Community Cellular Networks in the Philippines: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Claire Barela ◽  
Maria Theresa Cunanan ◽  
Philip Martinez ◽  
Ronel Vincent Vistal ◽  
Cedric Angelo Festin
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Networks ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Understanding ‘Source’ and ‘Purpose’ in Processes of Democratic Change: Insights from the Philippines and Thailand

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Hutchcroft
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Democratic Change ◽  
The World ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Formal Establishment

AbstractPrevious decades' celebrations of the triumph of democracy were frequently based on mainstream analyses that displayed two major theoretical problems. First, conceptualisations of democracy based on ‘minimal pre-conditions’ commonly conflated the formal establishment ofdemocratic structureswith the far more complex and historically challenging creation ofsubstantive democracy. Second, a deductive and generally ahistorical model asserting fixed stages of ‘democratic transition’ diverted attention from deeper and more substantive examination ofstruggles for power among social forces within specific historical contexts. By adhering to minimalist conceptions of democracy and simplistic models of democratic change, mainstream analysts quite often chose to overlook many underlying limitations and shortcomings of the democratic structures they were so keen to celebrate. Given more recent concerns over ‘authoritarian undertow’, those with the normative goal of deepening democracy must begin by deepening scholarly conceptualisations of the complex nature of democratic change. This analysis urges attention to the ‘source’ and ‘purpose’ of democracy. What were the goals of those who established democratic structures, and to what extent did these goals correspond to the ideals of democracy? In many cases throughout the world, ‘democracy’ has been used as a convenient and very effective means for both cloaking and legitimising a broad set of political, social, and economic inequalities. The need for deeper analysis is highlighted through attention to the historical character of democratic structures in the Philippines and Thailand, with particular attention to the sources and purposes of ‘democracy’ amid on-going struggles for power among social forces. In both countries, albeit coming forth from very different historical circumstances, democratic structures have been continually undermined by those with little commitment to the democratic ideal: oligarchic dominance in the Philippines, and military/bureaucratic/monarchic dominance in Thailand. Each country possesses its own set of challenges and opportunities for genuine democratic change, as those who seek to undermine elite hegemony and promote popular accountability operate in very different socio-economic and institutional contexts. Efforts to promote substantive democracy in each setting, therefore, must begin with careful historical analysis of the particular challenges that need to be addressed.

Challenges and Opportunities of Information Management in Disaster Preparedness

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-98
Author(s):  
Sherwin E. Ona ◽  
Emmanuel C. Lallana
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Disaster Preparation ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Ict Tools

The need to improve local disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacities in the Philippines is crucial in mitigating and responding to future disaster events. Despite being one the most disaster-prone countries in the world, national protocols remain inefficient, marred by corruption and poor inter-agency coordination. In addition, the current top-down and reactive practices have proven to be inadequate in responding to the needs of various stakeholders. The chapter examined these disaster preparation practices through a qualitative-descriptive research design and by using disaster information management (DIM) as the framework. In particular, the authors focused on the disaster preparedness practices of selected parishes of the Diocese of Legazpi and their partner organizations. The study also examined their information management practices and the current information and communications technology (ICT) tools in disaster preparedness.

scholarly journals Selfie consents, remote rapport, and Zoom debriefings: collecting qualitative data amid a pandemic in four resource-constrained settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e004193
Author(s):  
Mark Donald C Reñosa ◽  
Chanda Mwamba ◽  
Ankita Meghani ◽  
Nora S West ◽  
Shreya Hariyani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Rich Data ◽  
Remote Data

