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16th PNHRS 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
16th PNHRS Teaser

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 8 is gearing up to launch the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for the School Year 2024-2025.

This initiative is designed to address malnutrition among the region's youngest learners, specifically targeting those from Kindergarten to Grade 6 who are severely wasted and wasted. By providing both Nutritious Food Products (NFP) and Fresh Milk Component, DepEd aims to significantly boost the health and academic performance of these students.

The main objective of the SBFP for SY 2024-2025 is to reach 133,127 learners identified as severely wasted and wasted. The program offers Hot Meals (HM) and Nutritious Food Products (NFP). These will be provided over 220 feeding days, encompassing 200 school days and an extra 20 days in a learning camp. Another provision is the fresh milk which will be supplied for 55 feeding days.

The program has secured substantial funding to support both the nutritious food products and the fresh milk component. The 13 Schools Division Offices (SDOs) in the region has been allocated specific budgets and target beneficiary numbers to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Regional Offices (ROs) and SDOs are tasked to conduct preparatory activities and procurement processes as early as January 2024. This early start is crucial to ensuring that funds are properly obligated by April 2024 and that the procurement of pasteurized and sterilized milk is completed by April-May 2024.

To ensure successful implementation, the program follows stringent guidelines to ensure efficient and effective delivery. The daily budget is set at Php 22.00 per student with flexibility to reallocate any excess budget within the weekly constraint of Php 110.00.

The NFP and milk will be served directly at schools with home distribution only allowed under community quarantine conditions. The use of Iron-Fortified Rice (IFR) is encouraged to be served once a week, in line with the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000.

The implementation of the SBFP is an ambitious undertaking with several challenges such as logistical hurdles and ensuring timely procurement. To overcome these challenges, DepEd Region 8 is focusing on early planning, accurate procurement processes, and strong collaboration with local suppliers and volunteer groups.

The School-Based Feeding Program for SY 2024-2025 in DepEd Region 8 represents a comprehensive effort to enhance the nutritional status and academic readiness of young learners. Through careful planning, substantial budget allocation, and adherence to strict nutritional guidelines, the program aims to make a significant positive impact on the health and educational outcomes of students in the region. This initiative not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also lays the foundation for a healthier and more academically successful future for the children of Region 8.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office VIII is taking significant strides in promoting health and wellness in the workplace through its commitment and support to DOH-CSC-DOLE Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2023-0001 providing for the National Policy Framework on the Promotion of Healthy Workplaces.

Among the pioneer regional agencies in Eastern Visayas to implement this national endeavor, DILG 8 aims to foster a healthier and more productive work environment, underscoring the importance of employee well-being in achieving organizational success and community development.

The national framework is intended for promotion, establishment, and strengthening of Healthy Workplaces in support of the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. It sets directions and provides key strategies to guide the implementation of settings-based health promotion policies, plans, and programs for the Filipino workforce. The framework also identifies the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the promotion of healthy workplaces, including national government agencies and local government units.

At present, DILG RO VIII focuses on the following key initiatives in the promotion of a healthy workplace; (1) Health and Wellness Programs, (2) Safe Work Environment, (3) Mental Health Support, and (4) Employee Engagement and Education.

Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe emphasizes the importance of leadership in promoting a healthy workplace culture. "Our leaders play a crucial role in setting an example and creating an environment where health and wellness are prioritized. By investing in our employees' well-being, we are also investing in the quality of service we provide to our communities."

DILG Regional Office VIII is closely working with the Department of Health for an improved implementation and holistic monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives. The Office also assists the DOH in coordinating the implementation of the program to local government units in the region.

Calling all researchers in health!

The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) is now accepting capsule proposals that are in line with the 2023-2028 Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRA) (click here) and must have the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach - a study collaboration between the researcher and his partner communities in the knowledge production and development of interventions, programs, and strategies for social change.

 

WHO CAN SUBMIT A CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL?

The Call for Proposals is open to all researchers affiliated with an EVHRDC member institution.  The project leader:

  • Must have a good track record;
  • Must be a Filipino who is based in Eastern Visayas;
  • Must not have an on-going research funded through EVHRDC as a project leader,
  • Must be open to collaboration with researchers from the same and other member institutions; and
  • Must be open to collaboration with people from the communities.

 

Note: The research locale must be within Eastern Visayas 

 

HOW TO SUBMIT A CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1) Complete the PCHRD Capsule Research Proposal Form (click here).
2) Submit the accomplished form via:
     a) Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject EVHRDC Capsule Proposal_<Full Name> (Name of Institution)
     e.g. EVHRDC Capsule Proposal_ Juan de la Cruz (DOST 8) 

AND

     b) In-person or courier. Provide seven (7) copies of the proposal and place them inside a sealed brown envelope and address it to:

              DR. LUCIA P. DAUZ
              SRS II and EVHRDC Director
              Department of Science and Technology 8
              Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte
              0916-601-3078 

The deadline for the submission of the proposals is on April 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM. 

