The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) together with the Department of Health Regional Office VIII (DOH RO8) conducted its 2018 Regional Health Research Symposium (RHRS) on November 13, 2018 at The Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte. This activity is the 1st Region-wide contest for Oral Research Paper Presentations and Poster Exhibits both for professional and undergraduate categories where modest cash prizes are given to the winners.
Dr. Minerva P. Molon, the Regional Director of DOH RO8, in her opening remarks, pointed out that this activity will not just promote the consortium activities but also to motivate researchers to do better in their research career so that communities could benefit from utilizing their research outputs.
“The theme of this year’s symposium addresses equity which is anchored on the research agenda and priorities in Eastern Visayas. I motivate interested parties to submit proposal with health-related researches for possible funding.”
 |
 |
Mr. Willard N. Riveral, Chair of EVHRDC Research Information Committee (RIC), introduced the presenters, guests and visitors from various state universities, public and private government agencies. There were a total of 78 participants who attended the symposium. The different committees of the consortium were also recognized as well as the EVHRDC staff, guests and speakers.
 |
 |
| "Ceremonial opening of poster exhibit graced by Dr. Molon and guests” | |
Mr. Leonido Olobia, Research Program Coordinator and Chair of Research Management Committee, emphasized that this symposium is the first ever Regional Health Resarch Symposium in Eastern Visayas and through DOH and the collaboration of DOST-EVHRDC, this was made successful. Dr. Olobia also pointed out the purpose of this symposium.
“On behalf of the DOH Region 8, I would like to thank the members of the consortium for making this symposium a successful one. The purpose of this activity is not just to promote the activities of the consortium but also to make use of the researches related to health because based on the review, there were a lot of talented researches from students to professional category here in Region 8.
 |
 |
Dr. Noel R. Juban, the keynote speaker of this year’s RHRS quoted “In order to try research, one should have a supporting environment. As a researcher, one should not end in presentation only; it has to be published in a journal for wide dissemination of such research.”
After review and evaluation, the following were announced as winners;
| Oral Research Presentation Contest | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Prof. Maricel A. Gomez, 1st Place Winner of Oral Research Presentation from Leyte Normal University delegates for Professional Category with research title: “Men Who Have Sex with Men: The Naked Truth Among Male College Students” | Mr. Richard Luke R. Abletes, 1st Place Winner of Oral Research Presentation from Eastern Visayas State University delegates for Student Category with research title: “Participation and Problems Met in the Implementation of Zero Open Defecation Program in Selected Barangays of Salcedo, Eastern Samar” |
| Poster Exhibit Contest | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Mr. Ginbert P. Cuaton, 1st Place Winner of Poster Exhibit Contest from Leyte Normal University delegates for Professional Category | Ms. Renalyn M. Yabor, 1st Place Winner of Poster Exhibit Contest from Eastern Samar State University delegates for Student Category |
 |
 |
Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, Member of EVHRDC-EXECOM and Visayas State University (VSU) President, in his closing remarks, thanked the DOH and DOST through the EVHRDC Family in making this event a successful one. Dr. Tulin advised the young professionals to improve their research outputs to be utilized by the communities and make more health-related researches relevant in the future.
“With the active involvement of DOST and partner state universities and colleges, I’m sure we will be able to make more health researches relevant in the future in terms of the demands. I hope that those who were not able to get the awards, will do better next time because this is just part of making us aware on what research is all about. We say “Research is wealth”, thus we are encouraged to make our researches productive and beneficial to the health of human beings.”
