PURPOSE

The DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products provides fund support to all undergraduate students who will conduct their thesis on natural products. The program aims to sustain a research culture in natural products to increase the number of research and later on build a pool of researchers/experts specializing in the field. The program supports he Drug Discovery and Development program of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) which aims to develop safe, effective and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.

Thesis grants will be given to 2 undergraduate entries per region. After completion of the project, a competition will be held to selected qualified students to recognize innovative work on natural products.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

1. Who can apply

All undergraduate students of Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing and Health and Allied Sciences who have thesis proposals on natural products may apply. The proposed thesis study must use plants indigenous in the region. The project must be completed a year after receiving the grant.

2. How to apply

Applicants should submit the following documents to the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC):

a) Duly accomplished prescribed research proposal form with college seal
b) Endorsement letter from the institution signed by the head of the university college dean
c) Soft copy of the proposal (word format)
d) Hard copy of the proposal using A4 paper (3 copies)
e) Certificate of plant authentication
f) Appropriate clearances:
Bureau of Animal Industry clearance for studies involving animal subjects
Biosafety Clearance for studies involving genetic engineering and pathogenic organisms
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Clearance for studies involving Indigenous Peoples
Gratuitous Permit from Biodiversity Management Bureau for studies involving collection of flora and fauna from DENR Protected Areas
Ethical clearance for studies involving human subjects
g) Curriculum vitae of the students and adviser using the prescribed form

SELECTION CRITERIA

The research proposals will be rated based on the following criteria:

Proposal evaluation

1. Technical merit
• Objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound
• The study design supports the objectives
• The study sample and methodology are appropriate

2. Data management
• The plan for data collection is clearly described
• Quality control procedures for data collection are in place
• Statistical analysis is well described

3. Relevance/Significance
• The study addresses an important health problem
• The study contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge

4. Proponent/institution’s capacity
• The investigators are qualified and appropriately trained to carry out the study
• The proposed study is appropriate to the experience level of the investigators
• The implementing/cooperating institution is capable of carrying out the proposed study

PROGRAM PROCESS

Deliberation of thesis grantees and winners will be based on the grading/rating during the en banc meeting and oral presentation, respectively.

SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Regional Health Research and Development Consortium - for prescreening
• UP Institute of Chemistry
• UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences
• DLSHSI Center for Biopharmaceutical Research
• Gruppo Medica Inc
• Herbanext Laboratories Inc.

THESIS GRANT

• Two (2) thesis proposals will be selected per region who will receive a grant amounting to a maximum of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00).
• The thesis fund will be deposited to the bank account of the thesis adviser and will be liquidated after the completion of the study
• A Memorandum of Agreement will be signed between the students, adviser, head of the institution and DOST-PCHRD
• The grant must be expended based on the approved line-item budget

CASH AWARD

After the oral presentation, fund support will be provided to the top 3 relevant and innovative thesis studies. Prizes will be distributed as follows:

Finalists will receive a plaque of recognition.

TIMETABLE OF ACTIVITIES

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is inviting nominations for the APO Regional and National Awards 2021. These awards are given to recognize individuals who made outstanding contributions to the cause of increasing productivity in the region and in their respective countries.

The candidate should have made outstanding contributions to the cause of increasing productivity in any one or more of the following areas:
 
·         Original thinking, research, or development of new concepts, techniques, and technology appropriate for increasing productivity in the Asia-Pacific region/in the country.
·         Application of techniques in special fields of activity for increasing productivity in the region/in the country.
·         Institutions building for improving productivity in the region/in the country.
·         Dissemination of concepts and techniques for productivity improvement relevant to the region/country through publications, training activities, or other methods.
 
 
NOMINATION PROCESS
 
Only APO Directors can submit nominations from member countries for both awards. The APO Secretary-General may nominate nationals from outside the APO membership. Only candidates recommended in writing by competent nominators will be considered.
 
Nominations should be forwarded with the appropriate nomination form, together with supporting documents, including biodata and detailed description of the nominee’s outstanding contributions in one or more of the areas stated above.
 
Please e-mail the filled-up candidate’s form (Subject: APO Awards 2021) to the APO/DAP Secretariat on 24 February 2020. The APO/DAP Secretariat, led by Tristan Suratos, can be contacted at (02) 8631-2137 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for questions, clarifications, and other concerns regarding the award. 

In view of the need to keep the public abreast with accurate and relevant information, the Department of Health wishes to provide the public with right information about the COVID-2019:

1. What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses causing a range of illnesses, from the common cold to more serious infections such as those caused by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus can also cause a variety of diseases in farm animals and domesticated pets.

2. What are the symptoms and possible complications of a coronavirus infection?

Common signs of coronavirus infection include flu-like and respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

3. Where did the novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) originate?

On 31 December 2019, a clustering of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology was reported in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was later determined to be caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-2019), a new coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

4. How is the 2019-nCoV transmitted?

On January 24, 2020, the World Health Organization has confirmed human-to-human transmission largely in Wuhan City, China. However, there is not enough information yet to draw a definitive conclusion about the intensity of human-to-human transmission, full clinical features, and the original source of the outbreak.

