Strategic Priorities, Management Competencies, and Performance of the Divisions of Schools in Negros Island, Philippines

Good governance is a requisite in achieving quality education and lifelong learning. This combined descriptive, comparative, and correlative study looked into the strategic priorities, management competencies, and performance of the 16 divisions of schools in the Department of Education in Negros Island, Philippines. The statistical tools used were percentage and mean to determine their strategic priorities, management competencies, and performance based on the study's indicators; single-factor analysis of variance to find out any significant difference in their strategic priorities and management competencies; and Spearman rho to examine the coefficient of correlation between their strategic priorities and management competencies, their strategic priorities and performance, and their management competencies and performance. The study found no significant difference between the divisions of schools’ strategic priorities and management competencies, and no significant relationship between these variables and between these variables and their performance.

Identification of a chromosomally-encoded sucrose operon-like gene cluster in Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain PH05 isolated from Negros Island, Philippines

ABSTRACTThe ability of bacteria to metabolize a wide variety of carbon sources has been known to aid in their ability for efficient colonization. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a known aquatic pathogen has been reported to have the ability to metabolize a number of carbohydrates including D-glucose, D-galactose, L-arabinose, D-mannose, and D-ribose to name a few. Classical isolation of V. parahaemolyticus from other members of the family Vibrionaceae relies on its carbon utilization pattern. Conventionally, V. parahaemolyticus lacks the ability to utilize sucrose and this has been the basis for its isolation using the Thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar. Reports of V. parahaemolyticus having the ability to utilize sucrose have been presented yet there is paucity of information and detailed study on this phenotype. In this study, we report the V. parahaemolyticus strain PH05 that has the ability to metabolize sucrose. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of this V. parahaemolyticus strain isolated from Negros Island, Philippines, revealed that V. parahaemolyticus strain PH05 is atypical appearing yellow on TCBS agar plates. It is capable of utilizing sucrose, unlike the majority of V. parahaemolyticus isolates. Genome analyses of this strain revealed the presence of a chromosomally encoded sucrose operon-like gene cluster encoded in chromosome 2 with the following sucrose-utilization associated genes: scrY, ccpA, treP, scrK, and scrB genes coding for sucrose porin, catabolite control protein A, PTS System sucrose-specific EIIBC component, fructokinase, and sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase. The mode of transmission of these genes to V. parahaemolyticus strain PH05 is still unknown. However, the presence of insertion sequences (IS) and phage elements in the same chromosome suggests horizontal gene transfer events. Taken together, our results point to the possibility that acquired sucrose utilization genes may contribute to the fitness of V. parahaemolyticus strain PH05 in the environment.

The Creation of the Diocese of Bacolod in 1932

The creation of a mission territory evangelized for many decades or centuries by Augustinian Recollect missionaries into an apostolic vicariate or diocese was always an occasion for jubilation for them and crowing glory of their efforts. This was the case of the Diocese of Bacolod in Negros Island whose evangelization was entrusted to them in 1848. Thus the Recollect priests of the welcomed the good news and the arrival of the newly consecrated first local ordinary of Bacolod, Bishop Casimiro Lladoc, and his Manila entourage that included the Apostolic Delegate Guglielmo Piani, Bishop McCloskey of Jaro, and Father Leoncio Reta at Talisay parish church on 24 October 1933, earnestly urged parishioners to greet him along the way to the Recollect-built San Sebastian Cathedral and feted him with programs, speeches, and festive meals.

Augustinian Recollect Legacy to the Church in Negros Island

The Recollects' arrival in 1848 impacted every aspect of life in Negros. Their enthusiasm, supported by affluent immigrants, contributed decisively to a climate of optimism and progress, placing Negros at the forefront of colonial provinces. Their evangelization effort converted countless unbelievers, settled later in new parishes. The Christian heritage of faith is deeply etched in Negrenses and settlers. The building legacy of Mauricio Ferrero, Manuel Gómara, Felipe Lerena—the cathedrals of Bacolod, San Carlos, Kabankalan—lives on. The pastoral work of Gregorio Espiga, Fernando Cuenca, Mariano Bernad is indelible in the annals of history. The educational apostolate in Bacolod, San Carlos, Valencia, Bayawan is reflected in their alumni in public service, business, and religious or priestly ministry. Forever we cherish the sojourn of Saint Ezekiel Moreno, Blessed Martín de San Nicolás, and Blessed José Rada, who touched the lives of our forefathers in Talisay, Binalbagan, and La Carlota.

Disaster Risk Reduction Management Practices of Augustinian Recollect Schools in Negros Island

Disaster risk reduction and management apply whenever naturally caused disaster or calamity strikes. The reason for this management approach is to minimize injuries and mortalities. A large part of the globe experiences increased risks to natural disasters and calamities, including the Philippines, affecting even schools as well. With that, the Republic Act 10121, known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," was passed and enacted into law. The utilization of education to build resiliency was given priority. Section 14 of the Act tasked the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA to incorporate DRRM in the school curricula, both public and private, including Catholic schools such as the Augustinian Recollect schools. Thus, this study ascertains the extent of the practice of DRRM measures of Augustinian Recollects schools in Negros Island. The focus of the assessment includes the four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation, and recovery. Also, it explores the relationship between the practice of DRRM measures and the schools' demographic in size, DRRM budget allocation, location, and population.

Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction of Employees of a Retail Company in Negros Island

Factors such as work motivation and job satisfaction are essential to each other must be present in a company for employee performance. Work motivation and job satisfaction will increase employee commitment. These will enable the organization to be more productive and deliver excellence when employees are more interested in their work. The result is higher in quality, and employees are more fulfilled. Hence, the paper explores the difference in the extent of work motivation and job satisfaction of employees when grouped according to demographics such as age, sex, educational attainment, years of service, employment status, and position. Likewise, it determined the relationship between employees' work motivation and job satisfaction for the Year 2019-2020.