DAVAO CITY—Fifteen research studies have been presented during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Research Symposium at a university here, all dealing with “sustainable living practices and to promote the United Nations’ [UN] SDGs.”
The presented studies tapped various sustainable goals, “including, No Poverty [SDG 1], Zero Hunger [SDG 2], Good Health and Well-being [SDG 3], Quality Education [SDG 4], Clean Water and Sanitation [SDG 6], Decent Work and Economic Growth [SDG 8], Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure [SDG 9], Sustainable Cities and Communities [SDG 11], Responsible Consumption and Production [SDG 12], Climate Action [SDG 13], Life Below Water [SDG 14], and Life on Land [SDG 15],” the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) said.
The symposium held at the Mapua Malayan Colleges of Mindanao on November 11 carried the theme “Enhancing Sustainability and Climate Action for Davao Region through SDG-Oriented Studies,” and the studies covered “multi-faceted topics aiming to enhance the replication of sustainable living practices and to promote the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals for adoption and localization in the Davao Region and the rest of South-Central Mindanao.”
“The Philippines ranks 103rd out of 191 countries that committed to promoting the 17 sustainable development goals. With this, we have a very long way to go. Hence, research is a very relevant tool in achieving these SDGs with a multi-sectoral and collaborative effort. May we continue to support research studies of our people to make a difference in our society while leaving no one behind,” said lawyer Mark Penalver, IDIS executive director.
These were the research studies presented during the symposium:
1. Species Composition of Volant and Small Non-Volant Mammals in the Green Spaces of Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines by Brian Pototan
2. Opportunities for Enhancing Epidemic Preparedness through Wastewater-based Epidemiology in Highly-Urbanized Cities by Maria Otero
3. Optimal Process Network for Integrated Solid Waste Management in Davao City, Philippines by Kristin Olalo
4. Improper Disposal of Covid-19 Associated Waste in Davao City: A concern to Health and Environment by John Paul Banzon
5. Risk Factors Associated with Severity and Survivability of Covid-19 Patients: Empirical Evidence from Davao Region by Charisse Miguel
6. Vulnerability Assessment of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) in Davao City, Southern Philippines by Marie Damgo
7. The Mediating Effect of Synchronous E-Learning on the Relationship between Digital Literacy and Writing Skills of English-Major College Students: A Mixed Methodology Study by Dr. Febbie Ramos
8. The Influence of Level of Sustainability Reporting on the Financial Performance of Publicly Listed Companies in the Philippines with Firm Size as Moderating Variable by Ianah Guzman
9. Synthesis of Nanocellulose from Durian Rinds for the Preparation of a Self-Healing Smart Concrete with Augmented Mechanical Properties by Ivanbert Damasco
10. Statistical Approach in the Determination of Causality Factors of Seismic Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Residential Buildings by John Liu, et. al
11. “KALINAW”—A Proposed Forest Education Center and Stormwater Park: A study on Utilizing Flood Retention Zones as Spaces for Ecological Literacy by Christian Sangadi, et. al
12. Stakeholders Valuation on Davao City Parks: A Study on Determining Public Value by Angelo Regalado
13. Is the Government’s Socialized Housing Program Serving the Needs of Low-Income Households? The Case of Davao City by Micah Yares
14. Characterizing the Urban Green Spaces in Davao City, Philippines: Implications for Design and Management by Ryan Songcayaoun
15. Land Use Change of Urban Wetlands in Davao City by Lemuel Lloyd Manalo
Dr. Gernelyn Logrosa, head of office for Research, Development, and Innovation of MMCM, called on the youth and the students “to look into the society’s core problems and challenges, then produce SDG-driven research for the progressive advancement of the region and the country.”
“As educators and researchers, challenges [in our society] remind us of our purpose—give real-life solutions to a real-life problem,” said Dr. Febbie Ramos, in presenting here research paper.
Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 11, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI, Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) 11, and the office of Councilor Luna Acosta attended the symposium.
Acosta’s representative said the councilor has expressed support to research studies on renewable energy, zero waste, watershed protection, sustainable agriculture, and disaster-resilient and green community.
Alvin Angelo A. Salting, chief of Research, and Development Unit of DENR XI, encouraged the participants to continue doing research and apply the concept of basket research which means integrating various SDG goals into the research. “We won’t have what we have now if not because of research,” Salting said.
PCCI and UP-CIFAL SDG program
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the UP-CIFAL recently launched a leadership program to educate Philippine companies on the impact of the SDGs on businesses.
In a news statement issued on Wednesday, the PCCI said that the leadership program also aims to ensure that the country achieves the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dubbed the SDGs4Biz: A Leadership Program on Sustainable Development Goals for Transformational Domestic and Export Enterprises, PCCI said the program is participated in initially by 50 industry leaders and business executives from South Luzon and the National Capital Region (NCR) and will run from November until December 15.
The business group said the target number of participants for the two batches under the first run of this course is 200.
For his part, PCCI President George T. Barcelon underscored the importance of educating business enterprises, particularly the micro, small and medium enterprises on the principles of the SDGs and how compliance can provide opportunities and new market trends for businesses to take on while contributing to the 2030 objective of leaving no one behind.
“Frankly, there is a need to intensify the awareness campaign on SDG and PCCI, together with UP-CIFAL and with the support of the Export Development Council [EDC], has started implementing SDG activities to capacitate our members and make them informed of the benefits and opportunities of SDG,” Barcelon said.
The head of PCCI said that the activity provides participants with the tool to guide them as they recover from the disruptions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and navigate aground a revitalized and resilient Philippine economy.
According to PCCI, the program has two components: Professional Course on SDGs for Transformational Business and the IDEATHON Transformational Business Strategy.