The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) together with the Department of Health Regional Office VIII (DOH RO8) conducted its 2019 Regional Health Research Symposium (RHRS) on October 23, 2019 at The Summit Hotel, Tacloban City, Leyte. This activity is the Region-wide contest for Oral Research Paper Presentations and Poster Exhibits both for professional and student categories where modest cash prizes are given to the winners.
This year’s theme was adapted from the 2019 Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration conducted in Cagayan de Oro last August 9-12, 2019, “Achieving Health-related Sustainable Development Goals through Research and Innovation”. Engr. Ernesto M. Granada, the Consortium Director and the Assistant Regional Director-TO of DOST 8, in his opening remarks, pointed out that this worthwhile activity provides platforms to health research community not just in the region but nationally.
“We have known that Philippines is one of the many countries of the world which is a signatory to the sustainable development goals for its attainment by 2030. From the 17 sustainable development goals, we can see that there are health-related issues that can be addressed such as no poverty and we can induce nutrition problem, health education problem and others.”
Mr. Willard N. Riveral, Chair of EVHRDC Research Utilization Committee (RUC), introduced the presenters, guests and visitors from various state universities, public and private government agencies. Around sixty (60) guests, professionals, students and visitors participated the regional symposium coming from the various SUCs and government agencies in Region 8. The presenters were coming from Biliran Province State University (BPSU), Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Samar State University (SSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation (RTRMF), Holy Infant College (HIC), and Burauen Comprehensive National High School. The different committees of the consortium were also recognized as well as the EVHRDC staff, guests and speakers.
Ms. Josephine Hipe, Chair of the Structure of the Organization, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (SOMEC), introduced the judges for oral research presentation and poster exhibit contest. For the oral research presentation, the judges were Dr. Noel R. Juban of the College of Medicine University of the Philippines-Manila, Mr. Leonido P. Olobia of the DOH Regional Office VIII, and Fr. Patricio R. De Los Reyes of the Divine Word Hospital. For the poster exhibit contest, the judges were Engr. Ernesto M. Granada of the DOST Regional Office VIII, Ms. Anicia P. Catameo of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and Sr. John Mary Fornillos of the Holy Infant College.
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| Ceremonial opening of poster exhibit graced by this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Minerva P. Molon and guests |
After review and evaluation, the following were announced as winners of the oral and poster presentations:
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| Winner of Poster Exhibit Contest from BCNHS delegates of the Department of Education Leyte Division for Student Category with the research title: "Adequacy and availability of service of barangay health centers in Burauen, Leyte" presented by Ms. Christine Marie M. Narrido and Mr. Ralph Aron T. Baduya. |
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| Winner of Poster Exhibit Contest from RTRMF delegates for Professional Category with the research title: "Prevalence Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus among Selected Nurses in Hospitals of Tacloban City: Proposed Infection Control Guidelines" presented by Ms. Sherrena V. Openiano. |
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| Winner of Oral Research Presentation from HIC delegates for Student Category with research title: “Development of Starch-based Biolplastics Using Gabi (Colocasia esculenta L.) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) for a More Durable and Eco-friendly Plastic” presented by Mr. John Lloyd del Agua |
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| Winner of Oral Research Presentation from BiPSU delegates for Professional Category with research title: “Effects of Graphic Health Warning Labels in Cigarette Packaging Among Smokers in Cabugcayan, Bilran” presented by Ms. Mae Geraldine Dacer. |
The chairs of each committee, director, coordinators and the over-all chair of the consortium were also given certificates of recognition for their exemplary performance and commitment in providing full support in the implementation of health-related activities and in enhancing the EVHRDC operations in Eastern Visayas.
Dr. Leo M. Acaba, Member of EVHRDC-SOMEC, in his closing remarks, thanked the DOH and DOST through the EVHRDC Family in making this event a successful one. Indeed, all the participants were winners already because they went home with cash prizes. A fellowship night was held thereafter in celebration of the success of this year’s regional symposium.
