Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) participates in the 7t h Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Celebration in Laoag City
Region V (Bicol) through the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) was well represented during the 7t h Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).
Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya led the Bicol's delegation of seventeen (17) officials and personnel from BCHRD member-agencies who actively participated in this national event namely Dr. Alma Banua, BU (Consortium Director) and Ms. Chona Guidote, Project SStaff (BCHRD Secretariat); committee chairs, Dr. Marlyn Daguno, BRTTH (Research and Development); Dean Laarni Salcedo, CSPC (Capability Building); Dr. Rafaelita O. Lucena, DOST V (Regional Information and Communication Utilization); and Ms Sandy Lasa, USI (Ethics Review); and the three (3) student-contestants from Bicol University. Other participants are from USANT (2); ADNU; BU Colleges of Science and Medicine (2); and CSU (2).
This PNHRS Week Celebration spearheaded by the key implementing agencies [Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines (UP)Manila] was an avenue for sharing/discussions of information and experiences by seventeen (17) health R&D consortia with S&T-based solutions to the problems of the country particularly on health and health related concerns.
Region V's entry "Hypoglycemic Effect of Ethanol Peel Extract of Citrus Sinesis (Orange) on Male Alloxan-lnfused Diabetic Albino Mice (Mus Musculus)" was awarded as national finalist in the Student Research Presentation Competition with a P2,000 cash prize. The student-contestants were Mary G. Estanislao, Maria I.M. Lanuzo and Irja K.E. Robles, BU College of Nursing.
Aside from the poster and research presentation competitions, other celebration highlights were the talks on Ethics in Health Review; Indigenous People's Health, and Writing for Scientific Journal; Panel Discussions on Research for People's Health and Generating More Quality Proposals; Roundtable Discussion on the Health Research Shapers focusing on the Universal Health Care; Consortium Exhibits and the Opening/Closing Ceremonies graced by local leaders of llocos Norte with Region I Health Research and Development as this year's host.
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo was represented by Undersecretary Amelia Guevarra during the opening ceremonies (Secretary Montejo and other cabinet members were with President Aquino at that time in Davao City for the Mindanao Business Conference). Usee. Guevarra stressed on DOST's commitment for meaningful S&T based solutions and innovations for the people we serve. Better policies and services will improve their lives. She also said that DOST-PCHRD leads the PNHRS in adopting collaborative strategies to ensure that health researches will contribute to better and improved health facilities. On the other hand, R&D initiatives generate and increase knowledge and push for more public health services together with local leaders and other stakeholders who are recognized as catalyst of change.
During fellowship night with regional presentations featuring songs and dances, Region V's rendition of the songs "Sarong Banggi" and "Ano Daw Idtong sa Gogon" together with Region IV-A (with the tagalog version of "Sarung Banggi") won third prizes for the Best Choral Presentation and Best Costume. The competition was intended for every region but later changed into clusters (Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, NCR, Visayas and Mindanao).
According to Dr. Jaime Montoya, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director, the good news is for the year 2013 could be labeled as the year for health with the passage of PNHRS Act; RH Law and Sin Tax.
The Philippines will be the venue for two (2) big international events, the Global Forum for Health Research where the Philippines is recognized as a model for the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) to be held in February 2015 at PICC,Metro Manila and the International Health Conference on 23-26 November 2014 at Cebu City with the theme "Embedding Ethics in Health Research", Dr. Montoya added (Dr. ROL/Bong, DOST V).
