Standalone energy supply system has been in the limelight, especially in rural areas since it can provide cheap electrical supply to the local communities. Energy supply is always a problematic condition in many developing countries that significantly affects progress and inclusive economic development. Furthermore, excess energy generated is wasted due to insufficient battery storage. To confront these recurring problems, peer-to-peer energy resource sharing has emerged as a promising solution, offering a decentralized system and approach to reduce reliance on the grid energy resource. The system enables prosumers to share excess energy with consumers, reducing dependence on grid and lowering the cost of electricity. However, peer-to-peer energy resource sharing is still a relatively new technology in developing countries, especially in rural communities, needing enabling technologies, support, and sustainable policies and financing models. To this end, this study aims to provide comprehensive understanding of the state of the art of peer-to-peer energy resource sharing in rural communities.

ASEAN has been vocal with its support to gender equality and women empowerment, they formed committees and regional mechanisms that will guide them in achieving this. They also spearheaded various meetings with its member states and established partnerships with other organizations outside ASEAN to further enhance their response to gender and development. Their aim is to promote gender and development with its three pillars to create a gender sensitive society. Based on the data gathered, the LGBTQI+ Community and the women sector of all ASEAN member states are still struggling to get the support and acceptance of ASEAN as well as most of the people especially to those countries who are culture centered, but despite of their struggle they remain positive and hoping that the society will soon accept them wholeheartedly. There may be developments, but hardships are still visible in their work and in society, they still lack opportunities to grow in the fields that are dominated by men, they are still suffering from unequal treatment, and some are still not represented in politics. La ASEAN ha expresado su apoyo a la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres, formaron comités y mecanismos regionales que los guiarán para lograrlo. También encabezaron varias reuniones con sus estados miembros y establecieron asociaciones con otras organizaciones fuera de la ASEAN para mejorar aún más su respuesta al género y el desarrollo. Su objetivo es promover el género y el desarrollo con sus tres pilares para crear una sociedad sensible al género. Según los datos recopilados, la comunidad LGBTQI+ y el sector femenino de todos los estados miembros de la ASEAN todavía están luchando por obtener el apoyo y la aceptación de la ASEAN, así como de la mayoría de la gente, especialmente en aquellos países centrados en la cultura, pero a pesar de su lucha. Se mantienen positivos y esperan que la sociedad pronto los acepte de todo corazón. Puede que haya avances, pero las dificultades aún son visibles en su trabajo y en la sociedad, todavía carecen de oportunidades para crecer en los campos dominados por los hombres, todavía sufren un trato desigual y algunas todavía no están representadas en la política. A ASEAN tem manifestado o seu apoio à igualdade de género e ao empoderamento das mulheres, formando comités e mecanismos regionais que os orientarão na consecução deste objectivo. Também lideraram várias reuniões com os seus estados membros e estabeleceram parcerias com outras organizações fora da ASEAN para melhorar ainda mais a sua resposta ao género e ao desenvolvimento. O seu objectivo é promover o género e o desenvolvimento com os seus três pilares para criar uma sociedade sensível ao género. Com base nos dados recolhidos, a comunidade LGBTQI+ e o setor das mulheres de todos os estados membros da ASEAN ainda estão a lutar para obter o apoio e a aceitação da ASEAN, bem como da maioria das pessoas, especialmente dos países centrados na cultura, mas apesar da sua luta eles permanecem positivos e esperam que em breve a sociedade os aceite de todo o coração. Pode haver desenvolvimentos, mas as dificuldades ainda são visíveis no seu trabalho e na sociedade, ainda não têm oportunidades de crescer nos domínios dominados pelos homens, ainda sofrem de tratamento desigual e alguns ainda não estão representados na política.

This paper is about how E-Payment systems in online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada contribute into the transition towards cashless transactions. Through these technological advances, it is seen to give greater availability for people at all social classes to access financial services such as online payment or transactions without the traditional maintaining fees that are seen in institutional banks. As for methodologies, the data gathering was proceeded with one-on-one interviews for consumers and MSMEs, while Focus Group Discussion is done for government offices with the usage of thematic analysis to treat the coded themes from interviews. Results showed greater access to financial services rendered support for all social classes in the case of the usage in LazadaWallet and ShopeePay and its intermediary medium GCash. One of the major challenges is technicalities within the apps associated and internet connection. Digital literacy also stood as a threat for respondents to fully understand and utilize the benefits that e-payment systems offer. The following data implied that the growth of e- payments to support and uplift the lives of lower social classes heavily relies on the development of technological infrastructure of e-payments and internet system providers. Integrated curriculums, programs, and seminars for technological education are also recommended so that persons of all ages can utilize the services. Multilateral agreements or talks must also be held if Shopee and Lazada sellers must be entitled to taxes as most of the products are also diverse of its origins.

