Northern Samar Research Articles

Geographical Biodiversity of Orchids in Different Municipalities of Northern Samar, Phillipines

Orchids are one of the largest and most diverse groups among the Philippine flowering plants, harboring over 1200 species, varieties and forms. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the orchid species in nine (9) sampling sites, as well the anthropogenic activities and economic uses. Purposive sampling technique was applied in this study, which is form of sampling technique in which the selection of sample is based on the researcher’s own judgment that will fit in the criteria of the study. A total of seventy-four (74) varieties of orchids, belonging to eighteen genera (18) were identified in nine sampling areas which implied that Northern Samar are rich in varieties of orchid species, although anthropogenic activities need to be minimized to protect these orchid species.

Species of Nepenthes (Pitcher Plant) in Selected Areas of San Isidro, Northern Samar

Nepenthes is a genus in the Nepenthaceae family of the order Nepenthales that is also known as a carnivorous plant. Thus, a study was conducted to identify the diversity of Nepenthes species in nine (9) areas of San Isidro, Northern Samar. The descriptive method of research was applied in this study. A total of nine (9) species were identified in the sampling sites. These species mostly grow in forest and woodland areas. In terms of economic importance, residents used Nepenthes species as ornamental plant, for barter with any goods, and an albolaryo used Nepenthes pitchers to treat snake and dog bites, “kulam”, and “usog”. Furthermore, habitat destruction, cultivation, and overexploitation of Nepenthes species were identified as anthropogenic activities. Results implied that the gathered environmental conditions data were normal and optimal for the growth and development of Nepenthes species in the sampling sites. Further study on the plant will be helpful for future conservation, more economic value, and possible pharmaceutical applications. Moreover, DENR may coordinate with LGU and strictly implement ordinances against habitat destruction, cultivation, collection, and trading of Nepenthes species to assist conservation.

Lived Experiences of Philippine National Police Drug Enforcers in the Eastern Visayas Region

Fighting illegal drugs adds a great deal of complexity to law enforcement, requiring officers to deal with a wide range of issues that go far beyond simply apprehending criminals. The research endeavor sought to investigate the experiences of Philippine National Police drug enforcers operating within the Eastern Visayas region. It set out to comprehensively examine the challenges encountered in implementing anti-illegal drug laws across six provinces and the subsequent strategies to navigate challenges. The phenomenological research design and purposive sampling were employed. The nine police drug enforcers based in Southern Leyte, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Northern Samar, and Samar participated in the study. The research methodology predominantly relied on qualitative interviews to gather data. The findings highlighted a multitude of challenges faced by police drug enforcers, including obstacles in case development, limited resources, interpersonal variances among leaders and team members, and adverse feedback from the subjects’ relatives and the wider community. Notwithstanding these challenges, the enforcers demonstrated resilience by upholding strong work ethics, optimizing their resources for anti-illegal drug operations, fostering camaraderie, and nurturing positive relationships within the community. Furthermore, the study underscored the necessity for advocating increased budgetary allocations, enhanced mobility, and fortified armaments for anti-drug operations to safeguard the well-being and security of the enforcers. In addition, the research proposed an intervention program to strengthen the implementation of anti-illegal drug laws in the Eastern Visayas region. Keywords: Criminal justice education, Anti-illegal drug law, lived experiences

Biochemical Analysis of Melia azedarach (Chinaberry) Leaf Extract Collected from Laoang, Northern Samar, Philippines

