DOH orients nurse volunteers Batch 3

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Mar 16 (PIA) --A one-day orientation for Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RNHeals) Batch 3 is being conducted today by the Department of Health (DOH) Provincial Health Team at Rakdell Inn, Virac which started at 8:00 a.m.

A total of 95 newly hired nurses will be deployed to the different rural health units of the province to work from March 15,2012-March 14, 2013 under the RNHeals program.

RN HEALS, is expected to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in 1,221 rural and unserved or underserved communities for one year.

Prior to the deployment of the nurse volunteers, a general orientation shall be conducted to provide them a grasp of the project, its objective and goals, program management and structure, the health care delivery system, their roles and responsibilities, duties and expectations among others.

As nurse volunteers of the RN HEALS, they will be able to perform their function which relates to the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (health for all).

The said orientation is expected to let the participants understand and explain the RNHeals project, its rationale, strategies and policy framework, understand and explain the health care delivery system and discuss the roles and functions and duties and responsibilities of the nurse volunteers in public health areas relative to the "Kalusugan Pangkalahatan."

The said batch suceeded the 2nd Batch of the program which was comprised by a total of 90 nurses. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)


DOST grants post-graduate scholarship program

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology grants new scholarship program for masteral and doctorate degrees in Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) and Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP).

ERDT program aims to deliver high-impact research aligned with the National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP) and the Medium-Term Development Program (MTDP).

ASTHRDP, on the other hand, aims to improve the country’s global competitiveness and to produce high-level human resources needed for research and development in Science and Technology.

The priority fields of study for the said program are Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Pure and Applied Mathematics, and Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

According to Dr. Pilita Lucena, DOST information officer, the program is open to Filipino citizens aged 45 years and below. Needed requirements are curriculum vitae, photocopy of Official Transcript of Record, recommendation letter from the school attended, and original copy of NBI clearance and NSO birth certificate. Participants with existing scholarship grant are disqualified from the said program.
Also included in the scholarship grant are P5, 000 book allowance per semester, P30, 000 dissertation grant for master’s, and P60, 000 for doctorate degree.
Deadline of application for the first semester is on April 16, 2012 and September 2 this year for the second semester. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)


DOST offers free consultancy services to farmers

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 16 (PIA) -- An unusual, but satisfying, connectivity is happening between farmers and specialists in the region. Farmers will have the chance to improve their productivity and ensure the quality of their products, for free, as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) intensifies their Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) Program in the region, said Engr. Jacinto Alexis, DOST provincial director of Albay.

The CAPE program aims to institutionalize effective farm management strategies to improve agricultural productivity. It is done by providing consultancy teams to undertake productivity studies in any qualified small/medium scale agricultural enterprise including individual farmers, farmer cooperatives, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and local government units (LGUs).

The consultancy teams, organized through the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), undertake productivity studies by personally visiting the farm of the qualified beneficiaries.

After the study is made, matching session between the teams and the farmer beneficiary is done to identify problems, areas for intervention, and possible solutions and recommendations such as providing the needed technical tools and strategies for proper farm management.

To avail of the said assistance, farmers must make a formal request to the nearest provincial or regional DOST office for endorsement to the TAPI. Included in the request are background information on the farm, type of technical assistance needed, and expertise required.

According to PD Alexis the program is a one-time assistance given to 10 farmers for every batch. Although participation to the program is free of charge, the farmer beneficiary must also be committed and cooperative to the consultancy teams for the solutions and recommendations to be effective.

Currently, the program has benefitted farmers in the region which improved productivity mangoes in Masbate, cassava in Camarines Sur, pineapple in Camarines Norte, and sweet potato in Ligao City. (MAL/SAA-PIA V, Albay)