BANWA Series A

Stakeholders’ Valuation of Davao City Parks: A Study on Determining Public Value

Angelo Felix N. Regalado — 2023-03-02

Effective design of urban green spaces such as public parks can impact the communities' physical health and mental well-being. Identifying stakeholders' perceptions toward public parks is important to guide the development of existing and new parks, and increase the public’s sense of ownership towards them. This study aims to understand how the public values three (3) urban parks in Davao City (People’s Park, Magsaysay Park, and Osmeña Park) and document the perceived benefits and impacts that matter to the park users. Data gathered include activity maps made through direct observation and personal interviews of five (5) park users, three (3) administrators, and one (1) vendor from December 2019 to April 2020. An analysis of review entries (2018–2020) from two travel websites was also conducted to determine visitor experience. Thematic techniques were used to develop a grounded theory of the public value of parks as experienced by the stakeholders. Results showed that end-users value the freedom to access parks as an escape from the stress of the urban environment through nature and physical exercise. Emphasis on regulations and security inside the parks is also evident in the texts. Access-control infrastructure, activity-enabling modifications of the natural landscape, and overall park beautification through artworks result in a family-friendly environment, which promotes the city’s culture and sensibilities.

Keywords: urban planning · urban parks · public value · thematic analysis · grounded theory · Davao City

A Preliminary Qualitative Assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s Technology Business Incubation Project in Western Visayas, Philippines

Frediezel G. De Leon — 2023-06-23

The primary role of business incubators is to provide a variety of services, resources, and facilities in support of start-ups or enterprises in the early stages of their ventures. While business incubator success indicators have been studied elsewhere, knowledge is scarce regarding incubator processes and how their support programs are organized to achieve their goal of helping out start-ups thrive and survive. This study presents an assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s traditional business incubation facility based in Western Visayas, Philippines, highlighting the activities involved, outputs, and outcomes. Primary data were gathered to describe the project’s activities, outputs, and outcomes, while secondary data were sought from secondary data sources. The key success factors of the incubation project were derived from key informant interviews participated by 16 incubated enterprises. Incubatees underwent six activities throughout the project that led to the formulation of a business plan and improved incubatees’ enterprises. The project’s outcomes gauged through hard (definable and quantifiable results) and soft measures (subjective and unquantifiable results) were highlighted. The most prominent outcome based on hard measures is the growth of their enterprise. The effectiveness of the partnership has the highest impact among the soft measures. Results of the study show that incubatees deemed connections and/or partnerships as crucial to the growth of their enterprises and affiliations with other institutions serve as a window of opportunity to secure financial assistance, marketing services, and technical support. Moreover, gaining trust and establishing good working teams with individuals who are passionate and highly committed were also identified as important factors for the project’s success.

Keywords: business incubation · entrepreneurship · partnership

Beyond Counting Houses: Are We Providing Adequate Housing? An Assessment of Residential Satisfaction of Socialized Housing in Davao City, Philippines

Micah Amor P. Yares — 2023-06-23

Since 1992, the socialized housing program has been the primary mode of housing delivery in the Philippines. Thus, aside from production concerns, the evaluation of the housing program in terms of housing adequacy is imperative. This paper explores the level of end-users' satisfaction with socialized housing in Davao City, Philippines. Respondents were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with a number of housing variables, which were summarized into six components using Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results showed that most e1nd-users are “highly satisfied” with their living conditions. Residents’ satisfaction is primarily influenced by the social environment, acquisition and financing, and dwelling units. However, satisfaction levels vary significantly among different house types, with those living in rowhouses being moderately satisfied. This paper also highlights how socialized housing delivery deviated from its mandate by functioning as a free market, leaving out its intended beneficiaries: the underprivileged population. Therefore, this calls for a review of the current socialized housing standards by the Philippines’ central housing agency, the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, to improve the current housing delivery and condition.

Keywords: end-users · residential satisfaction · renters · rowhouse · socialized housing · target beneficiaries

A Commentary on Patronage Democracy in the Philippines

Maria Margarita R. Lavides — 2023-03-22