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RHRDC XI Participated PNHRS Tool Pre-Test Activity

A one-day training and pre-test activity spearheaded by the Research Information and Utilization Committee Division (RICUD) of PCHRD-DOST (Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development) was conducted last May 24, 2016 at the Waling-Waling Hall 1, Mindanao Training & Resource Center (MTRC), Davao Medical School Foundation,Inc. This is part of the monitoring system developed by the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) based on its 5-year strategy map. The main objective of the said activity was to get feedback from the researchers in order to develop effective tools. These tools will be in the form of questionnaires which will aid in getting the whole picture of the status of health related researches in the region and the alignment of the consortium’s plan to the system plan.

The meeting was formally opened by Dr. Victoria Lupase, Chair of Research Information and Utilization Committee of RHRDC XI. She pointed out the need of such tool in gathering baseline data and the effort RIUC exerted during the preliminary stage of its preparation. On the other hand, Ms. Merla Opeña, Chief of RICUD of the PCHRD-DOST presided the said meeting. Ms. Opeña said that the forms that will be generated will be used not just for the PCHRD but also for other institutions (e.g. NEDA, CHED, etc.) asking the same information as well. It will also be done annually to ensure continuity and to keep all the information up to date.

The project’s consultant, Dr. Ophelia P. Saniel of UP Manila College of Public Health introduced that four forms to the attendees which are intended for the consortium, institution, researcher and research project respectively. The participants were then divided into 3 groups to discuss. Each group was given the opportunity to give feedback, clarify and suggest changes in order to make the form more effective.

RHRDC XI is just one of the four consortium that was chosen for this pre-test activity before it will be made available to all. The output of the pre-test activities will be consolidated as part of the System report which will be presented during the PNHRS Week celebration on August 9, 2016.

A consultation: Research Reactor Feasibility Study

A two-day stakeholder’s consultation for the conduct of a feasibility study on the establishment of a research reactor was held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City last March 31 to April 1, 2016.

This initiative is part of the ongoing feasibility study of AspireTech Corporation on the establishment of a research reactor in the Philippines. The aforementioned company was commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) as the project’s implementing agency, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as the project’s executing agency.

The consultation presented the objectives of the project as well as the application of a research reactor in the different sectors in the society. This was followed by discussions with the key stakeholders in the city which involves the academe, hospitals, researchers, students and barangay officials. Members from the member-institutions of the consortium also participated during the activity.

The first day focuses on introducing the research reactor and its applications particularly in the field of medicine by Dr. Emerenciana B. Duran, project’s team leader, education and research by Ms. Alvie Asuncion-Astonomo of Nuclear Training Center-PNRI, and industry by Ms. Elvira Sombrito, project’s coordinator. This was followed by an open forum and focus group discussions per sector.

During the second day, a meeting was made with the barangay officials in the city. The officials suggested that it is important to disseminate the information especially in citing the difference between a nuclear reactor and a research reactor. Furthermore, they hope to have a better understanding about this project as there was only a limited time to discuss.

The consultation is just the first step. Nevertheless, Ms. Elvira in behalf of the project’s team is thankful with the interest showed by the participants.