Research

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

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

13 Oct 2025

Those who start smoking at a younger age are likely to become more frequent and heavier smokers later in life

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of...

Read More

08 Oct 2025

Study finds significant gaps in menstrual hygiene management across six global cities, including Manila

The study “Exploring the Availability and Accessibility of Menstrual Friendly Public Toilets (MFPTs) in Urban Spaces” examines public toilet facilities...

Read More

24 Sep 2025

Supplements can enhance the textural and nutritional qualities of rice

This study looked at how adding supplements like rapeseed oil, dried wasabi powder, and dried chili pepper powder changes the...

Read More

23 Sep 2025

Economic reasons are a significant factor why microentrepreneurs remain in flood-prone areas

The number of establishments (89% of the total establishments in the Philippines) and people employed by micro enterprises makes it...

Read More

04 Sep 2025

What does queerness mean to a young Filipino student in another Southeast Asian country? A novel’s chapter explores it.

In the chapter “New Boy”, Pau, a Filipino exchange student from Tagum City, attends classes in photography and Thai arts...

Read More

03 Sep 2025

In the Philippines, we share a long-standing connection with pigs both archaeologically and culturally

Pigs play a very significant role in our society. They are not only seen as a food source but also...

Read More

02 Sep 2025

Media representations of the minority groups of Moros and Chinese served colonial goals

Nation-building remains an important post-colonial project in the Philippines, as evidenced by the continued relevance of the mandatory Rizal courses,...

Read More

29 Aug 2025

Smoking is a core part of the identity and community life of agricultural workers

Smoking is considered a serious health threat, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several studies...

Read More

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