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Dr. Victor B. Mariano, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office III, gives his opening remarks during the “Regional Seminar Workshop on Research Upgrading and Performance Evaluation”.

 

National Scientist Lourdes N. Cruz led a group of academicians involved in promoting more research activities in the academe in a two-day seminar workshop that was aimed at upgrading research and performance evaluation. Spearheaded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST-DOST), the seminar was held at the Philippine Carabao Center at the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija last April 29-30, 2014.  It was attended by more than 60 research managers and staff from different state colleges and universities and private institutions of learning in Region III.     

Lecturers included Acd. Marco Nemesio Montano of the UP-Diliman Marine Science Institute who discussed ethics in R&D; Dr. Franco Teves of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, who gave a lively discussion on scientific mentoring and formation of research groups. He also conducted a workshop on writing scientific articles for publication.

Other speakers were Dr. Roberto Pagulayan of the Angeles University Foundation, who discussed research performance evaluation in the academe; Dr. Eric Palacpac of the Philippine Carabao Center, who lectured on the R&D process flow at PCC. 

Ms. Maridon Sahagun also presented the DOST-GIA program which could be a source of funding for R&D projects that are aligned with identified DOST priorities.

The importance of patents and utility model registration in R&D was also emphasized.  This was discussed by Mr. Jerry Serapion of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

The two-day seminar gave the participants an overview of the current state of R&D activities in the country. It was noted that the Philippines, with its high number of PhD graduates in the academe lags behind the other ASEAN neighbors in terms of research outputs which is an important contributor to economic development.  Thus, the participants were encouraged to do more collaborative research to maximize resources. 

Delivering on its mandate to improve and encourage the conduct of health-related researches in Region III, the Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) recently conducted two activities to achieve this objective.

The first activity entitled, Regional Forum on Inventions and ICT in Health was held last April 29, 2014 at the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) in Cabanatuan City. It was aimed at providing the participants with possible research areas in ICT applications in health. 

Participants of the Regional Forum 

                The second activity was the Symposium on Health Research Projects in Region III held last May 30 at the Systems Plus College Foundation (SPCF) in Angeles City. Completed researches from CLHRDC member- institutions were presented and judged in three categories, namely, Oral Research Presentation, Professional and Student Categories and Poster Research Presentation, Student Category. 1st and 2nd placers on both categories of the Oral Research Presentation earned the right to represent the region in the 8th Philippine National Health Research System Week Celebration in August this year.

                The following were declared winners in their respective categories.

Oral Research Presentation Professional Category:

First Place

Dr. Neil C. Tanquilut, (PAC)

Hypoglycemic Activity of Antidesma bunius L and

Mollugo oppositifolia L Fresh and Alcoholic Extracts

in the db/db Diabetic Mouse Model

            Second Place

Prof. Erwin C. Mina, (TSU)

Risk Evaluation of the Toxicity of Tubang

Amerikano (Jathropa multifida Linn.) Leaf Extract

            Third Place

Dr. Remedios D. San Jose (PAC)

Gross and Histopathological Evaluation of Selected

Internal Organs of Alloxan–Induced Diabetic Rats

(Rattus norvegicus) Treated with White Gourd Melon

(Benincasa hispida Cogn.) Extract

 

Oral Research Presentation Student Category

First Place

Jeuz Koz A. Gelyz, et al. (AUF)

Detection of Potential Anti-Quorum Sensing

Activity in Common Santan (Ixora chinensis Lam.)

Leaf Extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Second Place 

Mara Louella P. Sangilan, et al. (AUF)

Determinaton of the Anti-Angiogenic Activity

of White Angel (Holorrhena antidysenterica)

Leaf Extract Using Chorioallontoic Membrane Assay

Third Place

Daniel Ian M. Berber, et al. (BPSU)

Electronic Medical Record Using RFID Technology

 

Poster Research Presentation (Student Category)

First Place

Johnna N. Oliveria, et al. (BPSU)

Blood Glucose Monitoring System with SMS Technology

Second Place

Lei Vanette Alangui (AUF)

The Efficacy of Basil (Ocimum bacilicum) and

Bay (Laurus nobilis) as Repellent against

Common Houseflies (Musca domestica)

Ms. Jean N. Guillasper, head of the CLHRDC-Research Utilization, Information and Communication Committee and over-all chairperson of the two activities, said that they will continue to implement strategies that will enhance the capacity of its members to conduct R and D projects.

CLHRDC is tasked to improve and encourage more collaborative health research projects in Region 3. The Department of Science and Technology III acts as the consortium secretariat.

Prof. John Micah Gabriel, one of the finalists in the oral research presentation – professional category

Suppliers and distributors of petroleum products can now have their fuel delivery tankers calibrated for accuracy at the Metrology and Instrumentation Laboratory (MIL) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) located at Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Engr. Wilbert Balingit, laboratory-in-charge, said that the new calibration service is being offered to serve the needs of local oil companies who are required by government regulations to have their road tankers calibrated for accuracy once a year. The DOST-MIL has the capacity to calibrate fuel tankers with capacities of 5,000 to 50,000 liters. The process usually takes from four up to eight hours depending on the capacity of the tankers. Test fees range from P600 to P3,900.