Melia azedarach belongs to the Meliaceae family and is known by various names, such as Chinaberry, ride of India, Bead-tree, Cape lilac, Persian lilac. It is commonly found in warmer and tropical regions, including Southeast Asia and various other parts of the world. The leaves, bark, stem and roots have a medicinal application and effective against the herpes simplex virus. This study focuses on the characterization of bioactive potential of Melia azedarach (Chinaberry) leaf extract. Physical properties were determined in terms of color, odor, solubility, boiling point, density, and pH. Furthermore, the secondary metabolites were determined in terms of alkaloids, phenols, tannin, saponin, and phenolic compound. Likewise, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is used to determine the functional group present on the leaf extract. Lastly, to determine the bioactive potential of Melia azedarach (Chinaberry) leaf extract Ultraviolet Visible (UV-vis) Spectrophotometer was used. Result showed that Melia azedarach (Chinaberry) has a yellow green color with a pleasant odor, miscible with ethanol and water, immiscible with benzene, lower boiling point than water, less dense than water and a pH which is moderately acidic. Furthermore, a positive result showed in phytochemical screening for alkaloids, phenols, tannin, saponin and phenolic compound, which implies that the plant sample can be used as antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. Subsequently, FTIR and UV-vis analysis showed a positive result for the determination of functional group and bioactive potential among secondary metabolites which means that it is possible for the application in developing therapeutic medicines and in developing natural remedies. Therefore, the findings of this study will benefits the whole scientific community since it would provide added information and evidences as possible application for the development of pharmaceutical medicine. Furthermore, this study is beneficial to the whole scientific community since it would provide added information about the characterization of bioactive potential present in these leaf extract. It also, provides alternative treatments for common health issues particularly in communities that are in far-flung areas with limited access to modern healthcare. Overall, this compound simplifies treatments, may lower healthcare costs, and significantly improves quality of life.

Spectral Characterization of Canarium ovatum Engl. (Pili) Pulp Extract from Allen, Northern Samar, Philippines

Spectral Characterization of Canarium ovatum Engl. (Pili) Pulp Extract from Allen, Northern Samar, Philippines

Characterization of a Bioplastic Product from the Ulva reticulata (Ribbon Sea Lettuce) Extract

Humans have a strong reliance in using petroleum-based plastics which take several decades to degrade and cause a lot of environmental problems such as pollution. This study intended to develop bioplastics from Ulva reticulata (Ribbon sea lettuce) and to determine the bioplastic’s physicochemical properties. The sample was collected in Allen, Northern Samar, Philippines, water samples were also collected. After the extraction, development of bioplastic from the sample extract commenced. The developed bioplastic underwent several test to check the stability of the product – its includes physicochemical analysis, tensile strength, thickness, moisture content, and soil degradation test. The Ribbon sea lettuce bioplastic solution was slightly acidic. The seaweed bioplastic have an average thickness of 0.30mm. The Ribbon sea lettuce bioplastic sample was both insoluble in the three solvents. The sample bioplastic can handle an average load of 55.12g. An average moisture content of 51.534% have been observed in the three trial of the seaweed bioplastic sample. The seaweed bioplastic sample naturally degraded during the soil biodegradation test and have lost an average weight percentage of 82.05% after 21 days of being buried in soil. The results showed that the seaweed bioplastic has a potential as an alternative to the non-biodegradable plastic and can be used in agricultural, industrial and economic purposes.

Inventory of Seaweeds in Selected Municipalities in the Balicuatro Area of the Province of Northern Samar, Philippines

Seaweeds or marine macroalgae is one of the marine resources that are understudied in the province of Northern Samar, the province have twenty-four (24) municipalities and twenty (20) of them have coastal zone which is ideal for marine researches as well as for aquaculture. This study is focused on the present seaweeds in the three (3) selected municipalities in Balicuatro area in the province of Northern Samar. A total of ninety-four (94) taxa were collected/ found in the three (3) sampling sites. Lavezares got the greatest number of seaweeds with sixty (60) taxa, followed by Biri with fourty-four (44), and the least was in Allen with thirty-four (34) species. Chlorophyta have thirty-nine (39) species which constitute for 39.36% of the total identified seaweeds, followed by thirty-four (34) red seaweeds (36.17%), and, lastly, Brown macroalgae with only twenty-three (23) species which accounts for 24.47%. The most common marine macroalgae in all sampling sites were: Hormophysa cuneiformis which was found in ten (10) sampling sites, followed by Halimeda macroloba, Ulva reticulata, and Sargassum oligocystum which were found in ten (10) sampling sites. In terms of environmental parameters, temperature and salinity of all sampling sites were tested to be within the normal range during the collection period based on established threshold limit. However, in terms of pH, it was detected that two (2) barangays/ sampling sites in Lavezares, namely: Balicuatro and San Juan which only had 7.2 and 7.4 which is below the threshold limit range of seawater pH which is 7.5-8.5. In terms of substrate, rocky substrate is common to all sampling sites which indicates that hard substratum is preferable for the growth, adaptation, and survival of seaweeds.

