In the celebration of the Regional Science and Technology week celebration of the DOST ROV last July 25-27, 2016 at the La Piazza Hotel and Convention Center, the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development in cooperation with the DOST V, spearheaded a Forum on Health and Food Safety last July 26, 2016, 1:00 -5:00 in the afternoon at the Sicily/ Milan Hall. The said forum was participated by 40 participants mainly composed of researchers and representatives from public and private agencies, SUC’s, HEI’s and members of the consortium.
The objective of the said forum is to increase awareness of the health and health-related researchers on topics on food safety standards and increasing chances of these researchers to write more fundable proposals for funding agencies.
The lady of ceremony, Ms. Rina Llenaresas started the forum with an invocation followed by the Philippine National Anthem. To welcome the guests and participant, Prof. Michael Montealegre , BCHRD Director delivered his welcome remarks. Speakers of the said forum were Prof. Ida Francia H. Revale, director of Bicol University- Regional Center for Food Safety and Quality Standards (BU-RCFSQA) who discussed food safety standards and Dr. Lilibeth A. Cajuday, faculty-researcher of Bicol University College of Science and has one (1) completed research funded by PCHRD and one (1) newly-approved research.
Prof. Revale started the discussion with the recall on the definition of terms related to food safety and food safety standards. She further explained the do’s and don’t’s for preparing, storing and consumption of food. Dr. Cajuday, explained the cycle of proposal from the preparation, writing, submission, review, revision, endorsement until its approval. She cited as an example her completed research with BCHRD which built her patience and confidence in writing researches. She encouraged the participants to write and submit health and health-related proposals to BCHRD for possible funding.
After the discussions of the two (2) speakers, Dr. Pilita Lucena, Senior Science Research Specialist from DOST V acted as moderator for the open forum. Questions from the audience were directed to the two (2) speakers. Inquiries and clarifications from the participants were answered by the speakers.
To formally close the program, Dr. Ma.Teresa G. De Alban gave her insightful and encouraging words of wisdom to the participants.
