ECOLOGICAL CHANGES OF ENVIRONMENT AND ITS EFFECT TO

LOCAL BUSINESSES DURING PANDEMIC

A Thesis
Presented to the
FACULTY OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
BOHOL WISDOM SCHOOL
TAGBILARAN CITY

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in
Practical Research 2

ALAGON, BRENT ANDREI A.

ESTOQUIA, KYLE ALDRICH J.

LUCERO, CHARLES JOSEF C.

SUAREZ, EOUAN ZEIGH V.

APRIL 2022

Chapter 1
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

In today’s era of globalization, we are faced with a

lot of societal upheavals, including dilemmas pertaining to

the environment. The earth is now suffering from innumerable

afflictions at present caused by egregious human activities

that relentlessly denuding the environment. The challenge

for everybody is to take the wheel of action and move

towards a common cause in preserving life on earth. The

growing concern with environmental issues and their impact

on general.

Climate change, rapid urbanization, and population

growth drives water scarcity worldwide. A study conducted by

the World Resources Institute predicts that Philippines will

experience a 'high' degree of water shortage by the year

2040. The country ranked 57th likely most water stressed

country in 2040 out of 167 countries.

The sector that will bear the brunt of water shortage

by that year is agriculture, a major component of the

country’s economy and which currently employs 22.86% of the

country's workforce. Climate change significantly increase

smallholder vulnerability, resulting in loss of livelihoods,

financial assets, agricultural yield and the worsening of

debt problems. As such, they tend to farm in smaller plots,

work shorter hours or limit farming to cash crops.

And so, the researchers aimed to conduct this study in

order to provide relevant data on ecological changes and how

it affects local businesses. Understanding the relevance of

ecological changes to local businesses especially during the

pandemic provides us with a perceptive knowledge conserving

the environment and economy. Hopefully inciting us with a

form of a cohesive economic and ecological understanding,

improving future businesses, the environment and our way of

living.

Literature Background

There are many environmental changes have occurred in

Bohol, causing problems for local businesses. Since the

beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses are having a

hard time on how to still manage their business in the

ongoing pandemic, businesses have had difficulty staying in

business with an ongoing pandemic. In particular, local and

small businesses struggling with what to do or can do to

maintain their business without bankruptcy.

 The study is anchored on Nickels & McHugh’s Theory of

Business Environment (2016), Najafi & Ardalan’s Theory of

Planned Behavior and Disaster Preparedness (2017).

Nickels & McHugh’s Theory of Business Environment

(2016) emphasized that a business can only run effectively

and efficiently in a healthy and happy atmosphere. The

business environment is made up of aspects that either aid

or impede the growth of enterprises, and this can only

happen if the factors that surround the environment are

taken into account.

The global or general external business environment is

more long-term oriented and can only have an indirect impact

on the firm. It is mainly made up of technological, social,

competitive, economic, and legal aspects that can influence

a company's performance.

Najafi and Ardalan’s Theory of Planned Behavior and

Disaster Preparedness (2017) highlights that preparedness as

activities taken to guarantee that the resources needed to

respond effectively are available before to a disaster or

can be obtained quickly if needed. Preparations and changes

such as storing food and water, creating a family emergency

plan, assembling an emergency pack, and other activities

that lower the chance of harm and damage

Nickels & McHugh’s Republic Act No. 10121
Theory of Business Otherwise known as an
Environment Business act Strengthening the
can only run Philippine Disaster
effectively and Risk Reduction and
efficiently in a Management System.
healthy and happy
Republic Act No. 7394
atmosphere (Nickels &
McHugh, 2016). Otherwise known as
Consumer Act of the
Najafi and Ardalan’s
Philippines protects
Theory of Planned the interest of the
Behavior and Disaster consumer, promote his
Preparedness general welfare and
___
Preparedness and to establish
emergency plan (Mehdi standards of conduct
Najafi and Ali for business and
Ardalan 2017). industry.
Tyndall’s
Greenhouse Theory
Restored to
equilibrium by
warming and cooling
(John Tyndall 2016).

Business Owners

Ecological Changes Effects on Local Businesses

Proposed Improvement Program

 Figure 1. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

are all examples of disaster preparedness.

Because disaster preparedness is really a health-

protective behavior, behavioral techniques have taken center

stage as a means of achieving it. Despite the fact that

disasters affect hundreds of thousands of people every year

without notice, most people do not prepare until tragedy

strikes.

Tyndall’s the Greenhouse Theory (2016) states that the

greenhouse theory of climate change, the climate system will

be restored to equilibrium by a warming of the surface-

troposphere system and a cooling of the stratosphere. The

predicted changes, during the next few decades, could far

exceed natural climate variations in historical times.

