North Luzon Research Articles

WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF FAR NORTH LUZON GENERAL HOSPITAL AND TRAINING CENTER EMPLOYEES

This study examines the degree of work life balance and level of mental well-being of Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center (FNLGHTC) employees, including the demographic characteristics that are significantly affecting the Work Life Balance and Mental Well-Being of employees. The descriptive method of research is used which describes the characteristics of the population and the relationships between independent, dependent and moderator variables. Data were collected through survey questionnaires and using Likert scales administered to a stratified random sample of the healthcare facility’s employees including different divisions such as Medical, Nursing, Hospital Operations and Patients Support Service (HOPSS), Finance and Office of the Medical Center Chief (OMCC). The findings revealed that healthcare workers maintain moderate to high level of work life balance and mental well-being which implies there are still rooms for improvement on the WLB and MWB of FNLGHTC employees. It recommends that FNLGHTC should encourage employees to improve their time management strategies, offer better and flexible work time arrangements if possible to have better work life balance and provide additional support and resources to manage employees mental well-being such as mental health workshops, learnings, programs or activities to reduce and manage their stress from work, evaluate and amend policies in line with a healthy WLB & MWB and address further studies in exploring the factors contributes to work life balance and mental well-being of employees including investigations on the impacts of work environments, job demands and even social support on employees well-being and evaluating the impacts and effectiveness of wellness programs and activities.

‘Tighten the knot of our blanket slings’: The Endurance of Babywearing Practice and the Visual Politics of Childhood in the Cordillera Region of North Luzon, Philippines

ABSTRACT While Indigenous communities in the Philippines have long used baby slings as essential childrearing tools, the last two decades have seen an upsurge in popularity for their use, now called babywearing. Yet, few studies have examined the practice’s history, how its use shaped ideas of childcare, and how these ideas came to play in the country’s colonial making. This paper studies colonial photographs and accounts of babywearing in the Cordillera region, Northern Luzon, exploring how these materials have figured in the larger agendas of Imperial power, which sought to control bodies through policy and public perception. Through critical analysis of these historical materials and immersion in contemporary babywearing communities, this study utilises Saukko’s contingent approach to resistance to investigate how, despite centuries of stigma, the practice’s survival – even revival – points to everyday acts of agency at a moment when traditional practices turn into trends decontextualised from their once-othered roots.

Entrepreneurial Intent of Filipino Undergraduate Health Sciences Stu-dents: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

This quantitative study, grounded in Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), investigates the entrepreneurial inten-tions of Filipino undergraduate health sciences students using a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study involved 820 respondents from various health sciences programs in North Luzon, Philippines, who completed an online survey. Demographic characteristics and entrepreneurial intent were assessed through a researcher-designed Demographic Profile Questionnaire (DPQ) and the Individual Entrepreneurial Intent Scale (IEIS) established by Thompson (2009). This study adopts a positivist view, empha-sizing objectivity, consistency, and replicability through statistical methods. The findings reveal that the undergraduate health sci-ences students demonstrate a “good” level of entrepreneurial in-tentions, with a notable significant variation observed between those who have taken business-related courses and those who have not, with the former exhibiting higher intent. Other factors, such as age, gender, and marital status, did not show significant differences in entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting that educa-tional experiences play a more critical role than personal charac-teristics. The study recommends educational strategies and poli-cies, such as curricular enhancement towards entrepreneurial ed-ucation in health sciences education, to foster innovation and en-courage healthcare entrepreneurship. Overall, this research con-tributes to the expanding literature on entrepreneurship; however, like other studies, it has limitations. Therefore, future research directions are offered.

Unlocking clues on the provenance of the Zigzag Formation in Mountain Province, Northern Luzon, Philippines using sedimentary geochemistry

Abstract Provenance analysis using whole-rock geochemical data was carried out on the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene Zigzag Formation in southwestern Mountain Province, North Luzon, Philippines. Major and trace element geochemistry of the siliciclastic samples from the Zigzag Formation revealed a first-cycle mafic source of the detrital materials. This is consistent with other discrimination diagrams such as those using La, Sc, and Th to determine the provenance. Tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest an oceanic island arc signature for the source rocks of the Zigzag Formation. The Cretaceous to Eocene Lepanto Metavolcanics is proposed to be the source of the detrital materials comprising this clastic sequence. The results present additional information on the current understanding of the evolution of the Central Cordillera.

