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I interrogate the Philippine Indigenous Peoples Education's operational construct of culture to explicate its indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) integration into the K-12 curriculum. Pragmatism as a philosophical framework mainly guides the argument in this paper. In the first part, I introduce the old and contemporary meanings of culture and point out flaws in the IKSP integration. Literature backing the essence of IKSP integration into the school curriculum dominated by the Western knowledge system is discussed in the second part, followed by a discussion on culture and indigeneity that nuance further the IKSP integration in public education. The Philippine Indigenous Peoples Education is presented next, highlighting its definition of IPs, focus areas, support systems, and recent developments, ending with a critique. Analysis and discussion follow. The paper concludes with a challenge, especially for the education sectors, to reframe their lenses at looking at culture to build authentic relationships with indigenous communities and provide indigenous learners with an education that is need-based and culture-sensitive, one that respects their worldviews, knowledge systems, heritages, and identities, one that is truly liberating. Providing IPs an education responsive to the changing society can help them achieve a real sense of self-determination for social progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the economic upgrading of suppliers in global value chains (GVCs) is influenced by the prevailing governance structures in supplier-lead firm relationships. Using a novel governance index for Philippine and Thai manufacturers, this paper tests if tight effective control received by suppliers can be detrimental to higher-order GVC upgrading. The unique 2012 Survey on Adjustments of Establishments to Globalization was used to calculate the index for Philippine manufacturers, while the World Bank's Productivity and Investment Climate Study 2006–2007 was used for Thailand. The econometric results confirm that tight governance negatively affects upgrading in both countries. Specifically, the Philippine estimates show that tight governance has no impact on process upgrading given that: (1) all GVCs benefit from efficient suppliers, regardless of governance structures; and (2) process upgrading has relatively simpler technological requirements than higher-order upgrading. Tight governance significantly reduces the probability of achieving more sophisticated product, functional, and intersectoral upgrading, especially when this encroaches on the lead firm's core functions. But since governance and control are necessary for efficient GVC operations, suppliers must conscientiously build capabilities and networks to move up the upgrading ladder. For weak-capability suppliers, innovation networks are important external sources of technology and knowledge spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive utilization of tropical inland water bodies for multiple and sometimes competing activities underlines the necessity for their integrated and holistic co-management. This paper presents our synthesis on lake and reservoir fisheries in South and Southeast Asia as social–ecological systems, based on a synopsis of our research findings from a previous EU-funded research programme in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines (FISHSTRAT project). The paper attempts to merge our results with recent developments in research, policy and practice. We explore the effects of the main external and internal control mechanisms of the trophic state and pinpoint to the high production potential of traditionally unexploited small indigenous fish species. The limitations of conventional centralized management systems highlight the importance of introducing transdisciplinary approaches which integrate limnology, fish ecology and fisheries with the interests of other resource using stakeholders and decision makers in order to develop locally appropriate co-management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Forgotten crises' constitute a permanent background to any present and future global humanitarian and development efforts. They represent a significant impediment to promoting lasting peace given concurrent catastrophes exacerbated by climate change. Yet, they are routinely neglected and remain unresolved. Building on critical and feminist approaches, this paper theorises them as forgotten sites of local knowledge production. It asks: what is local knowledge of and from forgotten crises? How can it be recovered and resignified, and what lessons can such knowledge provide at the global level? Drawing on examples from the intersections of conflict, disasters, and pandemics in the Philippines, the paper makes a case for valuing local knowledge arising from forgotten crises because of its potential contribution to adapting global humanitarian and development systems to address crises on multiple fronts. Such epistemic margins are generative of vantage points that can present a fuller account of how different crises interact and how best to respond to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and reliable online assessments has become increasingly important in the digital era. We developed a 10-min online word reading assessment of global English based on the existing paper-and-pencil version of our English silent word reading test. The test includes two parts, namely, random word recognition and contextual word reading. A total of 889 participants (437 children and 392 adults; 62.7% female) took part in the study. They were from various regions including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Poland, the United States, and the Philippines. Reliability and validity analyses on various demographics samples (by age and country/region of origin) demonstrated that the WordSword Test is highly reliable and valid (e.g., the correlation of this test with other English reading measures were above.80). Education level was positively correlated with test performance, while the correlations between age and test performance were not consistent. Ninety-seven children participants also took the paper-and-pencil version of the WordSword Test. The correlation between performances on the online and paper-and-pencil versions of the test was.879, one year apart. With more children and adults taking the WordSword Test, we ultimately hope to establish norms by area, grade level, and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies educational inequality in the Philippines from 1950 to 2015, examining changes in the association between social origin and educational attainment against a backdrop of educational expansions and fluctuating economic conditions. Using data from the World Bank STEP Skills Survey, the study employs a sequential logit model to illustrate trends in secondary and college completion, followed by a multinomial logit model to look into differences in college destinations (type and status) between advantaged and disadvantaged students. The findings indicate that despite sustained expansions in the past six decades, disparities in secondary and tertiary completion deepened in relation to social background. The paper also finds that although expansions occurred mainly in public higher education institutions, it did little to alter the trends in college destinations, with advantaged students still more likely to complete in "high-status" universities than disadvantaged ones. Finally, the paper sheds light on how economic recessions have varying consequences on educational attainment, routing disadvantaged students out of college in the short term, while resulting in significant declines in the likelihood of completing higher education for advantaged students enrolled in "high-status" public entities in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the extraterritorial processes of migration governance has developed a strong focus on immigration states’ externalisation management and the diaspora strategies of emigration states. In labour migration, the scholarship on migrant-sending states has largely focused on the systematic processes of recruitment and employment of migrant workers; in contrast, the question of how migrant workers are extraterritorially governed in return has received less attention, despite its importance for understanding migration governance beyond sending country jurisdiction. This paper