Southwestern University - PHINMA

Master’s in Public Administration

In Partial Fulfillment of

Module 2 Requirement
Oral Revalida
by

Agnes E. Libor, RND

Jezabelle D. Sardillas, RND
Dyan M. de Dios, RND
Lydon P. Constantino

May 28, 2021

Victoria Nesa S. Chiu, DPA, JD

Professor
 RESEARCH: A Life Gamer
(Persuasive)

Is research nowadays important in our daily life? Many would agree that research is
feared by most people. Conducting research can feel like a big risk because there is a
good chance that you’re going to get negative feedback. There are instances that
colleagues will criticize what you do and how you do it and that is never fun to hear. You’re
committed to doing the best that you can and it can hurt your feelings — or de-motivate
your team to hear that things didn’t go as planned.

Research doesn’t end when students graduate. Conducting research has long been
supported and recognized by clinicians for its importance in healthcare; it’s one of the
main drivers in providing evidence-based improved treatment and care options for
patients. That’s why medical residents continue to research once they are treating
patients in hospitals.

The institution that I am connected to has long been conducting research, as this is part
of the institution’s goal for quality service, and it is also monitored by the Performance
Governance System (PGS) mandated by the national government. One of the PGS
roadmaps requires each department to have a research study, which is ongoing in our
department right now.

The ongoing research in our department is about measuring the knowledge of the
Foodservice workers in terms of the food safety measures that are practiced in the
department. The method used in collecting the data in our research is the descriptive-
quantitative method. This method describes the characteristics of the population or
phenomenon studied. This methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research
subject than the “why” of the research subject.

The basis of the researcher on the research method is about the idea of having power in
number which will have an easier and more convincing on the research conducted.
Moreover, it doesn’t count that way because aside from quantity we also have to consider
the quality of the information that she gets from the research respondents.

What should be the best research method to be used especially in this category of a
research study?

According to an article of Europe’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in

applied health research, descriptive studies can be used to examine trends and patterns
in health and health care use that can help planning and to monitor, this refers to
frequencies, averages, and other statistical calculations.

I am convinced that the best method for this kind of research is through the qualitative
interview research method. Because it involves asking open-ended questions to converse
with respondents and collect elicit data about the subject, which is also a well-planned
and executed series of questions and answers. Through this method, we could gain a
more in-depth understanding of the topic and more practical as it is based on the regular
activities of the Foodservice workers as it may be in work-related routine or personal
related routine.

This method would help the researcher to gain an in-depth personal perspective coming
from the Foodservice workers which respond to the “why” of their knowledge or routine in
terms of food safety. In this way, it will benefit not just the result of the research but also
it would help enhance the ways and practices that would improve the service of the
department towards the patients and stakeholders.

Moreover, given the above views and differences, the descriptive-quantitative method is
also a good option in most research studies as this is easier and not time-consuming
especially to the respondents. It is easier to make decisions and go further for data
analysis. This kind of method doesn’t answer some in-depth questions in research which
makes it limited and won’t come up with a cause-and-effect of a research topic. It is also
tough to validate its accuracy and complete representation of a study.

On the other hand, the qualitative interview research method is deeply responsive to the
research study as its way of collecting data allows the researcher for clarifications from
the respondents in terms of the questions asked, can tailor the line of discussion to the
respondent and it is easier to ask open-ended questions which are responsive also to
non-verbal cues of the respondent. Although this research method may be expensive as
you may pay for the time and effort of your respondent for being part of this research, it
requires strong interviewing skills that would aid the researcher gain more information
and it may be difficult to quantify the result as it may vary because of the different
background of the respondent.

To sum up the preceding ideas, the two research method mentioned has its strengths
and weaknesses which will be helpful in the conduct of research. It will always be
dependent on the overall expected output in the research study and also would depend
on the category of the topics and other information that the researcher would want to
include. Being a researcher, it is a responsibility to be more knowledgeable enough on
what should be the best research method to be used especially when the result depends
on the future services of a certain institution especially in a government setting where
quality service lies on its employees and the high-ranking officials who are also tasked to
execute the mandate of the national government.
 HIGH IMPACT OF DIET LISTS IN DIETARY SECTION
(Interpretive)

Statistical knowledge helps you use the proper methods to collect the data, employ the
correct analyses, and effectively present the results. Statistics is a crucial process behind
how we make discoveries in science, make decisions based on data, and make
predictions.

