Positioning Analysis of Filipino Family Narratives in the Context of Prisoner Reintegration

Prisoner reintegration may be viewed as a crisis situation that may lead to a period of instability within the family. Existing researches in this area remain focused on the individual perspective of ex-offenders rather than the experiences of receiving families back in their households. In this study, we aim to examine the reintegration experiences of the family as a group from an initial state of chaos to equilibrium upon the reentry of an incarcerated parent. Using a sample of 12 interviews of family members left behind by incarcerated fathers, three major storylines relating to the family’s struggle for moral re-ascendancy in the context of parental reintegration are identified: othering, rehabilitation, and restoration. We explain the interlocking emotional, discursive, and material forms of labor embedded in the process of prisoner reintegration. Policy implications on social and institutional aid to the families of reintegrating fathers are also discussed

From Megaproject to White Elephant: Lessons from the Philippines’s Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Drawing from recent literature on white elephant projects, this article examines the case of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP)—the paradigmatic example of a white elephant project in the Philippines. The BNPP megaproject had massive implications for the country’s fiscal standing and long-term economic prospects, offering lessons for future projects of this size and significance. By revisiting the BNPP’s problematic history as well as the continuing infrastructure governance challenges in the post-Marcos period, this study outlines the repercussions of such dynamics for the Philippine government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, the most ambitious since the Marcos era

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines: Lessons from a White Elephant Project

In public policy literature, white elephant projects are described as large-scale investment ventures which do not only crowd-out funds from smaller-scale investment opportunities, but also lead to negative social returns. This case study briefly sketches recent literature and information on white elephant projects and then proceeds to examine the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the Philippines, considered an example of a white elephant project. This particular megaproject had implications on the Philippines\u27 fiscal standing and energy security, offering lessons for future projects of this size and significance

Toward the Pursuit of What People Value: Determining a Living Wage Based on Capability Gaps

This study sought to initiate conversations on the utility of the capability approach and a psychological lens in approximating a living wage. We put forth the concept of capability gap – defined as the difference between what one values and what one perceives as attainable. We used a set of valued domains of a good life that were identified based on well-being indicators in determining capability gaps. Five hundred workers (all breadwinners) belonging to households selected through stratified random sampling from purposively chosen middle- and low income communities in the Philippines participated in the survey. From the data; we constructed a weighted capability measure that determinesthe capability gap; weighted by the perceived importance of each of the good life domains. We likewise derived an estimate of a living wage that yields a weighted capability that represents individuals’ capabilities to achieve and pursue valued outcomes; freedoms; and entitlements. This initial attempt at estimating a living wage based on individuals’ capability to achieve and pursue a good life is presented as the main contribution of the research. The limitations of the study as well as its implications to living wage research and policy are discussed

Work-Life Balance Crafting During COVID-19: Exploring Strategies of Telecommuting Employees in the Philippines

The purpose of this study is to explore the work-life balance (WLB) crafting strategies of employees with telecommuting work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative data from 112 employees in the Philippines were collected through online surveys. Deductive thematic analysis was then conducted to identify the physical; cognitive and relational WLB crafting strategies that they practice. Results suggest that employees utilized a variety of WLB crafting strategies to be able to balance demands in both work and non-work domains while telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical crafting strategies include managing time; managing work tasks and managing the workspace. Cognitive crafting strategies include enforcing health-related self-care practices; and embracing the fluidity between work; rest and leisure. Relational crafting strategies include spending time with family and virtually connecting with co-workers. Results suggest that the strategies used by employees to achieve WLB during the COVID-19 pandemic are reflective of the physical; relational and cognitive WLB crafting strategies found in earlier literature; albeit nuanced by the effects of the pandemic in the work and family/life domains. Findings may help inform the design of WLB programs and initiatives that will enhance employee WLB during the COVID-19 pandemic and in future crisis situations

Examining the Impact of Community-Based Behavioral Drug Treatment: A Case Study from the Philippines

Researches in the fields of psychology, medicine, health, and social work, indicate varying effects of demographic characteristics on the effectiveness of community-based behavioral drug treatment (CBDT) programs. This study evaluates the overall effectiveness of Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad (KKDK, Resilience Against Drugs in the Community), an evidence-informed and culturally adapted CBDT program implemented in the Philippines to address the issue of substance use as an addictive behavior. It also determines whether the program had differential impacts across age, gender and educational attainment. Pre-treatment surveys were administered to 355 CBDT program participants. Out of this, 203 were able to complete the intervention and accomplish the post-treatment survey. Outcome measures covered in the survey include substance use dependence behaviors, coping behavior, life skills, family support, family functioning and wellbeing. Findings revealed significantly better post-test outcome measures. Overall, analyses using mixed ANOVAs indicated that changes in outcome scores did not vary according to age gender, and educational attainment. There was one significant interaction effect of educational attainment and time on well-being, with elementary and high school graduates showing larger improvements in well-being from pre to post-test compared with post-high school graduates. Implications of the findings include further evidence on the overall effectiveness of the CBDT program (i.e. KKDK) in lowering substance use behaviors and enhancing life skills, coping behaviors, family support, family functioning and wellbeing of low to mild risk drug users across gender, age and educational attainment

Work-Nonwork Spillover of Wage Justice through Work Capabilities in Low and Middle Income Workers

Wage justice literature asserts that it is the perceived fairness of pay (based on comparison others) instead of actual pay that matters most to an employee. This study therefore investigates the spillover effect of wage justice on life capabilities in the Philippines. It is hypothesized that wage justice will influence life capability through work capabilities such as job empowerment, job satisfaction, and occupational pride. Using data from the Institute of Philippine Culture study on living wages of 500 individuals, a structural equation model was estimated to test the spillover effect. Findings confirms the hypothesis that wage justice influences life capabilities (life satisfaction and physical well-being) through work capabilities. Implications for research on wage justice and capabilities as well as to people management practices in work organizations are discussed