Using the mixed methods tool “Remittance Investment Climate Analysis in Rural ������ýtowns,” the researchers found that across the six municipalities, there was no common trend “among municipalities that combining a sound investment climate, an ample number of financial institutions, high levels of residents’ financial literacy, and an active program for migrants and their families all ensure remittances-induced hometown investing.” The researchers called for instituting investment climate reforms to help ensure that remittances will fuel local development.

The , published in the Asian and Pacific Migration Journal in 2024, was recognized in the 2025 National Academy of Science and Technology awards with the Outstanding Scientific Paper Award.

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Beginning with the crisis response

With the mobility restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services also had to shift modality. The paper “Community-based rehabilitation in the time of pandemic: Experiences of parents of children with disability” (co-authored by BS Occupational Therapy students Balangue, Chua, Ilagan, Juan, Labaco, and Noh, and academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun) conducted focus groups with parents whose children received CBR and found that they saw the potential of telecoaching to continue availing services, provided that the digital divide and initial doubt on technology can be overcome.

Building on the previous year’s focus groups, a second study was conducted a year later, focused this time on access of low-income households to community-based telerehabilitation. The paper “Exploring the accessibility of community-based telerehabilitation for children with disabilities from low-income households” was co-authored by BSOT students Ryanne Nicole H. Alava, Kristine Therese S. Cablay, Katelyn A. Dagdag, Francis Rowelle P. Lagman, Kvaern Edgar S. Nocos, Jamela Y. Quidilla, Nina Mari M. Tan, along with Sagun. It was recently published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (Volume 16, Issue 2).

The second study found the need to provide a comprehensive approach to helping low-income households overcome access issues. In particular, affordable technology, family support, and policy advocacy must be provided by a combination of stakeholders: healthcare professionals, policy makers, and family beneficiaries. If the needed support is provided, technological competency and service delivery flexibility as well as telerehabiltation sustainability may be attained.

Transitioning to the blended modality

It was not only classes that transitioned to the blended delivery, as CBR for indigent children with disabilities (CWD) also eventually adopted the blended mode. Dubbed Flexicoaching, the QC Kabahagi Center’s CBR program was tested for its effectiveness using a quasi-experimental research design that delved into retrospective records review. This the third study conducted by Thomasian researchers, this time by Sagun, along with students Balloon, Defiño, Guerrero, Managuelod, Oliva, and Riñoza in 2024. The paper, entitled “Examining the caregiver’s perception of occupational performance and satisfaction in community-based rehabilitation using blended online and onsite therapy,” found primary caregivers’ perceived occupation performance and CWDs’ satisfaction were positive in a blended modality. The program enhanced “social and educational participation, validating its potential as a sustainable service delivery model for children with disabilities in urban poor communities.”

Scaling the efforts

The fourth paper, entitled “Effectiveness of community-based flexicoaching from low socioeconomic background using goal attainment scaling, used pre-test and post-design for the quasi-experimental study alongside the Goal Attainment Scale to measure intervention success for CWDs. The Flexicoaching program was found potentially valuable not just for occupational therapists, but also for physical therapists, and speech therapists, after validating remarkable effectiveness among 88.67% of the participants, who were part of the 406 cases reviewed.

According to QC Kabahagi Center Director and Department of Occupational Therapy academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS, “the partnership between UST and QC Government through the Kabahagi Center exemplifies how academe-government collaboration can advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, and reducing inequalities.” The findings of the four studies provided informed evidence-based rehabilitation services that have been made accessible to urban poor communities and thus addressed social disparities.

Sagun added that while the collaboration began as a crisis response by BS Occupational Therapy students to see the effectiveness of Flexicoaching, the partnership has now shown “continuous development of community-tailored rehabilitation approaches.”

The GCARSIH award, which looked into Filipino-developed programs that targeted an identified priority health need of a community, fetes transformative partnerships that help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through integrated local governance, health innovation, and academic excellence. Among the selection criteria used were degree of innovativeness, significance, potential for further research and scale, inclusiveness, effectiveness, affordability, and participatory and co-owned nature.

Sagun acknowledged the invaluable support of Quezon City Mayor Hon. Ma. Josefina Belmonte, the QC Kabahagi center staff, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Anne Marie C. Asron and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, along with the units’ officials, academic staff, researchers, and students. Sagun added: “This recognition honors the power of collective innovation in healthcare delivery. From dedicated frontline workers of the government to academic partners and the participatory leadership of the city, each stakeholder has contributed to building a sustainable model of inclusive, community-based rehabilitation services. The partnership has become a launchpad for healthcare innovations while nurturing generations of professionals deeply committed to serving vulnerable communities.”

