12/11/2023
๐๐๐๐๐ | |: A student forum on antimicrobial resistance was conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO), and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Eastern Philippines on November 9, 2023, at the UEP Gymnatorium in relation to the observance of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2023 with the theme "Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together".
The event kicked off with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. It was then followed by the messages from the representatives of the different agencies present.
"By educating, involving, and empowering our students, we can inspire a new generation of advocates who are determined to promote public health and preserve the effectiveness of life-saving medications," said Dr. Marion Grace Katangkatang, Regional AMR Laboratory Coordinator of DA-RFO, emphasizing that AMR as a global problem requires collective attention and action.
The FAO-UN AMR Technical Assistant, Dr. Ethel Ann Yap,further expressed the aim of the event, which is to improve knowledge and awareness of AMR as one of the key strategies of their action plan.
A series of lectures then followed by Dr. Yap touching on the topic of the Quadripartite Action Plan of FAO on antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Kathryn Diamante, Secretariat on AMR, Veterinarian II of BAI, discussed the Food Safety Act salient posts and the current AMR initiatives of BAI with Dr. Alicia Layson, Senior Agriculturist of BAI, via recording.
Also, Mr. Erick Oliver, Science Research Specialist II of BAI and GAHP Secretariat, discussed the significance of good animal husbandry practices in mitigating AMR. Lastly, Dr. Katangkatang
shared updates on AMR DA-RFO initiatives of the BAI.
In the afternoon. A quiz bee on AMR was conducted, with Jess Peter Tejero, DVM-4, and his group declared as champions, as well as the group of Ms. Shantana Segovia, DVM-4, in first place, and lastly, the group of Ms. Xantia, DVM-4, in second place.
On the same day, the works of the contestants in the poster-making contest were evaluated, and Ms. Katrina Lyka Cantong, DVM 2, was declared the winner.
The forum was attended by students and some of the faculty members from the College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture with the following programs: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Science in Meat Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Animal Science
As the Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Dr. Paul Limson,in a recorded message said, this students' forum on AMR provided a platform for veterinary and public health academic institutions to altogether share knowledge about AMR.
As one of the five (5) universities included in the WAAW 2023 Students Forum, along with Cagayan State University, Isabela State University, Cebu Technological University, and the University of Southern Mindanao, the institution is grateful to the agencies and their funding organization-Fleming fund for the rare opportunity.
Words by: Mary Grace Almendo
Photos by: Gwynne Allyn Co