Health experts are accelerating research to study the origins of the virus and how it is spreading. The virus has been differentiated from SARS and MERS, but its contagiousness and virulence is still being studied.

5. Is there a treatment and vaccine for the COVID-2019?

There is no specific treatment for any coronavirus including the COVID-2019. However, many of the symptoms can be treated based on the patient’s clinical conditions. Supportive care for infected persons can also be highly effective.

To date, there remains to be no vaccines for the new strain of coronavirus, hence, the existing Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs) are ineffective against COVID-2019.

6. What should you do if you are experiencing mild flu-like symptoms, but have not traveled to China recently or have not been in close contact with anyone who traveled to China?

In this case, there is no need to be tested for COVID-2019. Please consult at your nearest health facility as deemed necessary.

7. What should hospitals with suspected case/s of theCOVID-2019 do?

The designated infection control committee (ICC) of the hospital shall be responsible for the preliminary investigation of suspected cases. Once the case is classified as a person under investigation (PUI), he/she should be quarantined. The ICC should then notify the DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESU), who shall then report to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau.

Hospitals with PUIs in quarantine will also send the collected specimens (oropharyngeal and nasal swabs) to Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) for screening.

The DOH also encourages health workers to be vigilant and take extra precautionary measures when in contact with patients with acute respiratory infection, especially those with travel history to China.
Finally, all health facilities must enhance their standard infection prevention and control practices, especially in their emergency departments.

8. What can the public do to prevent the spread of COVID-2019?

DOH advises the public to:

• Practice frequent and proper handwashing,
• Practice proper cough etiquette
1. Always bring a handkerchief/tissue
2. Cover mouth and nose using handkerchief/tissue (sleeves or crook of the elbow may also be used to cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing)
3. Move away from people when coughing
4. Do not spit
5. Throw away used tissues properly
6. Always wash your hands after sneezing or coughing
7. Use alcohol/sanitizer
8. Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals
9. Ensure that food is well-cooked
10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle to mount up immunity

9. Who should be immediately investigated and tested for the COVID-2019 infection?

The following should be immediately investigated and tested for nCoV:

1. A person with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), fever and cough, and with at least one of the following:
1. history of travel to or lived in Wuhan in the 10-14 days prior to symptom onset;
2. A health worker who has been working in an environment where patients with severe acute respiratory infections are being cared for, without regard to place of residence or history of travel;
2. A person with acute respiratory infection (ARI) and fulfilling at least one of the following criteria within the 14 days prior to onset of illness: 
   1. Close contact with a confirmed or probable case
   2. visit/work in a live animal market in Wuhan
   3. Work/attend a health facility where patients with HAI-associated COVID-2019 reported.

10. Are there any travel restrictions to be observed?

There are no travel restrictions recommended as of the moment. Currently, the transmission potential and modes of transmission remain unclear. Hence, we advise those who will travel to affected areas to avoid crowded places, close contact with live or wild animals, and to observe handwashing and cough etiquette. DOH is in close coordination with the WHO and the China Center for Disease Control on developments and updates regarding travel advisories.

11. Where can the public get information about the COVID-2019?

The public can get information about the 2019-nCoV from the DOH’s and WHO’s official press releases, website, and official social media platforms. Please be wary of fake news and reports circulating online, and always verify the sources of your information.

12. What are the DOH and other concerned agencies doing to contain the situation?

The Department of Health is closely monitoring individuals who manifested signs of respiratory infection and had a history of travel to China, and is coordinating with WHO and China Center for Disease Control for updates.
DOH is also enhancing its coronavirus laboratory testing capacity, hospital preparedness, rapid response, and its risk communication and information dissemination. Personal Protective Equipment are made available at the Bureau of Quarantine, Centers for Health Development, and DOH Hospitals.

The Bureau of Quarantine, meanwhile, is working with airlines and airport authorities to strengthen border surveillance, while the Epidemiology Bureau is heightening its community surveillance.

For more updates about the 2019 - nCov, click here.

This advisory is prompted by information received from the Department of Health. All information listed above are generated by the DoH.

The Department of Science and Technology is pleased to share the announcement of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), in partnership with the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), that applications for the Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation will open on 13  January until 6 March 2020. The Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation seeks to recognize and amplify innovative policies, programs, services, and products that address these and many other challenges facing aging societies. The objective is to highlight cutting-edge ideas that people throughout the region can emulate or access.

The Prize will be awarded to policies, programs, services and products in the following categories, with Grand Prize Winners from each category receiving recognition at an international forum to be held in 2020:

• Technology & innovation

              New technologies and techniques that encourage healthy and productive aging, that improve the way that older persons receive care, or that provide greater efficiency, safety, and/or convenience for older persons and caregivers.

• Community-based Initiatives

              Community-based approaches-including inter-generational approaches-to keeping older adults healthy, active, engaged, and/or safe.

• Supporting Self-Reliance

              New ways to help older adults maintain, improve, or restore physical and mental functions, that assist them and their caregivers as those functions deteriorate, or that build resilience.

Nominees are requested to submit the application form and supporting documents to Mr. Marco Antonio R. Bautista at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., copied to Mr. Zymar P. Bandola at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about the Prize, please visit Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative website at https://www.ahwin.org/award.