Carmelita Rebancos - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Carmelita Rebancos

Coastal Engineering Journal, 2015

A survey of 114 households residing in Manicani Island on their capital assets and coping strateg... more A survey of 114 households residing in Manicani Island on their capital assets and coping strategies as determinants of their resiliency on Typhoon Haiyan was undertaken. KII and FG validated the survey results. Relationship between capital assets and coping strategies was determined using chi-square test and their degree of association was determined using phi coefficient and Cramer’s V. Results showed that (a) the households’ house condition before the typhoon and knowledge of the typhoon were moderately associated (0.22 to 0.23) with securing houses at 0.05 significance level; (b) the educational attainment of house- hold head was moderately associated (0.34) with safekeeping of household assets/personal belongings at 0.01 significance level; (c) the condition of the house after the typhoon, length of time before house reconstruction and person in-charge in reconstruction have moderate to relatively strong association (0.28 to 0.44) with the housing recovery of the households at 0.01 significance level; and (d) livestock ownership after the typhoon and person in charge in house reconstruction were weakly to moderately related (0.17 to 0.26) with the household’s income recovery at 0.10 and 0.05 significance level, respectively. This implies that capital assets are important in coping with disasters. The local government can use these results for planning and improving its disaster risk reduction and management program especially on extreme events similar to Typhoon Yolanda.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Jun 27, 2012

The recovery of copper from solid printed circuit board (PCB) waste, by sequential acid dissoluti... more The recovery of copper from solid printed circuit board (PCB) waste, by sequential acid dissolution and electrochemical deposition, was investigated as a resource recovery strategy for a local PCB-manufacturing facility. The ¿ rst stage acid dissolution process extracts the embedded copper metal from the solid PCB matrix in the form of copper ions, and the second-step electrolysis converts the copper ions back to its purer metal form. The copper metal can then be processed for possible reuse, or sold for income generation. For the acid treatment, the best extractant was found to be concentrated nitric acid added at a waste loading ratio of 120 mg PCB waste per mL of acid, and 4 hr contact time. Six-hour electrochemical deposition experiments (of the acid extracts from the best dissolution conditions) showed that a copper removal ef¿ ciency of 98% (from the acid extract) could be achieved. The charge dose of the electrochemical deposition process was computed to be 11.987 coulombs mg -1 of copper removed from the acid extract. From preliminary cost estimates, the reuse of the spent nitric acid from the acid treatment step is recommended to minimize the total copper recovery cost.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Dec 21, 2011

Regeneration of mined-out area is possible, though poses herculean challenges because of technica... more Regeneration of mined-out area is possible, though poses herculean challenges because of technical and ¿ nancial constraints. This study assessed the natural regeneration in the rock dump site of abandoned mining area in Larap, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, Philippines and was premised on the hypothesis that natural regeneration of mined-out areas can signi¿ cantly contribute to rehabilitation and carbon sequestration. Field measurements of natural regeneration were conducted using quadrat method and identi¿ ed eight species belonging to eight genera and seven families. Diversity indices yielded no signi¿ cant difference using t-test. Carbon sequestration analysis showed that natural regeneration has 2.78 t ha -1 C stored in the biomass and 22.55 t ha -1 of C sequestered in the soil through soil organic carbon. Natural regeneration indicates that regreening the mined soil is possible if natural process of ecological succession is allowed. When properly managed and protected, natural regeneration offers enormous opportunity not only in sequestering but also in increasing productivity of the area. This study recommends the determination of carbon pools below the ground biomass (roots); exploring other sampling techniques that could capture the best picture of the whole grassland ecosystem; and strictly enforce the policy in ¿ nal mine rehabilitation program before cessation of mining operation to avoid mined-out areas being left out by mining projects.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Jul 9, 2010

Agricultural intensification has been the key in addressing the growing demand for food productio... more Agricultural intensification has been the key in addressing the growing demand for food production both for home consumption and supplying the market. The market demand on agricultural production has therefore triggered change in land use. For farmers, it makes a lot of economic sense to venture on high value agricultural products where land and labor capital is limited.

