1

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

The complication of deforestation caused by traditional folders that are

being used in school is becoming increasingly evident in the school

community. There is a pressing need to find an alternative that's

environmentally sustainable. One such solution that's being explored is the

use of banana fiber as a material for an alternative folder. However, there are

several challenges associated with using banana fiber as an alternative.

The significance of the issue is not limited to the environment. It also

affects the environment. For example, the lack of trees in the environment,

causing the need to use more school folders. The economic impact of the

problem is also significant, as it demands high cost of cleaning up paper

waste caused by traditional folders, and its associated environmental damage

can be substantial.

According to Deka (2018), The Saba (Musa acuminata × Musa

balbisiana) is one of the banana cultivars considered to have good potential in

the export industry. The fruit crop is usually grown in Southeast Asia with local
 2

names such as giant pisang kepok (Indonesia), pisang abu nepah (Malaysia),

kluai hin (Thailand), chuoi mat (Vietnam), and Saba or cardaba (Philippines).

In the Philippine setting, this variety is the most important among the many

banana cultivars in terms of commercial production and trade because of its

wide range of applications in the domestic market.

The primary goal of exploring banana fiber as an alternative folder is to

develop sustainable and eco-friendly materials for the school community that

are alternative to folders. The use of banana fiber as a material for folders

aims to address the negative impact of traditional packaging material on the

environment, such as deforestation and paper waste management. Another

objective of using banana fiber as an alternative material for folders is to

promote eco-friendly development in the school community.

This study will be conducted in the second semester of the school year

2023 to 2024 inside the school of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy within

the locality of Linamon. This study will measure the feasibility of the

alternative folder, which could involve testing its ability to withstand external

factors such as its durability and its effectiveness to be used as a clearance

item for the school Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy. Cost-effectiveness

could also be a measure, where the cost of production, distribution, and

 3

disposal of both types of folders would be evaluated. The environmental

impact of both types of folders could be measured by assessing the amount of

paper waste generated, and their ability to be recycled or biodegradable.

When conducting research, one should rely on reputable and peer-

reviewed sources, such as scientific journals, academic papers, and credible

research institutions. It is also crucial to consider the expertise and

qualifications of the researchers conducting the study, as well as the

methodology, sample size, and limitations of the research. Evaluating the

credibility and reliability of the sources and information used in the research is

essential. Consulting experts or professionals in the field can help ensure

accuracy and reliability of the information gathered

 4

Theoretical Framework

In this study, the researchers anchor the study to the following theories:

Information Sharing Theory by Zaheer and Trkman, (2006), Diffusion of

Innovation Theory by Tarde (1903), and Community Development Theory by

Allison Tan (2009).

According to the Information Sharing Theory, a strong and empowered

community must be created through efficient information management and

sharing. This theory emphasizes the beneficial effect of sustainable choices

on community engagement and environmental awareness in the context of

using cardava fiber as an alternative material for school folders. Students who

choose cardava fiber folders do more than just share information through the

folder's contents; they also spread awareness of the value of sustainability.

This encourages students to take an active role in building a more sustainable

future and fosters a sense of responsibility for the environment. also highlights

the necessity of well-organized and accessible information for effective

communication. This translates to students being able to organize and

manage their academic materials when used in conjunction with alternative

school folders made of cardava fiber. Cardava fiber's strength and adaptability

make sure that the folders last for a very long time and offer a dependable

way to store and access information.

 5

The Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Gabriel Tarde first discussed the

Diffusion of Innovation Theory in 1903 (Toews, 2003). This theory offers

insights into how innovations are adopted and spread within a community. By

using this framework to study cardava fiber folders, we can examine the

diffusion process, factors that affect adoption (like perceived benefits,

compatibility, and relative advantage), as well as the function of interpersonal

networks and communication channels. We can encourage the adoption and

dissemination of cardava fiber folders among students, teachers, and

stakeholders by comprehending patterns of adoption and utilizing

communication strategies, thereby promoting sustainability and environmental

consciousness in the educational community.

The Community Development Theory by Allison Tan (2009). This

theory emphasizes community empowerment and social change, highlighting

the importance of community involvement, utilization of local resources, and

collaborative action. By applying this framework, the adoption of cardava fiber

folders can promote community engagement, environmental consciousness,

and sustainable resource utilization within the educational setting. Tan's

research underscores the significance of participatory approaches, local

resource utilization, and collaborative efforts in fostering a sense of

 6

community ownership and responsibility, driving positive social transformation

in the context of alternative school folders made from cardava fiber.