A revolution in understanding SE Asia geodynamics since 20.5–18 Ma

A revolution in understanding SE Asia geodynamics since 20.5–18 Ma

Physical performance of the North Luzon Philippines state college personnel

Physical Performance plays a pivotal role in improving the different duties and activities effectively and efficiently. Despite its importance, numerous personnel in the different academe face challenges in developing physical fitness. Addressing this concern is crucial for educational progress. This study focused on the Physical Performance of North Luzon Philippines State College through innovative methods, specifically creating a physical performance action plan that could be used to help them become physically fit, which contributes to other aspects of human beings and results becoming more effective in their assigned work and task in the school. The study employed descriptive-correlational research, with a questionnaire serving as the primary data collection tool. Collected data is processed and analyzed using frequency count, percentage mean, and correlation. The respondents are the teaching and non-teaching personnel of North Luzon Philippines State College. As a result, the majority of respondents are between the ages of 25 and 29, are males, and have a mesomorph body type. Many of them have completed their undergraduate courses, are full professors, and hold the academic rank of instructor. Moreover, in terms of their employment status, most respondents are permanent. The respondents' overall level of physical performance "needs improvement," but their aerobic performance is "satisfactory." Overall, the respondents' level of performance has no significant relationship with their profile, but moderate aerobics and muscle-strengthening are correlated with their appointment status.

Tracer Study and Employment of the Teacher Education Graduates of a University in North Luzon, Philippines

The quality of education is measured by the employment and establishment of sustainable career paths for graduates. Tracer studies allow higher education institutions to generate integrated data on their graduates' employment while also reflecting the quality of education they provide. This study traced the employment profile of the 2018 Teacher Education graduates at a University in North Luzon, Philippines. It also analyzed the graduates' suggestions about the curriculum and selected employers' feedback. The study utilized the descriptive-survey method of research, questionnaire, and interviews. Results showed that most respondents are 21 years old, female-dominated, single, and passed the licensure examination for teachers and the Civil Service Professional Examination. More than half of the employed respondents landed their first teaching job within six months after graduation in private schools, handling course-related subjects as contractual/provisional and receiving low salaries. Self-employed and unemployed graduates are waiting for job opportunities to exercise their careers in public schools. English communication, professional and significant subjects closely related to effective teaching and learning are essential to them after graduation. Provision for better facilities and equipment, curriculum emphasizing the development of 21st-century skills, exposure to lesson plans and school forms preparation, and presence of specialized teachers to handle major subjects are recommendations to improve the curriculum. Similarly, employers suggested better classroom management, reporting, and personal and professional skills development for the graduates.

Online Accreditation Portal of North Luzon Philippines State College

The Coronavirus disease pandemic has accelerated the development and adoption of web-based systems. As higher education institutions were forced to adopt their operations online, schools needed a way to provide their clienteles with access to information and services. Web portals were an ideal solution, as they could be easily accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. These provide a centralized location for information and services, and they can help improve communication and collaboration. As North Luzon Philippines State College which is now Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College – Main campus by virtue of the Republic Act 11755, continues to provide quality and affordable education, its academic programs undergo accreditation through the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP). Since in-person accreditation processes are prohibited due to mobility restrictions to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the institution must devise a way to still pursue its program accreditations. This study developed an Online Accreditation Portal, as a solution to this challenge. The developed system provides a secure environment for storing accreditation-related data, readily accessible to accreditors. The study analyzed the system’s level of acceptability which is evaluated by 16 respondents using the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 questionnaire. The system's overall acceptability is very high as indicated by a mean rating of 4.42, which makes the developed system potential for implementation for the institution’s accreditation activities. A campus-wide integration of the developed system was recommended to benefit all the other campuses of the institution.

Total Quality Management, Safety and Stakeholders Satisfaction: Model for Healthcare Administration