Hence, the greenhouse theory of climate change has

reached the crucial stage of verification. Surface warming

as large as that predicted by models would be unprecedented

during an interglacial period such as the present. The

theory, its scope for verification, and the emerging

complexities of the climate feedback mechanisms are

discussed.
 Republic Act No. 10121 provides a comprehensive, all-

hazard, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community-based

approach to disaster risk management through the formulation

of the National Disaster Risk Management Framework.

Republic Act No. 7394 otherwise known as Consumer Act

of the Philippines protects the interest of the consumers in

the Philippines, promote their general welfare, and

establish standards of conduct for business and industry.

And so, the researchers decided to conduct this study

with a goal of understanding and analyzing the wide spread

effects of the pandemic to local businesses in contrast to

the environment and how it correlates to one another,

hopefully inciting us with a form of a cohesive economic and

ecological understanding, improving future businesses, the

environment and our way of living.

A complete overview of plant soil interactions in a

climate affected by greenhouse gas emissions and organic

carbon. It presented approaches and managements strategies

for the stabilization of soil organic matter. The latest in

the respected Footprints of Climate Variability on Plant

Diversity series, this book enhances the reader’s knowledge

of the preservation of organic matter through microbial

approaches as well as through soil and plant interactions.

Written by teams of specialist scientists, it presents

research outcomes, practical applications and future

challenges for this important field (Shah et al., 2021).

Livelihood transitions in most agricultural nations are

conditioned by changes in both human and climate systems. In

the Philippines, climate change related extreme weather

events such as typhoons, floods, and droughts have

detrimental impacts on crop production and have

significantly affected the livelihoods of cash crop focused

rural villages. A shift from crop to livestock production is

emerging as a buffer activity to recover from crop losses;

however, whether this adaptive response is viable is still

unexplored. The aim of this study is to understand how

farmers perceive water buffalo as a transformative

opportunity and how they use water buffalo in the adaptation

process to sustain their livelihoods when the climate

becomes more volatile (Jacquelyn et al., 2019).

Smallholder farmers embodied market food security and

food sovereignty discourses in their agricultural practices,

and how these discourses prevent new forms of agriculture

from developing given socio-political and institutional

rigidity. A human ecology systems framework is used to

analyses semi-structured interviews with 39 coconut

producing smallholder farmers from Leyte, The Philippines.

The results document how smallholders perceive market food

security discourse as the main way out of food insecure

situations, and thus continue to seek institutional support

for maintaining a coconut based agricultural system. Farmers

also perceive elements of the food sovereignty discourse,

notably decision-making agency and agricultural

diversification, as parallel strategies to improve their

food security (Federico et al., 2020).

The reef fisheries in the Philippines are highly

affected by various anthropogenic stressors including

climate change, marine pollution and fish depletion arising

from overfishing. There is a need for continuous monitoring

of the fisheries to identify relevant factors that influence

the economic and ecological vulnerability of fishers

concerning climate change impacts (Edison et al., 2020).

The impact of climate change on marine capture

fisheries in the Philippines using a computable general

equilibrium (CGE) model to elaborate and project impacts on

the national economy. In the simulation, one baseline

scenario and two climate change scenarios based on

greenhouse gas concentration—RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5—were

considered. The model focuses on Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) and income distribution by region, which can represent

economic conditions in terms of economic growth and

distribution (Darren et al., 2020).

The COVID-19 crisis brought major disruptions to the

Philippine economy as growth, employment, and overall

productivity fell into recession levels along with the

declaration of a nationwide lockdown. As the pandemic

resulted in a series of business closures, supply chain

breakdowns, and massive job cuts, the private sector was

forced to confront the challenges brought by the pandemic

including its threat to business continuity and survival.

The private sector's assessment of the pandemic's

impact on the Philippine economy along with their views on

the national pandemic response and the extent of public-

private collaborations in countering the effects of COVID-

19. Following the insights and experiences shared by

industry leaders and other corporate executives, this

article also discusses pivots in corporate strategy along

with a significant shift in corporate mindset toward new

ways of doing business and fulfilling their responsibilities

in society (Lara et al., 2021).

The pandemic offers a unique opportunity to rethink and

innovate strategies to transform MICE tourism. Anchored on

the value-chain and stakeholder theories, this paper argues

that recommendations from stakeholders are critical as the

industry pivots into the new normal. Using primary and

secondary data, the study reveals that the barriers include

limited MICE infrastructure, intermittent internet

connectivity, and non-targeted marketing campaigns.

On the other hand, the study shows that the Philippines

can leverage on its human resources, authentic tourism

products, and opportunities for strong collaboration.

Although the respondents were limited to a panel of industry

experts, the results of this exploratory research resonate

with similar studies. Further empirical studies may reveal

its feasibility for sustained growth and development in a

post-COVID-19 MICE tourism landscape. Moreover, the pandemic

may provide the impetus to further strengthen the

collaboration and partnership between stakeholders across

the MICE value chain (Maria et al., 2021).

