BEHIND THE WHEELS: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION ON THE DRIVERS

LICENSE JOURNEY OF KCAST CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS

A Research Paper Presented to the Research Review Committee

of Faculty of Criminology
Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology
Maniki Kapalong, Davao del Norte

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree,
Bachelor of Science in Criminology

COLINA, EMMANUEL G.

January, 2025
BEHIND THE WHEELS: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION ON THE DRIVERS
LICENCSE JOURNEY OF KCAST CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS

______________

A Research Presented to
The Faculty of College of Education
Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology
Maniki, Kapalong Davao del Norte

_______________

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Criminology

_____________

COLINA EMMANUEL G.

______________

January, 2025
 APPROVAL SHEET

This research entitled, “Behind The Wheels: A Qualitative Exploration on the

Drivers License Journey of KCAST Criminology Students” prepared and
submitted by EMMANUEL G. COLINA, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology Education, has been examined
and is hereby endorsed.

KARLA JOY D. ABATAYO RCrim

Adviser

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

APPROVED by the Panel of Examiners on oral examination with a remark

of PASSED.

MARY ANN RONITH P. LIBAGO, PhD

Chairperson

KRISTY JANE R. MUEGNA, PhD LYKKA JANE PROCURATO, RCrim

Member Member

ACCEPTED and APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology.

MARY ANN RONITH P. LIBAGO, MAEd ARIEL A. ALAMBAN, MSCJ

Director, Research and Development Program Head

RONEL G. DAGOHOY, DPA

Vice President for Research, Development and Extension
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Writing a study requires a great deal of time, effort, patience, enthusiasm, and

endurance. The researcher want to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to

everyone who has so generously given me their time, love, and effort. The

researcher overcame the last academic hurdle before graduating from Criminal

Justice Education by writing this research paper. As a result, they have a long list of

persons they would like to thank for giving them the time to conduct and complete

this research.

The researcher is grateful to his research adviser Ma’am Karla Joy Abatayo

RCrim, their knowledge, endurance, and unfailing support have been crucial in

forming this study project her advice and perceptive criticism have really raised the

caliber of this work

To the esteemed and equally intelligent panelists, Ma’am Mary Ann Ronith

Libago PhD, Ma’am Kristy Jane Muegna PhD and Ma’am Lykka Jane Procurato

Rcrim for their helpful and honest comments and suggestions that helped to refine

this paper. Also, for their guidance and constant support in giving back ahead of time

the manuscript:

To the president of Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and

Technology (KCAST), Rodrigo C. Licayan Jr., DBA, for providing the opportunity to

pursue this significant educational objective and for his support during their journey

through the difficult terrain of accepting their inquiry.

Above all, the reseacheris grateful to Almighty God, the ultimate source of

strength, knowledge, and wisdom who has supported me through all of life's ups and

downs, for all the blessings that allowed this work to be completed and for giving the

researcher amazing opportunities to learn and broaden their horizons both personally

and professionally.

-The Researcher
 DEDICATION

To my beloved mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Colina, your constant

encouragement, belief in my abilities, and unwavering willingness to support me—

both emotionally and financially—have been a source of immense strength and

motivation throughout my journey. Your love and guidance have given me the

confidence to pursue my goals with determination. For this and so much more, I am

profoundly grateful and deeply blessed to have you as my parents.I would also like to

express my heartfelt gratitude to my wonderful friends, whose constant support,

encouragement, and companionship have made an incredible difference during the

highs and lows of this research trip. Your presence has been a source of joy,

inspiration, and stability in challenging times. I am truly thankful for our friendship,

which I will cherish forever.

EMMANUEL G. COLINA
 ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences, challenges, coping strategies,

insights, and recommendations of criminology students at Kapalong College of

Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology (KCAST). Utilizing a phenomenological

research design within a qualitative framework, the study gathered in-depth

perspectives from fourteen criminology students who participated as respondents.