Once a tanker is calibrated according to the required standard, it is set and sealed and a certificate of calibration which is good for one year is issued. “It actually benefit both the supplier and the distributor as a calibrated road tanker protects against loss of fuel,” added Engr. Balingit as he encouraged suppliers of petroleum products and owners of gasoline stations in the region to avail of the service.

With its expanded range of services, the DOST-MIL is also offering temperature calibration of refrigerated vans used for delivering meat products, both fresh and processed. This service is geared towards assisting food processing firms comply with regulations on the transport of said food products.

A road fuel tanker is shown being prepared for calibration at the DOST-MIL. Interested parties who may wish to avail of the service can contact the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (DOST-RSTL) at telephone numbers 045-455-0594.

Iba na ang Panahon: Science for Safer Communities", thus Secretary Mario G. Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), sounded the battlecry during the launch of a nationwide program designed to make our communities safer during calamities.

 

Speaking before local executive officials of Region III at the start of the two-day seminar held at the Oxford Prince Hotel, inside the Clark Economic Zone, last March 3-4, 2013,  Sec. Montejo lamented the result of a World Risk Report in 2012 which ranks the Philippines as third among countries which are most vulnerable to natural hazards. He said that we need to break out of a “vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction” after each calamity. At least an average of 20 typhoons visits the country every year which also bring along other associated hazards like flooding, landslides and storm surges. There are also earthquakes and tsunamis. Calling the Philippines as a “disaster laboratory” Sec. Montejo emphasized the need for a coordinated plan to mitigate the effects of such disastrous natural events before, during and after they occur.

 

Citing the unprecedented damage caused by Typhoon Yolanda, Sec. Montejo said that the local officials on the ground prepared for a strong typhoon. However, post disaster assessment showed that more needs to be done in helping communities prepare strongertyphoons in the future.  He  enjoined the local executive officials present to be more proactive in disaster management in their respective areas. “The safety of your communities lie in your hands. With broad powers at your disposal, you should be able to provide a strong frontline to make sure your constituents are safe at the stroke of a disaster,” the Science Secretary added.

 

Thus, the DOST is holding a series of roadshow information and communication campaign to help capacitate local government units respond better to natural calamities. Using available scientific tools and taking into account conditions inherent in a particular community, the seminars will provide knowhow which can serve as guides to local executives make the right decision by planning ahead. Through a process called disaster imagination, there will no longer be second guessing weather forecasts and alerts issued by authorities. Local officials will be able to anticipate and predict damage caused by, say a Storm Signal No. 3 alert based on their knowledge of community vulnerabilities, that is the kind of buildings and structures that will be destroyed in the face of such a storm signal. Said Secretary Montejo, “We hope to instill a culture of safety among our communities. By giving early warnings which should lead to early action, minimum loss of life and property and much faster recovery can be achieved. This should be the new normal.”

 

Among the resource speakers during the two-day seminar were Dr. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay of Project NOAH and Dr. Vicente Malano of PAGASA.

 

DOST Asst. Secretary Raymund Liboro answers a question from a member of the press during the media conference held in connection with the launching of the Science for Safer Communities “Iba na ang Panahon,”roadshow at Oxford Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga

CALL FOR PAPERS

SYMPOSIUM ON HEALTH RESEARCH

PROJECTS IN REGION 3

The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) is now accepting research papers to be presented at the Symposium on Health Research Projects in Region 3 which will be held at the Systems Plus College Foundation on May 16, 2014.

Papers should be aligned with NUHRA/RUHRA priority research areas namely:  Drug Discovery and Development, Development of Diagnostic Kits for Priority Diseases, Genomic and Molecular Technology, ICT for Health, Hospital Equipment and Biomedical Devices, and Health Care Delivery System.

The oral presentation and poster presentation are divided into two categories: 1) Professional/Faculty and 2) Student

SUBMISSIONS

The paper to be submitted for the Professional/Faculty Category should be completed at least for the year 2012; and 2013 for the student category.

Submit a 300-word abstract divided into five parts: 1) Introduction; 2) Objective; 3) Methodology; 4) Results and 5) Conclusion which will include title, headings and key words on the topic investigated. Submission should also include the author’s updated curriculum vitae, 2x2 photo, and name and logo of the researcher’s institution. Deadline of submission of abstracts and full papers is on February 28, 2014 but early submissions are greatly appreciated.

Note: ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE IN MICROSOFT WORD.

Abstract should be submitted through this email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For inquiries please contact us:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telephone Numbers: (045) 455-1733/455-0800

 

Camille Louise S. Sunglao

Project Assistant II, CLHRDC

Department of Science and Technology 3,

DM Government Center, Maimpis,

City of San Fernando, Pampanga