Constructed wetlands are globally recognized as effective nature-based solutions to wastewater treatment providing significant ecological and socio-economic benefits. This study aims to identify the ecosystem services provided by the constructed wetlands and evaluate their economic value. This study administered a survey questionnaire to 270 households of Fishermen’s Gawad Kalinga Village in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Philippines and employed a contingent valuation method to investigate their willingness to pay for the constructed wetlands. Respondents identified several ecosystem services of the constructed wetlands including the provisioning (water supply and biomass), regulating (wastewater treatment, water purification, climate regulation, flood prevention), supporting (habitat formation, nutrient cycling, hydrological cycle), and cultural (tourism, educational and research, recreation, aesthetic) services. Results showed that 96.3% of the respondents were willing to pay for the ecosystem services, with a mean of PHP 107.28. In terms of socio-demographic characteristics, age group and sex have no significant impact on WTP; while positive, weak, monotonic association for highest educational attainment; and positive, very weak for monthly income. The findings hold a significant promise for the government and other stakeholders to adopt a constructed wetland in achieving more human ecological and sustainable peri-urban communities.

Current research has revealed significant benefits of green space exposure (GSE) on psychological stress. However, few studies have explained the cumulative effects of GSE and how these effects vary across different demographic groups, such as gender and education level. This research aims to evaluate the long-term effects of GSE on psychological stress and heart rate variability (HRV) while examining how these effects vary across different demographic groups, such as gender and education level, utilizing Apple Watch data to provide a more objective measure of these effects. In a 6-week experiment, 43 college students were required to engage in GSE at least three times a week, each lasting no less than 10 minutes, based on their schedules. During the experiment, participants wore the Apple Watch continuously to collect physiological data automatically. This study demonstrates a significant reduction in emotional disturbance and notable changes in HRV amplitude following GSE, with variations observed based on gender and education levels. These findings underscore the substantial psychological health benefits of GSE.

Local development planning remains a challenge for municipalities and cities in the Philippines due to the lack of personnel with technical planning capacities and poor database management systems amplified by the recent devolution policy and the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to address these gaps has given birth to the Technical Assistance Program on Human Settlements Planning (TAP-HSP) as a public service and extension program of the College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños. TAP-HSP provides capacity building and technical assistance to various planning institutions in the country and aims to make cities and communities safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable. This paper explores the history, milestones, components and modalities of TAP-HSP, emphasizing its instrumental role in local development planning in the country. TAP-HSP offers different modalities and planning arrangements through its three components: Capacity Development for Planners, Practice of Profession, and Model Community/City for Sustainability and Resilience. Over the years, the demand for TAP-HSP services has remarkably grown that it has played instrumental roles in empowering local planners, molding future planners, bridging planning theories to practice, championing evidence-based, participatory, and inclusive planning, being a key partner for local development, and advocating for liveable cities and communities in local development planning. TAP-HSP’s relevance shall continue progressing with its sustained excellent program ratings and growing network of LGU partners, positioning it as a key player in local and national development and a promoter of inclusive and sustainable communities.

Lockdown measures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have notably shifted food purchasing behavior towards online food delivery services (OFDS). This study examined consumer satisfaction with OFDS and their relationship to food choice and frequency of use among 18-24-year-old University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) students. Through a survey of 80 students who used OFDS during the pandemic, our results revealed that while price significantly influences food choice, the quality of online service (E-service quality or ESQ) results in customer satisfaction. Notably, our analysis showed a strong, positive relationship between food choice factors (i.e., mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, and price) and consumer satisfaction factors (i.e., time-saving orientation (TSO), hedonic motivation (HM), price-saving orientation (PSO), convenience motivation (CM), food quality (FQ), and ESQ), which, in turn, correlated with increased usage frequency. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach in online food service offerings to enhance well-being by addressing the key factors influencing consumers’ food choices and satisfaction. Our study suggests that improving factors such as hedonic motivation could encourage frequent use of OFDS, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to cater to young adult preferences in the changing dynamics of food delivery services.