Physicochemical Analysis of Biofilms from Cocos nucifera Linn. (Coconut) Flour and Manihot esculenta Crantz (Cassava) Starch with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

The province of Northern Samar, its municipalities including Pambujan, is a place abundant of Manihot esculenta Crantz (cassava), and Cocos nucifera Linn. (coconut). However, its industry is mainly limited to food production. This study developed biofilms from cassava starch (CasS), and coconut flour (CoF) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The physicochemical properties were analyzed to determine their pH, solubility, moisture content, and tensile strength. Functional groups were investigated using FTIR, and the antibacterial properties were evaluated. The results showed that both biofilms with PVA were weakly acidic and insoluble in all solvents. Meanwhile, CoF biofilm contained higher moisture content than the CasS biofilm. CoF biofilms also carried more weight and higher force than CasS biofilm. Hydroxyl, alkyl, and alkene functional groups were identified for both biofilms. Meanwhile, both biofilms showed no inhibitory effect against E. coli, and S. aureus. Therefore, the developed biofilms with PVA showed good physicochemical properties and can be used for packaging applications. The slight acidity can prolong their shelf-life. Moreover, both will not easily dissolve. CoF biofilm comprised more water than CasS but both are still suitable for packaging due to their tensile strength attributed to the presence of the functional groups. However, CasS, CoF, and PVA do not have antibacterial properties. More physicochemical tests, further characterization, and incorporation of antibacterial agents were recommended.

Health Risks Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Cultured Chanos chanos (Bangus) and Scylla serrata (Mudcrab) in Selected Municipalities in Northern Samar

One of the common problem in fishponds is heavy metal contamination. Though there are some heavy metal elements that are naturally occurring, but due to human activities, their concentration goes beyond what is normal. In this study, health risks analysis using Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Total Hazard Quotient (THQ), Target Cancer Risk (TCR) were done to assess if the quantities of the heavy metals, such as: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, and Mercury, impose risks to consumer. Arsenic had the highest concentration among all other heavy metals in crab aligue, having 46.83 mg/kg. The consumption of bangus meat may result in an EDI that is greater than PTDI, especially for Arsenic [15.22731-18.10317 μg kg−1 BW d−1]. Similarly, consuming crab aligue may also result to a high EDI for Arsenic [2.48197-5.27841μg kg−1 BW d−1]. THQ was also evaluated as well as the sum of individual heavy metal values which is the Hazard Index (HI) that exceeded to 1 multiple times. In terms of TCR levels, all of the heavy metals exceeded the acceptable limit for cancer risks. Shapiro-Wilk Test had shown non-normal distribution of data for EDI, THQ, and TCR. Spearman’s Correlation Test, meanwhile, suggested that there is a significant relationship between the quantities of heavy metals in bangus meat and crab aligue as well as EDI, THQ, and TCR. In general, based on the health risks assessments (EDI, THQ, and TCR), Arsenic, an established carcinogen, can be the greatest contributor in developing risks and disease, while the varying concentration of Chromium and Cadmium in the samples may also pose risks to consumers. This implies that strict management measures should be implemented to mitigate or lessen the discharge of these heavy metals in the aquatic systems.

