Isabela State University

This study examined the levels of workplace allegiance and occupational gratification among aging employees of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and explored the relationship between these two constructs. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 77 senior rank-and-file employees selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured and validated survey questionnaire that measured workplace allegiance in terms of affective, continuance, normative allegiance, value alignment, and professional development, as well as occupational gratification in terms of wages and benefits, security of tenure, supervision, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, operating systems, interpersonal relationships, nature of work, and communication. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation were used for data analysis. Results revealed that aging employees demonstrated a high level of workplace allegiance, particularly in affective and normative dimensions, indicating strong emotional attachment and loyalty to the organization. Occupational gratification was also rated high overall, with respondents expressing satisfaction in supervision, interpersonal relationships, nature of work, and communication. However, moderate levels of satisfaction were observed in security of tenure and contingent rewards, suggesting concerns related to job stability and recognition. Findings further showed that there was no significant relationship between workplace allegiance and occupational gratification, implying that commitment to the organization does not necessarily translate to higher job satisfaction. The study concludes that while aging employees remain loyal and committed, targeted human resource interventions are needed to address structural and motivational concerns. The findings provide valuable insights for organizational leaders and policymakers in promoting decent work and employee well-being among aging public sector workers.

This qualitative case study examined the kakanin-making tradition of Cabatuan, Isabela, aimed at comprehending how local food practices become a source of cultural heritage conservation and local gastronomic tourism growth. Data for the research came from semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis of twenty (20) individuals who were purposively selected: kakanin producers, municipal officers, and long-term residents. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: (1) kakanin-making as a living culinary heritage, (2) high community awareness and identity linkage, (3) rich but underdeveloped gastronomic tourism potential, (4) continuous challenges of modernization, marketability, and lack of institutional support, and (5) community resilience as a basis for cultural continuity and sustainable development. The findings show that the preparation of kakanin is still at the heart of Cabatuan’s cultural identity. Residents have high awareness and are emotionally attached to the culture despite less participation of the youth. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate food heritage in the local tourism policy and educational programs as a means of cultural perpetuation. It ends with the statement that gastronomic culture in Cabatuan serves as a cultural narrative—a complex network of tradition, innovation, and identity that sustains rural development which is environmentally, socially, and economically viable. By maintaining its traditional foodways, Cabatuan may be able to present itself as a heritage-based gastronomic tourism prototype not only to the rest of the country but also to the world, the Philippines.

The Philippine criminal justice system remains predominantly retributive, shaped by colonial legacies and a legal culture deeply entrenched in punitive responses to crime. While recent legislation, particularly the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344), has introduced restorative justice mechanisms, their implementation remains limited in scope, uneven across jurisdictions, and largely confined to youth offenders. This creates a normative inconsistency that undermines the constitutional aspirations for a humane, equitable, and socially responsive justice system. This paper critically examines the structural contradictions within the current legal framework and assesses the potential of restorative justice as a legal and moral alternative in the Philippine context. Employing a doctrinal legal research method, supported by socio-legal analysis, the study investigates statutory enactments, jurisprudential developments, and institutional practices to map the operational boundaries and normative gaps in restorative justice implementation. The findings reveal that restorative justice in the Philippines lacks a coherent statutory foundation beyond juvenile justice, suffers from institutional fragmentation, and is hindered by the absence of inter-agency coordination among the DOJ, DSWD, LGUs, and civil society stakeholders. Despite this, the study affirms that restorative justice aligns with constitutional mandates on due process, social justice, and human dignity. It also offers a culturally resonant approach to justice, particularly when integrated with indigenous and community-based mechanisms. This paper concludes with a call for statutory reform, institutional redesign, and pedagogical transformation to mainstream restorative justice as a constitutionally grounded alternative to the prevailing punitive model.