contributes to this area of research by investigating how migrant workers are repatriated from host countries during disruptions. Using assemblage thinking as analytical lens, I consider repatriation as an extraterritorial, emergent process, shaped by the relations among state and non-state actors, material and technological resources, and the role of street-level actors. Focusing on the case of the Philippines, I draw from over 30 key informant interviews with repatriation actors to examine how the exit stage of the repatriation process is constructed, mobilised and negotiated for Filipino migrant workers, in ways that reveal the possibilities and challenges of migrant protection in host countries. The paper shows how assemblage and street level analysis can illuminate the different ways migration processes emerge amid disturbances in extraterritorial space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on public health, crime, and policing regularly discusses sex workers in Southeast Asia but rarely recognises them as agents of social and political activism. This paper shows that sex workers and their allies in Singapore and the Philippines have long and rich histories of challenging their criminalisation and stigmatisation through cultural activism, political advocacy, consciousness-raising, and the provision of direct services to fellow sex workers. Using feminist ethnography, including interviews and participant observation with Project X in Singapore and the Philippine Sex Workers Collective, this paper explores how sex work activists have strategically adapted to their political environments. In Singapore, they maintain resistance through 'shape-shifting,' working within state-sanctioned mechanisms, positioning themselves as public health service providers, and creating spaces for radical political advocacy. In the Philippines, where an anti-sex work position is more deeply entrenched within dominant social blocs, sex work activists aggressively criticise state policies on social media and in carefully vetted forums but remain strategically invisible to avoid exposure, harassment, misrepresentation, and prosecution. This paper looks at how sex work activists engage in claims-making — underscoring the differences in the political resonance of human rights in both countries — and interrogates how sex work activism challenges social hierarchies, especially concerning migrants and trans individuals. Overall, it contributes to a richer understanding of non-traditional forms of political activism in Southeast Asia and makes visible sex workers' contributions to feminism and labour movements in the global south and non-Western contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper underscores the benefits of employing data visualization and geostatistical analyses in monitoring the water quality parameters of Laguna Lake in the Philippines, particularly emphasizing the influence of quarterly seasonality based on the Philippine climate. Preliminary post-COVID-19 lockdown analyses support and extend the literature in highlighting the persistent risks posed by population growth and industrialization of Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region, to the ecosystem and economic benefits of the lake. While findings corroborate existing studies, this paper proposes novel avenues for future research, pinpointing locations with elevated water quality parameters and exploring the impact of different seasonal quarters in the Philippines. The findings also offer potential contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 6 and proactive climate change responses. Targeting stakeholders, economic managers, and health officials overseeing Laguna Lake, the study provides a foundation for informed decision-making and anticipatory measures crucial for addressing potential fish population declines, especially during warmer seasons. Contiguity in Metro Manila raises concerns about water quality, necessitating decisive interventions to mitigate long-term human and fish health risks from contaminant accumulation. Integrating the Geographical Information System enhances interpretation by revealing clusters of high or low water quality parameter values, empowering effective resource management. Further, identifying the hot spots of the water quality parameters by seasonal quarter may equip authorities with essential insights for safeguarding the sustainability, economic vitality, and well-being of the dependent populations of the lake on ways forward after the COVID-19 lockdowns were fully lifted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to address the wider questions of populism and its seeming contemporary rise within the specific context of the Philippines, regarding education. Starting from the assumption that neither politics nor education sits above cultures or spaces autonomously acting upon them but instead emerges with/because/against particularities; after a brief overview of populism, I explore the conceptual characteristics in context. This is informed from my own experiences of living and researching in the Philippines, including experience of the Mindanao conflict but also the failure of liberalism in the Philippines more generally, the failure of western education to 'develop' the nation and the reactions that led to the populists rise of Duterte. The paper offers an understanding of the complexities of populism and offers some hope to how education can meet the challenge through a specific example of critical participatory community education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove clam is the most sought-after bivalve in the Philippines due to its taste, size, and nutrition. Due to its economic importance, this paper aims to determine the population dynamics of mangrove clam P. philippiana harvested in gleaning sites in the Davao region using the FAO ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FISAT II). A total of 2493 clams collected from December 2018-December 2020 with sizes ranging from 14-84 mm SL and 2.2-178.6 g were classified according to size classes with 5 mm intervals. The length-weight relationship was computed and showed negative allometry (a = 0.002, b = 2.6205, R² = 0.89). The estimated growth parameters using ELEFAN I was L∞ = 98.64 mm, K = 1.33 year-1, t0 = -1.07. Length converted catch curve routine estimated Z = 10.27year-1, M = 1.52 year-1, F = 8.75 year-1, E = 0.85, and backward extrapolation generated Lc50 = 34.83 mm SL which is below Lm = 65.76 mm SL. Recruitment patterns were highest during July and August 2020, and VPA showed a high F at 60 mm SL. Beverton and Holt Y/R analysis showed E0.5 = 0.328 and Emax = 0.551, yield isopleths derived from plotted Lc50/L∞ = 0.353 and E = 0.85 values were within quadrant D. The result revealed that Lm>Lc50 implies that mangrove clams gleaned in the area were small and immature. Moreover, F>Fopt and E>Emax and E>E0.5 suggest that mangrove clam fishery in the region was heavily exploited. The study concluded that the mangrove clam Pegophysema philippiana was overexploited and that a management strategy was needed in the Davao Region, Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deictic pronouns refer directly to the extralinguistic world (as in Stop her!), while anaphoric pronouns refer to elements introduced in discourse (as in My best friend is Mary. John adores her.). The distinction is central to linguistic theory and may be central also for understanding aphasia. This paper compares the production of deictic and anaphoric pronouns in fluent aphasia and non-fluent aphasia. It does so both for English and for Tagalog, which allows extensive omission of pronominal arguments. For both languages, the results show a dissociation between deictic and anaphoric pronouns. Non-fluent aphasic speech displays a lower proportion of anaphoric pronouns to non-pronouns than non-brain-damaged speech, while the proportion of deictic pronouns to non-pronouns is either not different (Tagalog) or higher (English). In contrast, fluent aphasic speech displays a higher proportion of deictic pronouns to non-pronouns, while the proportion of anaphoric pronouns is either not different (Tagalog) or lower (English). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the separation of church and state in the Philippines during the early American colonial period, contextualizing it within the process of American overseas expansion and considering it as one of the projects of imperial hegemony construction. After the Spanish–American War, the United States substituted Spain as the new colonial ruler of the Philippines, legitimizing its regime as the spread of 'civilization' to the Filipinos. On this basis, the Americans enacted laws guaranteeing religious freedom and introduced an American-style institution dealing with church–state relations. Beyond the legal and administrative initiatives, the new regime also constructed an official narrative of the transformation of political–religious relations in the Philippine that emphasized the absolute 'difference' between the American human rights principle, which guaranteed freedom of worship, and the Spanish theocracy, which was dedicated to the consolidation of privileges. By legislating the separation of church and state, buying up church properties, recognizing the equality of denominations, and constructing the official imperial narrative of church–state relations, the Americans hoped to 'teach' Filipinos that the 'true' belief was rooted in the inner convictions of individual Christians, not in the authority and coercion of the hierarchical church. By disciplining the construction of 'difference' under tutelary colonialism, the separation of church and state movement initiated by the American colonial government in the Philippines became an important source of imperial self-endowed legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove forest is an ecosystem‐based solution for disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, but its historical deforestation has hampered its capacity to protect coastal communities. With the increasing occurrence of storm surge in the Philippines, mangrove reforestation projects have received renewed attention, but many have failed. Community participation was deemed to be essential in those projects that did well. Hence, this paper examines successful mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines to find out how community participation contributed to the accomplishments. The study found that while the transfer of science‐based ecological knowledge from project managers to the community is an important factor in ensuring successful initial planning and implementation, its integration into existing local ecological knowledge—'localisation' of science‐based ecological knowledge or hybrid ecological knowledge formation—helped to facilitate long‐term community‐based mangrove management beyond project duration by empowering community members and enabling project acceptance and ownership. Still, continuous local institutional support is a necessary anchor for community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning history is vital for students' intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical development. Students perceive history subject as difficult and boring because they must memorize facts and understandthose facts, concepts, time, and historical events. Interactive multimedia can increase students' enthusiasm and make the teaching and learning process more interesting to make the history "alive." Game-based learning uses game elements and principles to effectively deliver teaching and learning process in the classrooms. Yamashita's Treasure: A Quest to Find the Treasure is a game-based instructional material designed for grade 7 students of the Philippine K-12 curriculum that aims to teach significant lessons and events occurred in the Philippines over the last century. In this paper, we present findings from an assessment of an instructional material in teaching Philippine history. A System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to test the system's usability which generated a positive score. Respondents were highly satisfied with the game's usability scoring 87.5 on the SUS. Future work includes developing a programmed system, conducting quasi-experimental research design, and consultations with the experts for further enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, scholars of academic dependency have tended to focus their discussions on social sciences while treating other fields as separate. They suggest that in order to escape dependency, alternative discourse and autonomy should be developed. In this paper, we examine the Public Health Liberation (PHL) movement in Taiwan and theorize on the marketization and medicalization of the healthcare system since the 1980s as a dependency syndrome. The PHL was initiated by a group of public health scholars—with the second author of this paper being one of its key protagonists—and frontline public health practitioners after the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003. Inspired by the mass mobilization model in public health in Asian and Latin American countries, particularly China, the Philippines, and Nicaragua, PHL trains grassroots public health educators, nurtures critical research, and has built a network of activists for radical public health reform in Taiwan. Based on participatory action research, this paper analyzes the emergence of this influential public health movement and situates it within the global context of neoliberal health reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This short paper builds on and critiques work presenting potential non-disasters: disasters that did not seem to happen despite a major hazard. Previous work does not differentiate among different types of potential non-disasters. This short paper uses local information to propose three categories according to reasons for vulnerability being low or absent. These proposed categories are used to critique the construct of "potential non-disasters". Design/methodology/approach: This short paper uses a subjective approach to examples of potential non-disasters in 2022, focusing on local information that describes what happened. This information is applied and analysed for the three proposed categories using examples from Japan, Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam. Such comparisons are useful for critiquing "potential non-disasters", by understanding better local approaches and information available for reporting on situations that could be disasters. Findings: Potential non-disasters remain relevant for exploring mechanisms, tools and actions for educating about vulnerability causes and vulnerability reduction to avert disasters. Limitations are evident by relying on media reports, even local ones with local authors. A suggestion is to implement a grant programme for collecting data immediately after a major hazard without an evident, major disaster. Additionally, an annual report and critique of each year's potential non-disasters, categorised and analysed, would help to evidence the presence and limits of the "potential non-disaster" construct. Originality/value: This short paper contributes a much deeper theoretical dive into understanding potential non-disasters, both describing them and the drawbacks of the construct. To practitioners, the construct now offers more avenues for actions while illustrating their effectiveness in reducing vulnerabilities. Thus, this paper supports multiple, linked pathways towards more non-disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the port investments and initiatives the Philippine Port Authority spearheaded, including financial performance and operational highlights. The extensive readings on the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) report, online searches, documentary analysis, observations from the press, etc., and interviews were evaluated and divided into Seven Super "S" Trends (SSS-T). This 7S-T includes STEMS, SIZE or SCALE, SPEED, SMARTNESS, SUSTAINABILITY, SAFETY and SECURITY, SCARCITY, and SUPPLY, which together would influence the future of global ports. These "S" Trends will be explained in light of current (2017-2018) projects, trends, best practices, and port investments that are being started and carried out in the Philippines despite obstacles and difficulties. The paper concludes with a few closing thoughts. The views and analysis set out in this paper are those of the author(s) and not the official viewpoint of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) unless otherwise the statement(s) of the person(s) have been quoted "in toto." The analyses provided in this paper are ideas and interpretations of the author(s) as maritime educators and researchers and are solely intended for academic discourse. Although the Seven Super Trends (SST) may use different terms, they may represent the same trends seen by port specialists because trends in