The Motivation and Research Competencies among Educators in Government Higher Education Institutions in Northern Samar: A Cornerstone towards Productive, Quality and Efficient Research Community

This research study aimed to investigate the relationship between motivation and the research competencies among educators in Government Higher Education Institutions (GHEIs) to identify factors that contribute to a productive, quality, and efficient research community. The study employed a quantitative research approach particularly the descriptive correlational research design to focus on quantifying the accumulation and assessment of data and descriptive design to provide a snapshot of the current situation and describes the traits of the population or occurrence on the phenomenon from educators in Government higher education institutions. The study worked only with a motivational survey that covers both Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation that focused on motivation, external governance, introduced governance, acknowledged governance, and unified governance, and Intrinsic motivation as well as the research professor's competencies that entail six domains on instruction, values and morality, uniqueness and creativity, research development, and digital readiness. The data analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including path analysis, to examine the direct and indirect relationships between the variables. The findings showed that motivation and research competencies have a significant relationship in building productive, quality, and efficient research communities. Therefore, all three indicated hypotheses were found rejected when evaluated using the data gathered from the respondents. This finding is expected to contribute to the development of effective strategies and interventions for enhancing motivation and research competencies among educators in Government higher education institutions, which would ultimately lead to a productive, quality, and efficient research community.

Biodiversity of Macrofungi: A Literature Review

Macrofungi are known to be heterotrophic eukaryotes that dwell in rotten wood, decaying matter, grassy ground, and other substrates. Most of them are saprotrophs or decomposers. They provide a big contribution to nutrient cycling as primary producers. The diversity of macrofungi are studied across the globe yet 10% of the species are only identified. This review aimed to provide a systematic information of the diverse species of macrofungi that were collected in the selected sample sites of the Philippines specifically in Catanduanes, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya, Northen Samar, and Camarines Sur. A total of 250 macrofungal taxaspecies were collected from the five different sample sites. 25 species were found to be present in Nueva Vizcaya, 71 species in Laguna, 81 species in Catanduanes, 39 species in Northern Samar, and 35 species in Camarines Sur. The top 5 families with the most number of species are Psathyrellaceae, Marasmiaceae, Tricholomataceae, Agariceae, and Polyporaceae. The family with the highest number of species collected was known to be Polyporaceae with a total of 62 species and are present in each sample site. Thus, the dominance of this species is evident as it corresponds to the climate and substrate in the country. To maintain the species richness in the area, regular monitoring of macrofungi should be implemented. It is also recommended that more studies of macrofungal biodiversity should be conducted in the Philippines.

Factors Correlated with the Competency of Barangay Nutrition Scholars in Cabuyao, Laguna in the Implementation of the Family MUAC Approach

With COVID-19 disrupting basic health services, the Family MUAC approach was recognized as a “reduced physical contact” method for detecting malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months old. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is an anthropometric measure taken at the midpoint of the upper arm, between the tip of the shoulder (olecranon process) and the tip of the elbow (acromion). While this approach is already being implemented in 26 countries worldwide, there is a research gap in the implementing strategies of the Family MUAC approach in the Philippines. As of 2021, there were only a few documented barangay-level activities involving this approach; a pilot implementation in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga Del Norte, and a virtual training in Cagayan Province. This quantitative study was conducted to correlate factors with the competency of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the implementation of the Family MUAC approach. The study surveyed all 18 Barangay Nutrition Scholars in Cabuyao, Laguna using a pretested structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, supportive systems, resources, and level of competency of the respondents. On the other hand, Spearman and Cramer’s V coefficients were calculated to identify factors correlated with the competency of the respondents. With the majority of the respondents having a moderate level of competency (72.2\%), results showed that competency was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with household size, monthly family income, last MUAC training, supervisory visits, refresher training, and availability of selected supplies. In conclusion, the variables above were factors correlated with competency, and knowledge, experience, and motivation were sufficient measures of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars’ level of competency. The study recommends reinforcing strategies on the identified positively-influencing factors related to family support, training, supervision, and supplies to improve the competency of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the implementation of the Family MUAC approach.

