Privacy Statement

The Pamulingan: KCAST Journal of Natural and Cultural Studies, the official peer-reviewed publication of the Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST), is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal data of our authors, reviewers, editors, and website visitors. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) of the Philippines and other applicable data protection principles.

Collection and Use of Personal Data

We collect personal information solely for the purpose of managing our journal’s operations. This includes the manuscript submission system, the peer-review process, editorial workflows, and communication with our community. The data collected may include your name, institutional affiliation, academic credentials, contact details, and other relevant information necessary for publication and academic exchange.

Specifically, your personal data is used for:

  • User account registration and management in our journal system.

  • Facilitating the editorial and double-blind peer-review process.

  • Communicating with you regarding your submission, review tasks, and editorial decisions.

  • Sending official journal announcements, such as publication notifications and calls for papers.

  • Maintaining the scholarly record and for internal administrative purposes.

Data Storage and Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Access to personal data is restricted to authorized journal editorial staff, involved editors, and assigned reviewers on a need-to-know basis.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

Pamulingan: KCAST Journal of Natural and Cultural Studies does not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to third parties. We will not disclose your personal data without your explicit consent, except in the following circumstances:

  • For the Peer-Review Process: Necessary information (e.g., manuscript title, abstract) is shared with editors and reviewers, while maintaining the confidentiality of author identities in our double-blind review system.

  • For Publication: Upon acceptance, your name, affiliation, and contact details (as you provide) will be published with your article.

  • Legal Compliance: When disclosure is required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the journal, its users, or the public.

Your Rights

In accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right to Access: You may request information about the personal data we hold about you.

  • Right to Rectification: You may request the correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

  • Right to Erasure: You may request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal and archival obligations of the journal.

  • Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your personal data for specific purposes.

  • Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with our legal and archival obligations, and to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record. Data associated with rejected manuscripts is retained for a reasonable period for audit purposes before being securely disposed of.

Updates to this Privacy Statement

Pamulingan: KCAST Journal of Natural and Cultural Studies reserves the right to update this Privacy Statement periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for legal and regulatory reasons. The latest version will always be posted prominently on our journal website. Registered users will be notified of any material changes.

Contact Information

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement or the management of your personal data, please contact the Editorial Office at:

Pamulingan: KCAST Journal of Natural and Cultural Studies
Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST)
Purok 6, Poblacion, Kapalong, Davao del Norte 8113, Philippines
Email: pamulingan.journal@kcast.edu.ph