The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Investigating the Mediating Effect of the Technology Readiness Index on the Relationship Between Customer Sociodemographic Profile and Net Promoter Score of a Government Bank in the Philippines

Jian Carlo Rubio — 2025-12-30

This study examined the mediating role of the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) in the relationship between customers’ sociodemographic profile and Net Promoter Score (NPS) among 228 active users of a government-owned bank’s Internet banking application in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. A descriptive research design with purposive random sampling was employed, using a validated bilingual (English-Filipino) structured questionnaire. Respondents were predominantly young (25-33 years), female (59.65%), single, college-educated public-sector employees (85.09%) with moderate income and relatively short banking tenure. The bank recorded an outstanding NPS of 60.96 (67.54% Promoters, 25.88% Passives, 6.58% Detractors), significantly surpassing international banking benchmarks. Internet banking application usage was moderate and selective, focusing on core features (balance inquiry, fund transfers, bill payments) while advanced functions remained largely unused. Customers displayed high technology readiness (overall TRI = 3.813), characterized by strong Optimism (4.167) and Innovativeness (3.691), with minimal Discomfort and Insecurity. Mediation analysis revealed that TRI significantly mediated only the relationship between monthly income and NPS (indirect effect = 0.042, p = .037). No significant mediation was found for other sociodemographic variables. Direct predictors of higher NPS were public-sector affiliation (β = 0.79, p = .002) and banking tenure (β = 0.085/year, p < .001). Despite high technology readiness, customer loyalty remains rooted primarily in institutional trust and mandatory relationships rather than digital experience, with technology readiness influencing advocacy mainly among higher-income customers.

Characterization of the Vinegar Making Industry and Vinegar Producers in Dilasag and Dinalungan, Aurora

MARK LESTER CUNANAN — 2025-12-30

The vinegar industry in Dilasag and Dinalungan, Aurora, represents a vital, yet under-documented, traditional livelihood. This study sought to characterize the local vinegar-making industry and its producers to provide a comprehensive baseline of their socio-economic profiles, production practices, and barriers to commercialization. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a mixed-method approach. Data were collected from ten (10) purposively selected vinegar producers through survey questionnaires, structured interviews, and on-site observations. The findings reveal that vinegar production is a localized, family-based, supplementary livelihood predominantly managed by an aging population, with most producers in the 51–60+ age group. Production is overwhelmingly traditional, relying on locally available raw materials such as coconut sap (30-40%) and nipa palm (10-20%) and utilizing "natural" spontaneous fermentation (80%). A significant finding is the near-total absence of formal training; producers rely entirely on traditional sensory cues (color, aroma, taste) for quality control rather than scientific tools. While this practice provides a modest supplementary income (₱5,000–₱15,000 monthly) with local prices at ₱50–₱60 per liter, the industry faces significant structural barriers. The study concludes that producers are constrained by four critical, interrelated challenges that prevent commercial expansion: (1) limited production capacity (1-20 liters weekly), (2) a complete absence of product labeling and branding, (3) a lack of capital for investment, and (4) minimal technical training exposure. These barriers trap producers in a low-volume, low-income cycle, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions in training, standardization, and marketing to enhance this traditional enterprise.

Organizational Health Behavioral Index (OHBI): Basis for Strategic, Management, and Employee Engagement Planning for an Attached Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines

Jian Carlo Rubio — 2025-12-30

This study evaluated the organizational health of an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines by developing an Organizational Health Behavioral Index (OHBI). The study used a descriptive quantitative design supplemented by qualitative analysis to capture 52 randomly selected employees' perceptions of their workplace environment. Data were collected using a standardized OHBI survey derived from Jaafari et al. (2023), which included aspects such as awareness, appreciation, interpersonal interactions, engagement, internal communication, employee persona, organizational culture, and employee voice. For quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used, whilst qualitative replies were analyzed thematically. The study found that the organization excelled in awareness (x̄=3.56) and relations (x̄=3.36), while internal communication (x̄=3.26) and appreciation (x̄=3.15) were regarded as successful but needed improvement. Employee engagement (x̄=2.80) was identified as the most essential concern, requiring focused actions. Qualitative findings identified teamwork and camaraderie as organizational strengths, whereas unfavorable cultural pockets, limited career progression prospects, and workplace politics emerged as recurrent issues. The estimated OHBI score was 74.75, indicating a generally healthy organizational climate with opportunities for improvement. Based on these findings, the report suggests implementing strategic initiatives such as formal employee appreciation programs, improved internal communications, career development frameworks, transparent promotion processes, leadership development programs, and culture-building workshops. These ideas attempt to promote an organizational culture that is cohesive, appreciative, and engagement-driven, with a focus on employee well-being and professional development.