Two main statistical methods are used in data analysis: descriptive statistics, which
summarize data from a sample using indexes, and inferential statistics, which conclude
from data that are subject to random variation.

In a period of heightened economic burden, efficient and effective allocation of hospital

resources is an issue of principal importance. The ability to accurately forecast the
number of patients, as well as diet census counts, have considerable implications for
hospital resource allocation.

More importantly, accurate census forecasts can scale up operations even during high
census periods, potentially leading to improved patient care outcomes.
Dietary Service operation depends on the daily census of the patients and other clients
as well. Collection of the data e.g. patient’s name, diet, the room number is through the
list provided by all the wards in the hospital. It will be organized according to diet in every
ward.

The diet then is summarized to come up with how many patients are on a full diet, soft
diet, Low Salt Low Fat diet, Enteral Feeding, and other special diets. The consolidated
diet will then be used as a guide as to how much raw materials are going to be used to
complete the menu for that day.

After the food is ready, it will then be distributed to the respective personnel assigned for
the particular ward and dish out food in accordance to the diet, name of the patient, and
bed number. In this particular scenario, a descriptive method is used, because the data
from the indexes which is the diet list is summarized to come up with a figure that will
suffice the number of meals for the number of patients

According to DOH Hospital Nutrition & Dietetics Services Management Manual, page 85,
letter D states that there should be a form for recording a meal count, which is called Daily
Meal Census and Diet list with patient’s name who will receive a meal tray. Each piece of
information is needed to determine the type and amount of food to be prepared. Diet Lists
should be received daily from the Nursing Unit not later than 5:00 AM for the breakfast,
10:30 AM for lunch, and 3:00 PM for supper. (p. 105, Hospital Nutrition and Dietetics
Service Management Manual, DOH)
A better perspective on how Diet List reaches the Dietary Section on a daily basis:

1.Doctor’s order is given to the nurse station. It is instruction or series of

procedures, prescriptions, medicines required, laboratory requests, and including
the patient’s diet.

2.The nurse station encodes the Diet List in the Hospital Information Management
System (HIMS).

3. The nurse station will now post the Diet List to the Dietary Section that is in the
system. Once the Diet List is posted, the Dietary Section will print it.

4. Dietary Section will consolidate the number of patients per ward categorized
according to their diets. The consolidation will take 2 hours to be completed.

5. Census contains the diet and ward. It will then be given to the kitchen for cooking
and will be forwarded to the Dietary Supervisor for the preparation of trays, but in
this case, due to the pandemic, food packs are used for the container.

It will take 4 hours daily to prepare every meal. The accuracy of the data collected should
be on point and consistent with the patient’s daily food intake and nutritional needs. The
Dietary Section helps a lot in patient’s recovery.

However, some challenges came along the way. The credibility of the HIMS (Hospital
Information Management System) and doctor’s order that will not be carried out by the
nurses will affect the accuracy of the data gathered. Some factors that can delay and
affect the accuracy of the data are the encoding and submission of the Diet List to the
Dietary Section. Time is very important in the delivery of service, from cooking to food
distribution. But, a common scenario among government hospitals is the timely
submission of the Diet List.

Another huge factor in the delay is the lack of healthcare professionals in the tertiary and
LGU hospitals in our country. Since there is a prevalent lack of personnel, the priority of
submitting the Diet List on time is affected. Nurses are already loaded with tasks and
there is a tendency of missing out on the posting of the Diet List on time. To avoid further
delay, Dietary Section will make a follow-up in nurse stations for the posting.

The collection of data on the daily basis is a huge factor in the recovery of patients. Food
is a daily necessity, support the medicine is given and future prevention. Nutrition and
medicine work together, hand in hand, for faster recovery of patients and to shorten their
hospital stay. An on-time accurate data will also translate to lessen the hospital’s
expenses and to lessen the risk of infections among patients.
 NUTRITION VS. INFLATION IN A TERTIARY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
(Critical)

Almost four decades have passed since hospital malnutrition was initially noted by
Butterworth (1974). However, hospital malnutrition remains to be a common, largely
unrecognized, and undertreated problem. Malnutrition is frequently ignored as it is
considered a complication of the disease process, with little bearing on the prognosis and
little possibility for therapeutic intervention.

According to the Hospital Licensure Act (RA 4226) of 1971, the Nutrition and Dietetic
Service is one of the six (6) major services of a hospital and is integral to total patient
care. As such, the Nutrition and Dietetic Service of each hospital plays a crucial role in
quality patient care which includes the provision of nutritious meals tailored to the patient’s
specific health conditions.