The Impacts of the Micro-Finance Services of the Fundacion Grameen Pilipinas. Among Women Entrepreneurs in Bobon, Northern Samar, Philippines: An Assessment

This study endeavored to assess the socio-economic impacts of the micro-finance services of Fundacion Grameen Pilipinas (FGP) among women entrepreneurs of Bobon, Northern Samar, Philippines. It utilized a descriptive survey method, which involved 37 member beneficiaries as respondents. A survey was conducted, and the data derived have been tabulated and analyzed through frequency counts, percentages, weighted mean, using the Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Statistical analysis indicated that the amount of loan had significant relationship with income but did not show any relationships with other economic and social indicators. The mode of payments had significant relationships with income, savings, and access to education. The purpose of the loan has proven its significant relationship with savings and self-empowerment; while the terms of loan had significant relationship with income, savings, and self-empowerment. The loans utilized for small businesses proved to be significantly related to income, savings, asset acquisition and self-empowerment. Loans used to finance food processing ventures proved to have no significant relationships with both economic and social indicators. Loans used for handicraft manufacturing businesses proved to be significantly related to income, savings, and asset acquisition, while the loans utilized for backyard piggery proved to be significantly related to income.

School Leaders’ Crisis Leadership Competencies and their Pandemic Response Strategies

Based on the Meta-Leadership Model of Marcus et al. (2007), as cited by Saltz (2017), this research documented and assessed the crisis leadership competencies and pandemic response strategies of school leaders in the DepEd Division of Northern Samar. Utilizing a sequential exploratory approach, qualitative and quantitative designs were adopted. Thus, in the qualitative component, eight (8) school leaders participated in face-to-face interview sessions, wherein the emerging themes from their responses highlighted the concept that meta-leaders have a higher effect than their real authority because they exert a strong influence on their followers, aiding them in overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities. They understood the nature and significance of the situation, and in order to keep a diverse group of people on track, they weaved together key themes that highlighted the organization's core purpose and ambitions. In the qualitative aspect, the broader population of 130 respondents answered a questionnaire about school leaders' crisis leadership competencies, which revealed the following results: "Very High" on Team Leadership (AWM =3.25); "High" on Situational Awareness and Integrative Thinking (AWM =3.18); and "High" on Decisiveness and Emotional Effectiveness (AWM =3.24). In addition, respondents completed a questionnaire regarding the extent of the school leader's pandemic response strategies, which revealed the following findings: Promoting Organizational Resilience, "Large Extent" (AWM =3.24); Acting with Integrity, "Very Large Extent" (AWM =3.29); and Exhibiting Learning Orientation, "Large Extent" (AWM =2.96). based on the results, the researcher contends that when establishing a crisis management plan for a successful pandemic response strategy, school leaders must prioritize the following elements: communication, high productivity, technology use, and accessibility. On the basis of these factors, the current researcher proposes the following three focus areas for the crisis management plan: (1) establishing guidelines or policies for remote work for faculty and staff; (2) embracing remote work for department heads, master teachers, and focal persons; and (3) developing inclusive and collaborative virtual meetings. The researcher also suggests that school administrators think about adopting the recommended crisis management plan to make sure that all important aspects of the school system are taken care of.