 7

Conceptual Framework

The primary goal of this research was to produce an alternative school

folder from banana fiber, a practical and cost-effective product. The

conceptual foundation for producing an alternative School Folder is presented

in this section of the study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Cardava
(Musa (Recommendatio
School Folder
Balbisiana) n)
Fiber

Figure A. Schematic Diagram.

 8

Statement of the Problem

The study will be conducted to explore the potential use of Musa

balbisiana as an alternative to school folder, this study aims to answer the

following questions:

1. What are the physical and chemical properties of cardava fiber as a

suitable alternative to traditional school clearance folder materials?

2. How does the adoption of cardava fiber folders impact community

engagement, environmental consciousness, and local resource

utilization?

3. What are the perceived challenges and opportunities associated with

integrating cardava fiber folders into educational settings?

 9

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The purpose of the current study is to determine whether it is feasible,

advantageous, and difficult to use cardava (Musa balbisiana) fiber as a

substitute material for school clearance folders in educational settings of Our

Lady of Perpetual Help academy. Cardava fiber's physical and chemical

characteristics will be the main focus of the study, along with its potential

effects on civic engagement, environmental awareness, and resource use in

the local area. The results of this study may not be generalizable to a wider

context, however, if the study's scope is restricted to a particular locale,

institution of higher learning, or grade level. Additionally, the study might

exclude other stakeholders by focusing primarily on gathering insights from a

small group of participants, like students, teachers, or administrators. The

scope and depth of the study's analysis may also be constrained by factors

like market accessibility and regulatory considerations. Even though the study

aims to offer insightful information, more research must be done to fully

understand the wider applicability and implications of using cardava fiber as

an alternative to traditional school clearance folders.

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Significance of the Study

The result of this study will benefit the following:

To the School. The study's conclusions could have a big impact on the

school, helping it promote environmentally conscious initiatives in the

classroom and adopt eco-friendly practices. Schools can make educated

decisions that are in line with their commitment to environmental responsibility

by investigating the viability and advantages of using cardava fiber folders.

This could strengthen the school's standing as an environmentally responsible

organization by encouraging a sustainable culture among its faculty and staff.

Additionally, using cardava fiber folders as a practical example for students

can help them understand the value of making sustainable decisions and

motivate them to take an active role in environmental preservation.

To the Future Researchers. The study's conclusions are important for

future researchers because they offer a solid framework for additional

investigation and development in the area of environmentally friendly school

supplies. This study serves as a springboard for further research by

examining the viability and advantages of cardava fiber folders, allowing

researchers to delve into topics like long-term durability, cost-effectiveness,

and scalability of these alternative folders. The results may stimulate

 11

additional research projects that advance knowledge of alternative materials

and their potential influence on resource use and environmental protection.

 12

Definition of Terms

To facilitate the understanding of this study, different terms are defined

herein.

Alternative School Folder. Eco-friendly replacement for traditional

folder material.

Cardava Fiber. A natural fiber with high strength, used in the school

folder.

Musa balbisiana. A scientific name of cardava fiber, proposed as an

alternative material for school clearance folders.

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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the different reading which will be deemed

important and related to present study.

Related Literatures
This serves as links between the readers and the studies already done,

talks about aspects that have been already established or concluded by other

authors and also give chances to appreciate the evidence that have already

been collected by previous researches, and projects the current research

work in the proper perspective.

Banana Biomass Waste

Banana is a tropical, herbaceous and perennial plant belonging to the

Musaceae family, which produces a large flower cluster, bears fruits and then

dies. The plant is cut to bring the crop down and harvest the fruits. The main

stem (or pseudo-stem or trunk) of banana is a juicy cylindrical cluster of leaf

stalk bases. The subterranean stem is known as corm and the part that

supports fruits is known as peduncle, stalk or rachis. After harvesting the fruit

all these portions become waste biomass. At the packaging and processing

plant, the banana bunch rachis and damaged/rotten fruits also become
 14

additional residual biomass. The banana biomass waste production is to the

tune of 220 tonnes per hectare (Padam et al., 2012). In addition to the plant

biomass wastes, the rejected fruits that fail to meet the required quality

standards may contribute between 8 and 20 percent of additional biomass

waste. For every tone of banana produced, about 100 kg of fruit rejects and 4

tons of biomass waste comprising leaves, pseudo-stem, rotten fruits, fruit-

bunch stem and rhizomes are produced, totaling to approximately 4-times the

banana fruit produce (Subayo and Chafidz, 2018).

The banana biomass waste thus generated is either left in the field or

taken to open dumps. In both cases, the ligno-cellulosic biomass wastes

produce greenhouse gases as they decompose. Thus, it is seen that banana

farming and processing generates thousands of tons of waste biomass, which

is currently being improperly managed causing serious environmental

problems (Padam et al., 2014). There is a need to evaluate the potential of

this huge biomass waste for utilization as a school clearane folder that

teachers and students can use in the school.