Studies show that malnutrition cases among hospital patients are at an alarming rate,
which may be starvation-related, chronic disease-related, or hospital-related. A 10-year
study conducted in one of the Medical Center revealed that 45.6% of their patients were
malnourished while admitted in the hospital. Moreover, the Philippine Society for
Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition states that the rate of malnutrition in Philippine hospitals
is 35 to 50%. These malnutrition rates are reflective of undernutrition.

The Philippines’ inflation rate has leveled off after peaking at more than 5 percent in 2018
and jumping up and down a few years prior. The vitality of inflation has been caused by
factors such as disturbances in international prices. As a result, the headline inflation rate
reaches double-digit levels, even though the prices of other CPI components show only
a mild increase.

Food prices are the primary determinant of consumption patterns, and high food prices
may have important negative effects on nutritional status and health. If prices further and
downgrading dietary quality are not enough, total caloric intake will be reduced.
Compromising dietary quality and quantity, high food prices also have second-order
impacts on households and individuals which can impact nutrition indirectly

An analysis of the one-week cycle menu presented by five (5) LGU Hospitals and ten (10)
DOH Hospitals in Visayas and Mindanao regions revealed that only 59% of the 1,800-
kilocalorie daily allowance is met while for the macronutrient intake, carbohydrates are
met at 63%, protein at 70% and fats at 53% with the mean daily cost of the diet at Php
74.39 per patient. The cost of meals ranged from PHP 45.20 to Php 61.68 per patient per
meal a day in LGU-funded level 1 to 3 hospitals, while in DOH-funded Medical Centers
and Regional Hospitals the range was Php 61.63 to Php 68.79. This was conducted in
the year 2014.

So based on the analysis, the DOH released an Administrative Order of Hospitals to

strictly enforce 1,800 kcalories as prescribed by the physicians for a normal and regular
diet of an adult person using an actual number of inpatients or an equivalent of at least
P150.00 per day meal allowance for inpatients which is carried out until this time.
The Philippines’ inflation rate spiked to 4.7% in February 2021, the highest since the 4.4
% recorded in January 2019. It is also the 5th straight monthly increase and follows the
4.2% inflation rate in January 2021. (Philippine Statistics Authority).

The biggest consumption among the hospitals is pork. In January 2021 alone, the price
of pork surged 77% from its original price, driving the 17.1% overall inflation for the meat
category, according to the statistics agency. This has been an issue to the general public,
and more specifically among tertiary and LGU hospitals.

Meanwhile, vegetable prices also climbed at an all-time high. The common vegetables
consumed in hospitals such as the native pechay increased to P70, cabbage to P180,
squash is stuck at P100. For the spices, red onions and garlic are at P100 per kilo, ginger
is at P150, and chili (labuyo) is at P600. In general, vegetable commodities surge 21%.
(philstar.com)

Due to the increase in prices, the P150 capita per patient per day is not enough at all
anymore due to the current situation. The DOH-retained hospitals had stretched the
budget to the following breakdown:

1. From 1,800 kilocalories AO 2016-0020 is now cut to 1,600 kilocalories.

2. Due to the pandemic situation, the cost added is the use of disposable utensils
and styro food packs. There is an additional P30 for the food packs alone.

3. Rice budget is at P1,150 NFA rice per sack, but, there is an issue with the quality
of the rice after cooking. So, we shift to commercial rice amounting to P2,400 per
sack.

4. From food-based enteral feeding to pure commercialized feeding. There is a

shift to the feeding preparation due to the risks of food contamination.

With all that, we are proposing an increase in the per capita budget for meal provision of
Patients of the Department of Health and Local Government Unit Hospitals in the country.
We would like to present an adjustment from P150 to P300 per capita budget allowance.
We are looking at the current situation of the pandemic and the inflation rate. We are also
proposing a review of the per capita budget allowance every three years to ensure
delivery of health and nutrition care of utmost quality through patient’s meals, especially
those dietary requirements and/or prescribed therapeutic diets to achieve the best
possible outcome.
 ICT: A Better Philippines
(Praising)

There is no other way of conquering the world today other than adopting and keeping up
to date with the latest trends and technological advancement together with recent
discoveries every scientist and inventors have developed. Espousing the latest
technological mode reminds me of Stewart Brand, a writer who once said “once a new
technology rolls over you. If you are not part of the steamroller, you are part of the road.”
Taking advantage of technology means development and growth and this could be
beneficial to everybody. However, setting it aside would mean stagnant, nothing, and
remain old-fashioned.

