Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the discussion of the review and related literature and

studies, synthesis of the review of related literature and studies, gaps bridged by the

study, and the conceptual framework of the study.

Related literature

The purpose of this article by Barba, Galapon, & Penaloza, (2020) is to provide a

comprehensive review on the various methods of fiber-based polymer composites preparation as

well as their applications, particularly focusing on abaca-reinforced hybrid materials. Among the

natural fibers available in the market, abaca fiber has been a major contender in the development

of natural fiber composites. It has a great potential to be a renewable fiber source for industrial

and technological applications owing to its inherent high mechanical strength, durability,

flexibility, and long fiber length. Impacts of different treatment strategies of abaca-based

composites preparation resulting in property enhancements over bare polymer counterparts and

that of synthetic fibers are discussed.

Erickson Salazar and Andrea Moralaes (2023) argued that being newly renowned as the

Abaca Capital of the Philippines, Catanduanes must ensure the sustainability of producing

quality abaca fibers for the province's economic growth. Farming factors hold immense weight

in the end production of any plant and with the great unpredictability brought by the province's
uncontrolled abaca plantation environments and onslaught of typhoons, producing quality abaca

yields pose quite a challenge to its farmers. This study likewise presents results of the developed

framework's evaluation by pre-determined stakeholders and technical experts to identify the level

of feasibility, viability, and desirability of its development and implementation in Virac,

Catanduanes.

And, according to Campana, Narit, Guerrero, & Parac, (2024) the land area suitable for

abaca exhibited a trend toward a minor decrease in some of the different climate change

scenarios. However, the suitable land area increased when compared to the current period.

Maxent species distribution models are a valuable tool for predicting how climate change would

affect the spread of abaca species.

On the other hand, Calica, Galapon, & Macaranas, (2024) states that abaca fiber outputs

were in low quality thus, farmers received low price and consequently low income so women in

the community were engaged into value adding activities to augment their family income.

Moreover, Mary Cris F. PLEÑOS (2002) emphasized that the local government units

must conduct proper monitoring on the buying prices of abaca fiber, improved extension services

must be made available, provision of incentives and partnerships must be strengthened to

enhance the quantity of abaca fiber production in the region.

Additionally, Daarol, Pepito, Polancos, & Sambong, (2023) argued that the production of

abaca and pineapple leaf fiber increased as time passed by. However, applying these fibers is

limited and needs further studies to be efficiently utilized.

In addition, there have been efforts in combining Abaca fibers to existing mixture of

synthetic composites to improve its mechanical properties and environmental performance. The
future of Abaca is seen as one of the potent sources of reinforcing fiber for various material

construction including aerospace materials.

Furthermore, according to Bacarra-Tablante & Sabusap, (2021) the abaca fiber produced

is classified as a good cleaning with grades of I, G, and H. It has an average strand thickness of

0.55 mm to 0.70 mm, has a medium soft texture, and is marketable at P95.00 to P115.00. The

machine has a recorded maximum daily capacity of 12 kg dried abaca fiber output by women

operation and 43.2 kg by men operation. As perceived by 30 abaca farmers, 11 females and 19

males, it is gender-responsive and user-friendly.

Also, M.N. Eroy, (2012) states that Abaca is a highly suitable intercrop for coconut and

coconut areas could be used as expansion areas for growing the crop. Profitability of abaca

farming under coconut is influenced by the variety used. Some drawbacks in abaca farming and

good practices are discussed.

Milosevic, Dzunic, Valasek, Mitrovic, & Ruggiero, (2022) experimental results indicated

that the presence of abaca fiber significantly improved the wear characteristics of the matrix. An

increased coefficient of friction was observed in samples with anti-parallel-oriented fibers at an

applied load of 35 N. The conducted research shows that the use of abaca fibers as fillers could

improve the tribological characteristics of the epoxy resin-based composite material.

Related Studies

Several previous related studies were reviewed are presented and discussed in this section. Such

studies served as the bedrock for this present studies.

 The purpose of the study by Victor Waller (2018) to do a broad map out of the abaca

industry in the Philippines. Furthermore, the study aims to provide an overview of the abaca

industry as a tool for finding ways to optimize the fiber production and to find suggestions on

how to make a bigger share of the profit from the abaca products to stay by the farmers in the

Philippines.