Iamure International Journal of Ecology and Conservation, May 15, 2013

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Dec 20, 2013

Threats of water pollution, unregulated extraction of resources, and sprawling urbanization are s... more Threats of water pollution, unregulated extraction of resources, and sprawling urbanization are some of the common issues of Mandulog River, a home for indigenous freshwater gobies. This study was conducted to assess the status of freshwater gobies and how the resident communities exert conservation efforts to the river and the inhabiting gobies. Standard method of collection of gobies was done. Interviews with semi-structured questionnaires were used to know the conservation measures of the residents. Ten goby species belonging to three families namely, Family Eleotridae (Belobranchus belobranchus), Giuris margaritacea, and Oxyeleotris lineolata, Family Gobiidae (Awaous melanocephalus), Awaous ocellaris, Glossogobius celebius, Glossogobius giuris, Periophthalmus barbarus and Sicyopterus lagocephalus, and Family Rhyacichthyidae (Rhyacichthys aspro), can be an alternative source of food and livelihood. They were caught by-catch, while employing some destructive fishing methods like cyanide fishing, electric fishing, and use of fine mesh nets. The awareness of the residents to the adverse impacts of water pollution, unregulated human activities, and destructive fishing had strengthened their conservation measures. A multi-stakeholder management approach is created through concerted proactive conservation measures like protection of the goby population, the river-riparian ecosystems, enhanced scientific information, and the legal intervention of the local government. Figure 1.Google Earth generated map (A) showing the collection sites in Barangays Rogongon (S1), Digkilaan (S2) and Hinaplanon (S3) representing the upstream, midstream and downstream, respectively, (B) of Mandulog River system, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 2011

The present study was conducted to determine contamination of Laguna de Bay with the hormone 17ȕ-... more The present study was conducted to determine contamination of Laguna de Bay with the hormone 17ȕ-estradiol (E2) and organochlorine pesticides. Water samples were collected from the east and west bay of the lake particularly in sites adjacent to land-uses associated with the discharge of these compounds either through diffuse or point sources. While organochlorines were not detected at the limit of 0.05 ppb, E2 concentrations ranged from 0.29 ± 0.07 g l -1 to 0.40 ± 0.16 g l -1 in both sites. No inter-site difference (west vs. east) in E2 concentration was noted. The obtained E2 levels exceeded the reported threshold in literature for the induction of the yolk precursor vitellogenin and ovotestis formation in male ¿ sh. Whether or not the measured E2 concentrations could elicit biologic effects that can compromise reproduction and population dynamics in ¿ sh and in higher vertebrates should be a subject of future research endeavors. However, given the current weight of evidence on the adverse effects of estrogenic disruption, the implementation of measures that would prevent the discharge of these compounds in the watershed is recommended.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Jan 11, 2010

This study analyzed the correlation of socio-economic status, environmental awareness, knowledge,... more This study analyzed the correlation of socio-economic status, environmental awareness, knowledge, and perception with solid waste management practices in the coastal barangays of Talisay and Balibago, Calatagan, Batangas. The study employed structured survey and key informant interviews was employed to meet the objectives of the study.

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Dec 22, 2012

The formulated solid waste management strategies in the highly urbanized Cebu City in Central Phi... more The formulated solid waste management strategies in the highly urbanized Cebu City in Central Philippines was set to directly target identified waste concerns to fully maximize limited resources. Based on Friedman test conducted to evaluate differences of the solid waste generation in years [2007][2008][2009], no statistically significant reduction effects of the prior solid waste ordinances and strategies implemented in 1990 and 2004 was found (p-value=0.431 < α=5%). It was realized that programs implemented must provide economic incentives to fully impress upon constituents that waste is a resource. A coordinated enforcement scheme through the formation of the Cebu Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) of the city government in partnership with the community and civil society and along with the creation of special environmental courts have resulted for the enforcement measures to take effect. Forging strategic partnerships arrangements with both local and international groups to help advance city waste management was deemed important particularly on the aspects solid waste management capability trainings, landfill facility improvement, waste to energy project implementation as well as on the procurement of waste management equipments. In a decentralized environmental management common among many developing countries, harnessing various institutional arrangements to enhance participation and cooperation among stakeholders could be found useful to enhance local government units' capacity to provide basic public services while also achieving environmental targets.

