Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

16 Dec 2025

The National Greening Program had little effect on forest cover in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019

This study assessed the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019 using satellite imagery (Landsat 8)...

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15 Dec 2025

The Abaknon’s use of local knowledge to conserve natural resources and adapt to climate change is sustainable

The Abaknon, an indigenous group in Capul Island, possesses unique traditional knowledge and practices that have enabled them to adapt...

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12 Dec 2025

Aggression increases an athlete’s risk of injury

The role of sports, particularly combat sports, in controlling aggression and shaping prosocial behaviors in young people remains unclear. The...

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10 Dec 2025

Luzon provinces are hotspots for severe depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults

Despite the enactment of the Philippine Mental Health Act, mental illness remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young...

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05 Dec 2025

Researchers pioneer the use of topological data analysis for Filipino Sign Language alphabet recognition

This research aims to improve recognition of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) letters, which is crucial for better communication in the...

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04 Dec 2025

The risk of measles is higher on warmer days

This study looks at how measles spreads in certain areas of the Philippines, specifically Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, using...

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03 Dec 2025

Ang moral na ligalig ng Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 ay nakasandal sa ilang istereotipo sa mga rakistang banda

Ang saliksik na ito ay pumapaksa sa kasaysayan ng moral na ligalig (moral panic) noong Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 kung saan...

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02 Dec 2025

New method can authenticate Philippine stingless bee honey, considered the “next superfood”

Stingless bee honey is gaining recognition as a superfood because of its exceptional health and therapeutic benefits, which rival—or even...

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01 Dec 2025

Family interactions and experiences at school and home strongly shape the psychological traits of pre-service teachers

Mental health research has been a key priority among higher education institutions globally to support the advocacy for the holistic...

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28 Nov 2025

The efficiency with which Robusta coffee farms convert inputs into outputs declines at higher elevations

This article explains the factors that affect the productivity and efficiency of the Robusta coffee farms in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines....

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27 Nov 2025

Emotions are vital resources for queer rights activists when they lobby for social reforms

The article analyzes queer rights activists in the Philippines as they demand social reforms. It highlights emotions as these activists...

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26 Nov 2025

The service convenience of live broadcast shopping increases impulse buying by boosting perceived value and e-trust

With the growth of social media and social media marketing, it is natural that the hospitality and tourism industry should...

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Research

This study assessed the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019 using satellite imagery (Landsat 8) to track changes in vegetation cover in areas covered by the National Greening Program.

The study found only a small increase in vegetation, with the Normalized Difference in Vegetation Index, a measure of plant health, rising slightly and a 9% increase in dense forest cover (286 hectares) in the sampled areas. Negros Oriental showed the most forest gain (262 hectares), while Cebu lost 29 hectares. On the other hand, tree biomass (the amount of tree material in an area) was highest in Negros Oriental (245 Mg/ha) and lowest in Cebu (78 Mg/ha). Despite planting efforts, there was no significant change in overall forest cover between 2013 and 2019, according to statistical analysis. Among the reasons for no increase in the forest cover are:

  1. The NGP reported planting trees on 42,000 hectares of land, but the expected increase in forest cover did not fully happen.
  2. If all seedlings had survived, forest cover could have grown by 60% in the region.
  3. Issues like low tree survival, land conversion for tourism, illegal logging, and expansion of farms
    may have hindered progress.

Based on the results, it is recommended that:
– Reforestation efforts should be improved by choosing the right tree species and ensuring proper
care.
– Monitoring should be improved using satellite data to track progress accurately.
– Preventing illegal land use and enforcing protection policies to ensure the survival of the planted
trees.

The NGP made some positive changes, but its impact on forest cover was less than expected. Future
reforestation projects should learn from past mistakes, improve monitoring, and ensure better long-term
forest survival.

This study is significant because it evaluates the actual impact of the NGP and whether reforestation efforts have led to real improvements in forest cover over time. Specifically, the study will inform evaluation of reforestation success, data-driven decision-making, policy and program improvement, environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments, and future research and monitoring. Generally, this study underscores the need for more effective, well-monitored, and sustainable reforestation efforts to combat deforestation and climate change while ensuring long-term forest recovery and community benefits.

Authors: Nimfa R. Pansit (Biology Department, Cebu Normal University | Graduate School-Biology Department, University of San Carlos) and Richard B. Parilla (Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.61310/mjst.v22i1.1961