9

RESEARCH 1
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Research Problem
Research 1 – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Research Problem
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim

Editor:Salvacion F. Dagdag
Reviewer: Eloisa T. San Juan, EdD
Illustrator: Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim
Layout Artist: Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim
Cover Design: Emmanuel S. Gimena Jr.

Management Team:
Schools Division Superintendent : Romeo M. Alip, PhD, CESO V
Asst. Schools Division Superintendent : Rolando M. Fronda, EdD, CESE
Chief Education Supervisor, CID : Milagros M. Peñaflor, PhD
Education Program Supervisor, LRMDS : Edgar E. Garcia, MITE
Education Program Supervisor, AP/ADM : Romeo M. Layug
Education Program Supervisor, Science : Edwin Riel R. Bermillo, EdD
District Supervisor, Assigned Subject : Minerva P. Rillo, EdD
District LRMDS Coordinator, Assigned Subject: Yannie Vanessa C. Enriquez
School LRMDS Coordinator, Assigned Subject: Rose Anne P. Pangilinan
School Principal, Assigned Subject : Mercelita D. Diwa
Lead Layout Artist, Research 1 : Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim
Lead Illustrator, Research 1 : Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim
Lead Evaluator, Research 1 : Salvacion F. Dagdag

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Schools Division of Bataan

Office Address: Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan
Telefax: (047) 237-2102
E-mail Address: bataan@deped.gov.ph
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Research 1
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Research Problem
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Research 1- Grade 9 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Research Problem!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators,

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Research 1- Grade 9 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Research Problem!

The research problem is considered as the heart of a research study. It comprises

of question that a researcher needs to answer or a problem that needs a solution. It
should be clear with definite statement from the area of investigation or study and
provided by a concrete evidence. The success of a research study depends on how
the researcher formulated or evaluated the selected research problem.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn
during the module.
This part includes an activity that aims to
What I Know check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways, such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of
What is It the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent
What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.
This section provides an activity which will
help you transfer your new knowledge or

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 What I Can Do skill into real life situations or concerns.

This is a task which aims to evaluate your

Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
In this portion, another activity will be given
Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.
This contains answers to all activities in the
Answer Key module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put an unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This research module is designed and written to help you understand the
characteristics and components of a research problem. It also guides you on how to
formulate and evaluate a powerful researchable topic.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the different sources of research problem;
2. discuss the characteristics and components of a research problem;
3. identify possible research problems; and
2. formulate and evaluate a research problem.

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 What I Know

I. All four pictures in each given set are connected by one common word that is
related to Research Problem. In a given box, clues are provided to easily identify the
expected answer which will be written in your activity notebook/worksheet.

1.

What’s the word?

SOURCES
https:// www.pexels.com/search/books/https://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/
waterfalls/
australia-hopetoun-falls/

https:// www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/https://steemit.com/art/
@nazimuddin/
protein-and-carbs-get-balance-right how-to-draw-village-scenery

2.

What’s the word?

primary-vs-secondary-sources-86420018
https://
submit-photos-magazine/ LITERATURE
www.slideshare.net/NSULibraries/https://www.photoworkout.com/

https://www.pexels.com/search/books///www.vernonmorningstar.com/business/
black-press-newspapers-adapt-to-covid-19-impact/

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3.

What’s the word?

https:// www.gshock.com/watches/ https://silkn.ca/blogs/home/
digital/gmwb5000-1 T I M E L Yeffects-of-sun-exposure-on-
skin

https:// www.pylones.com/en/alarm-clock/ https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-

free- vector/
1839_3612_colortime-alarm-clock-pink.html and-hourglass-clock-vector-24560532

4.
What’s the word?
TESTABLE

https://www.xifin.com/news/events/https://atslab.com/electrical-testing/
precision-medicine-webinar

5.

What’s the word?

https://study.com/academy/lesson/https://ww.shutterstock.com/search/
spiral-curriculum-definition-example.html woman+on+weighing+scale
VARIABLES

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https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/http://magazine.greenhousemag.com/article/july
bmi/childrens_bmi/measuring_children.html /2020-structures-guide-5-tips-for-temperature-
control-in-your-growing-environment.aspx

II. Arrange the steps in formulating a research problem to answer the question
from the situation by assigning numbers 1-7 in the given boxes below. Write the
answer in your activity notebook/worksheet.

Suppose you want to conduct a study on the relationship between fertility and
mortality, what are the best steps to follow?

Assessment of Identification of Formulation of Reviewing the

the formulated the Problem questions area of interest,
objectives objectives,
resources and
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1 4 expertise

Formulation of Narrowing or Selection of the

Objectives Dissecting of the variables
topic
2
5 3

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Lesson

3 Research Problem

A research problem can be identified if the researcher already understands the

research process. The steps in the research process are similar to the steps in
scientific method. This method is very essential especially in solving a science
related problems. To solve those problems, a researcher must possess some
process skills that scientists use in the process of doing experiments.

