MAHFA Project

23/08/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 | 𝟓-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Sometimes, the best medicine isn't another pill—it's taking the first step.

This group explored a simple yet powerful question through their mini systematic review:
"𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰."

By examining the evidence on how consistently following a brisk walking routine influences blood pressure, the team highlighted the importance of lifestyle interventions in preventing and managing hypertension. Their work reinforces that small, sustainable habits can make a meaningful difference in improving cardiovascular health.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

𝟏. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.
The systematic review found that brisk walking consistently reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among adults with hypertension or prehypertension.
𝟐. 𝐀 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝.
Studies indicated that completing ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure.
𝟑. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝟓–𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐦𝐇𝐠.
Across the synthesized evidence, brisk walking commonly produced reductions of around 5–10 mmHg, making it a potentially meaningful non-pharmacological intervention for hypertension.
𝟒. 𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.
Greater adherence and higher exercise doses were associated with greater reductions in blood pressure. Increasing daily step counts was also associated with better blood pressure control.
𝟓. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡.
The paper emphasizes that brisk walking is safe, inexpensive, accessible, and scalable, making it suitable for community, workplace, and clinical health programs.
𝟔. 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥.
Resistance training, stretching, Tai Chi, and multimodal interventions showed additional benefits, although their evidence was less consistent. Interestingly, some participants with stage 1 hypertension experienced greater blood pressure reductions from stretching than brisk walking.
𝟕. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
The studies varied in walking speed, duration, frequency, intervention length, participant characteristics, and outcome measures. Many also had small samples, short follow-up periods, possible selection/publication bias, and reliance on self-reported data.

This review is a reminder that evidence-based healthcare doesn't always begin in the laboratory—it can start with something as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

22/08/2026

𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙎𝙄𝙎 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙋𝙊𝙎𝘼𝙇 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙏𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 | 𝘽𝙎 𝙂𝙀𝙊𝘿𝙀𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙀𝙉𝙂𝙄𝙉𝙀𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙐𝙏𝙎𝘼𝙨

𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐁𝐒 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐀𝐬) presented their thesis proposals, each applying remote sensing, Earth observation, GIS, and other geospatial technologies to the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS).

Together, these studies highlight the growing role of geospatial technologies in assessing, monitoring, and conserving the Agusan Marsh. Through satellites, data, and dedication, these young researchers are showing that technology and nature can work hand in hand.

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 | 𝟓-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Not all superheroes wear capes—some fight antimicrobial resistance with evidence.

This group's mini systematic review, "𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬," tackled one of today's most pressing healthcare challenges. By synthesizing existing evidence, they explored how systematic reviews can inform hospital practices and guide local policies to help combat antimicrobial resistance in the Philippines.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫
1. 𝐀𝐌𝐑 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭.
Antimicrobial resistance reduces treatment effectiveness, increases mortality and hospital stays, and adds substantial healthcare costs. The paper emphasizes that inappropriate antibiotic use is a major driver of AMR.
𝟐. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 (𝐀𝐌𝐒) 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐌𝐑.
AMS interventions aim to improve antibiotic selection, dosing, route, and duration while preserving antibiotic effectiveness.
𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩.
Although the Philippines has national AMR policies and stewardship structures, implementation varies among hospitals, particularly in resource-limited provincial and district facilities.
𝟒. 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐌𝐒 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭.
Key facilitators included:
o strong institutional support;
o multidisciplinary collaboration; and
o active involvement of clinical pharmacists.
𝟓. 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧.
Important barriers included limited staffing, heavy workload, time constraints, limited resources, and resistance from prescribers.
𝟔. 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐌𝐑 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝.
While AMS consistently improved antibiotic use and prescribing practices, there was insufficient evidence demonstrating a direct effect on antimicrobial resistance in Philippine hospitals.
𝟕. 𝐀 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬.
Future Philippine studies should measure not only antibiotic consumption and prescribing behavior but also antimicrobial resistance patterns and microbiological outcomes.

Adding a creative twist to the session, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚 introduced her own interpretation of 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐌𝐀 to make the systematic review process easier to remember:

𝐏 – Pick the best
𝐑 – Remove the rest
𝐈 – Inspect the risk
𝐒 – Synthesize the facts
𝐌 – Merge the math
𝐀 – Answer the question

A simple yet memorable framework that captures the essence of conducting a high-quality systematic review—transforming research evidence into informed decisions for better healthcare.

15/08/2026

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 | 𝟱-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸?” — Engr. Guilalas

One thought-provoking question led this group to an important research direction.

Their mini systematic review explored:
“𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹-𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.”

By bringing together evidence on geospatial analysis and machine learning, the group examined how data-driven approaches can help identify dengue hotspots, understand patterns of transmission, and support earlier outbreak forecasting.

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
𝟭. 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
𝟐. 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, including rainfall, temperature, land use, population density, urbanization, waste management, water storage, and human mobility.
𝟯. 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, helping identify hotspots and areas that may require intensified surveillance and vector-control activities.
𝟰. 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀—including environmental, demographic, climatic, and spatial information—to improve dengue risk mapping and outbreak forecasting.

Beyond developing their review topic, the group also explored practical tools for conducting systematic reviews. Ma’am Cordova introduced Covidence, demonstrating how the platform can help streamline key stages of the review process, from study screening to data extraction.

Their curiosity, initiative, and willingness to explore new research tools reflect the collaborative learning environment that defined this 5-day workshop.

Because every breakthrough begins with a question—and every evidence-based solution begins with understanding what the evidence already tells us.