Saba/ Cardava (Musa Balbisiana)

The Saba (Musa acuminata × Musa balbisiana) is one of the banana

cultivars considered to have good potential in the export industry. The fruit
 15

crop is usually grown in Southeast Asia with local names such as giant pisang

kepok (Indonesia), pisang abu nepah (Malaysia), kluai hin (Thailand), chuoi

mat (Vietnam), and Saba or cardaba (Philippines). In the Philippine setting,

this variety is the most important among the many banana cultivars in terms of

commercial production and trade because of its wide range of applications in

the domestic market.

Musa balbisiana is also one of the most important fruit species involved

in the origin of banana crops and it is distributed from India to Papua, New

Guinea. Back then, it was believed that this type possessed only limited

diversity. However, recent work has shown that M. balbisiana also contains a

good level of infraspecific variation (Deka, 2018).

Banana Fiber

Banana fiber, also known as musa fiber, is one of the world’s strongest

natural fibers. Biodegradable, the natural fiber is made from the stem of the

banana tree and is incredibly durable. The fiber consists of thick-walled cell

tissue, bonded together by natural gums and is mainly composed of cellulose,

hemicelluloses and lignin. Banana fiber is similar to natural bamboo fiber, but

its spin ability, fineness and tensile strength are said to be better. Banana

fiber can be used to make a number of different textiles with different weights
 16

and thicknesses, based on what part of the banana stem the fiber was

extracted from. The thicker, sturdier fiber is taken from the banana tree's outer

sheaths, whereas the inner sheaths result in softer fiber.

Banana fiber can be used to make ropes, mats, woven fabrics as well

as handmade papers. One company based on the island of Kosrae,

Micronesia, named Green Banana Paper, is using banana fiber to make

vegan wallets, purses, beads and paper. Founded by Matt Simpson, the

Green Banana Paper produces locally, making its products out of recycled

banana stems which grow all around the island. Rather than letting banana

trees go to waste, the company purchases banana stems from banana

farmers, giving them an extra source of income.

Folder

A study explores the way people organize information in support of

projects ("teach a course", "plan a wedding", etc.). The folder structures to

organize project information - especially electronic documents and other files -

frequently resembled a "divide and conquer" problem decomposition with

subfolders corresponding to major components (subprojects) of the project.

Folders were clearly more than simply a means to one end: Organizing for
 17

later retrieval. Folders were information in their own right - representing, for

example, a person's evolving understanding of a project and its components.

Insights Learned from the Related Literature

To reduce banana biomass waste and prevent banana trees from

going to waste, we can make Cardava (Musa balbisiana) fiber as a great

alternative school folder for teachers and students, because the banana or

cardava fiber has a strong natural fiber that makes the folder last longer, and

it is also biodegradable, sustainable, and eco-friendly materials that are worth

utilizing.
 18

Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research methods used in the study.

Research Design

The study will use descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as

means to analyze collected data through surveys and field observations to

determine the differences between types of folders in terms of their

environmental sustainability and waste management. It will analyze the

qualitative data collected through interviews to gain insights into participants'

perceptions of the students, faculty, and staff and their experiences regarding

the use of the Musa balbisiana fiber paper folder as an alternative to school

clearance folder. The combination of both methods will provide a

comprehensive understanding of the viability of using Musa balbisiana fiber as

an alternative folder for the school community and its potential impact on the

school community.
 19

Research Locale

This study will take place in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy,

located in the province of Lanao del Norte in the Philippines. The primary

objective of this research is to explore the potential of using Musa balbisiana,

commonly known as banana fiber, as an alternative school clearance folder

for the school community in Our Lady of perpetual Help Academy. The

research aims to identify the current school folder practices of each grade

level in the school, evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of Musa

balbisiana as a viable alternative, investigate the environmental implications

of using it as a school folder material, and recommend strategies to enhance

its adaptation and implementation among students and teachers in Our Lady

of perpetual Help Academy.

 20

PHILIPPINES MAP

MINDANAO MAP

LANAO DEL NORTE LINAMON

POBLACION, LINAMON

Figure B. The Locale.

 21

Research Respondents
The study will involve two groups of respondents: teachers and

students in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy. The students and teachers

will be selected through purposive sampling and will be interviewed to gather

information on their current school folder use and their perceptions of Musa

balbisiana as an alternative school folder material. The customers will be

selected through convenience sampling and will be surveyed to gather their

views on the use of Musa balbisiana and its potential as an alternative folder

material. Ethical principles will be followed throughout the research, including

obtaining informed consent from participants and ensuring confidentiality.