Exploring Sustainable Manufacturing Processes for Sanitary Items Utilizing Abundant Natural Resources: A Covid-19 Pandemic Response in Northern Samar, Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic did not only bring millions of casualties but also diminished the supply of sanitary items. In Northern Samar alone, sanitary items such as facemasks, rubbing alcohol, and soaps run out of stock on the first week of the gradual closure of businesses. This means that those with fewer financial resources have difficulties acquiring such sanitary items to protect them from this deadly disease. Northern Samar is abundant when it comes to nipa resource which has a big potential as a raw material for production of bioethanol. Due to the shortage of rubbing alcohols and raw materials for the laboratory made ethyl alcohol, extraction of bioethanol from fermented Nypa fruticans was done. This created raw materials needed in the production of laboratory made ethyl alcohol that was distributed to its target beneficiaries. On the other hand, Salacia korthalsiana Miq. commonly known as Polipog, is a traditional plant used to treat different diseases. It is used as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and as antibacterial agent. The root part of the plant was used to produce an antibacterial bar and liquid soap. Thru the funding of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), manufacturing of non-medicine products took place in the University of Eastern Philippines. These basic sanitary items were given to the provincial government of Northern Samar for distribution to local communities to combat the spread of COVID-19. A prepared biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were applied to the face mask through spraying the solution on the surface of the face mask. Results showed that the textile with nanoparticles inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Further researches is sought to properly utilize the promising results of the wonders of the natural resources found in Northern Samar.

Comparative assessment of the SjSAP4-incorporated gold immunochromatographic assay for the diagnosis of human schistosomiasis japonica.

Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, remains a global public health threat. This study aimed to validate the diagnostic performance of a recently developed gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for the detection of S. japonicum infection in a rural endemic area of the Philippines. Human clinical samples were collected from 412 subjects living in Laoang and Palapag municipalities, Northern Samar, the Philippines. The presence of Schistosoma-specific antibodies in serum samples was tested with the SjSAP4-incorporated GICA strips and the results were converted to fully quantitative data by introducing an R value. The performance of the established GICA was further compared with other diagnostic tools, including the Kato-Katz (KK) technique, point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA), droplet digital (dd) PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The developed GICA strip was able to detect KK positive individuals with a sensitivity of 83.3% and absolute specificity. When calibrated with the highly sensitive faecal ddPCR assay, the immunochromatographic assay displayed an accuracy of 60.7%. Globally, the GICA assay showed a high concordance with the SjSAP4-ELISA assay. The schistosomiasis positivity rate determined by the GICA test was similar to those obtained with the SjSAP4-ELISA assay and the ddPCR assay performed on serum samples (SR_ddPCR), and was 2.3 times higher than obtained with the KK method. The study further confirms that the developed GICA is a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting light S. japonicum infections and implies that this point-of-care assay is a viable solution for surveying endemic areas of low-intensity schistosomiasis and identifying high-priority endemic areas for targeted interventions.

Narrowing the Yield Gap of Coconut (Cocos Nucifera L.) Through Integrated Nutrient Management in the Philippines: An On-Farm Experiment Approach

Over the years, coconut farmers are facing an inherent problem of low productivity in the Philippines due to the senile palms, poor agronomic practices, and other environmental factors. Fertilizer application is not typically practiced in most coconut plantations resulting in yield gaps of 31 to 87% between farmers’ fields and well-managed farms. We aimed to show the potential of integrated nutrient management (INM) in improving coconut productivity and narrowing the yield gap. In this study, five fertilizer treatments viz. T1 - farmer’s practice, T2 - 100% Philippine Coconut Authority’s recommended fertilizer rate (RFR) at two equal splits, applied semi-annually, T3 - 100% RFR at four equal splits, applied quarterly, T4 - 1/2 RFR at two equal splits, applied semi-annually plus one-time application of MykoVAM™, and T5 - 1/2 RFR at four equal splits, applied quarterly plus one-time application of MykoVAM™ were tested in four provinces to represent the four climate conditions in the Philippines. Each experimental site was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nut yields from the on-farm experiments were used to analyze the different yield levels and yield gaps. The actual yields were lower than the attainable yields across all the locations. In terms of nut yield, Northern Samar had the highest yield gap of 68%, while Zamboanga City had the lowest yield gap with 21% difference. The exploitable yield gaps were 8,113, 9,408, 2,649 and 3,203 nuts/ha in Palawan, Northern Samar, Zamboanga City and Davao City, respectively. Results suggested that the indigenous soil nutrient content in the farmer’s field was not sufficient to supply the nutrient requirement of the crop compared to the attainable yield. INM has a potential in improving the nut yield. Thus, nutrient management plays a key role in closing the yield gap and in achieving high productivity.