The health care industry has undergone turbulent change over the past decades. The industry and political leaders have grappled with several issues that impact access to care, quality of care, and the cost of care. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these challenges even more, as hospitals struggled to treat the overwhelming influx of patients and worked to prevent the spread of disease. For private hospitals, the challenge is even more overwhelming with a transition towards the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world of the healthcare landscape. The increasing rivalry of players in the private hospital industry demand that administrators drive the optimal performance of hospitals as well as the provision of high-quality, safe, effective, and efficient services amidst the high rivalry of players in the industry. For optimum medical services to be provided, managers and planners must have some knowledge of the hospital performance based on the relevant index. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors affecting the overall performance of the hospital. Today's patients, like any other customers, are well informed, discerning, and demanding. This is not only because of the availability of extensive information about the variety of similar products and services available to them but also from the improved marketing capabilities of the hospital to introduce their best services by promoting their respective state-of-the art medical equipment and excellent hospital experience they can offer to patients. This situation necessitates the service provider strive to provide their customers with products and services of greater value. To effectively do this, hospitals must be consistent with what their patients need and want and are willing to pay for. Health care providers in turn, must be willing to provide service with quality and safety to ensure customer satisfaction (Medina, 2016). The study explored Total Quailty Management, safety, and stakeholder's satisfaction: model for healthcare administration. More specifically, it describes the profile of respondents. For the doctors and employee respondents, the description was in terms of age, gender, civil status, educational level, annual income, job tenure, job position and TQM training. For patients, the description was in terms of age, gender, civil status, educational level, work industry, job position, annual income, length of hospital service experience and hospital services utilized. It determines Total Quality Management in terms of: policy and strategy documents availability, personnel attributes, protocols, guidelines and procedures, elements of quality and safety management systems, process and outcome evaluation and patient involvement. It determines safety in terms of: hospital's surge capacity, infection control prevention measures, case management, human resources, diagnostic capability, and logistic and supply chain management. It determines customer satisfaction by

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Philippine native pigs highlight five priority populations for conservation.

The Philippine native pig (PhNP) is a unique genetic resource composed of multiple domesticated Sus scrofa lineages and interspecific hybrids. No prior study has determined the population structure and genetic diversity of PhNPs on multiple islands and provinces, which is essential for establishing conservation priorities. In this study, we explore the population structure and genetic diversity of various PhNP populations in Luzon and the Visayas, Philippines, to identify conservation priorities. We analyzed seven PhNP populations (n = 20-27 samples each; Benguet [B], Kalinga [K], Nueva Vizcaya [N], Isabela [I], Quezon [Q], Marinduque [M], and Samar [S]) and four transboundary breeds present in the Philippines (n = 9-11 samples each; Duroc, Large White, Landrace, and Berkshire). The pigs were compared against a panel of 20 microsatellite markers recommended by the ISAG-FAO. We tested for population structure at the island, region, and province levels. Strong genetic differentiation between native and transboundary breeds was confirmed by Bayesian clustering (k = 2) and Nei's D A genetic distance (100% bootstrap support for the PhNP cluster). PhNP exhibited high heterozygosity (Ho: 0.737), a high allele count (Na: 7.771), and a low inbreeding coefficient (Fis: -0.040-0.125). Bayesian clustering supported genetic differentiation at the island (k = 2; North Luzon and South Luzon-Visayas cluster), region (k = 3), and population (k = 8) levels. The pairwise F'st between PhNP populations ranged from 0.084 (N and I) to 0.397 (Q and K), confirming that some PhNP populations exhibited sufficient genetic distance to be considered separate populations. This study shows that native pigs from B, K, I, Q, M, and S are unique genetic units for conservation. Furthermore, the small effective population sizes of B, I, Q, M, and S (Ne: 3.9, 19.1, 14.2, 44.7, and 22.5, respectively) necessitate immediate conservation actions, such as incentivizing PhNP farming.

Bottom simulating reflectors in the Manila Trench forearc and its implications on the occurrence of gas hydrates in the region

Bottom simulating reflectors in the Manila Trench forearc and its implications on the occurrence of gas hydrates in the region

Retro‐Foredeep Basin Evolution in Taiwan: Zircon U‐Pb and Hf Isotope Constraints From the Coastal Range

Abstract The evolution of the Taiwan orogen, an active arc–continent collision zone between the North Luzon Arc (NLA) and the Eurasian continent, is recorded in arc volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Taiyuan retro‐foredeep basin of the Coastal Range, eastern Taiwan. Arc volcanism in the northern NLA experienced a magmatic culmination at 9–7 Ma and a cessation at 5.3–4.3 Ma, based on new U‐Pb zircon ages. Young zircon U‐Pb ages (1.74, 1.58, and <1.2 Ma) and low Hf isotope signatures also indicate that three biotite‐bearing lapilli tuff layers deposited in the retro‐foredeep basin are associated with eruptions of the Lutao volcano in the southern NLA. NLA volcanism terminated progressively from ∼5.3 to <1.2 Ma in response to a southward‐propagating collision zone that followed the uplift of the orogenic wedge by <3 myr. The detrital zircon U‐Pb age spectra suggest no significant shift in provenance during the Plio‐Pleistocene period and indicate that the synorogenic sediments in the Taiyuan Basin were mainly derived from the Yuli Belt, a Miocene accretionary complex in the eastern Taiwan orogen. The accumulation rate of synorogenic deposits varies from 0.53 to 5.14 km/myr, with an abrupt increase at ∼2 Ma. This new rate is higher than the previously proposed rates and that of the pro‐foreland basin to the west, suggesting asymmetric and rapid uplift of the Taiwan orogen.

