37th Anniversary Presentations Span the Stages of Life
SDRC doctoral apprentice Crisanto Regadio noted that research at the Center truly moves from birth to old age, in the range of studies it covered in 2016.
Serving as host during the 37th Anniversary program, held on December 14, 2016 at the Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Regadio pointed out that the Center pursued projects involving the exclusive use of breast milk for infants, as well as the various dimensions of the need for social pension among the elderly. The significance of these studies validated the observations Vice Chancellor for Research Innovation Dr. Raymond Tan relayed in his end of the year message—that SDRC keeps academic activities grounded through real work in the field. He acknowledged the Center’s contribution to the University’s current research standing, being in the lead among Philippine educational institutions, and having increased its output threefold since 2010.
Four presentations highlighted the Anniversary program, held with the theme “A Celebration of Work toward Enabling the Filipino.” They were made by Associate Professor Dr. Myla Arcinas, project director for “Conflict of Interest in Infant and Young Child Nutrition among Health Professionals and Health Professional Societies,” who spoke on the barriers to the effective implementation of “The Code” or the exclusive use of breast milk among infants; Associate Professor Dr. Marlon Era, project director for “Developing Competencies of Middle Level Health Workers and Maximizing their Roles in Task-Sharing in the Philippines,” who shared his insights on how the study’s results can contribute to policy amendment on the capacity of midwives to administer contraceptives; Associate Professor Dr. Dennis Erasga, project director for “Whose Health, Whose Vulnerability: A Stakeholder Approach in Assessing Health-Related Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Philippines,” who relayed his challenges in convincing the study’s funding agency that the manual it produced was itself the project findings; and Full Professor Dr. Roberto Javier, Jr., project director for “Paghahanda sa Paparating na Pagtanda at ang Sistema ng Pension sa Pilipinas,” who cited the provision of social services as a weakness of government, and emphasized that this should be of concern to all, since no one is exempt from aging.
The program was capped by a simple lunch and interaction with staff through games and gift-giving. University Scientist-in-Residence Dr. Exaltacion Lamberte rendered the closing remarks, saying that she was happy to see the Center continue to be active under the directorship of Dr. Caridad Tarroja, and that she looked forward to projects in the New Year that will be involving risks to youth and the elderly.