Covid-19 on Ilocos businesses and establishments. The

study participants were the owners of micro, small and

medium businesses in Ilocos Norte, and they were selected

using a convenience sampling technique. The study employed a

quantitative research design, and the entrepreneurs were

asked about the perceived impact of Covid-19. Using

descriptive statistics, the findings divulged that the

impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the businesses ranged

from retrenchment of employees, disruption in the supply

chain, and temporary to permanent shutdown. The impact of

the pandemic includes uncertainties, the decline in

productivity, demand, and sales. Implications, conclusions,

and recommendations were also provided in the study (Eric et

al., 2021).

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

This research focuses on the significance of the

ecosystem to local business and how the pandemic has

affected both ends. Its purpose to redefine the relationship

of the economy and the natural environment and create a

better relationship of local businesses and the ecosystem.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the following

questions:

1. What is the respondents’ profile in terms of:

1.1 age;

1.2 gender;

1.3 focus in business; and

1.4 number of years in business?

2. What is the respondents’ perception on the ecological

changes?

3. What are the respondents’ responses on the effect of

local businesses?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the

perception on ecological changes and effects on local

businesses?

5. What improvement program can be proposed based on the

findings of this study?

Statement of Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between the

perception on ecological changes and effect on local

businesses.

Significance of the Study

As much as the study's conclusions may provide

information and insights from the factual data and raw

materials gathered by the researchers, it is thought that

this study is beneficial to the following.

Local Businesses Owners. Through that study, provincial

business proprietors wished be prepared in conformity with

manage their commercial enterprise or choice comprehend such

as to do of system because them to not bear a difficult age

flourishing in their enterprise in the course of the

pandemic

Costumers. This study benefited the consumers if the

atmosphere was endowed high quality local businesses may

flourish having much better-quality products that may

attract

more consumers and develop our own economy. Costumers may

also benefited simply by obtaining high quality items with

affordable offers.

Present Researchers. The researchers can get valuable

information about ecological changes and their impact on

local businesses.

Future Researchers. This study will future researchers

who are interested in the study by providing them with extra

information to add and support for the study's improvement.

Community. This study helped the community considering

that it can give significance for the local businesses in

which often could make their location very reliable

regarding the costumers.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Design
 To be able to collect empirical data, researchers will

utilize a descriptive surveys design as the primary tool for

gathering and collecting information through surveys which

will be used to gather information concerning the Ecological

Changes of Environment and its Effect to Local Businesses

during Pandemic towards the Local business owners. Such

information will be subjected to careful analysis and

interpretation.

Environment and Respondents

The environment were the local businesses at public

markets, which are typically home to local businesses and

small businesses and were always busy and crowded before the

pandemic began, and so far. one of the busiest places not

safe for customers. during the pandemic.

The respondents of the topic were local business owners.

Potential respondents didn’t relate it is concluded that

these local business owners are highly affected during the

pandemic for the past 3 years, it is recommended to create a

development plan which can help the local business owners.

Instrument

The researchers used a self-made questionnaire

concerning different aspects of local business owners on

perception and knowledge in relation to the ecological

changes and how it affected the business. It consistedd of

two parts; the first set of questions are topics concerning

ecological changes and the second set are about its effects

to local businesses.

The bases are formulated from the factors belonging

under the variables of the study as stated previously, and

on the knowledge and experiences of the researchers on

ecological changes and local businesses.

The instrument used a Likert Scale form questionnaire

which askes the respondents if they strongly agree, agree,

neutral, disagree or strongly disagree. The researcher’s

bases were relevant questions factored from the respondent’s

perception on ecological change and its relation to local

businesses concerning: their perception on ecological

change, their response on the effects to local businesses,

significant relationships between ecological changes and

effects to local businesses, and proposed improvement

programs from the study.

As a precursor to the main descriptive study on the

respondent’s perception on ecological changes and local

businesses, the researchers conducted a pilot testing to

determine the feasibility of using a survey questionnaire.

They will survey 10 respondents working or owning a local

business in Tagbilaran, Dao public market for pilot testing.

Data Gathering Procedure 

Before distributing the survey questionnaires to

respondents, the researchers first obtaiedn their advisor's

permission by submitting a solicited letter, which is

commented on by the research advisor and the principal of

the Bohol Wisdom School. Once the letters were approved, the

researcher will administer their survey. 

     In addition, respondents answered truthfully and are

assured that their answers were treated confidentially.

Data Analysis
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

To ensure proper comprehensibility of the study, the

following terms are defined according to how they are used.

Ecological changes. This refers to the major changes in

the environment that can affect organisms and their

livelihood.

Local business. It refers to a simple and/or small

establishment that sells products native to the area.

Pandemic. It refers to a wide spread issue mainly a

disease that affects lives and business.

Perspective. It refers to the understanding or

knowledge on the topic at hand.