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 2016

Journal of Environmental Science and Management, Jun 17, 2011

Through geospatial technology, land use and land use change in the watershed area and socio-econo... more Through geospatial technology, land use and land use change in the watershed area and socio-economic drivers of change were analyzed. About 811 ha or 11.23% changed from mixed forest and unstocked forest to other used in the watershed. The slash and burn land area and rice field in the watershed are increased 693 ha and 79 ha, respectively. The built up land area was increased by 7 ha, while the fishpond increased by 8 ha. The major factors that affect the land use of the upper watershed include population change, migration, shifting cultivation, forest products, and non-timber forest products, fishpond development and land market demand. The information system management in the watershed needs to be improved and land use planning should be in place. Promotion of community-based forest management is needed to control the resources use and reduce the influx of migration from outsiders. Further, there is a need to formulate specific legal framework in forest resources used in this area, review of control measures in private forest land use, revision of land allocation in the watershed and improvement of cooperation among state organizations in the watershed. Preservation of current situation of forest is an emergent issue for consideration.

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, Sep 4, 2012

Proceedings of the Annual International Conference Syiah Kuala University Life Sciences Engineering Chapter, Nov 30, 2012

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The importance of Laguna de Bay in Luzon, Philippines as a natural resource necessitates routine ... more The importance of Laguna de Bay in Luzon, Philippines as a natural resource necessitates routine monitoring of its environmental quality. In addition to water quality tests, however, there should also be a focus on the impact of existing conditions on the aquatic biota. There is currently a paucity of published data on the biologic impact of pollutants in the lake. The present study measured the biomarkers of exposure to pollution, namely, hepatic melanomacrophage centers (MMCs) and hepatosomatic index (HSI), in male common carps (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus, 1758) caged for 30 days along the east and west bay of the lake. In comparison to the reference group, caged fish exhibited a greater number of MMCs (p<0.01) that were also of bigger size (p<0.05). Further evaluation revealed the presence of lipofuscin, hemosiderin and melanin pigments in the treatment groups although a greater percentage of the last two pigments was noted in caged fish. HSI, which is also used as an indicator of nutritional and energy status in fish, was also low in this group (p<0.05). The results suggest differences in the environmental quality to which the treatment groups have been subjected with observations in caged fish potentially attributable to pollutant exposure.

The study was conducted to assess the sustainability of polyculture aquaculture model in five com... more The study was conducted to assess the sustainability of polyculture aquaculture model in five communes in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province Vietnam. The water quality parameters included in the study are: pH, temperature, salinity, DO, BOD, COD, TDS, NH3, NO3, turbidity, phosphates and heavy metals. The socio-economic situation and natural conditions in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province was also done. The results of the study has developed a polyculture model which includes selected three species: Tiger black shrimp (Penaeus monodon), Rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) and Kinh (Siganus canaliculatus) for high economic efficiency, almost 200 million VND/hectare (10,00usd/hectare) for small aquaculture farmers, as well as contribute to the development of sustainable aquaculture in Phu Vang district.

In a specific community in the north of Chile, two mines in production use open-pit methods. This... more In a specific community in the north of Chile, two mines in production use open-pit methods. This process includes the use of explosives. Mines are located relatively close to the urban centre, generating questions about the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in children associated with the mining process and the resulting ambient air pollution. Data on the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis as well as potential confounders were obtained from a cross-sectional study in 288 children (age 6-12 years). Distances to the mines were calculated using global positioning systems. Associations between proximity to mines and outcomes were studied using logistic regressions, with cut-points for distances, generalized additive models (GAM) and Bayesian models with the spatial variation in risk and parametric functions for distance. Models were adjusted for parental atopic diseases. Drdx asthma was additionally adjusted for mother's job and living with both parent...

IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation, 2012