What’s In

A. These are the different science process skills used in doing some investigations.
Unscramble the letters to reveal them. Write the answer in your activity
notebook/worksheet.

1. VEINGROBS OBSERVING

2. EDICTPRING PREDICTING

3. PEERXINMETING EXPERIMENTING

4. RETNGITERPIN INTERPRETING

5. UNICOMMINGCAT COMMUNICATING

B. Write the first letter of the word from the answers above to complete the given
sentence.

_O_nce the _P_roblem has been _E_stablished, _I_t follows a Coherent output.

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 Drawing ng
isangbatanglalaki (full body) paa
nakashorts

May arrows nanakaturo on

the following parts

1. balikat
2. siko
3. bywang
4. tuhod
5. paa

Aalisinna ang box po neh.

Thanks.

Notes to the Teacher

This module is prepared for students to have a thorough
understanding on the characteristics and components of a research
problem and helped them analyze the process on formulation and
evaluation of a workable research topic.

What’s New

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 https://www.globalnoticeboard.com/fullstory.php?q=5821-water-pollution-in-india-causes-effects-and-solutions

In the given picture above, what do you think are the possible problems that you
may encounter? Have you experienced those circumstances? Can we use this
picture as a source in creating a researchable topic? How?

What is It

A research problem refers to any clear and definite statement or expression

regarding the chosen field of interest, a condition to be eliminated or a troubling
question present in a theory, literature and in practice that needs a thorough
investigation. The direction of the research study depends on how the researcher
addressed the problem.

Sources of Research Problem

Most sources of researchable problems come from real life experiences in different
setting such as personal or practical like in schools, offices, environment, peers,
organization, homes, clinics or hospitals or in any part of the community. Another
way is through reading or reviewing literature, reports or databases from your field
of interest. Sometimes in the recommendation section present in doctoral
dissertations, journal articles and past researches can also provide a researchable
problem.

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Characteristics of Research Problem

An effective research problem must have the following characteristics:

1. It reflects on important issues or needs.
2. It is based on factual evidence.
3. It has to be manageable and relevant.
4. It suggests a testable and meaningful hypothesis.

Components of Research Problem

It is important that after understanding the characteristics of a research problem,

the researcher must now analyze some important details which will serve as his
guide to formulate a testable research topic. The following are the components of
research problem which a researcher must consider in choosing a researchable
problem.
1. The research problem must be relevant.
2. The objectives must be attainable.
3. The variables must be defined operationally.
4. The scope, limitations and delimitation of the study must be considered and
given emphasis.

Identification of Research Problem

After understanding the characteristics and components of a research problem, the

researcher should now identify a topic or problem for his research study. An
identified problem will keep the researcher focused on the entire research process.
The given figure shows the steps on how to identify a research problem.

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There are criteria to be used to easily dissect a broad area into sub-area and judge
the success of a research problem. These are very useful to the researcher to decide
on what particular study to pursue. In Table 1, it shows the criteria to assist the
investigator in choosing a researchable topic.

Table 1. Criteria in Selecting a Research Problem

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 CRITERIA

1. Is the problem interesting?

2. Is the produced research problem provided a solution to the socioeconomic

issue?

3. Will the research generate new information?

4. Is the research novel?

5. Do I have enough skills or knowledge to investigate a certain problem or can I

acquire them within the set time?

6. Is the research feasible in terms of:

a. The time required to finish the research?

b. The expense involved in conducting the research?

c. Availability of materials for experimentation?

d. Accessibility of materials for experimentation?

e. Risks and hazards involved in conducting the experiment?

7. Is the research reproducible?

Based on the researchers’ answers on the given criteria above, he will be able to
decide if he will pursue the created research problem or find a new one.

Formulation of Research Problem

Understanding of what a research problem is and how to identify it, is the first
thing that a researcher must do. Remember that a research problem serves as the
driving fuel and the foundation of the study or investigation. The success of the
entire scientific process depends on how the research problem is created and also
formulated. Consider these five methods on how to formulate a quality and
powerful research problem.

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1. Make your Research Objectives specific.
All objectives must be defined and stated clearly for you to conduct and create an
effective and significant study. They are the indicators of your success and consider
as your guide in order for you to keep on the right track.

2. Assess or review the context or environment variables

All kinds of environmental variables must be defined and tested to make your
research study successful. Through reviewing, it will help you to find out if the
important findings will give you enough data which is worth considering for your
study. There are instances that some environmental variables can affect the study.
With this, the researcher can find ways on how to control them.

3. Explore its nature

A research problem can be categorized from simple to complex. The range of
variables and their relationships depends on this. The researcher must understand
the nature of a research problem. A deep understanding of this will help the
researcher to identify a relevant variable, provide a better insight and develop an
effective solution to a given problem.

