ADDU Research and Publication

This report contains the results of the baseline study of women micro-entrepreneurs and workers in PALMA. The purpose of the research is to present the profile of women engaged in micro businesses of various types and to take stock of their access to productive and reproductive resources,their working conditions, constraint/problems and other related issues. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were employed such as survey, focus group discussion and in-depth interview. The survey included a section on the characteristics and working conditions of workers employed by the micro-entrepreneurs.

The results showed that on the whole, the women micro-entrepreneurs were: within 40 to 49 years of age, married, within high school level, Catholics, and local permanent residents. Their spouses are about two years older than their wives, have higher level of education and were mainly farmers. The women belonged to predominantly nuclear household structure with an average size of five (5), and with slightly more females than males. One-third had very young children 0 to 4 years old, slightly more than half had 5 to 14 years old and one out of seven had elderly members. One fourth had household members who left the household mainly to work to various parts of the country while one out of eight had household members who were working abroad. Majority owned houses with sanitation facilities but about one third depended on distilled water for drinking. Majority of household possessions were intended for information and entertainment and less for production. there was found to be some access to some basic productive resources: majority were engaged in livestock and agricultural production, and had land ownership. Among women less than 50 years old, slightly more than half were not using any family planning method mainly because: they are old, they do not like to use any method, they believe family planning is against religion and they desire to have more children.

The research likewise explored women’s various characteristics as entrepreneurs. They were engaged in “sari-sari” or small variety store, buy and sell (fruits, fish, meat), services (eatery, beauty parlor, cell phone cards or E-load) and manufacturing (meat processing, native delicacies, handicrafts). Half were home-based and on average, they had been into micro business for eight years. Only a small percentage had social protection such as SSS and Phil Health. The women did not practice regular recording of their business transactions, did not allocate payment for their own labor, earned low net returns, and hence could hardly make savings. Two-fifths were assisted by household members, mainly spouse, daughter and son. They worked for very long hours and hence multiple burden is the most-mentioned work-related concern. The other constraints they encountered were as follows: clients not paying credit on time, poor sales and inability to catch up with regular payment of their loans. They were also constrained by lack of infrastructure such as farm to market roads and electricity especially for those in the remote areas, lack of capital, usurious rates of interest, vicious circle of debt and lack of training. Some reported unfulfilled promises and corruption of government officials.

The results also revealed lack of proper environmental management given that those in farming, reportedly encouraged by input suppliers, were highly dependent on chemicals and only one-third had access to regular collection of garbage by government trucks. While the findings showed that majority of micro-entrepreneurs labor under adverse cultural and economic conditions, they reported various positive impact out of their engagement in economic activities: improved purchasing power for basic household needs, especially for children’s education, enhanced skills in business, self-confidence, leadership, decision-making within the household, sense of pride by spouse and children for their economic contribution to the household as well as women’s sense of pride for being able to contribute to their locale thru provision of goods and services.

Despite awareness of various forms of abuse to women happening within their community such as wife beating, emotional abuse and sexual abuse, knowledge of gender-responsive legislation such as RA 9262 was not that widespread. Awareness regarding objectives and activities of PALMA Alliances was inadequate and almost no one has heard of the GREAT Women Project.

The section covering workers in women-led micro-enterprises revealed that out of 100 workers, they are on the whole, much younger than their employers. Slightly more than half were 24 years old and below, including 12 workers are considered as child labor (17 years old and below). Majority were single, had reached high school and are long time residents. More than one-third were out-of-school. They belonged to nuclear households, with an average size of five (5) and with more females than males. Three-fourths had households with very young children 0 to 4 years old. Just like them, a significant percentage of their other household members 20 years and younger were also out-of-school youth. Most of the workers were working in the sari-sari store, eatery, gasoline station and bakery. Most of them were just recently working with their current employer. They received very low salaries where one-fifth were paid P1,000 or less while more than half received P1,000 to P3,000 or an average of P2,558. Aside from receiving low salary, the workers worked without receiving any extra pay beyond eight hours. About half were working for 9 to 12 hours per day. About three-fourths were without SSS and Phil Health. Only a small percentage availed of work-related trainings. Despite their poor working conditions, majority intend to stay with their present employer probably because they know they have no other better alternative opportunities. The others were interested to find employment elsewhere or put up their own business. Expectedly, they expected government assistance such as the following: financial assistance to start their own business, scholarships, employment opportunities, laws that would increase their salaries in the informal sector, trainings and social security.