The definition of the new normal stretches towards the notions of pandemic-ready and climate-resilient communities. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the intensification of climate-related hazards have challenged the disaster management and preparedness of those in developing countries. Baybay, among other cities in the Philippines, had endured the devastation of typhoons and landslides in the middle of the pandemic. While the city grappled with its responses to address the dual threats of the new normal, its implementation of the Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) strategy in 2010 through the Visayas State University (VSU) equipped the local government unit (LGU) with sectoral data and database management for evidence-based decision-making, digital information systems, and nutrition-related interventions in the barangay level. Using the narratives of the LGU and VSU-BIDANI teams, this paper intends to present a comprehensive overview of the significance of BIDANI in addressing LGU governance challenges, especially in planning and development for disaster responses. This paper suggests strengthening the partnership between LGUs and academia to foster good local governance.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are strategies that utilize nature to address various environmental and societal challenges while simultaneously benefiting human-ecological systems. They are cost-effective and scalable approaches that have the potential to address climate change, support biodiversity, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite these benefits, several factors challenge their widespread implementation, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to determine the essential elements needed to implement the NbS initiatives successfully in rural communities. Taking the case of Victoria, Laguna, this research conducted Key Informant Interviews with local stakeholders and policymakers and applied thematic and multicriteria analyses to evaluate their readiness, factors to be considered, and strategies for the successful implementation of NbS initiatives in the municipality. Results revealed that the locals have limited knowledge of NbS and utilizing NbS initiatives stood as a secondary priority, compared to more preferred gray infrastructure/hard engineering projects. The financing, enforcement, and knowledge components determined the readiness of Victoria for its NbS initiatives. In terms of the factors for the successful implementation of NbS initiatives, the most prevalent themes were the criteria for an inclusive, transparent, and empowering governance process, net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, and design informed by scale. Furthermore, the NbS initiatives in Victoria were observed to adhere to the IUCN Global Standard, with biodiversity net gain and economic feasibility as their strongest areas. In terms of strategies, local stakeholders placed substantial importance on its sustainability and mainstreaming in appropriate contexts, as well as on evidence-based adaptive management. Findings provided recommendations focusing on creating an NbS assessment mechanism, strengthening the existing NbS governance structure, information and education campaigns, and formulating proposals that utilize NbS to address other issues faced in the municipality, such as flooding and climate change.

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, and caffeine is linked to unhealthy behaviors, including poor sleep quality. This study aimed to look at sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and alcoholic and caffeinated beverage (ACB) intake and their effect on the sleep quality of selected night shift call center agents working in Mandaluyong City. A cross-sectional research design was used, and data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to 247 qualified participants. Results showed that the most consumed beverage by the respondents was water, with an average amount of 1,187.66 ± 553.37 mL/day. They also habitually drank fruit juices, soft drinks, sweetened juice drinks, and whole milk. The respondents’ beverage intake exceeded the recommendations for both SSB and ACB. Furthermore, almost all (88.26%) of them are categorized to have poor sleep quality. Most respondents with poor sleep quality consume more ACBs (61.13%) than SSBs (38.87%). On the other hand, most respondents with good sleep quality consume more SSBs (55.23%) compared to ACBs (44.77%). This research contributes to the expanding body of information on the health impacts of SSB and ACB consumption. It emphasizes the need for nutrition-focused measures to minimize their intake and promote healthier alternatives.

In the Philippines, approximately 13% of adolescents become pregnant, resulting in 180, 916 births to girls aged 10-19. The study aims to understand the driving factors and challenges of adolescent teenage pregnancy. It also aims to propose a strategic intervention and implementation plan to address the rising number of teenage pregnancies. It was conducted in the 12 barangays who has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Lucena City. A total of 103 conveniently selected teenage mothers in the 12 barangays served as respondents of the study. The study is a descriptive research that utilized the qualitative method. Data were collected from interviews and focus group discussions. It was revealed that the impelling causes of teenage pregnancy were social media use, natural causes, pornography, peers, parents, chores, poverty, materialism, and female enticement. The respondents identified several challenges in terms of their social lives, health, schooling, and finances. Challenges in terms of social lives include access to public health facilities, child rearing, self-care, assistance in parenting, and limited supplies and services in Barangay Health Centers. The educational challenges include education disruption, financial hardships, the need for alternative forms of learning, and support from partners and immediate family to continue education. Meanwhile, for economic issues, financial hardship, future education plans, and plans to secure well-paid jobs were identified. Lastly, for social issues, the thematic analysis revealed the following: negative acceptance from the family and the community, normalizing being pregnant at a very young age, and feeling judged and becoming the center of gossip. The developed strategic intervention program includes three approaches: healthy sexuality, a comprehensive teenage program, and a societal approach. Parents and adults discomforted with their sexuality family approach, consistent adult involvement for the child, healthy communities, media responsibility, and reaffirming the importance of values and involvement of religious and other organizations may be targeted.

Increasing population and rapid economic growth result in waste management problems in the Municipality of Bay, Laguna. In response, the municipality is planning to invest in an Integrated Waste Management Technology System (IWMTS) that aims to generate public revenue. Key informant interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions were utilized for data collection. Results showed that respondents lack knowledge about IWMTS but perceive positive impacts on waste volume reduction and municipal waste management and little to no negative impacts on health, livelihood, and accessibility. Meanwhile, economic analysis showed that it is estimated to generate an annual revenue of PHP 11.986 million (USD 214,036) with yearly expenses of PHP 3.7 million (USD 66,071). These cash flows are expected to recover the overall capital outlay of PHP 48.14 million (USD 859,642). A net present value (NPV) of PHP 3.164 million (USD 56,500) and a 5.77-year payback period (PBP) were calculated through cost-benefit analysis. The environmental analysis revealed positive impacts on reducing the volume of wastes, water resources, and quality, odor and air quality, and soil and nutrients. Considering these, the study provided recommendations on project implementation to achieve sustainable waste management and circular economy in the municipality.