In-person interactions have traditionally been the gold standard for qualitative data collection. The COVID-19 pandemic required researchers to consider if remote data collection can meet research objectives, while retaining the same level of data quality and participant protections. We use four case studies from the Philippines, Zambia, India and Uganda to assess the challenges and opportunities of remote data collection during COVID-19. We present lessons learned that may inform practice in similar settings, as well as reflections for the field of qualitative inquiry in the post-COVID-19 era. Key challenges and strategies to overcome them included the need for adapted researcher training in the use of technologies and consent procedures, preparation for abbreviated interviews due to connectivity concerns, and the adoption of regular researcher debriefings. Participant outreach to allay suspicions ranged from communicating study information through multiple channels to highlighting associations with local institutions to boost credibility. Interviews were largely successful, and contained a meaningful level of depth, nuance and conviction that allowed teams to meet study objectives. Rapport still benefitted from conventional interviewer skills, including attentiveness and fluency with interview guides. While differently abled populations may encounter different barriers, the included case studies, which varied in geography and aims, all experienced more rapid recruitment and robust enrollment. Reduced in-person travel lowered interview costs and increased participation among groups who may not have otherwise attended. In our view, remote data collection is not a replacement for in-person endeavours, but a highly beneficial complement. It may increase accessibility and equity in participant contributions and lower costs, while maintaining rich data collection in multiple study target populations and settings.

scholarly journals THE EXISTENCE OF “SAPI/PISANG” PEOPLE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDONESIA-PHILIPPINES BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo ◽  
Ganewati Wuryandari
Keyword(s):  
Field Research ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Border Area ◽  
Social Connectivity ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Accelerate Development ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Indonesia’s border region to Phillippines,  especially to the Sangihe Islands which borders to southern, is mostly a less developed area. To accelerate development of this border region, Indonesia and the Philippines need to exercise a strategy  which optimize social connectivity which has been existed  since centuries by the Indonesian Sangihe people known as Sangir-Philippines (“Sapi”) or the Philippines-Sangir (“Pisang”). Although they are sovereign states now with their sovereign territorial rights, these facts  do not prevent these peoples to continue their traditional cross border for the purpose of social, culture and economic activities. This paper examines how their social connectivity could be utilized to develop border area between Indonesia and the Philippine. By using qualitative methods, the data for this paper is collected  from interviews, focus group discussions, field research and literature reviews.This paper concludes that social connectivity among Sapi/Pisang people on the Indonesian and the Philippines respective side raises some challenges such as problems of stateless people, illegal cross-border activities, and terrorism-related activities. However, this paper also found out some positive impacts from their social connectivities, such as  the establishment of traditional cross-border cooperation and trade, the opening of the Davao-Bitung ferry line, and cooperation between regional governments. As a step forward, this research emphasizes the importance of strong political will and active participation from both countries in utilizing social connectivity to build a shared border region.Keywords: “Sapi”, “Pisang”, Border, Social Connectivity, Development, Indonesia, Philippine AbstrakKawasan Perbatasan Indonesia di Kepulauan Sangihe yang berbatasan dengan Filipina bagian selatan, tergolong sebagai daerah tertinggal. Untuk mempercepat pembangunan kawasan tersebut, Indonesia dan Filipina dapat melaksanakan strategi yang memanfaatkan konektivitas sosial yang sudah dibangun oleh masyarakat perbatasan yang dikenal dengan istilah Sangir-Philipina (Sapi) atau Philipina-Sangir (Pisang). Berdirinya Indonesia dan Filipina sebagai dua negara yang berdaulat sejak berakhirnya Perang Dunia II ternyata tidak menghentikan orang Sapi/Pisang untuk melakukan kegiatan lintas batas tradisional untuk tujuan sosial, budaya, dan ekonomi. Tulisan ini menganalisis bagaimana dampak negatif dan dampak positif dari konektivitas sosial di atas dalam membangun kawasan perbatasan Indonesia-Filipina. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara, diskusi kelompok terpimpin, penelitian lapangan dan studi pustaka. Tulisan ini menyimpulkan bahwa konektivitas sosial antar orang-orang Sapi/Pisang di sisi Indonesia dan di sisi Filipina menimbulkan masalah berupa orang-orang tanpa kewarganegaraan, kegiatan lintas batas ilegal, dan aktivitas terkait terorisme. Namun demikian, Tulisan ini juga menemukan dampak positif dari konektivitas sosial di atas berupa terjalinnya kerja sama lintas batas tradisional dan perdagangan, pembukaan jalur kapal feri Davao-Bitung, dan kerja sama antar pemerintah daerah. Sebagai langkah ke depan, penelitian ini menekankan pentingnya kehendak politik yang kuat dan partisipasi aktif dari kedua negara dalam memanfaatkan konektivitas sosial untuk membangun kawasan perbatasan bersama. 

