Muslim women), and some lacked necessary cooking equipment like gloves and hairnets. Furthermore, certain halal establishments were found to have inadequate sanitation and pest control measures. Ultimately, the study concluded that there exists a moderate relationship between respondents' awareness and their acceptance of halal food. Recommendations include schools collaborating with barangay and local government units to monitor the hygiene of nearby restaurants and canteens. Additionally, halal food establishments should prioritize enhancing their sanitation practices and hygiene protocols to ensure compliance and consumer confidence.

This study explored the challenges and strategies of teachers teaching English in far-flung schools in Sultan Kudarat. Using a qualitative research approach, data were gathered through online and face-to-face interviews with teachers who shared their challenges, strategies, and forms of support they needed from the Department of Education. The results revealed that teachers face significant challenges, including foundational learning gaps, cultural and linguistic challenges, socio-economic barriers, and resource and infrastructure limitations. To overcome these challenges, teachers employed various strategies such as employing innovative teaching strategies, culturally and linguistically responsive strategies, fostering supportive learning environment, and maximizing local resources and community support. The study also highlighted the needed support of teachers for educational resources and infrastructure, financial support and budget allocation, and teacher development through training and on-site support to address the challenges effectively. By shedding light on these issues, this research contributes on improving English education in far-flung schools.

In modern education, science instruction has shifted toward an integrated curriculum that combines concepts from various disciplines, such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. As a result, science teachers, often trained in a specific field of expertise, are now embracing a broader scope of instruction to effectively deliver interdisciplinary lessons. This study explored the challenges science teachers encountered when handling non-specialized subjects and their strategies to cope with these challenges. The descriptive-correlational design explored the challenges and coping strategies of science teachers teaching non-specialized subjects in secondary schools in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat. The respondents were the thirty-two (32) science teachers of secondary schools in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, for School Year 2024-2025. Science teachers encountered considerable challenges when teaching non-specialized subjects, particularly in terms of professional development and institutional support. The lack of school-based assistance and the need for innovative instructional strategies were the most pressing concerns, while confidence in delivering complex concepts was a moderate challenge. Among coping strategies, adaptive teaching methods and resourcefulness in instructional material development were the most commonly employed. Professional collaboration and continuous learning also played crucial roles in helping teachers navigate these challenges. Regression analysis indicated no significant direct relationship between challenges and coping strategies. However, teaching experience, specialization, and grade level taught showed a moderate positive correlation with the coping mechanisms used by educators. Proposed interventions such as teacher exchange programs, interdisciplinary training, and peer mentoring were identified as essential in strengthening instructional adaptability and support systems.

Human Rights-Based Policing is a framework that guides police officers in executing their duties, providing a balance between law enforcement and the safety of individuals' rights. This study assesses the correlation between police professional competence and citizens' trust in police officers in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, Southern Philippines. The data collection methods included a survey questionnaire focusing on police professional competence and citizens’ trust towards police officers, encompassing factors such as community policing, police behavior, operational procedures, and human rights preservation, as well as response time, active investigation, citizen contact, and promotion of public safety and security. The data was analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, measures of central tendency, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The analysis revealed a significant relationship between police professional competence and citizens' trust in police officers, indicating a strong positive correlation. This refutes the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between police professional competence and citizens' trust. The findings hold substantial implications for the human rights-based policing program in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, enhancing trust between civilians and law enforcement officer’s individuals' rights.