Most first-world countries invested time, in the research and development of modern
technology. Advancement in ICT is one of the main fields they focused on, this tends to
create an efficient and speedy transaction both in communication and production.
According to StrategyAnd, a member of one of the biggest auditing firms in the world
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) mentioned that there is an increase in productivity in a
country’s economy. So, in every technological investment, it translates to more demand
and more jobs created. The application of their discovery helps them get richer in a field
of business; it lifts their economic status and makes them mightier in the field of the
military.

The government allocated P21.4 billion pesos for the Department of Information and
Communication Technology (DICT) for the improvement of digital connectivity and access
in the country. Being the government’s primary agency that promotes the adoption of
information and communication technology, it launches e-government master plan
(EGMP) 2022. The integration of information and communication technology into
government service is called e-governance. This tends to enhance government services,
acts like a speeding flow of information and knowledge between government and citizen
transforming the way both interact. ICT is used to promote more efficient and cost-
effective government, it facilitates more convenient government services, that allow
greater public access to information and makes the government more transparent and
accountable to citizens. The impact of these modern innovations plays an important role
in a fast, secure, and efficient operation of different government services in National
Government Agencies, Government Financial Institutions, Local Government Units,
Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, the Judiciary, and Military as well.

One of the Local Government Units digitization efforts is the adoption of EBPLS or
Electronic Business Permit Licensing System which is developed by the Department of
Information and Communication Technology or DICT. This computerized system allows
online application and renewal of business permits. All transactions are done
electronically from online payment of fees, taxes, and other charges until the issuance of
business permits. The advantages of this System are faster processing time, it allows
24/7 access to Local Government Unit services, uniform assessment of fees, taxes and
finally it creates transparency in every Local Government Units operation. This also
minimizes physical transactions which are essential during this time of the pandemic.
The Philippine National Police and Bureau of Immigration have their unique way of
integrating information and communication technology into their system. Most common
among them are the online recruitment process and online appointment system. On this
method of communication, all transactions are done using the internet. One of the best
examples that fit the scenario is the application for police clearance, where an applicant
must log in through the PNP portal and wait for a designated time to transact physically.

Adopting this method conserves time and effort for the applicants and this means also
less exposure to the public which is more advantageous and safer especially during this
time of the pandemic. The Bureau of Immigration on the other hand has its version of
adapting to this new technological advancement, aside from the online appointment
system, modern equipment, machines, and new software are introduced to speed up
efficient transactions. Social media and mobile applications are utilized for faster
communication and dissemination of information.

One of the Bureau of Immigration digitization highlights is the implementation of E-gates

or electronic gate systems in the Philippines' major airports. This aims for a speedy and
automated inspection process of every Filipino passport holder who returned to our
country. The automatic system is designed for faster immigration inspection formalities
that benefit our fellow citizens, mostly the overseas foreign workers or OFW’s,
balikbayans, and Filipino seafarers who are returning to our country. This fast automatic
inspection process helps decongest a long cue of every arriving Filipino. Secondly, the
use of a passport reader also helps our immigration officers to process both arrival and
departure formalities faster. It will take only about 25 seconds to conduct the inspection
process for each passenger who seeks admission.

The Bureau of Immigration Information System or BIIS is used to detect and prevent those
who have derogatory records from leaving and entering the country. Finally, the Bureau
of Immigration is connected to the international police or the INTERPOL to prevent foreign
criminals from entering our country.

Integration of Information and Communication Technology in governance and adoption

of modern technological advancement helps boost our capability to enhance the
efficiency of the services in the government, and as a whole, this leads to trust and
confidence in our public service, it creates an opportunity for every Filipino and it will help
lift our economy, upgrading and synchronizing our system with the latest technological
development will keep our border safe, and secure our citizenry from outside threats.
Rendering a higher degree of public services with the aid of ICT benefits the people as
well as different stakeholders in the government. With all advancements in the
government, technology will impact every Filipinos life. A bigger ICT investment will
translate to a better Philippines.
REFERENCES:

https://rds-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/how-we-can-help/quantitative-study-design/

https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/maximizing-the-impact-of-
digitization.pdf

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/06/2040492/duterte-admin-allots-p214-
billion-ict-proposed-2021-budget

https://dict.gov.ph/ictstatistics/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EGMP-2022.pdf