The Polytechnic University of the Philippines, under the exemplary leadership of Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, is recognized for its strengths of knowledge innovation (curriculum and instruction) and dispersion (research and community extension). As an agent of social mobility, P.U.P. is more than a site of training and instruction; it serves as a crucial intellectual milieu where knowledge is created, disseminated, and challenged. In propelling the vision to become a National Polytechnic University with its 10-Point Pillar Agenda, it strives to guarantee inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities through vigorous research production and utilization (Pillar 6). The quality of research work directly translates to teaching and learning in the classroom, benefiting the students, society, and country.

Having the College of Tourism, Hospitality, and Transportation Management as one of its performing colleges, the unit endeavors to make significant contributions through curriculum and instruction, research and production, community outreach and extension programs, and operational activities. It reflects on these three roles as the critical functions of H.E.I.s, the College, through its curricular programs: B.S. Tourism Management (BSTM), B.S. Hospitality Management (BSHM), and B.S. Transportation Management (BSTrM) commits to sharing in realizing the University Research Agenda anchored on the CHED NHERA and the UNSDG 2030. It is creating a continuum between developing the competency of faculty members and making curricula adjustments, nurturing new pedagogical approaches, instilling fundamental values through various learning methods and platforms, and cultivating innovations—including technological ones—to improve graduates' educational experience and educational outcomes. The college aims to generate proactive graduates with the skills to compete in increasingly global workplaces and be effective employers. These roles draw on similar skill sets but at a higher level and across various functions, indicating the need for graduates to engage in cross-disciplinary, profound, and lifelong learning. Students get empowered to become responsible agents in a continual search for the dynamic equilibrium of sociocultural, environmental, and economic dimensions.

As to national agenda, the BSTM, BSHM and BSTrM programs adhere to the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 (NTDP) as a continuation of the National Tourism Development Plan 2011-2016 formulated in 2010 by the Department of Tourism as mandated by Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.  Tourism Act of 2009: Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009, provides for the improvement of the Philippines’ tourism competitiveness and urgency for rationalized national tourism plans to meet the advancing demands and capabilities of the industry. Add to that the administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, which is also expected to open up new roads and more airports across the country, to further improve land and air connectivity. This, of course, will significantly benefit the tourism, hospitality, and transportation industries.

To align the competencies of graduates in congruence with the institutional vision, the following actions are taken:

1.    align and offer relevant subjects to strengthen the students’ knowledge, skills and values of the Philippine tourism product portfolio. New subject offerings are embedded and realigned in 2018 revision in compliance with CMO 62, Series 2017.

2.    design and reorganize the course syllabi to a lifelong learning and competency-based paradigm.

3.    expand network to allow academics, and those around them, to grow and build from each other’s achievements and expertise.

4.    conduct and utilize research to enhance the curriculum and instruction, university processes, contribute to the National Tourism Development Plan and help achieve the 2030 UNSDGs.

5.    strengthen the qualifications of faculty members in the areas of curriculum and instruction, research, and extension towards structured professional learning that results in changes in teacher practices and improvements in student learning outcomes.

University Research Agenda Polytech

National Higher Education Research Agenda 2 (NHERA 2)

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Research Agenda – AMBISYON 2040

Department of Science

and Technology – National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA)

Agenda 1: Poverty Reduction, Peace, and Security

§ Poverty Reduction Studies

§ Peace and Security Studies

Agendum 3. Generating new knowledge needed for the advancement of higher education as well as for national development

The higher education sector will continue to work in tandem

with the science and technology, industry, agriculture, energy, and other sectors to

address the research priorities for development. Greater attention shall, however,

be accorded to the studies that would generate inputs for the formulation of

policies, plans, programs and projects, and produce/adapt technologies for

enhancing quality, relevance, access and equity, and efficiency and effectiveness in

higher education.

Priority themes for multidisciplinary/multisectoral research

1. Food safety and security. Considering the country’s proneness

to natural hazards and disasters and with its booming population, it is important for the people to be assured of affordable and safe food on their table.

8. Peace process and conflict resolution. This is a rich source of

research work, the results of which can be applied to governance,

policies and direction setting.