4. Determine the relationships between the given variables

Researcher sometimes did not focus or pay attention to the variables’ relationships
which later on can affect the possible solution to the research problem. As much as
possible that during the formulation stage, the researcher must gather as many
variable relationships as he can. In this way, he can choose the most critical
variable/s for a solution to the existing problem.

5. Be ready for the possible consequences if using an alternative approaches.

In conducting a research study, there are different approaches an investigator
can utilize. Being a responsible researcher, your primary goal is to anticipate the
possible consequences or outcomes of using them particularly in the research
process.

Evaluation of Research Problem

After formulating your research problem, the next step is to evaluate it to ensure
that it is suitable for research. Evaluating a research problem should be based on
the following: literature, significance, timeliness, novelty, specific and researchable.
A well evaluated research problem can achieve a high success rate.

❖ The research problem must be supported by a literature.

A credible literatures from different past studies will be the basis of a strong
research problem. Even though you already recognized or formulated a
problem still you will be needing some evidences to support it. These
evidences may come from the literatures or recommendations of different

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 related studies. Through this, you are showing the support of other
researchers to this problem and pointing out that there is a need in
conducting this research in order to address the problem.

❖ It must be significant.
Always remember that your research problem must have a positive impact
on your chosen field. Be sure that the result of your investigation is deemed
significant or beneficial to the following entities that you had chosen.

❖ The research problem must be timely.

The formulated research problem should be related to the present situation
or issue. A researcher must prioritize recent problems encountered or
experienced.

❖ The research problem must be in the novelty.

Novelty refers to the newness of the problem in the field of inquiry. The
created problem must be unique or original and it is used to address a gap
in our knowledge or application.

❖ It must be specific.
There must be specificity or preciseness on the research problem. There is a
need to specify it to be able to set the direction of the study, formulate
research questions, and know the suitable research method or design for the
study.

❖ It must be researchable.
Research problem must follow the steps and processes involved in a
scientific way to reach the target result. It only means that the above
mentioned characteristics are useless if the problem is not researchable. A
researcher must solve the problem based on his abilities and available
resources which includes the different research sites.

For example, in a classroom situation regarding gender equality, what is the

role of the teacher on this? A researcher must focus on the role of the
teachers about gender equality on this research study. The research
question must be the basis of his investigation.
Always remember that every research starts from the identification of a
problem and ends with a particular solution which eventually creates a
problem for other research.

To show how to formulate a research problem, let us consider the given

example below.
Suppose you want to conduct a study about alcoholism. In formulating your
research problem follow these steps.

1. Identify the problem

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 ● Alcoholism

2. Narrowing/Dissecting the Problem

● Profile of alcoholics
● Causes and effects of alcoholism
● The process of becoming an alcoholic
● Community attitudes towards alcoholism
● The effectiveness of a treatment model

3. Selecting of a Researchable Topic/Problem

● Effects of Alcoholism on the Family

4. Possible Questions

● What impact has alcoholism on marital relations?

● Which facet of children’s lives is most affected?
● What are the effects of this to the family financial status?

5. Formulating of Objectives

● General Objective
– To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family
● Specific Objectives
- To discover the impact of alcoholism on marital relations
- To determine in which aspect in children’s lives is most affected by
alcoholism
- To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family’s financial status

6. Make sure to assess the objectives based on:

● The work involved

● Availability of your time
● Capacity of your financial resources
● Expertise in the chosen field/study

7. Recheck the following:

● Interest in the study

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● Satisfaction with the objectives
● Enough time for the study
● Adequacy of resources
● Have the technical expertise or experts’ support to undertake the
study

What’s More

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Word Hunt. Find fifteen (15) words that you may consider in preparing a Research
Problem from the given list then encircle them. They may read in any direction.
Write the answer in your activity notebook/worksheet.

A C E R E L B AA T SS E T D

E R N O V E L TT Y E E T I

L E N V I R O T I C S N S

B SS O C I A L A C N T A S

A OO B J E C T II V EE S C E

H U R R A Y F N V I B I R

C R I T E I N AA I RR E F T

R C H I C O R B E E S I A

A E R E N I E LL S P I N T

E S P R A Y E E L X O G I

S S U B E V E D R E N I O

E O L P AA R T I C L E SS N

R E I N C R I T E R I A A

S N T E R U T A R E T I L

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 What I Have Learned

I. Fill in the blank by supplying a necessary word to complete the statements in

each paragraph. Write the answers in your activity notebook/worksheet.

A research problem is considered as the ______ of a research study. It guides the

researcher on the _____ track. It also serves as a driving ______ to attain its goal in
any investigation.

There are things to take into considerations to produce a ________ research

problem. A researcher must understand the __________ and components of the
research problem as well as the _________ on how to formulate it. In identifying and
evaluating a possible problem, he needs to consider the ________ in selecting a
research topic to ensure a high success rate in doing the investigation.

