The research conference, which was first held in 2011, has been a tradition to promote research & development in Region 9; since then, it is held every two years. This year’s research exhibition bears the theme: “Advancing Health Sector Capacity for Health Research and Development”.
16 different heads of agencies in Region 9 converged in a pre-conference meeting in the morning of 14 November 2013 to renew their commitment to the research consortium. Among others, they elected new officers of the consortium for the next 2 years.
Management Committee
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Chair:
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Dr. Nimfa R. Torrizo, MPH, DOH-CHD 9 Regional Director represented by Ma. Agnes Z. Mabolo, MD
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Co-Chair:
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Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, Ateneo de Zamboanga University President
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Core Group
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Consortium Director:
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Teresita G. Montaño, PhD, Ateneo Research Center Director
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Consortium Assistant Director:
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Maria del Pilar Pamela R. Tarroza, National Nutrition Council 9 Nutrition Program Coordinator
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Research Management Committee Chair:
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Chona Q. Sarmiento, PhD, Western Mindanao State University-RDEC Dean
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Zamboanga Peninsula Ethics Review Committee Chair:
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Gloria G. Florendo, PhD, Western Mindanao State University- Special Programs & Projects Director
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Capacity Building Committee Chair:
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Grace J. Rebollos, EdD, Western Mindanao State University Professor
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Research Utilization Committee Chair:
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Dir. Noemi B. Edaga, Philippine Information Agency 9 Regional Director
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In the afternoon, Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, Zamboanga City Health Officer represented Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco welcomed the 90 participants from the different Higher Education Institutions, Government Agencies, and Hospitals, and Non-Government Organizations in the region. In his words, Dr. Agbulos that strengthening the capacity of researchers is needed to “push the boundaries of the great unknown as well as the support of their peers and the resources of the collective research community in a bid to make the health sector [in the region] competitive and more responsive to the needs of the people.”
Dir. Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, DOST-9 Regional Director gave her message to the audience where she encouraged the consortium’s partners in the academe to look into the health and allied health courses’ curriculum to consider the possibility of a paradigm shift towards evidence-based research while creating a stimulating environment, which will continuously spark young curious minds.
Dr. Emmylou Yanga, CHED-9 Regional Director on the other hand stressed the need “to explore for more discoveries relative to the various health related problems the region has been experiencing as well as the need for more health researchers in the region”. She also said that CHED would endorse promising researches for possible funding by the CHED Central Office through the OPPRI.
The new Consortium Chair, Dr. Nimfa R. Torrizo of the DOH-CHD 9, for her part pointed out in her message that “research is crucial to development and progress, research findings serve as evidence for policy change, improvement of health program strategies and policies.” She also said that research is a specialized field and that people interested in doing research feel inadequate or unskilled and something has to be done to change that mind set.
Day 1 ended with a presentation by Dr. Cecilia S. Acuin from the Food & Nutrition Research Institute entitled “Presentation of Maternal, neonatal and child health in Southeast Asia towards greater regional collaboration research”
4 researchers competed during the Research Presentation Contest:
- Prof. Francis C. Jumala, WMSU College of Social Sciences with “Healing by the Spirits: A Glimpse of the Pag-Igal Jin nad the Pagomboh of the Sama Dilaut”;
- Ezrah-Dino S. Hailil, MD of the Zamboanga City Medical Center with The Development of Clinical Tool to Predict Serum Potassium Level Among Suspected Hypokalemic Pediatric Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis in the Zamboanga City Medical Center;
- Engr. Ilde B. Deloria & Mr. John Lomboy with Packed Cage Rotating Biological Contactor for the Treatment of Slaughterhouse Waste Water; and
- Nhamier M. Jikiri, MD & Salip Nastra Jumaani, MD with Pathogenic Bacteria Colonizing the Stethoscopes of Resident Physicians of ZCMC: A Cross-Sectional Study
4 researchers also competed for the Poster Presentation Contest:
- Nur Eldeen M. Echeverria, Brent Hospital & Colleges, Inc. Exploring gay men’s experiences of intimate partner violence
- Ramfred T. Cresmundo, WMSU College of Home Economics Factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption among school children in Zamboanga City
- Dr. Kristine M. Prayon, ADZU School of Medicine Infection control practices of hospitals in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
- Nerlyne C. Concepcion, WMSU College of Social Sciences Problems of displacement of the Tausug from their homeland and the issues experienced
Dr. Ezrah-Dino S. Hailil of the Zamboanga City Medical Center won in the Paper Presentation Contest while Dr. Kristine M. Prayon of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine won in the Poster Presentation Contest.
The day concluded with 2 guest presentations by Ms. Luz Diaz-Bonocan from Katilingban Home Owners’ Association with Tiene pero nuay- Experiences of Community Residents of Health Service Provision in some areas in Zamboanga City and Ms. Maisie Faith J. Dagapioso from the Katilingban para sa Kalambuan Org., Inc. with HEALING: Symbols, meanings, and expressions
Photos can be viewed from our official facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/zchrd