Hydrogel Formulation with Encapsulated Extracts From Blumea Balsamifera, Annona Squamosa, and Annona Muricata Leaves For Potential Antibacterial Activity

Blanca Marie Hermano — 2025-12-30

The ongoing development of hydrogels encapsulating plant derived compounds, alongside the search for alternative antibacterial drugs, such as compounds produced from plants, has been prompted by the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This study formulated hydrogels encapsulating ethanolic extracts from Blumea balsamifera, Annona squamosa, and Annona muricata leaves to evaluate their potential antibacterial activity. Plant leaves were collected, authenticated, and extracted with ethanol, then incorporated into PVA-agar hydrogels. The hydrogels were analyzed using FTIR to confirm the presence of bioactive compounds and were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. Additionally, characteristic peaks from FTIR analysis showed that the flavonoids, tannins, and acetogenins from the plant extracts had been successfully incorporated within the hydrogel matrix. However, only the Annona muricata ethanolic extract showed inhibitory action against S. aureus according to antibacterial tests, meanwhile none of the extracts or hydrogels worked against P. aeruginosa. Low extract concentration, restricted release of active chemicals, storage degradation, and the effects of high ethanol concentration during extraction could all be contributing factors to the hydrogels' lack of antibacterial activity. Further research is recommended to improve hydrogel release characteristics, optimize extract concentrations, and improve extraction and preservation techniques in order to improve antibacterial efficacy and broaden biological uses.

ASK-COT: An Executive Decision Support System for the Planning Unit of Aurora State College of Technology

Dale Lyko Abion — 2025-12-30

Strategic planning in higher education institutions depends on timely, accurate, and consolidated data to support informed decision-making. At Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), the Planning Unit has encountered persistent challenges in consolidating reports from various academic and administrative units, leading to delays, inconsistencies, and limited capacity for effective governance and performance monitoring. To address these issues, this study developed the ASK-COT: An Executive Decision Support System for the Planning Unit of Aurora State College of Technology designed to streamline data submission, consolidation, and analysis, thereby improving compliance monitoring, strategic planning, and resource allocation.

ASK-COT was developed using the Phased Development Approach inspired by the Waterfall Model, ensuring a systematic process through requirements analysis, system design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance. The system incorporates modules for online report submission, compliance tracking, key performance indicator dashboards, and analytical tools that generate decision-support insights for institutional leaders.

The system’s quality was evaluated following the ISO/IEC 25010 software quality model, with assessments conducted by IT experts and key stakeholders. ASK-COT achieved the following mean scores across nine quality characteristics: Functional Suitability (3.73), Performance Efficiency (3.60), Compatibility (3.55), Interaction Capability (3.69), Reliability (3.73), Security (3.90), Maintainability (3.68), Flexibility (3.68), and Safety (3.66). Security obtained the highest rating, reflecting robust measures for data integrity and confidentiality. Functional Suitability and Reliability also received strong ratings, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in meeting user requirements and maintaining consistent performance.

Evaluation results affirm that ASK-COT meets high standards for functionality, usability, and security, enabling ASCOT’s Planning Unit to operate with greater efficiency and accuracy. Its implementation is expected to strengthen institutional governance, enhance performance monitoring, and support ASCOT’s readiness for university status. Furthermore, ASK-COT’s design and development process can serve as a replicable model for other higher education institutions seeking to adopt data-driven decision support solutions.

Tailoring Human Resource Policy in a Government Bank: Machine Learning Insights into Job Rotation, Resilience, and Adaptability in Nueva Ecija

Jian Carlo Rubio — 2025-12-30

This quantitative, descriptive study leverages machine learning, specifically agglomerative hierarchical clustering, to generate actionable insights into job rotation, resilience, and adaptability among 70 employees in a government bank in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Survey data from employees with job rotation experience across eleven branches were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Spearman correlations, with clustering techniques employed to segment the workforce. The clustering analysis tested various distance and linkage methods. While the Euclidean-average linkage combination achieved the highest cophenetic correlation coefficient, confirming its statistical validity, visual inspection favored the Euclidean-complete linkage method. This approach yielded five interpretable and diverse employee groups, supporting calls to balance quantitative cluster validity with qualitative interpretability. Key findings indicate that job rotation is generally associated with above-moderate resilience and adaptability. However, challenges related to geographic relocation were evident, with male employees reporting higher difficulty adjusting to new environments than females. Familial and contextual factors, specifically marital status, number of children, and residence-work location differences, positively correlated with both resilience and adaptability, highlighting their significant role in employee coping mechanisms. Furthermore, a strong positive relationship between resilience and adaptability was confirmed. Based from the cluster-specific insights, policy recommendations include developing structured job rotation programs, providing targeted commuter support, and implementing cluster-specific interventions to address group-specific needs, thereby optimizing organizational effectiveness and enhancing workforce well-being.