ports are a global concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy interventions for tourism sustainability transitions are carried out in destinations worldwide. Yet, how decision-making processes and strategies could adversely affect communities and regions is an increasingly raised question, particularly following the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism destinations. Drawing on the transitions and justice literature, this paper explores what sustainability policies and rapid government interventions signify for impacted tourism communities. This paper uses Boracay island in the Philippines as a case study, a destination which has been subject to an extensive policy intervention ordered by the national government from 2018 onwards. The Boracay case indicates that a short and radical policy intervention did benefit the island, but that it could have been more societally beneficial if principles and policies of just transitions were more explicitly addressed. Key findings of this paper, based on an analysis of stakeholder views collected through interviews, questionnaires, and policy documents, reveal that the structural absence of dialogue and limited socio-economic support measures resulted in an island community that felt substantially ignored, unfairly treated, and sceptical about future actions. With the just transition lens, this paper offers practical and methodological guidance in reconciling tourism sustainability transitions with justice challenges. We conclude that the just transition lens provides important insights and lessons for transitioning tourism destinations towards environmentally sustainable futures in a socio-economically responsible way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the inherent characteristics of a local agricultural industry is imperative in designing policies that are responsive to the context, needs, and challenges of its stakeholders. Grounded in this premise, this study unpacked the complexities of the mango industry in the Island Garden City of Samal, an agricultural city in the southern Philippines. Specifically, it aims to understand its labor dynamics and market arrangements using a qualitative approach. This study presents an overview of the mango production cycle in the garden city, which includes the corresponding labor requirements and market of the local mango industry. In terms of labor, aside from the quantity and quality of labor needed, this paper also presents the roles of men and women that are inherent in local mango production. Likewise, the study also enumerates the different issues and challenges faced by the local mango producers. These issues and challenges were concerns related to erratic prices, labor needs, and high production costs. Moreover, the study offers explanations for the existing labor dynamics in the garden city. This includes the interplay between the material nature of the commodity and the gender dynamics in the labor force. In addition, a discussion on the varying quality standards of different target markers is also provided. Finally, this study also explained the rationale behind the prevailing contractual arrangements within the local mango industry. The results presented in this paper offer insights into designing context-based programs and policies, which could further support the local mango industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to develop a model to help parents cope with decisional conflict. Background: Parents of children with congenital heart defect experience decisional conflict when they are uncertain about treatment decisions for their child, which may lead to delay in seeking care or distress over the decision made. Design: Correlational design with model building and data triangulation was used. Methods: Data were collected through surveys and interviews with a consecutive sample of 221 parent respondents from June to December 2018. Structural equation modelling and qualitative data analysis were used. Results: Lower decisional conflict was seen in parents with higher income, more nurse support and physician risk communication. Time delay for surgery was correlated with the child's age, social service coverage, and social support. Decisional conflict mediated the influence of income, nurse support and physician risk communication on satisfaction with decision. Based on model fit parameters, the emerging model is a good and parsimonious model of decisional conflict. The overall theme, 'Deciding for Surgery: What Matters Most', described the processes parents went through in making treatment decisions. Conclusion: Nurses may help parents feel more certain, less conflicted, and more satisfied with their decision by addressing factors including knowledge gaps, personal values, available support, and resource access. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Decisional conflict occurs when parents are uncertain of the best action for their child because treatment options entail risks for undesirable outcomes, value compromise, unclear prognosis, or anticipated regret over the decision.Professional support, information, and communication are vital to parents' decision‐making process.Child, parent, and support factors may influence parent treatment decisions in varied paediatric conditions. What this paper adds? Child's age at the time of decision‐making had an effect on the delay in surgery. However, assisting parents to weigh their options and focus on personal values allowed them to make their treatment decision.Low income, costly health services, and bureaucratic processes impeded the timely availment of surgery. Healthcare reforms that provide a system of government funding, streamlined health structure, and social insurance may be looked into.Family support weighed in on the parents' decision to delay surgery for fear of blame or guilt. Providing relevant information enabled parents to make a choice and stand by their decision regardless of the outcome. The implications of this paper: Modelling provides a framework to identify which factors are more important and how they interact to affect decision‐making. It may be used as an approach to find solutions to clinical problems for groups with different diagnoses.Though nursing support, information, and communication are essential, a more holistic family nursing care approach may be considered to assist parents to make appropriate treatment decisions for their child.Familiarity with the healthcare system may equip nurses to aid parents in processing available healthcare funding and dealing with financial uncertainty affecting decisions for their child's treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns have emerged of how the professionalization agenda in the development sector may water down the 'spirit of volunteerism' that thrives on community initiative, informality, and flexibility. This paper explores the role of literacy and learning practices in the bureaucratization of community development drawing from an ethnography of local volunteering in the Philippines. Through literacy practices such as preparing community health classes, making budget plans, and writing to government institutions, volunteers were inducted into 'bureaucratic' ways of working that, at times, clashed with their expectations and practices of volunteering that were founded on community building, solidarity, and agency. While volunteering could be seen as a means for community participation in development, findings in this paper signal that the formalization and bureaucratization of grassroots volunteer groups may shift the intended community dynamics and volunteers' expectations, practices, and identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfalls have been wreaking havoc not only in urban areas but also in an entire watershed. The development of a flood management plan and flood mitigating structures to alleviate the impacts of flooding is very crucial because it needs intensive and continuous historical data. However, missing data due to equipment failure that gathers the rainfall data could be a problem. Rainfall data is not only useful in designing flood mitigating structures but also in planning our day-to-day activities ahead of time. To address this problem, this paper proposes a predictive model which able to forecast in a short lead-time and predict missing data within the dataset. In this paper, three predictive models will be compared namely recurrent neural network, Gaussian processing regression, and the proposed 6-gene genetic expression-based predictive modeling (MGGP). 