Phylogeny and Genetic Diversity of Philippine Native Pigs (Sus scrofa) as Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Philippine native pigs (PhNP) are small black pigs domesticated in rural communities in the Philippines. They are valued locally for their various sociocultural roles. Recently, considerable literature has accumulated in the field of native pig production and marketing. However, there is limited research on the genetic diversity of PhNP. No previous study has investigated the evolutionary relatedness among native pigs from various islands and provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, Philippines. In addition, a much debated question is whether the PhNP were interbreeding with or even domesticated from endemic wild pigs. This study aims to clarify some of the uncertainties surrounding the identity and classification of PhNP based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) signatures. Native pig samples (n = 157) were collected from 10 provinces in Luzon and the Visayas. Approximately 650 base pairs of the mtDNA D-loop region were sequenced and analyzed together with publicly available sequences. Pairwise-distance analysis showed genetic separation of North and South Luzon (SL) and the clustering of SL with Visayan pigs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PhNP clustered within 3 recognized Asian pig domestication centers: D2 (East Asia), D7 (Southeast Asia) and the Cordillera clade (sister to the Lanyu). We identified 19 haplotypes (1–38 samples each), forming 4 haplogroups, i.e., North Luzon, South Luzon and Visayas, Asian mix and the Cordillera cluster. No endemic wild pig mtDNA was detected in the native pig population, but evidence of interspecific hybridization was observed. This study showed that the Philippine native pigs have originated from at least 3 Sus scrofa lineage and that they were not domesticated from the endemic wild pigs of the Philippines.

Summer Anticyclonic Eddies Carrying Kuroshio Waters Observed by a Large CPIES Array West of the Luzon Strait

Abstract The Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea (SCS) in summer is weak and has rarely been reported by in situ observations. Here, we describe a new form of Kuroshio water intrusion that is strongest during the summer, the North Luzon Warm Eddy (NLWE), which is an anticyclonic eddy originating north of Luzon Island. From early July to mid-September 2018, two NLWEs moving northwestward were captured by a mooring array consisting of 27 current- and pressure-recording inverted echo sounders (CPIESs). The three-dimensional CPIES estimates reveal that the NLWEs carried large amounts of saline Kuroshio waters (S > 34.7 psu) in the subsurface, which was also evidenced by Argo float profiles. The Kuroshio intrusion was confined to waters shallower than the 14.8°C isotherm. Historical data for NLWEs suggest that they occur mostly during the summer but are absent between November and March, which is attributed to seasonal wind stress curl (WSC). However, because the seasonal signal of WSC during summer is small, intraseasonal WSC is directly responsible for the generation of NLWEs. Significance Statement This paper describes a new type of Kuroshio water intrusion into the South China Sea (SCS)—the North Luzon Warm Eddy (NLWE), which is an anticyclonic eddy generated north of Luzon Island. The eddy mostly occurs during summer when the Kuroshio intrusion is commonly considered the weakest. From observations of a large CPIES array, we provide a cradle-to-grave picture of the NLWE. NLWEs are estimated to contribute almost half of the westward Luzon Strait transport during the summer and, as such, play an important role in the seasonal stratification and circulation in the northeastern SCS.

Crustal structure of the northern Manila subduction zone: Is thinned continental crust or oceanic crust subducting beneath the Luzon arc and forearc?

Crustal structure of the northern Manila subduction zone: Is thinned continental crust or oceanic crust subducting beneath the Luzon arc and forearc?

New species of the genera Dryophthorus Germar, 1823 and Stenommatus Wollaston, 1873 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Philippines and New Guinea

Three new species, Dryophthorus luzonensis Legalov, sp. nov. from North Luzon (Kalinga, Ifugao and Mountain prov.), D. orientalis Legalov, sp. nov. from North Luzon (Benguet and Ifugao prov.), and Stenommatus telnovi Legalov, sp. nov. from New Guinea (Star Mountains) are described and illustrated. Dryophthorus luzonensis Legalov, sp. nov. differs from D. subtruncatus Voss, 1940 in the elytra narrowed from the humeri to an apex and with sharp pronotal constriction; D. orientalis Legalov, sp. nov. differs from D. subtruncatus and D. luzonensis Legalov, sp. nov. in the elytral interstria 3 connected apically with the interstria 9, and also the elytra lacking humeri; Stenommatus telnovi Legalov, sp. nov. differs from S. ocularis (Konishi, 1963) in the carinate elytral intestriae, the body with matted dense pubescence, narrower pronotum, and shorter rostrum.