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The plan aimed to assess the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela, for sustainable community-based tourism in the new and next normal. It also determined the current situation of the barangay, specifically its community-based tourism industry development, analyzed different related issues, constraints, and opportunities of the barangay for community-based tourism industry development, assessed the perspectives and views of different stakeholders on the sustainability and development of the barangay’s tourism resources, assessed tourism development impacts, specifically on the barangay’s economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects, and developed a sustainable community-based tourism strategic development framework and sustainability indicators for Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela.

The Office of Hon. Faustino “Inno” A. Dy V of the 6^th District of Isabela initiated the project and was supported by the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela. The turnover activity was conducted at the Blessed Jane of Aza Lounge, Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Mr. Louie Simbe, the Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Officer of the Municipality, and Ms. Claire Santiago, the Political Affairs Assistant under the Office of Cong. Inno officially received the plan. Officials from the DOST NRCP also attended the event. It was headed by Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo (President) and Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda (Executive Director). While RCSSEd was represented by its Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeremaiah M. Opiniano.

#TeamKomunidad of the UST CTHM and Sentro Turismo spearheaded the project under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, with the team members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assistant Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado.

The plan was an output of the project entitled “Sustainable Community-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela in the New/Next Normal.” The project was also part of the 1^st batch of the Policy-funded Research Projects under the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

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The symposium featured distinguished speakers, including Engr. Daniel H. Valeriano Jr., Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of First Gen, renowned for his extensive managerial experience, and Ms. Chrissie Anne Cocorpus, the current Learning and Development Manager of RCBC Bankard Services Corporation.

Engr. Valeriano shared valuable insights gleaned from over five decades of managerial expertise, emphasizing the importance of servant leadership, coaching, and problem analysis. Meanwhile, Ms. Cocorpus delved into employee engagement strategies, elucidating the 5E’s – Effective Communication, Employee Growth and Recognition, Established Relationships, Empowerment, and Excellent Leadership – as fundamental pillars for organizational success.

Attendees were treated to a wealth of actionable strategies aimed at fostering a culture of engagement and empowerment within their respective organizations. From revitalizing engagement surveys to refining rewards systems, participants left the event equipped with a robust toolkit to drive meaningful change.

The webinar stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared learning in charting the course towards effective management practices and organizational success.

Present during the event were Graduate School Assistant Dean, Prof. Camilla Vizconde, Ph.D.,who delivered the opening remarks and Business Cluster Head, Dr. Elizabeth Recio, who delivered the objectives of the webinar.

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The activity, a joint undertaking with the alumni of the Tomasinong SOCCSKSARGEN chapter, gathered close to 300 attendees comprised of 150 families, SOCCSKSARGEN chapter officials, UST Alumni Association, Inc. officials, and UST officials. The Thomasian community gave gifts and dined with the community of Batomelong, which is led by the Barangay Captain, Hon. Alikhan K. Bentaib.

In his message, Captain Bentaib thanked the SOCCSKSARGEN Chapter’s representatives, led by incoming President Antonio Villanueva, Jr. and Secretary-General fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. “Hindi po kayo nagkamali na pilian ang community ito. Kakatapos lang po ng aming Ramadan namin. Sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa na mapili? Maraming salamat po!”

Meanwhile, UST Secretary-General fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. introduced the Thomasian community to the residents of Barangay “hindi lang po kami kaagapay. Mga Pilipino po tayo, at tayong lahat ay magkakapatid.”

Finally, UST Assistant to the Rector for General Santos Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD expressed hope that the University’s efforts in academics and research will be of great help to the local communities of Mindanao.

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Twelve faculty members of the College of Nursing were accredited by TESDA after recognition of their prior learning and review of evidence of community engagement. They were certified as trainers for the caregiving program.

In an interview with College of Nursing Dean Rowena L. Escolar Chua, PhD, she underscored “people empowerment and resilence” as core values of the program. Escolar Chua said the program “program provided the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be competent care providers despite their financial and social status. The caregiving program fosters resilience in the face of health challenges. In addition, UST College of Nursing and Caregiving programs partake in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, our great healer.”

The caregiving program is the latest to rolled out by UST and RMI-HFSEC which also had a Bookkeeping course training with the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 2021.

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Balikatang Pangwika, a training and cultural immersion, was led by academic staff from the Departamento ng Filipino, UST Sentro sa Salin at Araling Salin, and Bachelor in Elementary Education.

The community leaders attended a seminar-workshop on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) where they picked up strategies on teaching children and adult learners.

They were also given a tour of the University and the National Museum of Fine Arts. They also visited Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the old UST building in Intramuros, and Manila Cathedral.

KWF chair Dr. Arthur Casanova, a former academic staff member of the Departamento ng Filipino, sent his message of support.