Filipinos are strongly rooted: Matatag. Filipino families live together; there is work-life balance so that there is time to spend with family even for members who work. On weekends, families and friends enjoy time together in parks and

recreational centers. It is a high-trust society with a strong sense of community. There are volunteer opportunities, and Filipinos spend time to serve the community, help others who are in need, and contribute to various causes.

Filipinos are comfortable: Maginhawa. No one is poor, no one is ever hungry. Filipino families live in comfortable homes with the desired amenities and secure tenure. Families and friends are within reach because transport is convenient and affordable, and they can take a vacation together within the country and abroad. Children receive quality education so that they realize their full potentials and become productive members of society. Decent jobs that bring sustainable income are available, including opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Filipinos are secure: Panatag. Filipinos feel secure over their entire lifetime. They expect to live long and enjoy a comfortable life upon retirement. There are resources to cover unexpected expenses, and there are savings. They feel safe in all places in the country. Filipinos trust their government because it is free of corruption and provides service to all its citizens equally.

For 2017-2022, the NRCP’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) will prioritize fundamental research in support of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change Program led by the Department of Science and Technology

B. Food and Nutrition Security - SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)

§  a. Taxonomy and systematics of flora and fauna for food. Specific topics include genetic analysis, morphological analysis and allelopathic analysis.

F. Inclusive Nation-Building - ATIN Program is the second priority for 2017-2019.

§  b. National security and sovereignty - to include studies on internal conflict and peace, human security as well as maritime and geopolitical studies.

Agenda 2: Accelerating Infrastructure Development through Science and Technology

Agendum 3: Generating new knowledge needed for the advancement of higher education as well as for national development.

Priority shall be given to research aimed at developing innovative programs in cutting edge higher education fields (e.g. nanotechnology,

biotechnology, information and communications technology, and materials science), and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the disciplines.

Priority themes for multidisciplinary/multisectoral research

2. Enhancing indigenous renewable energy source in the domestic energy mix. Increasing the percentage of indigenous renewable energy source into the national energy mix will not only result in dollar saving, and protection of the environment but more importantly, ensuring energy security. The search, development and exploitation of renewable energy sources will involve a multidisciplinary approach.

For 2017-2022, the NRCP’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) will prioritize fundamental research in support of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change Program led by the Department of Science and Technology. It has six issue - based NIBRA programs, namely:

A. Water Security – TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan)

B. Food and Nutrition Security – SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)

C. Health Sufficiency – LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan)

D. Clean Energy – ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends)

E. Sustainable Community – SAKLAW Program (Saklolo sa Lawa)

F. Inclusive Nation-building – ATIN program (Ang Tinig Natin)

Agenda 3: Competitive Industry and Entrepreneurship

Agendum 3. Generating new knowledge needed for the advancement of higher education as well as for national development

Greater attention shall, however, be accorded to the studies that would generate inputs for the formulation of policies, plans, programs and projects, and produce/adapt technologies for enhancing quality, relevance, access and equity, and efficiency and effectiveness in higher education.

For 2017-2022, the NRCP’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) will prioritize fundamental research in support of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change Program led by the Department of Science and Technology. It has six issue - based NIBRA programs, namely:

A. Water Security – TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan)

B. Food and Nutrition Security – SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)

C. Health Sufficiency – LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan)

D. Clean Energy – ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends)

E. Sustainable Community – SAKLAW Program (Saklolo sa Lawa)

F. Inclusive Nation-building – ATIN program (Ang Tinig Natin)

Agenda 4: Social and Cultural Development

Agendum 4. Promoting and facilitating dissemination and utilization of research outputs

The Integrated Research Utilization Programs which were introduced in 2005 enabled SUCs to utilize technologies that they had developed for their own Income Generating Projects or transfer these to end-users for livelihood and employment generation. Their technology transfer activities gave rise to livelihood projects that provided employment for breadwinners in their host communities.

For 2017-2022, the NRCP’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) will prioritize fundamental research in support of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change Program led by the Department of Science and Technology.

