The first research article in JPAD Volume 7 is a case study that explored an innovative public management approach (PMA) that is more relevant and effective in the practice of disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) to strengthen disaster resilience within the context of local government in the Philippines. Florece, Cardenas, Dizon, Quimbo, and Brillo pointed out a balance of participative-democracy and bureaucracy governance, complementation of scientific and local knowledge, combination of centralized and decentralized arrangement, and top-down and bottom-up approaches in public management as more practical and relevant in the practice of DRRM leading to more resilient communities. Despite challenges of disasters, the Legazpi City experience bodes optimism as it shows that an innovative PMA can indeed improve the practice of DRRM and strengthen the resilience of local communities. Thus, the study proposed a model that can guide local government units toward a more effective, practical, and efficient approach to DRRM.

The second article authored by Gutierrez, Perez, Dizon, and Carambas employed a descriptive research design to determine the influential factors of migration, and perceived impact of migration on the destination communities. Family, safety, location, job opportunity, marriage, and lifestyle were found to be the most influential pull factors. While lifestyle, family, marriage, and job opportunity were identified as the most influential push factors. Overall, the pull factors were found to be more influential than the push factors. This study also revealed that migration had a positive perceived social and economic impacts on the rural barangays, foremost is the increase in the barangay’s internal revenue allotment. Other positive effects were the availability of agricultural labor, utilization of barangay social services, and increased number of entrepreneurial activities brought about by migrants. Indeed, the authors affirmed how community development can encourage migration through better infrastructure, housing and business development while mitigating problems brought by migration.

Phumrungruang and Baconguis’ paper, on the other hand, highlighted the role of agrotourism in promoting agriculture and local culture among visitors in the northern region of Thailand. A case study research design was used to determine the specific strategies in promoting agricultural technology, practices, and local culture. Findings showed that lecture, demonstration, training, and participation in agricultural activities were among the strategies implemented to promote organic agricultural practices. Whereas, cooking/food preparation and decoration, selling, outfitting, and photography were among the common methods in showcasing the site’s culture and traditions.  This paper showed the possibilities of agro-tourism as a major venue to promote agriculture as an enterprise or as a way of life through experiential learning.

Meanwhile, the study of Carmen, Lima, Te, Toledo, and Hernando determined the external environment, resources, enterprise components, and business outputs of the wet markets in Iloilo City, Philippines. Using a descriptive research design, the study revealed that wet market operations are affected by external environmental forces that are drivers of the way the wet market entrepreneurs conduct their business operations. Their study provided implications on City government efforts in the promotion and development of wet market enterprises. Since the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) is amenable to assisting wet markets through their associations, the study recommended a need to strengthen market vendors’ associations so that they can be effective channels of business services for their members.  Accordingly, the district-level associations are encouraged to put up their apex organization to be accredited by the city government and if possible, allowed representation in the City legislative council. As such, local ordinances and policies can strategically address issues and concerns of the wet market enterprises, assist their growth and viability as business organizations, and enable them to contribute significantly to local economic development.

The final article in this volume presented a review of relevant literature on public accountability, regulation, and regulatory governance; issues and concerns affecting regulatory governance; and assessment perspectives in regulatory governance that can be relevant in empirical studies assessing accountability systems and practices in regulatory governance. Hernandez’s review yields conceptualizations as well as approaches that call for a holistic appraisal of the regulatory governance structure and performance. It also gives a more meaningful, ethical, and responsible engagement of the State and other societal sectors in exacting accountability in regulatory governance. Still, the current literature could be enriched with public policy research and analysis including accountability assessments of accountability practices in the regulatory sector particularly in the context of developing societies.

Generally, these research papers in JPAD Volume 7 emphasize the relevance of empirical studies not only in understanding issues and challenges in public affairs and development but more so in formulating policies, strategies, and/or framework that could help address these issues and challenges. The research findings and recommendations presented in each paper can form the basis for the policies leading towards further studies that are necessary for more effective management and governance of various development interventions and initiatives in the society.