From Data to Decisions: Assessing the Role of the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) in Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Davao del Sur
Bonn Gerrald P. Librando | Domingo V. Origines
Discipline: information systems
Abstract:
The Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM)
is a comprehensive web-based platform
developed by the Department of Agriculture and
the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
to support rice sector monitoring, analysis, and
evidence-based decision-making. This study
employed a mixed-methods research design to
evaluate PRiSM implementation in Davao del
Sur through the perspectives of 12 users from
nine municipalities, one city, and the provincial
agriculture office. Quantitative data were
collected using structured Likert-scale
questionnaires, while qualitative insights were
obtained through interviews and system
observations. Results revealed several
implementation challenges, including
sustainability concerns, inadequate capacitybuilding initiatives, data quality and utilization
issues, coordination gaps, limited data
accessibility, and weak feedback integration
mechanisms. Quantitative findings showed that
overall system acceptability was below average
user satisfaction with system performance was
low (M = 2.42), and sustainability beyond the
current administration received a very low
rating (M = 2.08). Despite these limitations,
respondents demonstrated a moderate intention
to continue using the system (M = 3.17),
recognizing its potential value for rice sector
monitoring and planning. The findings suggest
that PRiSM’s limitations are primarily
associated with implementation and
institutional support issues rather than
deficiencies in its conceptual design. The study
contributes empirical evidence on the operational challenges of agricultural
information systems at the local government
level and proposes institutional, technical, and
capacity-building interventions to enhance the
sustainability, usability, and decision-support
value of PRiSM. Given the relatively small
number of participants, findings should be
interpreted within the context of the study area
and participant group.
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