II. Based on the given picture below, identify at least three researchable problems
and write them in your activity notebook/worksheet.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/irving-says-it-will-spend-38m-to-modernize-sawmills-in-n-b-1.1729620

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 What I Can Do

A. Based on the criteria for selecting a research problem, which of the following
topics are feasible to be undertaken by a student researcher? Copy them in your
activity notebook /worksheet, then put a check (⁄) on the given box if the topic is
possible.

1. The Effects of Parent Unemployment on their Children’s Attitude Towards

Schoolwork

2. Absence of an irrigation system in the farm of all Agricultural

Municipalities in Bataan

3. The Effects of Temperature in Drying of Fish

4. Lack of Sewerage System in Different Food Chains in the Country

5. The Cooling Effect of Temperature, Humidity and Air Movement on Human

Skin

B. Choose one topic from your answer in part A, then create some steps on how to
come up with that chosen researchable problem. Follow the given sample steps
on how to formulate a research problem from the above discussion. Answers will
be written in your activity notebook/worksheet.

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 Assessment

I. Identify the following statements. Write the answers in your activity notebook/
worksheet.

1. It is an unproven statement or proposition about a certain factor or phenomena

which needs to verify.

2. It is considered as the heart of a research study.

3. It is a standard or selection by which something can be judged of decided.

4. It is the goal or aim of one’s efforts or actions.

5. It is a collection of published written works or materials on a particular area of

research or topic.

II. Modified True or False. Write True, if the statement is correct and False, if it is
wrong and then copy the word that makes the statement incorrect. Write the
answers in your activity notebook/worksheet.

1. A research problem must have a positive impact on the chosen field of the
researcher.

2. All research objectives must be well defined and stated clearly to have a high
success rate.

3. A researcher must be inconsiderate on giving emphasis on the scope and

limitations of the study.

4. An effective research problem must be based on factual evidences.

5. Past researches can not also provide a researchable problem.

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III. Formulate a research problem in the given situations. Write the answers in your
activity notebook/worksheet. (3pts. each)

1. An investigation was conducted on the effect of formalin-treated eggplants and

tomatoes in thirty (30) mice. Abnormalities particularly lesions in the liver of the
experimental and control mice were subjected to analysis.

2. Protein precipitation using salt, organic solvents, acids, and bases are being
studied as various ways of preparing protein concentrate from hyacinth beans.

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 Additional Activities

Fill in a word to complete the crossword puzzle. Use the provided clues below and
write the answer in your activity notebook/worksheet.

1 2 3
X E R I E C E S
E P N
4
L R O
I O V
5 6 7 8 9
T S T A B L E E S O U R E S
E R C
E X P L L R
10 11
R P E E T R T I C L E S
S A
12
A E C I M E L Y Y T
T
13
T R I A I S S E C T
D
14
U T F E S E A R C H R
R
15
R I C A R I A B L E
V
E C H A

DOWN
ACROSS
2. question or difficulty that needs
1. something that happens to to be solved
somebody
3. something new or original
5. capable of being proven true or
false 4. refers to books or writings
published on a particular subject
8. materials or assets that can be
drawn by a person in order to 6. a person who has a
function effectively comprehensive and authoritative
knowledge of or skill in a particular
11. a piece of writing included with area
others in a newspaper, magazine,
or other publication 7. clearly defined or identified

12. happens at present situation 9. a principle or standard by which

something may be judged or
13. analyze in minute detail decided
14. creation of new knowledge from 20 10. try to find something by looking
the existing one or otherwise seeking carefully and
15. subject to variation or changes thoroughly
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22
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 References

Cristobal, A. and Cristobal, M., 2017. Practical Research 1 For Senior High School.
1st ed. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc., pp.44-47.

Caintic, H. and Cruz, J., 2008. Scientific Research Manual. 1st ed. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc., pp.7-16.

Mansureh, Kebritchi. "How To Identify An Appropriate Research

Problem". Phoenix.Edu, 2017. https://research.phoenix.edu/blog/how-identify-
appropriate-research-problem.

McCombes, Shona. "How To Define Your Research Problem". Scribbr.Com, 2019.

https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-problem/.

 Polluted Environment. Image. Accessed 18 June 2020.

https://www.globalnoticeboard.com/fullstory.php?q=5821-water-pollution-in-
india-causes-effects-and-solutions.

 Polluted Environment. Image. Accessed 18 June 2020.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/irving-says-it-will-spend-38m-to-modernize-sawmills-
in-n-b-1.1729620.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III,

Schools Division of Bataan - Curriculum Implementation Division
Learning Resources Management and Development Section (LRMDS)

Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan

Telefax: (047) 237-2102

Email Address: bataan@deped.gov.ph