Jonathan Lapena Dela Cruz’s scientific contributions

Empowering people through the implementation of sustainable community development programs is one of the prime concerns of Higher Education Institutions (HEI). Through responsive extension programs and services of HEIs and strong partnerships with LGUs, the people are empowered, socioeconomic status is uplifted and the cultural heritage is conserved. This study aimed to assess the impact of the LGU-Funded extension programs of a State Higher Institution in the Philippines. This descriptive research study used a questionnaire and interview with 180 beneficiaries and utilized mean and rank. The results revealed that extension program implementers are highly capable in terms of leadership, personnel, and financial capability. The participation of LGUs and community people is high. In addition, the level of program outputs of the extension services is satisfactory and the impact of the extension programs is rated satisfactory. Hence, the partnership between the LGU and the academe and funding of the extension programs and activities by LGUs shall be sustained. The adoption and implementation of the extension improvement plan is proposed.

Competence in Mathematics is considerably an inevitable factor in the holistic development of a learner. Several studies reported different factors which lead to students' poor performance in this subject. This study generally aimed to assess the entry mathematics performance of the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. Specifically, the study aimed to describe the student's profile, determine their attitudes and beliefs towards mathematics and impression to mathematics teachers towards their entry mathematics performance. It employed the descriptive research design involving eighty-seven Industrial Technology students. The findings revealed that the level of the entry mathematics performance of the students was good. It was disclosed that students have a moderately positive attitude and beliefs towards Mathematics and impressions to Mathematics teachers. Students who have shown positive attitude, beliefs and impressions to Math teachers tend to perform better. Considering the results of the study, effective strategies in teaching with meaningful intervention activities to develop positive attitudes and beliefs of the students are recommended. Thus, utilization of new innovations and technologies and integration of values formation shall be done in the teaching of mathematics to build positive attitudes and beliefs which yields to better performance and cope with the demand of IR 4.0.