DOTr: MIAA, MERALCO start NAIA T3 electrical audit; sees completion in 3 weeks

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The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), with the assistance of power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has started on Friday, May 5 the electrical audit of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The audit is expected to be completed in three weeks, according to MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co.

Co added that once the audit is concluded, the MIAA will be able to determine the various equipment needed to be upgraded, rehabilitated or purchased to make NAIA Terminal 3’s power system reliable and resilient.

The MIAA will then determine the timeline as well as the required budget for the procurement of critical components of its electrical facilities, generator sets, and implement the necessary power systems upgrade at Terminal 3.

“Yes, kailangan naming bumili or mag lease ng additional generators and we are discussing with stakeholders and that’s the time na madetermine kung magkano ang kailangang budget,” said Co.

As an immediate move, the MIAA is exploring the option of leasing generator sets to increase the capacity of Terminal 3's back-up power.

The audit is expected to assist MIAA in ensuring reliability of its power supply and prioritize major components for the system upgrade of its existing electrical facilities.

Save the Children Philippines Inks Humanitarian Deal with Lifestrong Marketing Inc.

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Lifestrong Marketing, Inc., makers of DermAid, Cathy Doll, Hairfix, Pretty Secret, and other renowned health and wellness products, partners with Save the Children Philippines in building the resilience of children and families to the impacts of climate change and emergencies. A contract signing and handover ceremony was held on 03 May 2023 to officially launch the partnership which enables Save the Children Philippines to respond quickly and appropriately to the most vulnerable and affected children, their families, and communities within 72 hours from the onset of the emergency. ““Lifestrong Marketing Inc is a personal care distribution company whose aim is to provide accessible health care products to everyone. Through our brand, Dermaid, Lifestrong vows to work hand in hand with Save the Children towards the mission of Stronger Together for Children by supporting SCP’s emergency disaster response program. It is indeed our responsibility to ensure our children's safety and future.” Mr. Lee emphasized in his speech.
Present during the ceremony were Lifestrong Marketing Inc.’s CEO Lance Lee and Chief Operating Officer Margaret Lee, and Save the Children Philippines’ CEO Atty. Alberto Muyot, and Chief Business Development Officer Naida Pasion, together with respective leadership teams and colleagues.

Lifestrong Marketing Inc.’s commitment to help Save the Children transform the lives of millions of Filipino children comprises of PhP2 Million-worth of donations, including a one-time cash donation of PhP 500,000, to support Save the Children Philippines’ Fund to SAVE (Secure Access to Vital Emergency Resources) campaign to help pool emergency relief funds so that when disasters hit, whether natural or man-made, vital humanitarian support is provided immediately. A warehouse in Bulacan for storage of prepositioned emergency items, and relevant services will also be provided.

“We cannot wait for funds to pour in only at the moment of need. It is our lifelong commitment to be the first to respond and the last to leave whenever disaster strikes,” said Muyot.

The Philippines has recently been identified as the country with the highest disaster risk according to the 2022 World Risk Index, with an average of 20 cyclones per year entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The Philippines also lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire contributing to the number of volcanic and seismic activities.

“Save the Children Philippines welcomes opportunities for partnership with organizations who know the importance of disaster preparedness and management, especially for the welfare of children. We express our sincerest gratitude to Lifestrong Marketing Inc., for this meaningful partnership,” Muyot said.

“We encourage everyone to use your platforms to support the programs of Save the Children Philippines because we want our children to receive help and support in moments of need. Let us all unite for our children who are the next generation,” Lee emphasized.

For inquiries on how to become part of the Fund to Save campaign, please get in touch with Ms. Riel Andaluz via mobile (+63917 577 0145) or email (corporateteam.ph@savethechildren.org)

UP mathematicians find safer contraceptive hormone doses

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The amount of hormones in contraceptives can be reduced by as much as 92% without impacting their effectiveness, new math research from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) has found.

Using mathematical models, researchers from the UPD-CS institute of Mathematics have found that contraceptives can still remain effective despite reducing their hormone content by as much as 92%. (Photo credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya / Pexels.com)

Most contraceptives available today contain either or both estrogen and progesterone hormones to block ovulation, the phase of the menstrual cycle wherein an egg is released into the uterus. But while effective, hormonal contraception has its drawbacks: an increased potential for blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, mood disorders, and other health risks.

UPD-CS Institute of Mathematics (UPD-CS IM) Ph.D. Mathematics graduate Brenda Lyn Gavina and Associate Professor Dr. Aurelio de los Reyes V, alongside collaborators Dr. Mette Olufsen of North Carolina State University, Dr. Suzanne Lenhart of the University of Tennessee, and Dr. Johnny Ottesen of the Roskilde University of Denmark, analyzed the hormone levels of 23 women aged 20 to 34 years old with regular menstrual cycles. Their research revealed that estrogen-only contraceptives could work just as effectively even if hormone doses were reduced by as much as 92%. Meanwhile, hormone doses in progesterone-only contraceptives could be decreased by as much as 43% while still achieving the same effectivity.

In their study, the researchers developed a modified menstrual cycle model to track natural hormone levels and the effect of hormones taken through contraceptives. They then applied mathematics to determine the lowest amount of hormones needed to prevent ovulation. Apart from finding lower yet effective hormone dosages, they also found that intaking these contraceptives before the tenth day of the menstrual cycle is just as effective in preventing pregnancy as a daily dose.

The study opens new avenues for further research in hormonal birth control. “With the rapid development of new implants and injections providing continuous administration, there is great potential to implement new treatment scheme minimizing dose,” the researchers concluded in their study, published last April 13 in the journal PLoS Computational Biology.

“Reducing the dosage of hormonal contraceptives has been a longstanding objective of safer contraception. Our modeling/computational study suggests an effective and cost-efficient hormonal contraceptive administration.” Dr. de los Reyes said. “We also hope to build on the current model to investigate reproductive health concerns in women like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cysts. We would like to caution that our model is not directly translatable to clinical setup (or actual patients) as of yet, but the principles and its proof of concept could be potentially implemented to achieve safe and cost-efficient contraception.”

Researchers from the UP Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Mathematics, working alongside international colleagues, have found that the hormone levels in contraceptives could be cut by as much as 92% without impacting their effectiveness. (Photo credit: Aurelio de los Reyes V et al.)