Jan grenz (2012) studies how abaca is both an important secondary income source of

households with lowland farms, and frequently the only source of cash income of the poorest

households in the community. The implications of abaca’s niche in the village economy, on

increasing production of the crop, are discussed.

Belen M.Tapado and Thelma D. Palaoag (2018) investigated the inspiration from the

desire to help sustain and boost the production of abaca in Catanduanes being the topmost abaca

producing province in the Philippines through an information campaign in a website with the

application of data visualization tools and techniques.

However, Mary Cris F. PLEÑOS (2002) examines the production of abaca fiber in the

Eastern Visayas region. The buying prices of abaca fiber and the agricultural land area planted

with abaca were also assessed. Natural disasters like typhoons and the bunchy top virus damaged

the abaca fiber production. The agricultural land area cultivated with abaca is decreasing with

time and there has been a considerable difference in the buying price of abaca fiber across the

provinces. With this, the local government units must conduct proper monitoring on the buying

prices of abaca fiber, improved extension services must be made available, provision of

incentives and partnerships must be strengthened to enhance the quantity of abaca fiber

production in the region.

 MB Bande, J Grenz, VB Asio, J Sauerborn, (2013) investigate the effect of shade and

irrigation-fertilization on abaca’s morphological and physiological performance.

Also, AK Bledzki, P Franciszczak, Z Osman, M Elbadawi Industrial Crops and Products

(2015) presented research study compares different types of common natural fibers used as a

reinforcement in plastic composite industry. It contains characterization of each fiber type, its

preparation method, and its chemical and physical properties. It follows from a description of the

polypropylene bio composite manufacturing process and physical properties of the obtained. bio

composite material

Additionally, Marissa A Paglicawan, Carlo S Emolaga, Johanna Marie B Sudayon,

Kenneth B Tria (2021) conduct study that abaca/glass fiber composites were prepared using the

vacuum-assisted resin transfer method (VARTM). The effect of different lamination stacking

sequences of abaca–glass fibers on the tensile, flexural, and impact properties was evaluated.

Villamor, Bajet, & Lockhart, (2003) demonstrates successful purification of the AbaMV

from field samples and the production of polyclonal antibodies. This reagent now enhances the

detection of AbaMV in abaca samples, whether from the field or abaca plantlets produced

through tissue culture, and serological diagnosis of abaca virus diseases in general.

AK Bledzki, P Franciszczak, Z Osman, M Elbadawi Industrial Crops and Products 70,

91-99, (2015) presented research study compares different types of common natural fibers used

as a reinforcement in plastic composite industry. It contains characterization of each fiber type,

its preparation method, and its chemical and physical properties. It follows from a description of

the polypropylene biocomposite manufacturing process and physical properties of the obtained

biocomposite materials.
Synthesis of the review of Related Literature and Studies

The review of the related literature about interest in this study provides a directional path

as to how the Abaca producers lives with the modern challenges including the technological

advancements, automation, government decision and economic change. Focusing the review on

the Abaca and Abaca producers has given starting point to the Researcher in conducting this

research.

The related studies reviewed equipped the researcher ample sources in conceptualizing

this study. The study of several researcher investigates the importance of abaca in the

community. The studied conducted by Jan Gnez (2012) and shows the importance of abaca in

terms on household income and significant of abaca in the country with its profit.

Belen M.tapado and Thelma D. Palaoag (2018) conduct study to help sustain and boost

the production of abaca in Catanduanes being the topmost abaca producing province in the

Philippines.

Mary Cris F. PLEÑOS (2002) reported that the buying prices of abaca fiber and the

agricultural land area planted with abaca were also assessed. Natural disasters like typhoons and

the bunchy top virus damaged the abaca fiber production.

MB Bande, J Grenz, VB Asio, J Sauerborn, (2013) investigate the effect of shade and

irrigation-fertilization on abaca’s morphological and physiological performance.

AK Bledzki, P Franciszczak, Z Osman, M Elbadawi Industrial Crops and Products (2015)

presented research study compares different types of common natural fibers used as a

reinforcement in plastic composite industry.

 Marissa A Paglicawan, Carlo S Emolaga, Johanna Marie B Sudayon, Kenneth B Tria

(2021) conduct study that abaca/glass fiber composites were prepared using the vacuum-assisted

resin transfer method (VARTM).

