Research

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

17 Nov 2025

Young adults face many personal conflicts rooted in the belief that personal gain at others’ expense is morally wrong

This study examined how Filipinos in their 20s use different moral discourses to negotiate their personal conflicts. Many conflicts centered...

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14 Nov 2025

Two in five individuals do not want to live in socialized housing, saying the units are too small, poor in quality, and still unaffordable

The most common housing concerns in the Philippines are affordability and supply. In response, the government divided the housing market...

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13 Nov 2025

Evidence shows that during the Pleistocene, Luzon—long thought to lack native large mammalian carnivores—was home to a sizeable predator

Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often turned to rock. Body fossils include parts like shells, teeth,...

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12 Nov 2025

Some communities in Los Baños, Laguna still face challenges in accessing safe and clean drinking water

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as...

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11 Nov 2025

Walkability in urban cities should also consider the varying accessibility needs of people of all ages

Cities are meant to be places where people can easily access everything they need within a short walk or bike...

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24 Oct 2025

A new approach to volunteerism encourages schools to treat volunteer activities as long-term commitments

This research explored the motivations of students as a basis for deeper and more meaningful engagement among educational institutions in...

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23 Oct 2025

Gay and bisexual teachers in rural schools need clear policies that protect LGBT educators

This research explored the experiences of gay and bisexual teachers working in rural schools in the Philippines. It involved interviews...

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22 Oct 2025

Fishing communities in Taliptip, Bulakan face risks from natural hazards and the New Manila International Airport project

The New Manila International Airport (NMIA), currently under construction in Taliptip, Bulakan along the shores of Manila Bay, is intended...

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21 Oct 2025

Advanced optical correlation and interferometry techniques can enhance our understanding of earthquake hazards

In the Philippines, studying earthquakes usually involves using techniques like interferometry, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), waveform modeling, and field...

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17 Oct 2025

Researchers build a portable, low-cost reflectance sensor for crop health monitoring

Precision agriculture is improving agricultural processes. Various sensors have been developed, such as spectral reflectance and transmittance sensors, multispectral canopy...

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16 Oct 2025

There is a deep connection between a person’s belief and the evidence that supports it

This paper presents a way to define and test whether someone is justified in holding a belief, using an example...

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15 Oct 2025

Neurosurgery residents outperform ChatGPT in answering board examination-like questions

Large language models such as ChatGPT have been used in different fields of medical education. This study aimed to review...

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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