This study discusses the development of the "Gender and Development Crime Violence Information System," a tool designed to store, manage, and analyze crime and violence data within a barangay. The technology developed addresses issues in line with domestic violence, child abuse, and hazards within the community that assist the Barangay Captain and Secretary in managing documents and crime reports. The system enables the barangay officials to make informed decisions by evaluating and presenting data in tabular and graphical formats. It includes features such as crime rate analysis per Purok, individual crime reports, and a profile management system for barangay residents. The system was developed using the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology, incorporating Rapid Application Development (RAD) for efficient iterative development. The developed system received high satisfaction ratings from its respondents, with "Strongly Agree" responses for the system's functionality, usability, and performance, affirming that it meets user requirements. This system was successfully implemented in six (6) Barangays of San Isidro, Isabela, improving the management of crime and violence data, reducing paperwork, and enhancing efficiency within the barangay administration. The study shows that the "Gender and Development Crime and Violation Information System" offers significant improvements over traditional manual recording systems of the barangay, making tasks more organized and secure.

Purpose Develop a deep learning-based fish growth model to improve the accuracy of fish growth predictions and optimize feeding strategies in open-sea aquaculture cages. Design/methodology/approach We employed the Monte Carlo approach to generate big data for training transformer-based deep learning models to predict fish growth trajectories during cultivation. In generating big data, each key factor of the fish growth model is modeled with a probability distribution parametrized by real-world fish growth data from IoT-based monitoring systems and open weather datasets. Findings Minimal prediction errors from 2.02 to 3.01% for weight; growth rate errors consistently below 2.5% and feeding amount and the meat conversion rate exhibit slightly higher but still acceptable error margins (∼7.4–8.0 and ∼5.1–5.4%, respectively). Research limitations/implications Dependency on accurate initial parametrization of the probability distributions and the reliability of data collected from IoT systems or other dataset sources. The model should be robust against varying environmental conditions, and it has limitations in application to different types of aquaculture environments. Practical implications First, the techniques can enhance precision in aquaculture by providing accurate fish growth predictions and optimized feeding strategies. Second, reducing feed consumption not only lowers production costs but also minimizes the environmental impact of excessive feed waste. Lastly, the use of IoT-based monitoring systems and smart feeding machines can streamline aquaculture operations, making them more efficient and sustainable. Social implications Optimizing feeding strategies and reducing feed waste promotes more sustainable aquaculture practices, which can lead to a reduction in the environmental footprint of fish farming and benefit ecosystems and biodiversity. Enhanced precision in fish growth prediction and optimized feeding can lead to more efficient production of fish, contributing to food security by ensuring a stable and reliable supply of high-quality fish protein. Lower production costs and improved efficiency can make aquaculture more profitable, potentially benefiting local communities economically, especially those dependent on aquaculture for their livelihoods. Originality/value The study uniquely combines deep learning with the Monte Carlo approach to overcome the challenge of obtaining high-quality big data for fish growth prediction. This innovative combination allows for the generation of robust training datasets from limited real-world data. The use of a transformer-based deep learning model to predict fish growth trajectories is a novel application in the field of aquaculture. Also, the transformer’s application to aquaculture demonstrates a creative adaptation of advanced machine learning techniques.

This study examines the work-life equilibrium experienced by male and female academic staff at Isabela State University, Philippines. Understanding the intricacies of their work-life dynamics is paramount, as an imbalance may precipitate heightened stress, depression, and other psychological and physical ailments. Employing a sequential explanatory design, the quantitative findings reveal that both male and female academic staff exhibit poor work-life balance, signifying potential risks to their overall well-being. Through qualitative analysis, five prominent themes emerged: (1) adaptation within the workplace, (2) challenges of maintaining equilibrium, (3) introspection and guilt, (4) the significance of work-life balance, and (5) “wish ko lang” (aspirational desires). These themes offer deeper insights into the participants' experiences and the myriad factors influencing their work-life balance. Based on these findings, the study advocates for the implementation of a comprehensive work-life policy tailored to the specific needs of academic staff, aimed at fostering a healthier and more sustainable professional environment. This aligns with the institution's response to SDG 3, ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being and SDG 5, which seeks to "achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls." Addressing work-life balance issues of teachers will consequently ensure quality education (SDG 4).