scholarly journals “The staff are not motivated anymore”: Health care worker perspectives on the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program in the Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Donald C. Reñosa ◽  
◽  
Kate Bärnighausen ◽  
Sarah L. Dalglish ◽  
Veronica L. Tallo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Childhood Illness ◽  
National Capital Region ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
National Capital ◽  
The Status

Abstract Background Studies focusing on the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program in the Philippines are limited, and perspectives of frontline health care workers (HCWs) are largely absent in relation to the introduction and current implementation of the program. Here, we describe the operational challenges and opportunities described by HCWs implementing IMCI in five regions of the Philippines. These perspectives can provide insights into how IMCI can be strengthened as the program matures, in the Philippines and beyond. Methods In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with HCWs (n = 46) in five provinces (Ilocos Sur, Quezon, National Capital Region, Bohol and Davao), with full transcription and translation as necessary. In parallel, data collectors observed the status (availability and placement) of IMCI-related materials in facilities. All data were coded using NVivo 12 software and arranged along a Social Ecological Model. Results HCWs spoke of the benefits of IMCI and discussed how they developed workarounds to ensure that integral components of the program could be delivered in frontline facilities. Five key challenges emerged in relation to IMCI implementation in primary health care (PHC) facilities: 1) insufficient financial resources to fund program activities, 2) inadequate training, mentoring and supervision among and for providers, 3) fragmented leadership and governance, 4) substandard access to IMCI relevant written documents, and 5) professional hierarchies that challenge fidelity to IMCI protocols. Conclusion Although the IMCI program was viewed by HCWs as holistic and as providing substantial benefits to the community, more viable implementation processes are needed to bolster acceptability in PHC facilities.

Challenges and Opportunities

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Bruce Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Tipping Points ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Ecological Complexity

Resource and environmental managers frequently must deal with ongoing change, complexity, uncertainty, and conflict, often meaning that there is not one obviously correct way to manage situations. In that context, this chapter introduces key concepts related to resource and environmental management: complex social and ecological systems, the Anthropocene, wicked problems, ambiguity, and tipping points. The characteristics of each are described, and their significance explained. In addition, experiences from Tanzania, the Philippines, the United States, and India are presented to illustrate the importance of these concepts in practical resource and environmental management situations. Rangarirai Taruvinga shares a guest statement in which he explores the pressures and options related to social-ecological complexity in Swaziland in Africa.

The Duterte method: A neoclassical realist guide to understanding a small power’s foreign policy and strategic behaviour in the Asia-Pacific

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-436
Author(s):  
Michael Magcamit
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
New Order ◽  
Strategic Culture ◽  
Small Power ◽  
Strategic Behaviour ◽  
Strategic Competition ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Rising China

In the contemporary Asia-Pacific context, the fault lines leading to the Thucydides trap can be attributed to the continuing strategic competition between a seemingly declining United States and a rising China. Failure to circumvent this trap can ultimately result in a war of all against all. Against this backdrop, this article investigates how a small power re-evaluates its foreign policy and strategic behaviour using neoclassical realism theory. In particular, I examine President Rodrigo Duterte’s method which is characterized by four key elements: cultivating a more favourable image for China; moderating the country’s American-influenced strategic culture; mobilizing state-society relations supportive of ‘Sinicization’; and reorienting the country’s Western-based institutions to better accommodate Chinese pressures and incentives. Does a China-centric approach give a small power an indispensable strategic capital to successfully navigate and exploit both the challenges and opportunities of the impending new order? Do the Philippines’ shifting rules of engagement under the Duterte administration represent a forward-thinking strategic outlook rather than a defeatist and naïve stance? The article answers these questions by examining the factors and dynamics underpinning the conception and construction of the Duterte method, as well as its implications vis-a-vis a small power’s foreign policy and strategic behaviour.

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