Research

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

19 Jan 2026

Filipina domestic workers in Singapore share some experiences with other overseas mothers but also face unique challenges

In this study, I looked at how single Filipina mothers working as domestic workers in Singapore maintain their familial ties,...

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16 Jan 2026

Close government–business relationships helped deliver major infrastructure projects in Iloilo City

This article examines Iloilo City as an alternative model of government–business relations, built on a stable local political system and...

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15 Jan 2026

Researchers develop a novel non-flooded time-series approach for improved global near-real-time flood mapping

Mapping flood events with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data is becoming increasingly important due to its spatiotemporal coverage and independence...

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14 Jan 2026

Ultramafic forests can help mitigate greenhouse gas accumulation by acting as “carbon sinks” that absorb and store atmospheric carbon

Plants that naturally thrive in ultramafic forests are known as “metallophytes” due to their ability to adapt to soils rich...

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13 Jan 2026

Thirteen species of the microscopic algae Pinnularia are recorded for the first time in the Philippines

This study explored the tiny algae called Pinnularia—a group of microscopic organisms known as diatoms—in the Marikina River, which flows through...

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12 Jan 2026

Farmers are willing to stop straw burning if given financial incentives

Producing rice generates straw, which is often conveniently burned, causing substantial atmospheric pollution. Increasing straw utilization efficiency and reducing straw...

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09 Jan 2026

A venomous box jellyfish previously known from Japan is now documented in Philippine waters and may represent a new species

Box jellyfish stings pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly since some species are known to cause severe injuries...

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08 Jan 2026

Study finds previously unreported height use and increased social behavior in Philippine tarsiers, suggesting behavioral flexibility in fragmented habitats

Sleep and sleep-related behaviors are integral components of primate behavior and ecology, linked to various habitat-specific factors and often modified...

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07 Jan 2026

Senior high school students demonstrate low levels of environmental awareness, particularly in their knowledge of environmental topics

The Philippines, like other countries, is facing environmental challenges. One perpetuating problem is deforestation, which has a severe impact on...

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06 Jan 2026

Low-intensity physical activity through Sheng Zhen Gong supports physical and mental well-being during pregnancy

Maintaining some level of physical activity during normal pregnancy is widely recommended by healthcare providers. However, in many Asian cultures,...

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05 Jan 2026

A functional ingredient using pomace, a byproduct of pineapple processing, was developed as a sustainable approach to waste management

The study aimed to develop a functional ingredient using pomace, a byproduct of pineapple juice processing from selected varieties in...

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30 Dec 2025

UP Diliman, UP Los Baños

Advanced machine learning models now enable reliable prediction of maximum temperatures in Manila and Dagupan City

The extreme rise in temperature and accelerating climate change present significant challenges to sustainability, particularly in urban areas. Climate change...

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Research

This rural transformation study conducted in the Philippines provides a comprehensive understanding of the status and progress of the country’s regions toward transitioning from a purely agriculture-based to a non-agriculture-based rural economy. Rural transformation is part of the broader development process in a country. With poverty being highly concentrated in agriculture and rural sectors, there is a critical need to help the agriculture-dependent rural population improve their socioeconomic status by accelerating rural transformation in their areas, specifically by helping them shift from low-paying agricultural livelihoods or employment to more income-generating non-agricultural activities and ultimately linking them to the urban economy.

In this study, the different stages in the rural transformation process and the factors affecting them are discussed. Findings reveal that the regions in the Philippines are at different paces of transformation, where some are lagging, others are moderately shifting towards non-agricultural economic activities, while only a few, particularly those regions that are economically-advantaged and proximate to the National Capital Region (i.e., CALABARZON and Central Luzon), have almost fully transformed, with their rural and urban economies already well-integrated. The study confirms the important roles of institutional support, enabling policies and programs, and agricultural and rural investments at each stage of the transformation. However, it emphasizes the need to make these interventions targeted and timely with proper sequencing because the needs of each region vary depending on the level or stage of transformation.

This study provides an empirical investigation of the Philippines’ rural transformation, which is a critical step towards accelerating rural development and reducing poverty in the country. It contributes to the limited research done in the Philippine context and fills the literature gaps in the field of agricultural and rural transformation. The study provided recommendations to address the unique challenges of uneven regional transformation, which can help the Philippines fast-track its journey towards inclusive and sustainable rural development.

The findings and implications of this study also hold significant relevance for other developing Asian nations facing similar challenges, including those experiencing premature structural transformation, rural–urban divide, and spatial inequalities in rural transformation. They can guide researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners in planning strategies for accelerating rural transformation in other countries.

Authors: Karen Q. Custodio (College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños) and Mercedita A. Sombilla (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020253