While the results of the study showed that women have enjoyed an array of socioeconomic benefits out of their business, the findings more glaringly indicate that for both micro entrepreneurs and their workers, there needs to be major areas of intervention for them to maximize the benefits they can draw out of their engagement in micro-enterprises. A list of recommendations is thus provided in this report mainly challenging the PALMA Alliance to formulate, implement and monitor policies, programs and projects which could maximize not only economic empowerment for women, but also their social and political empowerment at the household and community level.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between gender-relations (gender-based roles), women’s health and natural resource management. Specifically, the study aims to document and analyze how rural women and men within a particular ecosystem interact with their environment, highlighting the linkages between socioeconomic, cultural, health and gender concerns in the context of resource utilization and management. Two case study areas of Agusan Marsh both from the Municipality of La Paz, Agusan del Sur–Sabang Adgawan and Lake Mambagongon–have been selected as focus areas of the study.

The study reveals two important findings that validate the critical roles of women in wetland resource management, livelihood and health. First, that the flexible movement of the Agusan Marsh women from reproductive to productive functions and even flowing to community support work is critical for the survival and the maintenance of their households and communities. Second, the seasonal fluctuation of the quantity and quality of water as well as access to potable water are critical factors affecting livelihoods, health and over-all well-being of the households.

The livelihood and lifeways of people living within Agusan Marsh have been adapted to the seasonal changes of the marsh. With the diminishing natural resource productivity and lower incomes that increase poverty incidence, more women are forced to look for additional sources of income especially in the informal sector. They become significant partners in productive activities, providing substantial labor support both in farming and fishing yet their contributions are often seen in a supportive role. Engaging in productive activities within or outside the home does not automatically de-load women of their traditional housekeeping and childcare duties even if there is shared responsibility among family members. Even as women engage in income work and have access to credit, the focus of credit provision is more directed only on immediate economic gains and do not necessarily address and move towards strategic needs involving access to and control over productive resources like agrarian support, support services for health and childcare, and even women-and environment-friendly technologies.

The Davao Central College will celebrate its 63rd Foundation Anniversary on Sept. 12-17, 2011. One of the highlights of the said activity is the 1st Interschool Research Competition with the theme “Pushing the Frontiers of Knowledge through Research” on September 13, 2011 at the Davao Central Audio Visual room, Davao Central College, Toril, Davao City.

The Research competition will focus on the presentation of technical papers an posters on the development and advances in the following disciplines: Education, Business Education, and Information and Communication Technology.

In line with this activity, DCC would like to invite Ateneo de Davao faculty and students to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentation. The extended abstracts of not more than 300 words are to be emailed to mariecar_arias at yahoo dot com on or before August 20, 2011.

For more details about the competition, you may call (082)291 1882.

Please use this form to submit your application.

McNamara, Fr. Daniel, Y. Nakagawa, Mr. Raadu and D. Billings.

“On the Topology of Filaments and Chromospheric Fibrils Near Sunspots.”

Solar Physics, Vol. 19, 1971, pp.72-85.

A quantum mechanical approach to scattering of light from magnetic fields on the sun.

