NWU COBE, UCRD conduct 2nd NPBRC

College of Business Education, together with the University Center for Research and Development and Events Management classes of Hotel and Restaurant Management and Tourism, conducted the 2nd Northern Philippines Business Research Conference held in a virtual conference on February 18-19, 2021.

This 2-day conference kicked off with a welcome address from Northwestern University President Atty. Ferdinand S. Nicolas and Three (3) plenary sessions were held hereafter.

Dr. Evelyn V. Tanagon was the first plenary session speaker in which she discussed Regional Outlook for Economic. Ms. Dore V. Dimaunahan talked about the Performance and Prospects of MSMEs for the second plenary session. The last session for the 1st day was with Dr. Jean Paulo Lacap for the Importance of Business Research in this pandemic.

An afternoon session was held for the Students Research Presentation as students from Northwestern University presented their research papers.

January Tiu and Heba Fabian presented “Level of Awareness and Satisfaction of Tourists to the Local food products in the Municipality of Adams, Ilocos Norte”; Jhon Patrick D. Acosta, Zharina Kainah M. Leano, and Jed T. Raquion presented “Assessing the Level of Tourist Satisfaction and Future Behavior Intention of the Conduct of Pamulinawen Festival”; Aivamajoli San Juan, Jessa Mae S. Semana, and Unice M. Valdez presented “Level of Guest Satisfaction of 3 Star Hotel in Laoag City”; and lastly Joanna Rizz Apolinar, Myra Pungtilan, and Precy Geromala presented “Facebook Engagement in the Business Performance of Ecotourism in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.” All of which are students of Northwestern University taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism.

The second day of the conference continued with a webinar themed “Webinar on Status and Prospects of Hospitality and Tourism Industry” with Dr. Cherrlyn Rodolfo, a faculty at the Asian Institute of Management, as the speaker.

A Faculty Research Presentation took place in the afternoon as an international participant, Dr. Faraha Nawaz, Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Rajshahi Bangladesh, presented “Gender-Based Violence in the contest of COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons and looking forward.”

Rahfie C. Nullar of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, College of Management, Business Administration Department in Catbangen, City of San Fernando, La Union presented “Employee Retention Rate Among the DOT- Accredited Hotels in the City of San Fernando, La Union.” 

Dr. Clea L. Bongat, Assistant Professor IV in Bicol University, presented “Awareness and Acceptability of the Bicol University Vision by the Faculty Members and Non- Teaching Staff in BU Polangui Campus (BUPC).”

Mark Francis G. Ng, CPA, MBA, Associate Professor II, Chairperson, Department of Accountancy, Bicol University College of Business, Economics, and Management Daraga, Albay, presented “Financial Soundness of the Working Capital Management Practices of Newly-established Sole Proprietorship Food Businesses in Legazpi City.”

Dr. Lord Jan Rodiris, Dean, College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Divine Word College of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, presented “Tourism and Its Impact: Evidence from Selected Tourism Stakeholders.”

Dr. Eric S. Parilla, Vice President for RCEIAD, Northwestern University Laoag City, presented “Mediating Effects of Industry in the relationship of Presence of Business Continuity Plans and Effects of COVID-19 to Businesses in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.”

“Learning Preferences of Business Students: A study in a Private Higher Education Institution” was presented by Dr. Eric S. Parilla together with Prof. Imee L. Cabugon and Prof. Jocelyn G. Evangelista from the College of Business Education, Northwestern University, Laoag City.

“Students can learn from this conference by participating, and it is an avenue for the students to present their researches, and for the younger students, they will be able to know the format and the different parts of a research,” Dr. Parilla said on the benefits of research on the student development.

Moreover, the Events Management class of Tourism adviser, Prof. Louelyn Tabili imparted that in our everyday living, we should impart innovation as part of discovering ourselves, and one way to do it is we need to research; it is one way for us to discover something, not only in our society but also for ourselves.

Social research is expected to be included in the next Northern Philippines Business Research Conference.