Balikatang Pangwika sought to address the Programang Bahay-Wika at Master-Apprentice Language Learning Program (MALLP): Muling Pagpapasigla ng mga Nanganganib na Wika, a language immersion program which the college started in Bataan in 2018.

The activity was also conducted as part of the college’s 97th anniversary.

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UST REFI was awarded the grant by the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) and the Philippine office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the project titled “Siquijor Island Conservation and Restoration: Toward a Regenerative Ecotourism Destination”.

This action research project was among 11 recipients of grants from GRF’s program called INSPIRE or Investing in Sustainable Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems.

Looking at both seascapes and landscapes, the project aims to ensure that the island’s natural ecosystems “will be conserved and restored, leading to a sustainable and regenerative Siquijor Island”. For 2.5 years, this action research project hopes to aid Siquijor’s collaborative governance efforts on environmental protection, environmental conservation education, and achieving community-based sustainable livelihood.

The project seeks to empower Siquijor’s provincial and municipal governments to regulate the use of trees and medicinal plants, curb illegal and unregulated fishing activities, encourage tourism development, reduce solid and liquid wastes, and control freshwater consumption. These efforts contribute to the vision of making Siquijor a “zero-waste island”.

A team from REFI will spearhead the project, led by Executive Director Fr. Maximo Gatela, O.P. and Technical Team Leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia of the College of Science. Team members include Dr. Maria Rosario Virginia Cobar-Garcia (Science), Dr. Arlen Ancheta and Dr. Alain Jomarie Santos (both from the Faculty of Arts and Letters), as well as Asst. Prof. Arnold Distor and Asst. Prof. Racquel Layco (Science).

Dr. Ancheta, Dr. Cobar-Garcia, Dr. Garcia, and Asst. Prof. Layco had done studies on the zero-waste island concept, covering solid waste management, energy efficiency, food and water, and sustainable use of natural resources. These previous studies were conducted for a global advocacy group, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), under the auspices of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (or RCSSED, UST’s social sciences research arm).

According to team leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia, the previous studies and the current INSPIRE-funded project will capitalize on “environmental advocacy to counter climate change and [take inspiration from] Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Sí.”

This INSPIRE-funded project contributes to climate change action, says this full professor of Biological Sciences, by directly aligning the project to some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

UST REFI formalized its receipt of the INSPIRE grants during a May 22 grants awarding ceremony at the National Museum of Natural History, with the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Mary Kay L. Carlson, gracing the event.

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The 12 youth leaders, who have already demonstrated commitment and impact in their respective fields under the age of 30, will be matched with a mentor to dialogue with during and after the programme. The mentor will also guide the mentee on how to maximize the seed grant which will be given to the delegates to scale up a project that will highlight their work. Over the coming year, the Changemakers will participate in a series of online and offline modules with high-level experts, many of whom worked with the late Kofi Annan, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former United Nations Secretary-General.

Mariano is the founder of his own youth organization, Streets to Schools, which aims to intersect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Sustainable Development Goals among children. The organization’s projects, such as Ladders to Literacy, have been recognized with international awards, including the ESD Okayama Awards, Points of Light, Everyday Young Heroes, and more.

The 12 chosen youth leaders will go on to become torch bearers of Kofi Annan’s vision and values and part of the global Kofi Annan Changemakers community.

This initiative is led by the Kofi Annan Foundation and supported by Ambassador Jenö Staehelin and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. It is undertaken in partnership with the Greycells Association of former International Civil Servants for Development and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Centre d’Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI).

Mariano is the second Thomasian to receive the recognition as UST Faculty of Pharmacy alumnus, Medical Technologist Junbert Pabon, received the same recognition a year ago.

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The 12 youth leaders, who have already demonstrated commitment and impact in their respective fields under the age of 30, will be matched with a mentor to dialogue with during and after the programme. The mentor will also guide the mentee on how to maximize the seed grant which will be given to the delegates to scale up a project that will highlight their work. Over the coming year, the Changemakers will participate in a series of online and offline modules with high-level experts, many of whom worked with the late Kofi Annan, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former United Nations Secretary-General.

Mariano is the founder of his own youth organization, Streets to Schools, which aims to intersect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Sustainable Development Goals among children. The organization’s projects, such as Ladders to Literacy, have been recognized with international awards, including the ESD Okayama Awards, Points of Light, Everyday Young Heroes, and more.

The 12 chosen youth leaders will go on to become torch bearers of Kofi Annan’s vision and values and part of the global Kofi Annan Changemakers community.

This initiative is led by the Kofi Annan Foundation and supported by Ambassador Jenö Staehelin and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. It is undertaken in partnership with the Greycells Association of former International Civil Servants for Development and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Centre d’Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI).

Mariano is the second Thomasian to receive the recognition as UST Faculty of Pharmacy alumnus, Medical Technologist Junbert Pabon, received the same recognition a year ago.

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