Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal)

Isolation, Morpho-Cultural Identiﬁcation and Pathogenicity of Fungal Endophytes of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Leaves Collected in Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet

Novelyn A. Maging — 2025-12-26

Endophytes are microorganisms that live within plant tissues for part or all of their life cycle. These microorganisms have properties that are valuable in the agriculture and medical sectors. In the field of agriculture, endophytes are studied for their potential as biological control agents, in managing abiotic stress, and as plant growth promoters. Thus, this paper presents fungal endophytes isolated from asymptomatic potato leaves collected from Buguias, Benguet. The four fungal endophytes were isolated and identified based on morpho-cultural characteristics as Apiospora sp., Cladosporium sp., while the other two were unidentified. None of the tested isolates was pathogenic in a detached leaf assay of Granola potato, as evidenced by the absence of symptoms. The dual culture assay against Fusarium sp. showed varying levels of antagonism ranging from low to moderate (29%-60%), with Apiospora sp. exhibiting the highest inhibition. However, the risk of pathogenic behavior cannot be completely dismissed since endophyte-to-plant interactions depend on multiple factors. Hence, further pathogenicity and antagonistic ability tests of the endophytes under greenhouse conditions are recommended. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of fungal endophytes from potato leaves in the Philippines.

Development of a Single Row Potato Hiller for Mountainous Farming Regions

Shyra Kate D. Enggo — 2025-12-26

Hilling potato farms require a lot of labor, tedious work, and time-consuming tasks. It requires at least 10 man-days to complete manual hilling of a hectare farm. It also does not guarantee uniform quality due to the human factor that may result in some potatoes being improperly hilled. This study was performed to develop and evaluate the performance of a singlerow potato hiller for small-scale mountainous farming areas in terms of its field capacity, field efficiency, hilling efficiency, fuel consumption, and percentage damage on the potato crop. Three different moldboard designs were used in the field test of the machine: conventional moldboard, moldboard with curved top, and moldboard with curved top and soil carrier. The performance evaluation revealed that the moldboard with a curved top and soil carrier performed favorably with an actual field capacity of 234 m²/hr, field efficiency of 80%, hilling efficiency of 77%, 0% damage on the crop, and fuel consumption of 1.81 L/hr. In comparison with manual hilling, the performance of the machine is lower in terms of hilling efficiency since farmers always make sure that potato plants are properly hilled (100%) in manual hilling. However, the machine performs the work faster compared to the 107 m²/hr manual hilling capacity. With the result of this study, the developed potato hiller for sloping and mountainous potato farms is not ready to replace manual hilling yet, but it has the potential for further enhancement, specifically the moldboard design. Designers and researchers may consider the result of this study for further development to help ease the burden of potato farmers on the laborious, tedious, and time-consuming potato crop production.

Understanding Farm Chemical Use and Gender Roles: An Ethnographic Study Among Selected Strawberry Farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet

Elvie D. Nang-is — 2025-12-26

Chemical application has become prevalent in many farming communities, resulting in many health problems among farmers and consumers, including environmental degradation. This study aims to look at the factors influencing the use of chemicals by strawberry farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet–the way farmers sense exposure to toxicities, and their mitigating strategies. In addition, the gender roles assigned to family members in relation to pesticide application. Ethnographic data were collected, analyzed, and presented thematically. Results show that economic consideration is the main reason farmers use pesticides, as costs are high and as strawberries are easily attacked by pests and diseases. Farmers become aware of the toxicity of the farm chemicals through eye or nose irritation, resulting in the adaptation of strategies to prevent toxicity, which include the use of protective equipment, proper hygiene, and disposal of farm chemical containers. However, lenient practices of these strategies are observed in their ‘safer’ idea or in the green-labeled pesticides, which show their exposure. In gender roles, women also apply pesticides because of the need for labor in the production. This study concludes that farmers are still exposed to farm toxicities, and this danger is relatively considered in gender roles in farming.

Stella Obasanjo Library and Information Literacy as Catalysts for Socio-Economic Empowerment of Fish Farmers in Lokoja, Nigeria

Oluwatosin Daniel Akobe — 2025-12-26

This study investigated the role of Stella Obasanjo Library, Lokoja, in promoting information literacy for enhanced socio-economic conditions among fish farmers in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to all 60 registered fish farmers in Lokoja, drawn from an estimated population of 201 fish farmers in the study area. The data were analyzed using mean ratings and ranking. The findings revealed that the library plays a significant role in promoting information literacy by providing access to knowledge resources, keeping fish farmers informed about modern aquaculture practices, and offering extension and training services. The benefits of these information literacy initiatives included enhanced self-development, improved knowledge of innovative fish farming techniques, increased sales and profits, and career advancement among fish farmers. Furthermore, strategies identified to improve information literacy included continuous provision of relevant resources, organizing workshops and seminars, using local dialects for information dissemination, and conducting awareness campaigns on modern fish farming practices. The study concludes that Stella Obasanjo Library is a vital partner in advancing the socio-economic well-being of fish farmers in Lokoja. It recommends strengthening library services through targeted literacy programs, user-friendly policies, and sustained outreach efforts to further empower fish farmers and promote sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

From Risk to Resilience: Experiences of Gay and Men Having Sex with Men Using Pre–Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Baguio and Benguet Province

