Research

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

28 Apr 2026

Study looks at how scientists have been able to extract nanocellulose from banana peel, turning waste into something useful

Banana peels (BP) are often thrown away as waste, but they actually contain valuable natural fibers called nanocellulose (NC). These...

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27 Apr 2026

Yerba buena has a wide range of potential health benefits, including antibacterial, pain relieving, and anticancer properties

Yerba buena (Mentha × villosa Huds., family Lamiaceae) is one of the ten herbal medicines endorsed by the Department of...

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24 Apr 2026

Social media, especially when guided by healthcare professionals, can be a powerful tool for patient education and emotional support

Thyroid conditions affect millions of people worldwide and can greatly affect daily life. Since managing these conditions usually takes a...

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22 Apr 2026

Men are likely to practice yoga when they are supported and encouraged by their family, friends, and partners

Despite the growing popularity of yoga, men remain underrepresented in yoga classes and activities. This research aimed to investigate the...

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21 Apr 2026

Areas of the Abra River watershed, particularly near human settlements, show signs of declining ecological health

The Abra River Basin and its associated watershed is one of the 18 major river systems in the country, flowing...

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17 Apr 2026

A community health club has seen improvements in the number of members with hypertension but not in those with diabetes

From 2013 to 2021, the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program partnered with the province of Cavite and its...

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16 Apr 2026

Tensions and disagreements within indigenous communities over representation and creative innovation influence indigenous traditional practices

Street protests led by Igorot left-wing activists feature sharp rhythms of gangsa (flat gongs), political speeches over loudspeakers, and chants...

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15 Apr 2026

Clear communication, strong mentorship, and approachable faculty help reduce student stress and enhance engagement

College students in health-related courses, like medicine, nursing, and occupational and physical therapy, often deal with stress, burnout, and mental...

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14 Apr 2026

Study examines the latest Small Modular Reactor technologies and which designs may be considered for use in the Philippines

As the Philippines continues to grow, our need for electricity is also increasing. At the same time, our natural gas...

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10 Apr 2026

Using machine learning, study finds that key factors influencing poverty include country, whether people live in urban or rural areas, and their level of education

Relying only on income to determine poverty is not enough to fully understand someone’s well-being. Other factors, such as where...

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08 Apr 2026

Nearly 50% of isolates of Salmonella enterica from chicken meat collected from Metro Manila markets are resistant to three or more types of antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when medicines used to treat infections no longer work effectively, often due to their overuse and...

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07 Apr 2026

Plant-based milk alternatives have lower caloric, fat, and cholesterol content than dairy milk but often contain more sugar and sodium

The global market for plant-based milk alternatives (PBMiAs) is projected to grow steadily, reaching an estimated USD 30 billion by...

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Research

Scholars across multiple disciplines have extensively studied and debated the complexities of workplace discrimination.

This study looks at how gender and marital status affect how work is divided among faculty members in a Philippine state university, where salaries are the same for everyone. While equal pay removes traditional wage gaps, discrimination can still happen if work is assigned unevenly. Previous studies show that in many universities, women often end up doing more “academic housework” — such as committee work, administrative duties, and community service — which, although important, are usually less valued when it comes to promotions.

Using statistical methods to compare similar groups of faculty members, the study found no major difference in the total amount of work based on gender or marital status. However, the type of work assigned was not always equal. Married women, in particular, were more likely to handle extra committee work and outreach responsibilities. These tasks are essential but often do not count as much toward career growth, which can lead to slower promotions and lower job satisfaction.

The findings highlight that even with standardized pay, hidden inequalities remain. The study calls for fairer distribution of tasks to ensure equal opportunities for all faculty members.

This study addresses the persistent issue of workplace inequality by exploring whether discrimination in academia appears in the form of unequal workload distribution and task assignment. It expands the limited research on how both gender and marital status affect employment conditions in the Philippines, focusing on a subtle but often overlooked form of workplace bias.

In the Philippine context, where faculty salaries in state universities are standardized under RA 6758, pay gaps are less likely to reveal discrimination. Instead, inequalities may emerge through the kinds of tasks assigned, such as committee work, administrative duties, or extension activities.

The findings can help uncover less visible forms of bias in academic institutions and provide evidence that can guide the creation of more equitable and inclusive policies, ensuring fairer opportunities for career development.

Authors: Paul Allen B. Yabut and Jefferson A. Arapoc (Department of Economics, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/10434631251366165