Several studies in foreign literatures indicated an increase in health-related problems induced by alcohol use as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic accompanying limitations on mobility. However, there were a handful of previous research on alcohol usage in the Philippines, particularly in Higher Education Institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this current gap in mind, this study evaluated alcohol use among students at a Higher Education Institution in Metro Manila in order to offer evidence-based data for the formulation of alcohol-related health policy. Furthermore, this study is critical in developing an intervention program to assist students in diverting their focus away from alcohol intake. This study used an online survey form, with 564 students participated. The findings revealed that respondents have different preferences and patterns. Almost all of the respondents are aware of the dangers of excessive alcoholic beverage consumption; a large percentage determined that they do not have a drinking problem; a small percentage revealed that they have tried driving while under the influence of alcohol; and more than one-fourth of the respondents drank at least one glass of alcoholic beverages during enhanced community quarantine. The chi-squared test was also utilized to assess the difference between COVID-19 lockdowns and alcohol consumptions. Varios estudios en literatura extranjera indicaron un aumento de los problemas relacionados con la salud inducidos por el consumo de alcohol como resultado de la epidemia de COVID-19 que acompaña a las limitaciones de movilidad. Sin embargo, hubo algunas investigaciones previas sobre el consumo de alcohol en Filipinas, particularmente en instituciones de educación superior durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Teniendo en cuenta esta brecha actual, este estudio evaluó el consumo de alcohol entre estudiantes de una institución de educación superior en Metro Manila con el fin de ofrecer datos basados en evidencia para la formulación de políticas de salud relacionadas con el alcohol. Además, este estudio es fundamental para desarrollar un programa de intervención para ayudar a los estudiantes a desviar su atención del consumo de alcohol. Este estudio utilizó un formulario de encuesta en línea, con la participación de 564 estudiantes. Los hallazgos revelaron que los encuestados tienen diferentes preferencias y patrones. Casi la totalidad de los encuestados son conscientes de los peligros del consumo excesivo de bebidas alcohólicas; un gran porcentaje determinó que no tiene problema con el alcohol; un pequeño porcentaje reveló que ha intentado conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol; y más de una cuarta parte de los encuestados bebieron al menos un vaso de bebidas alcohólicas durante la cuarentena comunitaria mejorada. La prueba de chi-cuadrado también se utilizó para evaluar la diferencia entre los confinamientos por COVID-19 y el consumo de alcohol. Vários estudos em literaturas estrangeiras indicaram um aumento nos problemas relacionados com a saúde induzidos pelo consumo de álcool como resultado da epidemia de COVID-19 que acompanha as limitações à mobilidade. No entanto, houve algumas pesquisas anteriores sobre o uso de álcool nas Filipinas, particularmente em instituições de ensino superior durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Com esta lacuna atual em mente, este estudo avaliou o uso de álcool entre estudantes de uma instituição de ensino superior na região metropolitana de Manila, a fim de oferecer dados baseados em evidências para a formulação de políticas de saúde relacionadas ao álcool. Além disso, este estudo é fundamental no desenvolvimento de um programa de intervenção para ajudar os alunos a desviar o foco da ingestão de álcool. Este estudo utilizou um formulário de pesquisa online, com a participação de 564 alunos. As descobertas revelaram que os entrevistados têm preferências e padrões diferentes. Quase a totalidade dos entrevistados tem consciência dos perigos do consumo excessivo de bebidas alcoólicas; uma grande percentagem determinou que não têm problemas com a bebida; uma pequena porcentagem revelou que já tentou dirigir sob efeito de álcool; e mais de um quarto dos entrevistados beberam pelo menos um copo de bebidas alcoólicas durante a quarentena comunitária reforçada. O teste qui-quadrado também foi utilizado para avaliar a diferença entre os bloqueios da COVID-19 e o consumo de álcool.

This study examines how gender-based principles and norms contribute to women's political identity and participation in the Philippines and Vietnam with contrasting rankings in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report despite their geographical proximity. The study used a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected participants and systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis of interview transcripts and content analysis of relevant sources and policy documents from 2018-2024. Findings revealed that there is a disparity between the two nations' recognition of gender-based principles. While Vietnam shows limited public awareness of women's political engagement despite meeting the United Nation's 30% benchmark for women in parliament, the Philippines exhibits more informed discourse on women's political participation despite falling short of global standards. Findings suggest that legal frameworks alone are insufficient for advancing women's political participation. To have meaningful progress, it requires a multi-dimensional strategy that simultaneously addresses cultural norms, strengthens enforcement mechanisms, and dismantles entrenched gender stereotypes.