Emerlyn Khate L. Montero — 2025-12-26

The development of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a major advancement in HIV prevention, particularly among Gay and Bisexual Men Having Sex with Men (gbMSM). Despite growing access, the lived experiences of gbMSM PrEP users in local Philippine contexts remain underexplored. This qualitative descriptive study examined the personal, social, and behavioral experiences of gbMSM using PrEP in Baguio City and Benguet Province—areas with rising HIV incidence and significant LGBTQIA+ populations. Ten gbMSM PrEP users were recruited through referral sampling and interviewed using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Participants were residents for at least six months and active PrEP users. Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Transforming Actions for Wellness, reflecting improved sexual practices and health awareness; (2) Turn of Events, describing transitions from fear and stigma to acceptance and empowerment; and (3) Harmony Within, highlighting enhanced psychological well-being and self-identity. Participants’ PrEP uptake was influenced by perceived HIV risk, health literacy, social support, and access to LGBTQIA+-affirming services such as Balay Marvi and Baguio General Hospital. Persistent challenges included stigma, fear of judgment, and limited provider availability. The study recommends strengthening PrEP education, expanding affirming healthcare training, enforcing anti-discrimination policies, and promoting combined HIV prevention strategies. These findings inform context-specific interventions and support inclusive, holistic care for gbMSM.

Development and Validation of the Digital Literacy Test for Teachers (DigiLiTT)

Janet Lynn M. Balagtey — 2025-12-26

One essential aspect of literacy that teachers should possess is related to the use of technology. This study aimed to develop a digital literacy test for teachers. The researchers used principal component analysis (exploratory factor analysis) to validate the underlying structure of digital literacy and tested the internal consistency of the instrument using Cronbach’s alpha. To gather data, a total of 926 graduating teacher education students from the private and government teacher education institutions in the Cordillera Administrative Region answered a test consisting of 80 alternate response (true-false) items. Statistical analysis confirmed four fundamental components of digital literacy, namely, technical competency, logical proficiency, pedagogical awareness, and moral consciousness. The maximum reliability coefficient is acceptable at 0.807. A 40-item Digital Literacy Test for Teachers (DigiLiTT) is generated in print and online versions.

Pagsusuri sa Kakayahan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Pagsulat ng Replektibong Sanaysay

Maricel L. Mendoza — 2025-12-26

This qualitative descriptive study explores the reflective essay writing skills of Grade 12 students, a crucial aspect of academic writing. It aims to assess their proﬁciency, identify strengths and weaknesses, and examine how contextual factors shape their reflective writing performance. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the study examined 60 students from the HUMSS and STEM strands in a public senior high school, where learners often face limited resources and varied language exposure—factors that signiﬁcantly influence their writing development. The analysis focused on four key aspects: cohesion, coherence, linguistic accuracy, and argumentation. Findings revealed that while students eﬀectively connect personal experiences to their essays, they struggle to sustain logical organization, develop critical reflection, and apply precise linguistic structures. These results provide new insight into how metacognitive awareness and reflective practice manifest among Filipino senior high school students within resource-constrained settings. The study contributes to the growing body of research on reflective writing by highlighting the interaction between contextual limitations and students’ metacognitive engagement, emphasizing the need to adapt writing pedagogy to diverse linguistic and socio-educational realities.

Ang pag-aaral na ito ay isang kwalitatibo at deskriptibong pananaliksik na naglalayong suriin ang Kasanayang Pampagkatuto sa Pananaliksik: Isang Paglirip at Pagtataya sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri sa kakayahan ng mga mag-aaral sa Baitang 12 sa pagsulat ng replektibong sanaysay. Layunin ng pag-aaral na matukoy ang antas ng kasanayan ng mga mag-aaral, kabilang ang kanilang mga kalakasan at kahinaan, pati na rin ang epekto ng iba’t ibang panlipunang kalagayan sa kanilang pagganap sa pagsusulat. Sinuri ang 60 mag-aaral mula sa HUMSS at STEM strands sa isang pampublikong senior high school na may limitadong kagamitan at hindi magkakatulad na antas ng paggamit ng wika—mga salik na may malaking impluwensiya sa pag-unlad ng kasanayan sa pagsusulat. Nakatuon ang pagsusuri sa apat na pangunahing aspekto: kohesyon, koherensiya, lingwistika, at argumentasyon. Ipinakita ng mga natuklasan na bagama’t mahusay na naiugnay ng mga mag-aaral ang kanilang personal na karanasan sa kanilang mga replektibong sanaysay, nahirapan silang mapanatili ang lohikal na organisasyong makapagpakita ng mas malalim na kritikal na pagninilay, at gumamit ng wastong estrukturang pangwika. Ipinahiwatig ng mga resulta na ang kamalayan sa pang-unawa at ang pagsasanay sa kritikal na kaalaman ng mga mag-aaral ay humubog ng mga umiiral na limitasyon ng kapaligirang pang-edukasyon. Nag-ambag ang pagaaral na ito sa literatura ng replektibong pagsulat sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay-diin sa ugnayan ng panlipunang kalagayan at kasanayang pang-unawa, at sa pag-angkop ng pedagohiya upang maging mas malawak sa iba’t ibang lingguwistika at sosyo-edukasyonal na kalagayan.

Level of Competence of Faculty Members Among the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region III on Fexible Learning

Erwin C. Mina — 2025-12-26

This quantitative descriptive survey determined the level of competence of faculty members of State Universities and Colleges on flexible learning in Central Luzon. Using non-probabilityconvenience sampling, 120 faculty members responded to the survey through Google Forms. A survey-questionnaire determined level of competence of the faculty to confidently teach flexible learning. SPSS version 23 software was used to compute data needed. Results revealed that majority of the faculty are female aged 31-40 years old designated as instructor with 1-5 years of teaching experience. Having 1-3 number of trainings on flexible learning, having laptop and webcam, internet connectivity and implement blended learning. The findings indicated that faculty members demonstrated a commendable level of competence in delivering instruction through flexible learning modalities, specifically in the domains of instructional course planning and development, instructional communication, instructional schedules and workload, and technological proficiency.