29-year 24-hour cumulative rainfall data which were sourced in PAGASA Tacloban city weather station, Philippines, was used. The data were cleaned by removing negative values. Two datasets were created, the first (RFDS1) dataset which makes use of three indices (year, month, and days), and the second (RFDS2) dataset which was orchestrated and transformed to increase correlation and reduce prediction errors which had an additional two datasets (ave(t-1,t-2),t-1). Each method used three and five time-based indices. The result shows an erratic behavior of the model from three methods that used the RFDS1, while RFDS2 had a more stable predictive model. This shows that the data orchestration and transformation greatly improved the correlation and reduced errors. However, MGGP showed the best results among the three methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human resources development aided the developing space program of the Philippines. • Most of the selected personnel for training came from the academia. • Trainees taken from the industry followed later to support the push for space. • Most of trained personnel opted to stay in the country to support the space program. The Philippines has experienced a shift of interest in space technology development and utilization over the past decade, culminating with the establishment of its national space agency in 2019. In cooperation with different universities in Japan, the Philippines successfully developed and launched two microsatellites, DIWATA-1 and DIWATA-2, and six nanosatellites, MAYA-1 to MAYA-6. By sending personnel to Japan and other space-faring countries, the country was able to rapidly ramp up its satellite development and utilization capabilities. In this paper, we examine and evaluate the complex human resources development efforts conducted by the country to support the creation of a local space ecosystem and ensure its long-term sustainability. Through a careful review, we identify how many people benefited from training programs, studies abroad or other forms of capacity building, and how these skilled individuals were retained in the budding Filipino space sector. Precisely, we looked at the backgrounds of the different people trained by the country, what type of training they received (funding, location, and duration), and how they are supporting the local space ecosystem at the time of writing this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis review explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the light of evolving threats to planetary health, particularly the dangers posed by the climate crisis and its emerging mental health impacts, in the context of a climate-vulnerable country such as the Philippines. This paper describes the country’s mental health system, outlines the chronic systemic challenges that it faces, and discusses the intensifying and widening impacts of climate change on mental health. Integrated mental healthcare must be part of the climate adaptation response, particularly for vulnerable populations. AI holds promise for mental healthcare in the Philippines, and be a tool that can potentially aid in addressing the shortage of mental health professionals, improve service accessibility, and provide direct services in climate-affected communities. However, the incorporation of AI into mental healthcare also presents significant challenges, such as potentially worsening the existing mental health inequities due to unequal access to resources and technologies, data privacy concerns, and potential AI algorithm biases. It is crucial to approach AI integration with ethical consideration and responsible implementation to harness its benefits, mitigate potential risks, and ensure inclusivity in mental healthcare delivery, especially in the era of a warming planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, rural conditions are in states of change. They are often highly vulnerable to climate and environmental change, extreme weather events, conflict, socio-economic changes, inequalities, and demographic changes. These changes are putting stress on rural areas, which rely upon agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods and are often the foundation of national economies. Communication for development (C4D) has played an important role in addressing these challenges. Its thinking is broadly consistent with rural development goals—indeed, the roots of C4D come in part from rural development and agricultural extension. Communication for development (C4D) was defined by the World Congress on Communication for Development as "...a social process based on dialogue using a broad range of tools and methods. It also seeks change at different levels, including listening, building trust, sharing knowledge and skills, building policies, debating, and learning for sustained and meaningful change. It is not public relations or corporate communications". However, after decades of action to address these interrelated rural development challenges, much remains to be done. This paper critically considers the following: What does inclusive rural development mean now, in light of environmental change, and how does this affect the conceptualisation and practice of C4D? This was done by using three countries as case studies: Malawi, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Each of these countries represented contrasting challenges and opportunities for rural development and environmental change, with lessons from their experiences shedding insight into the communication for development thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a three-year profile of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Eastern Visayas, the Philippines, from 23 Mar 2020-31 Mar 2023 -- with descriptive data on temporal trends, geographical variations, demographic factors, clinical characteristics, transmission patterns, and outcomes for vaccinated and unvaccinated cases. We analyzed data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Department of Health--Eastern Visayas Center for Health and Development to identify associations between COVID-19 severity and mortality and demographic and clinical factors. Moreover, we examined significant differences across gender cohorts and between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. During the three-year period, Eastern Visayas recorded 64,740 confirmed cases, with 98.93% recovery and 1.07% mortality. Most cases (61.72%) occurred in 2021 -- with Tacloban, Ormoc, and Leyte having the highest attack rates per 100,000 population. Infections were asymptomatic (70.40%) or mild (21.83%), and 82.7% of deaths were linked to severe infections. Females accounted for 52.6% of the patients, with a lower mortality rate (44.5%) than males (55.5%). The 20-29 age group had the highest count (22.57%), whereas the 70-79 age group recorded the highest number of deaths (25.94%). The vast majority (93.6%) had no comorbidities. Comorbidities reported among deaths included kidney disease (11.3%), heart disease (7.6%), and hypertension (3.9%). Notably, no significant differences in recoveries and deaths were found between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (p-value = 0.304). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age group, place of residence, comorbidity, and vaccination status were significantly associated with disease severity and mortality. Eastern Visayas demonstrated a relatively low COVID-19 caseload (1.59%) within the cumulative Philippine count. This is the most extensive COVID-19 case profile in the Philippines to date, hence providing essential data for pandemic preparedness, enhanced response strategies, and regional health crisis resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize has been identified as an excellent alternative to rice as a staple food in the Philippines. The Asian corn borer (ACB; Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée), one of the most destructive insect pests of maize, damages plants throughout their vegetative and reproductive stages. Most open-pollinated varieties are threatened by pests and diseases. The CGUARD program investigated the potential of traditional Philippine maize as a source of resistance to major insect pests, including ACB. This paper evaluated the response of the selected 149 Philippine traditional maize accessions to ACB at vegetative and reproductive stages through laboratory bioefficacy procedures for potential resistance without the presence of Bt leaf and stalk-feeding resistance were determined through mean larval survival and mean tunnel length, respectively, after 5 d using laboratory-reared second-instar larvae. Improvements in screening procedures for laboratory assays are detailed in this report. Fourteen (14) accessions were identified to have promising leaf-feeding resistance, whereas 30 accessions were identified for stalk-feeding resistance. The resistance of APN 0088, a white glutinous type of maize from Palawan, to both leaf and stalk feeding of ACB was also validated. The results demonstrate the presence of natural resistance to ACB in traditional maize that has been exposed to the threat of the pest for decades. These promising accessions may be utilized to generate ACB-resistant or-tolerant maize, in addition to other breeding programs. Several pigmented varieties with ACB resistance were also identified, which may be further examined for their nutritional properties and potential as functional foods. By utilizing our traditional varieties, we are boosting local maize production that will benefit small-scale farmers and ultimately providing them with a high-performing variety that is crucial in this time of changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) is a freshwater turtle species found in select Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. Our understanding of C. dentata's ecology in the Philippines is not yet fully understood and documented, and this is derived only from a few studies. In this paper, we present our single-event observation of an ectoparasite interaction between C. dentata and the Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from Sitio Malbato, Barangay Bintuan Coron, Palawan. Our discovery serves as the second documented instance of this ectoparasite on C. dentata in the Philippines, hence extending its known distribution outside mainland Palawan. This finding contributes to the limited understanding of C. dentata's ecology and underscores the need for further field-based observations, which are crucial for their research and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), formerly the National Nutrition Survey, is a regularly conducted survey that records the Philippines' overall nutritional status. This is especially important not only for government intervention and policy-making but also for private sector entities that plan for their nutrition and development programs. First deployed during the conduct of the 2013 ENNS, the electronic data collection system (EDCS) is a tool that implemented computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) functionalities. This paper records the improvements made to this system and its division into separate subsystems, various CAPI subsystems with specialized functionalities, and how they interact with each other. Descriptive analysis was used for the users' feedback and recommendations -- specifically, for usability and navigation, system performance and portability, technicality and security, and visual design. The system is able to support interviews during the ENNS and receive positive feedback -- garnering visual design the highest, whereas technicality and security the lowest acceptability rating -- thereby proving this division useful. Overall, the system is capable of supporting the ENNS and will continue its improvement through the continual user feedback received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bukidnon, situated in the Philippines, boasts rich biodiversity owing to its diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands. However, rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, deforestation, land selling and conversion and mining activities have significantly impacted its biodiversity. This paper examines the current status of biodiversity in Bukidnon, identifies key conservation challenges, and proposes strategies for sustainable development that prioritize biodiversity conservation. Drawing upon existing literature and case studies, this research underscores the importance of integrating conservation efforts with socioeconomic development initiatives to achieve long-term sustainability in Bukidnon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Duterte administration in the Philippines displayed broad hostility towards civil rights. Yet its approach to specific civil rights issues varied significantly. This paper analyses this variation by focusing on two cases: the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility and extra-judicial killings in the war on drugs. In both cases, Duterte and his allies sought to enact and implement policies that infringed civil rights, yet they only succeeded in the latter. The nature and role of mediating coalitions — configurations of actors that opposed, supported, or disengaged from efforts by Duterte and his allies to undermine civil rights — were the key determinants of this variation. The government backed down on lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility because unified rights groups were supported by sections of the oligarchic elite. But it conducted, incited, and persisted with extra-judicial killings in the war on drugs due to fragmentation among rights groups and an absence of significant support for these groups from oligarchic elites. This variation has significant implications for how scholars understand the politics of civil rights in the Philippines, particularly during the Duterte presidency, as well as strategies to better protect civil rights in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why is there sometimes limited mobilization against autocratization, particularly when it involves major human rights violations? Some scholars emphasize the loss of political space through repression as the major cause while others emphasize strategic considerations such as divisions and abandonment of moderate tactics. A third view stresses popular support for strongman rule. Viewed in this light, the weakness of pushback against Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine president from 2016 to 2022, presents a challenge to existing theories. Despite the bloody "war on drugs" during his presidency, there was no violent government crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, and centrists eventually coalesced with left-wing activists around moderate strategies. But public backing for Duterte does not explain how he was able to defuse popular outrage over drug war killings, particularly after the high-profile police murders of several minors. This paper offers a relational explanation utilizing competing framing analysis. This better elucidates how, with Catholic bishops and community organizations politically weakened and international organizations denounced for interfering in domestic politics, Duterte was able to tactically outmaneuver his opponents and "frame" human rights advocates as coddling criminals while he protected law-abiding Filipinos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The delivery of genetic services in developing countries is faced with significant challenges, despite medical and technological advances globally. The Philippines, being an archipelago, faces even more challenges, with significant disparities in access to healthcare, and tertiary medical centers and specialists being concentrated in the major cities. The utilization of different networks for the integration of genetic services in the existing public health delivery system has been valuable. Using the well-established network of the national newborn screening program, genetic services have been successfully integrated into the delivery of healthcare, even at the grassroot level. Equitable access to healthcare, including genetic services, was highlighted and supported by the enactment of the Rare Disease Law in 2016. The support of the academe to assure the sustainability of services was evident in the establishment of a genetic counseling program to augment the work of a handful of clinical geneticists. Professional societies and support groups have been instrumental in identifying genetic conditions to be prioritized and lobbying for increased public awareness, leading to national programs and policies. This paper primarily discusses the value of networks in the delivery of genetic services, specifically newborn screening, programs for rare diseases, birth defects, and genetic counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the advent of the pandemic, online