Child Labor in Catarman Northern Samar Parents’ Knowledge and Perceived Effectiveness of Print Materials

Child Labor in Catarman Northern Samar Parents’ Knowledge and Perceived Effectiveness of Print Materials

Species Composition, Relative Abundance, Distribution, and Size Structure of Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus spp.) in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Spiny lobsters are an important resource of the artisanal fishery in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. It has long been harvested and contributes to the region's local economy. Despite being a high-value species, the spiny lobster resource has not been monitored and regulated for decades. This study aimed to assess the spiny lobsters in Eastern Visayas and provide recent information to support local resource management. Spiny lobsters were assessed from 2018 to 2019 in four major sampling areas in Eastern Visayas: (1) Guiuan and (2) San Policarpo in Eastern Samar province, (3) San Jose in Northern Samar, and (4) Silago-Hinunangan in Southern Leyte. Species composition, relative abundance, geographical and seasonality distribution, and size structure of spiny lobster resource in the region were described. Six species and subspecies of the genus Panulirus were observed in the catch landings: P. penicillatus (65%), P. ornatus (18%), P. versicolor (2.8%), P. femoristriga (5.3%), P. longipes longipes (6.1%), and P. longipes bispinosus (1.7%). Incidental catches (1.3%) of the ambiguous forms of P. longipes were also observed. P. penicillatus were more prevalent in areas exposed to the Pacific, such as Guiuan and San Policarpo, while adult P. ornatus were chiefly harvested in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte. The other lobster species were either occasional or rare in some areas. Calmer waters and good weather during dry months in Eastern Visayas allow fishers to sail and gather lobsters. The surge in the abundance of P. ornatus and P. penicillatus from July to December was also affected by market demand. Panulirus femoristriga, P. versicolor, and P. longipes subspecies generally peaked from April to June in Eastern Samar and July to September in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte areas. These species would decline in abundance towards the end of the year. The general size structure of spiny lobster catches in Eastern Visayas revealed extreme harvesting of juveniles and sub-adults (< 77.5 mm CL), except for P. ornatus. The fishery could be on the verge of growth overfishing since 50-90% of the catch have CL below their size at first maturity. Panulirus ornatus is targeted at larger sizes (96–107 mm CL) and as a live catch due to its high value and marketability. Raising awareness of the species, reinforcing existing regulations on minimum size limits, and prohibiting the use of compressor diving as a hazardous collection method should be prioritized by fishery managers to protect both the spiny lobster resource and the gatherers in Eastern Visayas.

Awareness and Practice of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) among Street Food Vendors in Catarman, Northern Samar

Street food vendors play a crucial role in providing affordable and convenient food options, especially for those who need to purchase necessities in small quantities. However, ensuring food safety in these informal food businesses remains a major concern. This study aims to investigate the level of awareness and practices of good manufacturing practices among street food vendors in Catarman, Northern Samar. Using a combination of descriptive quantitative and qualitative approaches, the researchers conducted interviews with vendors at the University of Eastern Philippines Main Campus. A survey questionnaire was administered to gather accurate information, while simultaneous observations of the vendors' operations were conducted. Data analysis involved tallying, frequency calculation, percentage determination, and mean calculation. It was found that despite belonging to a single association, the vendors employed different food safety practices in their businesses. The findings highlight the importance of enhancing food safety knowledge among street food vendors and implementing effective measures to prevent food-borne illnesses. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject and offers valuable insights for policymakers and regulatory agencies in improving food safety practices within the street food sector.