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

The 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 – 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 will conduct the 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 on 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟕–𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

The five-day workshop aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐬—from identifying and prioritizing research problems
to selecting appropriate study designs and sampling methods, developing data collection and analysis
plans, addressing ethical considerations, and planning for research implementation.

Through a combination of lectures, guided exercises, and hands-on protocol development, participants
will work toward integrating the essential components of a complete research protocol and refining
their proposed studies for implementation.

📅 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲!
𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟳–𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝟏, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥

For more detailed information, kindly contact the organizers or email 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵@𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮.𝗱𝗼𝗵.𝗴𝗼𝘃.𝗽𝗵.

03/08/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐇𝐅𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 | 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐇𝐅𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭—𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬.

Despite numerous overlapping commitments in research, extension, capacity building, and institutional engagements, the Mapping and Quantification of Habitat Fragmentation in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (MaHFA) Project successfully completed all scheduled activities through teamwork, dedication, and the unwavering commitment of every project member.

Throughout the month, the team remained actively engaged in advancing biodiversity conservation and habitat fragmentation research in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) through field surveys, stakeholder consultations, technical meetings, project planning, data management, laboratory processing, and the preparation of scientific outputs.

One of the month's highlights was facilitating the field research of our 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐆𝐓𝐒𝐀) 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐧. Throughout July, the MaHFA team supported the entire research process—from initial coordination meetings and logistical preparations to field implementation in AMWS and laboratory processing of collected samples—demonstrating our commitment to mentoring young researchers and fostering international scientific collaboration.

The month also provided valuable opportunities to represent the project in national scientific forums and strengthen research partnerships:

🗓️ 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟖–𝟗 – The MaHFA Project participated in the 𝟒𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐋) 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐒𝐌) at The Manila Hotel, where the team, together with researchers from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (UTSA), engaged in national scientific discussions and strengthened interdisciplinary collaborations in environmental and sustainability research.
🗓️ 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟎–𝟏𝟏 – The team met with research collaborators from the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 – 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐔𝐒𝐓-𝐑𝐂𝐍𝐀𝐒) and the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 to discuss ongoing and future collaborative initiatives in biodiversity documentation, conservation science, and natural heritage research.
🗓️ 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟓–𝟏𝟔 – The project presented its accomplishments during the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐃𝐈 𝐈𝐧-𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 at the HERO Learning Commons Activity Center, where valuable technical recommendations were received to further strengthen project implementation and research outputs. During the same period, the team also participated in the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 (𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐁) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, contributing scientific inputs to protected area management and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
🗓️ 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟕–𝟑𝟏 – In partnership with the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 – 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚, members of the MaHFA Project successfully facilitated the five-day 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, contributing to regional capacity building in evidence-based health research.

Another significant milestone this month was the approval of the 𝐌𝐚𝐇𝐅𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭'𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐑𝐂𝐏 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐨. 𝐄-𝟐𝟕𝟓, including the approval of the carryover of the Year 1 unexpended balance and the release of the Year 2 grant. This achievement reflects the project's satisfactory progress and the continued confidence of the National Research Council of the Philippines in the quality and impact of the project's implementation.

Looking back, July was filled with overlapping deadlines, fieldwork, meetings, trainings, scientific conferences, and collaborative engagements. Yet through teamwork, perseverance, and a shared commitment to excellence, every planned activity was successfully accomplished.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐍𝐑𝐂𝐏), our partner institutions, collaborators, local government units, protected area managers, community stakeholders, and everyone who continues to support the MaHFA Project. Above all, we thank God for His guidance, strength, and countless blessings throughout this demanding yet fruitful month.

As we move forward, the MaHFA Project remains steadfast in generating science-based evidence that supports the conservation, sustainable management, and long-term resilience of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Together, we continue to map habitats, strengthen partnerships, mentor future scientists, and generate knowledge that advances biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.

31/07/2026

𝐖𝐑𝐀𝐏-𝐔𝐏 | 𝐃𝐎𝐇 × 𝐂𝐒𝐔–𝐌𝐚𝐇𝐅𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝟓-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

The Department of Health – Center for Health Development Caraga, in collaboration with the MaHFA Project, successfully concluded the five-day Training Workshop on Systematic Review and Data Analysis for Health Research: A Capacity-Building Program on Evidence-Based Systematic Review and Data Analysis for Health Research.

The workshop brought together health professionals, researchers, and practitioners for an intensive learning experience aimed at strengthening competencies in evidence-based research. Through expert-led lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on sessions, participants enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in systematic review methodologies, literature searching, study screening, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data analysis using a range of research tools and software.

By looking beyond the search bar, participants discovered that meaningful research goes far beyond finding information—it requires critically appraising evidence, synthesizing knowledge, and translating research into informed decisions that improve health outcomes and guide future policies and practices.

The CSU–MaHFA Project extend their sincere appreciation to all participants, resource speakers, facilitators, and the Department of Health – Center for Health Development Caraga whose dedication, collaboration, and commitment made this capacity-building initiative a resounding success.

24/07/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗛𝗙𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗠²𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.

The MaHFA and SWEAM²Health Project Teams, together with their student researchers, recently visited the National Museum of the Philippines to strengthen research collaboration and enhance biodiversity research initiatives.

The visit provided an opportunity to benchmark best practices in plant herbarium preparation, curation, and storage, and exchange knowledge on specimen collection, preservation, and museum collection management.

The MaHFA Project extends its sincere gratitude to the National Museum of Natural History, especially Dr. Danilo Tandang, Ma'am Jhaydee Anne Pascual, Ma'am Ren Obena, Ma'am Carissa Balane, and Sir Jomar Hinolan , for their warm hospitality, valuable insights, and generous sharing of expertise. We look forward to strengthening this partnership in advancing biodiversity research and conserving the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.