learning was fully introduced into the Philippine educational setup. One of the emerging challenges that online teachers face is fostering student engagement in virtual classrooms. Thus, this paper aimed to examine the predictors of student engagement in online learning. The mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between instructor scaffolding for interaction and student engagement in online learning was explored. The data from a total of 1217 undergraduate students who were enrolled during the research in a public or private university in Pampanga were analyzed. The correlation among variables was also examined. Mediation analysis using Process Macro was performed. The results revealed that instructor scaffolding for interaction and self-regulation predicted student engagement in online learning. Self-regulation served as a partial mediator. With these findings, developmental programs to promote scaffolding for interaction strategies and self-regulatory behaviors in online learning were proposed to foster student engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the ethnobotanical information, phytochemical content, and pharmacological activities of Adonidia merrillii. Ethnobotanical studies of A. merrillii in several countries such as the Philippines, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia revealed that this palm is known as an ornamental plant and is also utilized for medicinal purposes such as diarrhea, toothache, psychostimulant, and treat malnourished. Furthermore, A. merrillii holds cultural significance, often being incorporated into ceremonial practices. Previous studies reported various phytoconstituents detected in fruit pericarp, leaf, kernel seed oil, and flower. The phytoconstituents are flavonoids, saponins, tannins, coumarins, phenolics, and others. Fruit pericarp and seed extract have potential against various cancer cells. The fruit pericarp methanol extract is adequate against pathogenic bacteria due to its fatty acid content in different mechanisms. Flavonoids in seed extract are used as antidiarrheal agents, and the flavonoid effectivity increases when they are combined with lactic acid probiotic bacteria. Antioxidant activity was reported obtained from the fruit and pericarp extracts. Based on ethnobotanical studies and scientific research, A. merrillii has great potential and can be developed as a medicine in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has been a significant concern to corn and rice agroecosystems in the Philippines. As one of the strategies for FAW management, recent studies have focused on developing entomopathogen-based control tactics, of which utilization of entomopathogenic nematodes is considered as a promising option. This paper evaluated the efficacy of the Philippine isolates of Heterorhabditis indica (HiBSDS, HiMAP, HiPBCB) and Steinernema abbasi (SaMBLB) against the two strains of S. frugiperda. Results showed that all isolates are virulent to both strains 24–48 h post-infection (hpi). However, to achieve similar FAW mortality, H. indica was found to require less IJ measured through penetration percentage as compared with S. abbasi. Lower LC50 and LT50 values were also observed for H. indica isolates than SaMBLB. Among the H. indica isolates, no intraspecific variability in terms of virulence was observed. More apparent is the interspecific variability between S. abbasi and H. indica, as the latter demonstrated higher virulence activity. The FAW strains also showed similar level of sensitivity relative to each of the EPN treatments. Although this warrants further greenhouse and field efficacy study, the findings demonstrated the biocontrol potential of these local EPN isolates against FAW which can also be incorporated in integrated pest management of this insect pest in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intersection of community participation and livelihoods for the urban poor who move into formalised, low-income housing is the focus of this paper. Drawing on case studies from the Philippines and Kenya, and working with Real Equity for All (Reall) and their partners, we critically examine the dynamic changes to communities moving into new housing funded through the Community-Led Infrastructure Financing Facility (CLIFF) programme of affordable homebuilding. The two contexts contrast different levels of community involvement, savings practices and scales of housing construction. We explore how at-scale construction of low-income housing may mean communities feel more disengaged, whilst noting the challenges of fuller participation. We find that moves to both in situ housing and peri-urban relocation sites have mixed and complex impacts on livelihoods, although livelihood changes are balanced by beneficiaries against quality of life. Construction itself generates work, but direct and indirect community benefits are not straightforward. Our findings fill an important gap in research evidence, addressing how communities and livelihoods change as low-income home builders seek to achieve scale, and how notions of community are generated and reconstituted through savings and homebuilding processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive deposition of heavy metals into the environment due to anthropogenic activities necessitates an eco-friendly clean-up strategy. Among microorganisms, limited studies have been made on the mycoremediation potential of microfungi. This paper evaluated three landfill microfungal isolates of Aspergillus species for tolerance and uptake to Cd and Mn. Culture media optimization was also performed for the evaluation of the tolerance index and heavy metal analysis of soil samples from the landfill site. Among the nine heavy metals analyzed, Mn and Fe were detected in relatively high amounts, while Cd, Ni, and Cu were detected in a moderate range. Luxuriant mycelial growth of A. oryzae (MK120548.1) and A. flavus (MH864264.1) was observed in potato dextrose agar while A. terreus (MH047280.1) grew best in potato sucrose agar. In terms of tolerance index, A. oryzae (MK120548.1) and A. flavus (MH864264.1) demonstrated high tolerance to Cd up to 10 mg/kg. A. oryzae (MK120548.1) showed high tolerance to Mn up to 1,000 mg/kg while A. flavus (MH864264.1) exhibited a very high 10,000 mg/kg tolerance. In terms of metal uptake, A. oryzae (MK120548.1) showed the highest metal uptake of up to 654 mg/kg of Cd, while A. terreus (MH047280.1) exhibited the highest metal uptake of 997 mg/kg ofMn. With these findings, A. oryzae (MK120548.1), A. flavus (MH864264.1), and A. terreus (MH047280.1) have considerable mycoremediation potential. Bioremediation studies in conjunction with plants can be explored to further assess the potential of these Aspergillus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how social structure — the pattern of social links that connect individuals in a community — affects labor markets. Under competing views on the role of networks, social structures that discourage network hiring could improve or hinder labor market performance. We test these competing views using data on marriage networks in 15,000 villages, combined with labor force survey data. Using regressions analyses and an instrumental variable strategy, we find that individuals living in more socially fragmented villages are less likely to work in family firms, more likely to use formal job search strategies, invest more in education and earn higher wages. Social fragmentation thus discourages network hiring and improves labor market performance. These results survive 384 combinations of robustness checks. We further provide direct evidence against reverse causality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) modulates the generation of typhoons (TYs) in the western North Pacific (WNP). Using IBTrACS v04 tropical cyclone best path data, ERA5 reanalysis data, and the MJO index from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), this paper defines an index to describe the persistent anomalies of the MJO and to examine the statistical characteristics of TYs over 44 years (1978–2021), focusing on the analysis of major differences in environmental conditions after the removal of the ENSO signal over the WNP. The results indicate that the persistent anomalous state of the MJO influences the change in large-scale environmental factors, which, in turn, affects the generation of TYs, as follows: (1) For the I high-value years, the center of the MJO stagnates in the Indian Ocean–South China Sea (SCS), the monsoon trough retreats westward, the warm pool becomes warmer, and the Walker circulation is enhanced. There is stronger upper-level divergence and low-level convergence, larger low-level relative vorticity, higher mid-level relative humidity, and smaller vertical wind shear in the SCS and the seas near the Philippines. Consequently, these conditions foster a conducive environment for TY genesis in the SCS and the seas near the Philippines. (2) For the I low-value years, the center of the MJO stagnates in the WNP–North America region, the monsoon trough extends eastward, the warm pool becomes colder, and the Walker circulation is weakened. Consequently, these conditions are more likely to facilitate TY genesis in the central–eastern WNP. The results show that persistent anomalies in MJO active centers can effectively improve the predictive ability of TY frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued extensive field exploration in Zamboanga Peninsula (Philippines) revealed a new endemic Ophiorrhiza species, which is herein described from Naga‐Kabasalan Protected Landscape (NKPL) of Zamboanga Sibugay. The species is unique among Philippine Ophiorrhiza by having leaf lamina with gray to silver gray abaxial surface. The new species is morphologically similar to O. pubescens and O. erythropilosa by having hairy overall morphology, but it is easily distinguished by having a creeping to decumbent habit and inconspicuous, membranous bracts. A detailed description, color photographs, phenology, geographical distribution, habitat and IUCN conservation status are provided in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of professional midwives in the Philippines work in public health, particularly in rural areas. In this paper, we sought to investigate and gain insights into midwives' motivations, experiences, and aspirations while working and providing client-centered care in rural areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region, one of the administrative regions in the Philippines. This study utilized a qualitative descriptive study design through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured topic guide to collect data from September-October 2021. Participants were selected based on their at least three-year work experience, current roles as midwives in public rural health settings, and willingness to participate. Phone calls were used for interviews due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through content analysis. Developed themes were confirmed and validated by the study participants. A total of seven rural professional midwives participated in this study. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis - including the process of embracing the midwifery profession, rewarding yet challenging work experiences, and aspiration for competence and better work status. This study is the first of its kind done in the country and, as such, has provided new insights and findings regarding the midwifery profession in the Philippines. Despite facing challenges in providing healthcare in the rural setting, rural midwives find their profession to be a fulfilling and gratifying work experience. They strive for greater competence and improved work status and are dedicated to serving rural areas to the best of their abilities. Enabling midwives in rural communities with support and avenues for professional growth will enhance the provision of healthcare services in geographically challenged regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Bityle oriens sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Apomecynini) from Boston, Province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. A catalog of the known species of the genus Bityle is also presented. Coleoptera expeditions need to be undertaken to discover more novel species, especially in the understudied islands of the Philippine archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 marked a new chapter in global development and laid the foundations for addressing inequalities that hinder holistic progress. However, gender gaps pose a significant threat to achieving these goals. Project DREAM (Developing Resilience, Education, Aspiration, and Motivation) sought to explore women's sense of aspiration, achievement, and lived experience in India, Syria, and the Philippines, as well as develop pilot interventions to address gender disparities. Semi-structured interviews with 69 young women from India, Syria, and the Philippines informed the development of three interventions, namely an aspiration and job skills workshop series in the Philippines, Motivational Interviewing training in Syria and the Philippines, and a social media presence and launch event worldwide. This paper presents the findings of this international project, identifying four key parallels underpinning women's lived experience: poverty, incomplete education, tradition, and patriarchy. Preexisting gender inequalities, aggravated by the widespread health, economic, and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, must be urgently addressed to ensure that no one is left behind on the road to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identified and compared pathways of childhood undernutrition among 308 rural and 310 urban children from low-income households in the Philippines. Multidisciplinary analyses based on quantitative and qualitative data revealed unique urban and rural constraints accounting for differing nutritional outcomes. Urban poor families were more food secure, though vegetable avoidance and poor micronutrient adequacy were observed. Rather than mitigate threats to undernutrition, rural households' reliance on home food agriculture heightened risk to food insecurity, as the Philippines is vulnerable to crop-destroying tropical storms. Our findings suggest the need to strengthen local governance institutions to implement context-specific multisectoral interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente was established in 1902, in the context of the US occupation of the Philippines. The church has become known for its outspoken emancipatory political stance in the course of the 20th century. Yet, in its early days, the church wrestled with the question how to negotiate the restrictions that had been imposed regarding explicit political agitation. This paper argues that the church found a way forward regarding this by developing a prefigurative self-understanding, according to which the church, in its self-organization, theology and liturgy, foreshadowed the future of the nation of the Philippines as a whole. The ecclesiology of the church became its political program. Using insights from the study of prefigurative politics, it is shown how this course of action becomes evident in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente's publications, such as journals and liturgical books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical sector corruption undermines patient access to medicines by diverting public funds for private gain and exacerbating health inequities. This paper presents an analysis of UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) compliance in seven countries and examines how full UNCAC adoption may reduce corruption risks within four key pharmaceutical decision-making points: product approval, formulary selection, procurement, and dispensing. Countries were selected based on their participation in the Medicines Transparency Alliance and the WHO Good Governance for Medicines Programme. Each country’s domestic anti-corruption laws and policies were catalogued and analysed to evaluate their implementation of select UNCAC Articles relevant to the pharmaceutical sector. Countries displayed high compliance with UNCAC provisions on procurement and the recognition of most public sector corruption offences. However, several countries do not penalise private sector bribery or provide statutory protection to whistleblowers or witnesses in corruption proceedings, suggesting that private sector pharmaceutical dispensing may be a decision-making point particularly vulnerable to corruption. Fully implementing the UNCAC is a meaningful first step that countries can take reduce pharmaceutical sector corruption. However, without broader commitment to cultures of transparency and institutional integrity, corruption legislation alone is likely insufficient to ensure long-term, sustainable pharmaceutical sector good governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]