The Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) and its member agencies conducted a webinar entitled “Addressing the COVID-19 INFODEMIC: Straight from the Experts” on 30 March 2021 via Facebook Live stream in celebration of its 37th year founding anniversary. LBSCFI President and Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria gave the opening message. The webinar featured Dr. Maria Rosario S. Vergeire,OIC-Undersecretary for the Public Health Services Team and Official Department of Health (DOH) Spokesperson, , and Hon. Mark Lester B. Dizon, Los Baños Councilor and Committee on Health Chairperson.
Hon. Dizon discussed the current situation of Los Baños citing the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, protocols and ordinances implemented. He also mentioned the available testing centers and isolation facilities, contact tracing with the Los Baños-exclusive LAB ID QR code, support and referral regarding transportation and facilities, and vaccination operations.
Dr. Vergeire, on the other hand, discussed the nationwide cases of COVID-19, increased testing capacity, temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, national health care utilization rate, strategic plans for the vaccination which includes scientific evaluation and vaccine selection, access and acquisition, procurement and financing, shipment and storage, and distribution and deployment. Dr. Vergeire also discussed the prioritization in the distribution of vaccines and the establishment of the national Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) committee who will closely study adverse events following immunization, intensification of vaccine communications, vaccine benefits and effects, and individual roles in fighting COVID-19.
The discussion was then followed by an open forum where questions actively posted by participants on the LBSCFI Facebook Page were answered by the speakers.
The event was also the venue for the announcement of the winners of the Spoken Word Poetry contest held by the LBSCFI. Keizer Ancajas, a student of UPOU’s Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) and student assistant of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), was awarded 2nd place with his winning original piece entitled “Salamin.” The First Place was awarded to Marie Joy Zuraek piece entitled “Aking Kaibigan” from DOST PCARRD, and Juri Nazareth Ochotorena from UPLB in Third Place for his piece entitled “Now and Before.”
“Addressing the COVID-19 INFODEMIC: Straight from the Experts” was organized by the Information Committee of LBSCFI. Ms. Marla Cambay and Ms. Adreana Santos-Remo were the program’s masters of ceremonies. The program is available online and may still be viewed on this link.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Gian Macatangay and Anna Cañas-Llamas
Edited by Joane V. Serrano
Photos from LBSCFI Facebook Page
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