A forearc pull-apart basin under oblique arc-continent collision: Insights from the North Luzon Trough

A forearc pull-apart basin under oblique arc-continent collision: Insights from the North Luzon Trough

Exploring Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness of Rural Communities

ABSTRACT: Over the past few decades, the discussion of disaster mitigation and preparedness has largely focused on the urban communities, due to the concentration of the general population in those centers. This presents a gap in our current knowledge base particularly for vulnerable places with huge rural communities. This study focused on the level of knowledge on disaster mitigation and preparedness among rural communities in Cadiz City, Philippines. It was conducted to increase the understanding of DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) done in rural communities and explore a method to come up with a suitable program that can enhance the awareness of DRR in Cadiz City. Data were gathered from 198 respondents of the 6 rural communities in Cadiz City via a researcher-developed questionnaire survey and in-depth face-to-face interviews. The results show that the general response in terms of the level of disaster mitigation and preparedness is “in the process”. Most of the respondents have acquired information on general emergency preparedness with TV reports as the most common source of information and television as the most effective means of receiving information. In general, the residents in the rural communities of Cadiz City manifest readiness and interest in their safety from disaster and in reducing their exposure and vulnerabilities to typhoons, fires, and earthquakes. Based on the results of the study, the researchers highly recommend the development of a comprehensive and operational module to guide at-risk rural communities in mitigating and preparing for disasters. KEY WORDS: Disaster Mitigation; Preparedness; Rural Communities; Natural Hazards. About the Authors: Marites C. Geronimo, Ph.D. is a Professor VI at the Faculty of Teacher Development PNU (Philippine Normal University) North Luzon, Alicia, Isabela, Philippines. Meah L. Gonzaga, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor III at the Faculty of Teacher Development PNU (Philippine Normal University) Visayas, Boy Albert St., Zone 1, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental 6126, Philippines. Authors corresponding: geronimo.mc@pnu.edu.ph and gonzaga.ml@pnu.edu.ph Suggested Citation: Geronimo, Marites C. & Meah L. Gonzaga. (2021). “Exploring Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness of Rural Communities” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies , Volume 14(1), August, pp.1-18. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Suci and ASPENSI with ISSN 1979-7877 (print) and ISSN 2621-587X (online). Article Timeline: Accepted (June 22, 2021); Revised (July 25, 2021); and Published (August 30, 2021).

High-Ca vent fluids discharged from the Lutao arc volcanic hydrothermal system are associated with albitization and recycling of marine carbonate

High-Ca vent fluids discharged from the Lutao arc volcanic hydrothermal system are associated with albitization and recycling of marine carbonate

Ritual act, technology, and the efficacy of traditional tattooing among the Igorots of north Luzon, Philippines

What are the social dimensions involved in the technology of traditional tattooing among the Igorots of north Luzon, the Philippines? Based on a long-term anthropological fieldwork among the Igorots, an examination of the varying traditional tattooing practices of these ethnic groups demonstrates that the significance of batok (traditional tattoos) does not only lie in their symbolic and aesthetic qualities, but also in the rituals performed, the taboos observed, and the technology employed in the production of tattoos. The tattoo's appearance on skin is also dependent on the method or technique employed in the production of designs; the varying pigments used to produce a blackish, greenish, or bluish color in tattoos that mark the identity of a group; and the symmetry and arrangement of tattoos. More importantly, this paper explores the social and cultural practices involved in the production of batok for these to achieve the efficacy of purpose and function . This paper examines how the technology of tattoos, along with rituals and their associated taboos, contributes to the production of what is classified among the Butbut of Kalinga as: whayyu or maphod (“beautiful”), rather than lagwing (“unpleasant”); unfinished versus finished; and “thin or thick” tattoos. Traditional tattooing was formerly practiced in the confines of collective and place-based rituals among the people of the Philippine Cordillera. However, the rarity, rawness, and the particularity of the technology used in the production of these tattoos render them more “authentic,” as such, traditional tattooing has entered contemporary tattoo practices in the Philippines as a form of revival.