Research Instruments

To effectively evaluate the potential of Musa babisiana as an

alternative school folder for the teachers and students in Our Lady of

Perpetual Help Academy, several research instruments will be utilized. In-

depth interviews with 10-15 students in every grade level, and to all the

teachers in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy will be conducted to

gather their perspectives and perceptions on the feasibility and effectiveness

of Musa balbisiana as an alternative school folder. These interviews will be

semi-structured and focus on topics such as the teachers and student’s

current folder practices, their experiences with Musa balbisiana, and

 22

recommendations for enhancing its adaptation and implementation. A survey

questionnaire will be administered to 10-15 students in every grade level, and

to all teachers in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy to gather their views

on the use of Musa balbisiana as a school folder material. The questionnaire

will be designed to gather information on teachers and students and their

willingness to answer the following questions that the questionnaire contains

for the school folder in Musa paradisiaca, their perception of its environmental

sustainability, and their preference for Musa balbisiana as a clearance folder

material compared to other options. Qualitative data collected through in-

depth interviews will be analyzed using content analysis techniques to identify

themes and patterns in the data. Quantitative data collected through the

survey questionnaire will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to

summarize and describe the data. The results of this study will provide

valuable insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of Musa balbisiana as

an alternative school folder material for the teachers and students in Our Lady

of Perpetual Help Academy.

Statistical Instrument

The use of the z-distribution, frequency, percentage, and mean in the

study of Musa balbisiana (cardava fiber) as an alternative school clearance

 23

folder for the teachers and student in interviews, surveys, and observations

can serve several purposes:

Z-distribution

Researchers will use the z-distribution to analyze data collected from

interviews, surveys, or observations of the teachers and students’ preferences

and opinions regarding the alternative school clearance folder made from

Musa balbisiana. The z-distribution can help in calculating z-scores for

individual data points, which can then be used to compare and analyze the

data in a standardized way.

Percentage

Percentage is used in interviews, surveys, and observations to quantify

the proportion of respondents or occurrences related to Musa balbisiana as

an alternative school folder for the teachers and students. It helps to measure

the prevalence, adoption rate, and trends of cardava-based school folder

usage, allowing for quantification and comparison of data in research studies.

Mean

The mean, or average, is used in interviews, surveys, and observations

to calculate the average value of responses or occurrences related to Musa

balbisiana as an alternative school folder for the teachers and students. It

 24

provides a quantitative measure of central tendency that summarizes data

and can help researchers understand the overall perception, acceptance, or

occurrence of cardava-based school folder among teachers and students.

The mean facilitates data analysis and interpretation in research studies on

this topic.

Frequency Table

A frequency table in the study of Musa balbisiana as an alternative

school folder for the teachers and students can be used to summarize and

organize the data on the frequency of certain events or values. In the context

of the study, a frequency table could be used to present the number of

teachers and students who currently use traditional folder, the number of

teachers and students interested in using Musa balbisiana folder, and the

number of teachers and students who have tried the Musa balbisiana folder.

This table could also be used to display the frequency of positive feedback

from teachers and students regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of the

alternative folder solution. In general, frequency tables are useful for providing

a clear and concise summary of data, making it easier to analyze and

interpret the results of a study.

 25

Z-distribution Percentage Mean

z = (x-mean) / standard deviation n=(P/100) x N

Research Data Gathering

The data that will be gathered in the study of Musa balbisiana as an

alternative school folder for the school community in the Our Lady of

Perpetual Help Academy, will involve various methods. A survey will conduct

15-20 students in every grade level in the area to gather information on their

current packaging practices, awareness of environmental impacts, and their

willingness to adopt sustainable alternatives. Field observations will be carried

out to understand the types of school folder materials that will be used by the

wwstudents and to observe the waste generated from their folder practices.

Interviews will be conducted with local authorities in Our Lady of Perpetual

Help Academy and environmental organizations to gather insights on the

current state of waste management in the area and identify potential barriers

to the adaptation of sustainable folder alternatives. The data that will be

gathered is to analyze, identify gaps, and opportunities for introducing Musa

balbisiana as a sustainable folder alternative and to develop

recommendations for promoting its adaptation among the school community

in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy within the locality of Linamon,

Kauswagan Lanao del Norte.

 26

1. 2.
START Develop a Create the
research interview
plan questions

5. 4. 3.
Analyze the Conduct the Recruit
data interviews participants

6. 7. 8.
Create the Conduct the Analyze the
survey survey data
questions

11. 10. 9.
Write the Interpret the Code all the
report data data

End

Figure C. Flowchart in the conduct of study and the gathering of data

 27

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