F. Inclusive Nation-Building - ATIN Program (Ang Tinig Natin)

§  Documentation of indigenous knowledge (art and art forms, practices, technologies, early human life and civilization in the Philippines)

Agenda 5: Environmental Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation towards Sustainable Development

Agendum 4. Promoting and facilitating dissemination and utilization of research outputs

The Integrated Research Utilization Programs which were introduced in 2005 enabled SUCs to utilize technologies that they had developed for their own Income Generating Projects or transfer these to end-users for livelihood and employment generation. Their technology transfer activities gave rise to livelihood projects that provided employment for breadwinners in their host communities.

Priority themes for multidisciplinary/multisectoral research

2. Enhancing indigenous renewable energy source in the domestic energy mix. Increasing the percentage of indigenous renewable energy source into the national energy mix will not only result in dollar saving, and protection of the environment but more importantly, ensuring energy security. The search, development and exploitation of renewable energy sources will involve a multidisciplinary approach.

3. Development of vaccines and diagnostic kits using indigenous materials. Emerging and reemerging diseases have always threatened the global and regional scenes. The country has to be prepared for these by having the appropriate medication, vaccines and diagnostic kits that are readily available and affordable.

6. Climate change specifically on the issue of global warming. The four pillars of the Bali Action Plan dealing with a) mitigation, b) adaptation, c) technology transfer, and d) financial resources are rich sources of multidisciplinary research work. Considering that climate change issues deal with future scenarios, a wholistic approach is necessary

For 2017-2022, the NRCP’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) will prioritize fundamental research in support of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change Program led by the Department of Science and Technology. It has six issue - based NIBRA programs, namely:

A. Water Security – TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan)

B. Food and Nutrition Security – SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)

C. Health Sufficiency – LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan)

D. Clean Energy – ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends)

E.Sustainable Community – SAKLAW Program (Saklolo sa Lawa)

F. Inclusive Nation-building – ATIN program (Ang Tinig Natin)

Chapter 1 defended by BSTM 3-3D through their online chapter defense under the subject Tourism Research Methods and Technique.

Chair. Yolanda T. Montances, Assoc. Prof. Regina B. Zuñiga, Assoc. Prof. Luzviminda O. Tugade, and Mr. Ezekiel Janssen D. Pernia, assisting the student representatives of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines to represent the first Asian Cultural Heritage Youth Forum held in Zhuhai City, People’s Republic of China, last April 23, 2023. Faculty members also met consulted with the parents and guardians of the students to gain their approval for their children’s affairs. The faculty provided information and guidance to the student representatives in terms of conceptualizing, researching, data-gathering, and strategizing in making their research paper about the effects of climate change in the Banaue Rice Terraces.

PUP Team Tanglaw, composed of Tourism students, receives no other than the MOST OUTSTANDING PROPOSAL in the ASIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION & UTILIZATION PROPOSAL COMPETITION sponsored by UNESCO, held at Sun Yat-sen University, China.

March 1, 2023

Tourism students’ conducted an online research proposal defense during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 9, 2023

The student from the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management conducted an interview about their research study entitled “Potential of Nueva Ecija as an Agritourism Destination in the Lenses of Owners and Operators”

The impact on research in progress at the time of COVID-19, the importance and challenges of real-time pandemic research, and the urgency of accomplishing academic research in the College of Tourism, Hospitality, and Transportation Management are all highlighted by this epic pandemic. The College recognized and addressed the challenges and took them as opportunities and strategies for research, thus strengthening the research productivity of faculty and students. Research methods included web-based studies, secondary data analysis, and online data collection. The research community at the College made greater use of alternative platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. While many research presentations and conferences pivoted to a virtual format and drastically reduced the cost of registration and attendance, faculty members and students experienced more inclusive participation. More experts are taking part as critics and collaborators due to the pandemic. Consequently, both the faculty and students get more inclined toward using technology. Faculty rendered research instruction via MS Teams and explored various digital modes. Students interestingly responded as digital natives and efficiently delivered their research through virtual platforms. To this date, the dissemination of research in the CTHTM has been hybrid.