USM Nagtatag ng Research Center para sa Human Kinetics at Wellness Studies
August 13, 2026
Changes in climate and environmental conditions may also affect where dengue-carrying mosquitoes live and breed, making it important to anticipate possible changes in their habitats before dengue cases increase.
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) College of Medicine, through Marwil T. Billones, USM-COM student, and his team, centered their research to this concern. As a result, their paper placed second in the 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Oral Research Competition Professional Category held on August 12–13, 2026, at The Farmers at Carpenter’s Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
The team represented SOCCSKSARGEN Region, who competed against research entries from 18 regions across the Philippines. Notably, this is the first national participation in the PNHRS Oral Research Competition of USM College of Medicine.
Billones presented the study with its objectives to examine changes in the distribution and habitat patterns of dengue vectors in relation to climate and environmental conditions.
The research emphasized the importance of anticipating changes in dengue transmission rather than responding only after cases increase. It also points to the need to understand how changing environmental conditions may influence where dengue vectors are found and where they may establish breeding habitats.
In his presentation, Billones highlighted several areas that could support dengue prevention, including educating communities about different dengue vector species, identifying and managing less visible mosquito breeding habitats near homes, and using research and environmental information to anticipate possible changes in mosquito distribution.
He also cited the Department of Health’s existing Kontra Dengue strategy as an important foundation for community-based dengue prevention, while emphasizing the role of research in informing prevention efforts.
Billones concluded his presentation with the message: “As climate shifts, dengue vectors follow,” describing the research as a call for communities and health authorities to prepare ahead of possible changes in mosquito habitats and transmission patterns.
Along with Billones were Johaydin Saad, Alexie Paquit, and Christine Abigail Tan, with Dr. Jenelle Sambo and Dr. Krizler C. Tanalgo as research advisers.
The USM entry was the only study from Mindanao to reach the Top 6. The University of the Philippines Visayas, representing Western Visayas, placed first, while Partido State University from MIMAROPA placed third.
(Filipino Translation)
USM Medicine Students, Nakamit ang Ikalawang Pwesto sa Pambansang Research Competition
Nakamit ng mga estudyante ng University of Southern Mindanao (USM) College of Medicine ang ikalawang pwesto sa 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Oral Research Competition – Professional Category, matapos nilang ilahad ang pag-aaral tungkol sa posibleng epekto ng pagbabago ng klima at kapaligiran sa pagkalat ng mga lamok na nagdadala ng dengue.
Isinagawa ang kompetisyon noong Agosto 12–13, 2026 sa The Farmers at Carpenter’s Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, kung saan kinatawan ng USM ang SOCCSKSARGEN Region at nakipagkumpitensya sa mga research entry mula sa 18 rehiyon sa buong bansa.
Pinangunahan ni Marwil T. Billones, estudyante ng USM College of Medicine, ang presentasyon ng pag-aaral na sumusuri sa pagbabago sa distribusyon at mga habitat ng dengue vectors kaugnay ng klima at kondisyon ng kapaligiran.
Batay sa pag-aaral, maaaring magbago ang mga lugar na tinitirhan at pinamumugaran ng mga lamok na nagdadala ng dengue dahil sa pagbabago ng klima at environmental conditions. Dahil dito, binigyang-diin ng research ang kahalagahan ng pagtukoy sa mga posibleng pagbabago sa kanilang habitat bago pa man tumaas ang mga kaso ng dengue.
Sa kanyang presentasyon, ibinahagi ni Billones ang ilang maaaring gawin upang makatulong sa dengue prevention, kabilang ang pagpapalawak ng kaalaman ng mga komunidad tungkol sa iba’t ibang dengue vector species, pagtukoy sa mga breeding habitat na maaaring hindi agad nakikita sa paligid ng mga tahanan, at paggamit ng research at environmental data upang matukoy ang posibleng paggalaw ng mga lamok sa mga bagong lugar.
Binigyang-diin din niya ang Kontra Dengue strategy ng Department of Health (DOH) bilang isa sa mga batayan ng community-based dengue prevention, habang ipinakita kung paano maaaring gamitin ang research upang makatulong sa pagpaplano ng mga hakbang bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon.
Tinapos ni Billones ang kanyang presentasyon sa mensaheng, “As climate shifts, dengue vectors follow,” na tumutukoy sa pangangailangang maging handa ang mga komunidad at health authorities sa posibleng pagbabago sa habitat at distribution ng mga dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Kasama sa research team sina Johaydin Saad, Alexie Paquit, at Christine Abigail Tan, sa paggabay nina Dr. Jenelle Sambo at Dr. Krizler C. Tanalgo bilang research advisers.
Ang naturang pagkilala ay naging bahagi rin ng unang national participation ng USM College of Medicine sa PNHRS Oral Research Competition. Ang USM entry ang tanging pag-aaral mula Mindanao na nakapasok sa Top 6 ng kompetisyon.
Nanguna sa kompetisyon ang University of the Philippines Visayas, na kumatawan sa Western Visayas, habang pumangatlo ang Partido State University mula MIMAROPA.