The findings highlighted the experiences of criminology students in obtaining their

driver’s licenses, emphasizing the challenges they encountered and their motivations

for pursuing licensure despite various obstacles. These challenges were categorized

into four major themes: long queues, encounters at checkpoints, financial constraints,

and emotional impacts. Long wait times in queues emerged as a primary concern,

with students expressing frustration over extended processing times and financial

burdens. Being stopped at checkpoints without a license was another significant

issue, compelling students to prioritize obtaining their licenses. Financial constraints,

such as examination fees and other associated costs, posed substantial barriers,

with some students resorting to borrowing money to fulfill the requirements.

Additionally, the emotional strain of the licensing process, including feelings of

frustration and inconvenience, was frequently reported due to its prolonged and often

overwhelming nature.This study provides valuable insights into the complex

experiences of criminology students as they navigate the process of securing a

driver’s license. It emphasizes the necessity of addressing these challenges to better

support students in meeting licensing requirements, ultimately contributing to their

personal growth and professional readiness.

Keywords: Criminology, Experiences, Drivers license, Students, Phenomenological

study

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

ABSTRACT iv

DEDICATION vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES viii

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION 1

Rationale 1

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Questions 3

Theoretical Lens
3

Review of Related Literature

6

Effectiveness of Driver Education and Training Programs

Factors Influencing the Obtainment of Driver's Licenses

8
 Transportation Policies, Regulatory Framework, and

Their Impact on Obtaining a Driver's License 10

Significance of the Study 11

Definition of Terms 12

Limitations and Delimitations of the study 12

2 METHODOLOGY 14

Research Design 14

Role of the Researchers

15

Research Participants 15

Data Collection Procedure 16

Data Analysis

18

Trustworthiness of the Study

19

Ethical Consideration 24

3 RESULTS 28

Participants 28

Categorization of Data 30

Research Question no. 1: 31

Queuing in line 32
 Having caught in checkpoints 46

Facing Financial Challenges 38

Having to face emotional Impact 40

Research Question 2

42

Patience and Persistence 42

Motivating oneself 47

Family support

49

Distraction and Relaxation Techniques

52

Research Question no. 3 54

Being mentally ready 54

Having driving knowledge and skill 59

Being prepared financially 62

Importance of patience 64

Chapter Summary 66

4. Discussion 69

Discussion

69
 Implications for Practice 80

Implications for Further Research 81

Concluding Remarks 82

REFERENCES 83

APPENDICES

A Letter of Permission to Conduct Study

B Informed Consent of the Participants

C Interview Guide

D Validation Sheet for Interview Guide

E Summary of Validators’ Rating

F Member checking form

G Archival log form

H Note taker Form with field notes

I Audit trail

J Certificate of editor

K plagiarism check from turn it in

CURRICULUM VITAE
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Participants of the Study 31

2 Perception of Criminology Students on Bill 2449:

Organization Reform in the Philippine National Police 33

3 Coping Mechanism of Perception of Criminology Students

on Bill 2449: ORG. Reform in the Philippine National
Police 40

4 Insights of Perception of Criminology Students on Bill

2449: ORG. Reform in the Philippine National Police 47
 CURRICULUM VITAE

EMMANUEL G. COLINA

Address: Purok 6, New Loon, Asuncion, Davao del Norte

Contact Number: 09702696097

Email Address: emancolina1234@gmail.com

ORCID Number:

PERSONAL

INFORMATION__________________________________________________

NICKNAME : Eman

DATE OF BIRTH : May 27,2003

BIRTHPLACE : Tagum City, Davao del Norte

AGE : 21

NATIONALITY : Filipino

GENDER : Male

RELIGION : Iglesia Ni Cristo

CIVIL STATUS : Single

FATHER'S NAME : Pepito S. Colina

MOTHER'S NAME : Rowena G. Colina

EDUCATIONAL

BACKGROUND_______________________________________________

TERTIARY : Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology

Degree : Bachelor of Science in Criminology

SECONDARY

SHS: Tagum National Trade School

Tagum City, Davao del Norte

2020-2021

JHS: Tagum National Trade School

Tagum City, Davao del Norte

2018-2019

ELEMENTARY New Loon Elementary School

New Loon, Asuncion, Davao del Norte

2014-2