The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce the search for the Best Mentor in Health Research Award for the year 2013.

The award aims to recognize excellence in mentorship that instills passion among researchers resulting to enhanced relevance and productivity in health research. It also aims to reward mentors who have built the capacities of researchers in the health sector which led  to significant advances in the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) thrusts as identified in the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

The search is open to all Filipino citizen actively involved in mentoring researchers/students or colleagues for at least 5 years. Past winners cannot be nominated. Nominations can be made by heads of institutions, immediate supervisor/s, colleague/s, trainee/s, or student/advisee. Self-nomination is not allowed.

Each cluster winner (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR) will receive a cash prize of P 100,000.00 plus a plaque of recognition. The national winner will receive a cash prize of P 200,000.00 plus a trophy.

Nominations should reach the regional consortium – Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium (CVHRDC) not later than March 29, 2013. Qualified nominees will be reviewed and shortlisted by the consortium. Deadline of submission of shortlisted nominees to PCHRD is on April 15, 2013. A copy of the guidelines, recommendation form, CV of the nominee and eligibility check can be downloaded at the downloads section/Awards and Recognitions/ 2013 Best Mentor in Health Research Award.

For inquiries and submission of nomination forms, you may contact Ms. Clyde Beth A. Bumatay-Caraang, CVHRDC Staff at (078) 304-3426/304-8654, c/o DOST Regional Office No. 02, # 2 Dalan na Paccurofon, Corner Matunung St., Regional Government Center, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

House approves the National Health Research System bill

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to institutionalize the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).

The authors of House Bill 6735 are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite), Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao).

Angara said it is important to build the country's capability for research and development because it can fuel the necessary innovation that will lead to a responsive and efficient health care system.

"The country must provide for a favorable research environment wherein government agencies, non-government organizations, public and private hospitals, academic institutions and private agencies can optimize their research activities," Angara said.

Palmones said the PNHRS is a framework of cooperation and resource sharing of the core agencies and stakeholders in health research anchored on the principles of inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency and effectiveness.

"The bill will promote good governance in research towards high performing and ethical health research organizations and to establish a realistic system that shall strengthen national and international networking partnerships for health research development," Palmones said.

Under the measure, the PNHRS is institutionalized within the mandate of the Philippine Council for health Research and Development (PCHRD), the national coordinating body for health research.

The PNHRS was initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Health in 2003 and 2007. 

The regional health research system shall be created in all regions and will address concerns relating to health research agenda, development of human resource in health research, conduct of researches, dissemination of research results, research utilization, resource mobilization, leadership and management.

The DOST - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines, Manila-National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of under the proposed act.

Other authors of the bill are Reps. Maranon III, Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo), Randolph Ting ((3rd District, Cagayan), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon), Philip A. Pichay (1st District, Surigao del Sur), Eufranio Eriguel (2nd District, La Union), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Imelda Calixto Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Daisy Fuentes (2nd District, South Cotabato), Romero Federico Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr. (Lone District, Bacolod City), Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Irvin Alcala (2nd District, Quezon), Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), Ma. Carmen Zamora (1st District, Compostela Valley), Jeci Lapus (3rd District, Tarlac), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, Bagong Henerasyon), Jane Castro (2nd District, Capiz), and Ako Bicol Party-list Reps. Alfredo Garbin, Jr., Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe.

Water fern (Salvinia molesta) shows potentials in removing water pollutants

“Poor sanitation greatly contributes to water pollution in the Philippines leading to higher cost of water and secondly, affecting our rivers and lakes in terms of the reduction and production of aquatic life. This calls for a feasible, inexpensive and sustainable solution,”

stressed Mr. Francis Dale G. Acenas of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan during the 2^nd Student Research Competition at the 6^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week last August 9, 2012 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City.

Mr. Acenas, together with Ms. Liezel T. Morales, Ms. Alessandra Kamille P. Mallari, Mr. Cris S. Dedumo, Ms. Nafie O. Macarimbang, Ms. Sheila Mae P. Trozo, Ms. Katherine Ruth S. Beltran, Mr. Nasser A. Jawadil, Ms. Ethel Yen C. Sison, and Mr. Ryan Rey L. Zarate won the first prize in the competition for their research entitled,An experimental study on the efficacy of aquatic fern (Salvinia molesta) in the treatment of blackwater effluent from a constructed wetland, Cagayan de Oro City. The study aimed to determine the efficiency ofSalvinia molesta (water fern)to remove water pollutants in black water sewage from a constructed wetland.