Villamor, Bajet, & Lockhart, (2003) demonstrates successful purification of the AbaMV

from field samples and the production of polyclonal antibodies.

AK Bledzki, P Franciszczak, Z Osman, M Elbadawi (2015) presented research study

compares different types of common natural fibers used as a reinforcement in plastic composite

industry. It contains characterization of each fiber type, its preparation method, and its chemical

and physical properties. It follows from a description of the polypropylene biocomposite

manufacturing process and physical properties of the obtained biocomposite materials.

Gaps Briged by the present study

Given the above synthesis of the review of related literature and studies. It appears that

several researchers have already conducted a similar study that investigated mostly about the

making of product that is made of abaca and the sustainability of producing quality abaca fibers ,

furthermore the study about the causes of deflation of the price of abaca fiber is saturated, thus, it

shows that there is a scarcity and a need to study the lived experiences of abaca producers

specifically in San Andres, Catanduanes amidst modern challenges. Hence, this set-up is the gap

bridged by the study and no study of this sort was conducted on this area.
Conceptual Framework

This study adapted the Input, Process, Output (IPO) model, it includes all the information

that are required in the process, the specific details of the process itself, and guide on evaluation

on the Lived experiences of Abaca Producers in San Andres, Catanduanes amidst modern

Challenges. The concept model as shown in figure 1, It shows how the Abaca Producers of San

Andres, Catanduanes lives with a Modern Challenges.

For input, it consists of the objective of the study to know the motivations, reasons,

changes, and influence that is circulating the lives of Abaca Producers because of the modern

challenges that include technological advancement and automation, government decision,

economic changes, and socio-cultural aspect.

For process, it includes questionnaire that were utilized, the observation that were made,

the data collection method all the details specified in the statement of the problems are stipulated

here.

For the output, it is expected that the outcome will explain and showcase the lived

experiences of abaca producers in San Andres, Catanduanes amidst Modern Challenges that will

give a comprehensive study of their narrative.

1. The influence of
government support and
policies on their lived
experiences
2. The motivations of
staying in the traditional
making of Abaca
3. The changes on their lives
after the economic
changes on the industry.
4. The reason to stay despite
of the challenges and
changes in the industry.
Conducting one-on-one
interviews to gather in-depth
information from participants.
Interviews can be semi- Lived Experiences of Abaca
structured and will be producers in San Andres,
documented by audio or video Catanduanes amidst Modern
with proper consent to explore Challenges
participants' experiences and
perspectives.

Figure 1: Input Process Output (IPO MODEL)

A theory called Hedonism, Andrew Moore (2013), supported by philosophers like Epicurus,

Bentham, Mill, and Sidgwick, identifies well-being entirely with "hedonic" states, which are

about pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain. Therefore, this theory supported the second, and

fourth input of this study in a way that it explains how this theory may play a huge role with the

live experiences of abaca producers in terms of what they are finding pleasure in the traditional

making of the product and in the industry, and avoiding pain by avoiding what they are

unfamiliar with. In addition, according to the theory Objective list, this theory propose that well-

being is not just about. pleasure or desire satisfaction, but also includes a list of "objective

goods," such as knowledge, friendship, and achievement, by saying, the Abaca producers may

stay because it provides them the basics goods they need and can be the only thing they know

that can provide oneselves. While In Vroom's Expectancy Theory, Vroom (1964), it suggests that

motivation is influenced by a person's belief that effort will lead to performance, the performance

will lead to outcomes, and these outcomes will be valuable, Abaca producers may be staying
because of the belief that it provided and help them before so it may provide them at the present

or later on, in result, they are working harder with expectations of greater outcome because of

their performance.

Circles of Influence, Concern, and Control theory, Anna Katharina Schaffner (2023), suggests

that there are three circles in our lives - concern, influence, and control. The Circle of Concern

includes things that matter to us, but we have no control over. The Circle of Influence includes

things we can directly change or impact. The Circle of Control includes things that we have

direct control over. Talking about the first and third objective, it applies to the circle of concern

which is the government support and policies and the economic changes which they have no

control with, affect and influence what does matter to them, which is their livelihood.