Smart Schools – Partners In Learning (PIL) Training-Workshop: The Participants’ Evaluation

Albert B. Jubilo and Hazel N. Mosqueda
Engineering and Architecture Division, Ateneo de Davao University

The study is all about the participant’s evaluation of the Smart Schools – Partners In Learning (PIL) Training-Workshop. The results showed that the learning objectives of the training-workshop were completely attained; it was relevant to the participants; very worthwhile attending and very good rating in facilities.

exe_report.doc (465 KB)

Factors Affecting the Seawater Salinity in Barangay Aundanao, Peñaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines:
A Community Standpoint

Gardenia B. Beramo, Albert B. Jubilo, and Tender P. Ferolin
1Engineering and Architecture Division, Ateneo De Davao University, Jacinto Street,
Davao City 8000; Philippines

The study is all about the determination of factors affecting the seawater salinity in Barangay Aundanao, Peñaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines. Salt-making using ordinary technique such as sun drying is now considered a livelihood in the country. There is a need for the community to be informed of these factors in order for the residents to fully aware of the aspects of such endeavor. It was found out that seawater salinity is lowly correlated to relative humidity and tide and with negatively low correlation to the seawater temperature; precipitation and outflow stream affect the seawater salinity; best factors that affect salinity are precipitation and outflow streams and lowly factors are relative humidity, temperature and tide; and the local time between 2:00 and 6:00 pm, highest relative humidity, highest tide and lowest seawater temperature result to highest salinity.

Key words: Salt-making, table salt, salinity

full_paper_salinity_apr16.doc (74 KB)

A Comparative Study of Male and Female Cooperative Members in Solid Waste Management

Victoria T. Pre (1), and Maribel R. Blones (2), and Albert B. Jubilo (3)

(1) Ateneo de Davao University, C. M. Recto Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines;
Cell No. +639267492988; beautyfree52@yahoo.com
(2) National Irrigation Administration, Regional Office Xl, Bolton St., Davao City 8000, Philippines;
Cell No. +639283379128; maribelblones@yahoo.com
(3) Ateneo de Davao University, C. M. Recto Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines;
Cell No. +639193639644; ajubilo@yahoo.com

Abstract:

The paper looked into the comparative study of male and female cooperative members in their handling of extras in response to the implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act particularly in Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative (SAMULCO) of Davao City, Philippines. This is a collaborative study of Victoria T. Pre, Professor of Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City and Maribel R. Blones, Methods Engineer of the National Irrigation Administration Region Xl, Davao City. The consultant is Albert B. Jubilo, Professor of the Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City.

This study aimed to find out the respondents’ responsiveness in relation to the realization of SWM Program by examining the respondents’ level of awareness, level of response; level of involvement in solid waste management in the community; and to comparatively describe the respondents’ involvement in accordance to gender, location, and age.

There are four districts of Sta Ana Multipurpose Cooperative in Davao City for this study. This employed purposive sampling to selected respondents who are knowledgeable on SWM. Percentage distribution and mean are the statistical tools used to answer and analyze the different problems.

This study found that solid waste management between men and women coop members differs. The male respondents are described to be more aware and more responsive than female. It was also determined that men coop members are more socially involved than women.

Full paper SWM gender.doc (74 KB)

The study is about reclaiming and regenerating the ancestral domain of the Lumad of Mindanao.

Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, –OH, bonded to a carbon atom. At atmospheric pressure, ethanol and water form an azeotrope that has about 95 % ethanol and 5 % water. An azeotrope is a liquid in equilibrium with vapor of exactly the same composition; this means that distillation of an azeotrope and condensation of the vapor gives the same liquid with which you started. Other solutions of ethanol and water are in equilibrium with vapor that is richer in ethanol. This is why distillation works. In fact, dilute solutions of ethanol vaporize to gas that is much richer in ethanol.

This study is about the correlation of the concentration of ethanol-in-water to its refractive index and specific gravity and to come up with equations to predict and interpolate values within the limits.

This study made use of the concentration of the ethanol-in-water, refractive index and specific gravity. Concentration is the amount of ethanol as solute in a given amount of solvent. The refractive index of a material is the factor by which the phase velocity of electronic radiation is slowed relative to vacuum. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of the material over the density of water.