 

As part of its commitment to continuously enhancing the region's health research and development, the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) recently held an activity for this year's Call for Participatory Action Research (PAR) Proposals. It took place on March 15, 2024 at Generation Bread in Tacloban City. The activity was spearhead by the Research Management Committee and was participated by researchers from EVHRDC’s member state universities and colleges including LNU, SSU, NwSSU, UPTC, SLSU, BiPSU, and EVSU Ormoc.

Dr. Lucia P. Dauz, the consortium director, began the activity formally with her welcome remarks. She highlighted that this is one of the Research Management Committee's (RMC) most important activities, with the aim of generating possible funding, specifically for participatory action research (PAR). She also provided a brief overview of the process for funding and monitoring funded projects until they are completed.

Ms. Jean Gay O. Ragub, EVHRDC Coordinator, explained the rationale of the activity as well as a brief outline of the program. She then urged everyone to engage in the open forum, with the hope that the researchers will submit a capsule proposal following the event.

The presentation started with a discussion of the 2023-2028 Regional Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRA), headed by Mr. Leonido P. Olobia, RMC Chair. Through consultations with the EVHRDC stakeholders, the consortium has identified priority regional health problems for research, which comprises 22 themes, with each theme having corresponding specific research topics. Mr. Olobia then provided a brief orientation about PAR. He emphasized the significance of PAR in health policy and systems, and that all partner communities, CSOs, POs, GOs, LGUs, and academic or research institutions may be involved in its implementation. He also explained the three elements of PAR, namely: People, Power, and Praxis.

Sr. John Mary P. Fornillos, an RMC member, presented the criteria for the evaluation of capsule proposals. There are eight criteria included, and each criterion is based on a rating system. Proponents of shortlisted capsule proposals will be requested to submit the full-blown version of the proposal..

An overview of ethics in research was presented by Dr. Jane R. Borrinaga, Ethics Review Committee Chair. Her presentation covered the following topics: What ethical clearance is; Why it is necessary; When and how to obtain it, and a short introduction of the EVHRDC-ERC and its functions. Dr. Borrinaga additionally discussed the requirements, timelines, and process for reviewing proposals submitted to the EVHRDC-ERC.

This was followed by another presentation of Dr. Lucia P. Dauz on the administrative aspect of funded research. Included in her presentation are identifying the steps in developing a research timetable and the important items for inclusion in the research budget; creating a Gantt chart; and the process of applying thePCHRD RRF guidelines in developing the budget for their proposed research, which was emphasized among the topics she presented. She also presented sample line-item budgets in which the items in the personal services, MOOE, equipment outlay, and indirect cost were emphasized.

The activity concluded with announcements made by Mr. Jeremy V. Jusay, RMC Secretariat, who stated that the RMC will conduct an evaluation of capsule proposals on April 19 once they are received by April 15, the deadline for submission. Researchers with shortlisted proposals will be invited to attend a PAR training in April. Following that is a Research Proposal Enhancement Workshop (RPEW) for the researchers to complete and finalize their full-blown proposals.

 

 

A two-day internal training program on current ICT trends and technologies, such as network monitoring, VPN (virtual private network), and pfSense Firewall for information system security, is offered by DOST - STII.

 

Department of Science and Technology - Management Information System Unit conducted the "Training on Information System Security and Preventive Maintenance of ICT Equipment" training and invited resource persons from the Department of Science and Technology - Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST - STII). Mr. Alfon Narquita and Mr. Mark Jayson Sison addressed the topic of Securing Networks with pfSense and OpenVPN: Enhancing Connectivity and Privacy in DOST Regional Office VIII.

 

 

During the training, Mr. Alfon Narquita provided participants with a demonstration of how to install pfSense — a powerful and user-friendly program that makes networks safer. This program includes firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs) for homes, businesses, government organizations, and educational institutions.

 

 

Additionally, Mr. Mark Jayson Sison gave a brief introduction to OpenVPN — a tool for establishing a secure connection via an unsecured communication channel, such as the public Internet, between a computer and a network or between two networks. Lastly, Mr. Mark Jayson gave the participants instructions on installing OpenVPN and explained how using the program would help them.

 

 

Engr. Florentino L. Quiñones, the director of DOST - Management Information System, gave his closing remarks and identified his key takeaways. It is anticipated that the lessons learned will be put to use to guarantee greater network security of the DOST Regional Office and Provincial Science and Technology Offices of Region VIII.