The The Changing Landscape of Life: Exploring the Influence of Technology on Community's Well-Being

JOHN CEDRIC PINEDA — 2025-12-30

This study determined the influence of technology on the lives of residents in Barangay Malasin. It used a qualitative design, employing interviews with a guided questionnaire as the main data gathering instrument. Twenty-five residents from Barangay Malasin served as participants, selected through purposive sampling. The study aimed to examine how technology affects interpersonal relationships, health, and mental well-being. Based on the study, the researchers used frequency and percentage to analyze data from the 25 participants from Barangay Malasin. The results showed that most participants were aged 15-19 and 25-29 years old, and that more female participants were involved in the interviews. Based on the results of the conducted study, it was found that most residents of Barangay Malasin, especially youth, have become highly dependent on technology in their daily lives. It was also discovered that the use of smartphones, internet, and social media has become an important part of young people's communication and way of living. Although technology brings convenience, such as faster communication, online learning, and stress relief, it still has effects on health, mental well-being, and face-to-face relationships. The results show that online interaction is slowly replacing in-person communication, which leads to the loss of deep connections with others. This study highlights the impact of technology on face-to-face interaction. It encourages residents, leaders, and youth to use technology wisely and in balance, as overuse may affect health, mental well-being, and relationships.

Adoption and Challenges of Agricultural Technology and Machinery: Insights from Farmers in Lupao, Nueva Ecija

Julius Jay Rodriguez — 2025-12-30

This study explores the adoption and challenges of agricultural technology and machinery among 100 smallholder farmers in Lupao, Nueva Ecija. A descriptive survey design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire to gather data on respondents’ demographic profiles, levels of awareness, extent of technology use, and the socio-economic, institutional, technological, environmental, and cultural factors influencing adoption. Findings reveal that most respondents are male, over 45 years old, with at least a high school education and extensive farming experience. Farms are generally under three hectares, and rice remains the predominant crop. Results further indicate that farmers exhibit substantial awareness of modern machinery, sustainable practices, and government support programs. Many integrate traditional and modern methods, often owning or renting machinery to complement their operations. Adoption of agricultural technology is shaped by factors such as cost, farm size, age, institutional support, ease of use, and climate variability. However, farmers continue to face barriers, including high investment costs, limited access to credit, low technical knowledge, inadequate facilities, policy constraints, and sociocultural resistance. These challenges restrict the full and efficient adoption of innovations. The study highlights the importance of strengthening agricultural extension services, creating accessible financial schemes, providing hands-on training, and improving rural infrastructure. It also emphasizes the role of inclusive policy-making and active community involvement in promoting technology adoption. It is recommended that government programs focus on targeted capacity-building and sustained support to enable smallholder farmers to maximize the benefits of modern agricultural technologies for resilient and sustainable farming.

Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Screening, and Antibacterial Activity of Wild Sampalok-Sampalukan (Moeroris amara) in Selected Barangays of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

Nazarene Pae Aquino — 2025-12-30

The global challenge of microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs has prompted the search for new agents from natural sources like medicinal plants. This study focuses on Moeroris amara, a traditional Indian medicinal plant, to assess its antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), common causes of skin and urinary tract infections, respectively. Samples were collected from Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, and ethanol (95%) was used to extract the plant components. Proximate analysis determined the nutritional composition, while phytochemical screening assessed Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). Disk diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial activity. The analysis revealed Moeroris amara leaves contain 7.6% ash, 5.4% crude fat, 15.0% crude fiber, 13.6% moisture and 19.30% crude protein, suggesting potential health benefits. High levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were found, with TPC at 260.65 mg GAE/g and TFC at 193.65 mg RHE/g. The ethanolic leaf extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against both bacterial strains. In conclusion, M. amara shows promise as a natural source for antimicrobial agents due to its significant nutritional and antibacterial properties. Its high phenolic and flavonoid content contribute to antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Further research is recommended to explore its potential as functional foods and natural antimicrobial agents.