{"id":1623,"date":"2021-08-05T14:17:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T06:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csspsinag.wordpress.com\/?p=1623"},"modified":"2021-08-05T14:17:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T06:17:04","slug":"doh-personnel-claims-octa-research-methodology-as-erroneous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/08\/05\/doh-personnel-claims-octa-research-methodology-as-erroneous\/","title":{"rendered":"DOH personnel claims OCTA research methodology as ‘erroneous’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The think tank previously advised government officials to impose an \u201canticipatory, preventive, circuit-breaking lockdown,\u201d as Metro Manila is \u201cofficially in a surge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives requested a probe on OCTA Research after Dr. Edcel Salva\u00f1a from the Department of Health (DOH) Technical Advisory Group called the methodologies used in the research group\u2019s projections as \u201cproblematic.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salva\u00f1a regards the research group\u2019s reliance on \u201cerroneous\u201d data as detrimental and invalid. He highlights that some cases are subject to change, and also pointed out that there may be backlogs in two weeks\u2019 worth of data. The infectious disease expert underscored the research group runs the risk of making false projections if they base their assumptions on \u201cincomplete\u201d data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research fellow Prof. Ranjit Rye from OCTA Research asserts that the think tank consists of members knowledgeable on research, coming from both the University of the Philippines (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInterdisciplinary kami\u2026 pag nakikita namin na may problema, then we all try to contribute, and I think we contributed well dahil sinuportahan kami ng ating mga mayor,\u201d Rye stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(We are interdisciplinary. If we see that there is a problem, then we all try to contribute, and I think we contributed well because we are supported by our mayors.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The think tank previously advised government officials to impose an \u201canticipatory, preventive, circuit-breaking lockdown,\u201d as Metro Manila is \u201cofficially in a surge.\u201d They urged that immediate response be taken to combat the rapid spread of the Delta variant, especially as the DOH has confirmed its local transmission in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salva\u00f1a, however, decries OCTA\u2019s claims on an \u201cofficial surge\u201d as he claims there is no \u201cepidemiologic, definite definition\u201d of what a \u201csurge\u201d is. He went on to say the research group\u2019s projections are mere \u201cfortune-telling,\u201d especially on a model released last July 22 by OCTA on a possible rise of over 8,000 cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was immediately addressed by molecular biologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco from OCTA Research, affirming that all models are indeed fortune-telling and asserted, however, that all the data they have used are \u201cconsistent with the trends and dynamics of the pandemic for the past 15, 16 months.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rye furthers that several public and private sectors source analysis from OCTA research group, debunking Salva\u00f1a\u2019s persistent baseless criticism towards the research group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Salva\u00f1a\u2019s groundless claims, members from the HOR filed House Resolution No. 2075, urging investigation on OCTA’s \u201cqualifications, research methodologies, partnerships, and composition.\u201d The resolution was filed on August 4, Monday, by Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson – Meehan, Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, Deputy Minority Speaker Stella Luz Quimbo, and Quezon City 4th District Representative Jesus Suntay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawmakers were particularly inquisitive about the research group\u2019s affiliation with the University of the Philippines (UP) as the university was previously mentioned in the group\u2019s press statements, and were referred to as UP-OCTA in some news reports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this, Rye clarified that despite working full-time within the university, the research group is an independent firm and is not involved with UP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OCTA Research was previously \u201crequested\u201d by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque last October 2020 to stop publicizing their \u201crecommendations on classifications as it is really the job of experts.\u201d Roque suggests it best to turn their reports to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in private. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research fellow Prof. Guido David from OCTA Research countered these statements and stated they were \u201cdoing this as a public service,\u201d and hoped they were not \u201cbeing silenced by the Palace.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’m not sure if people are aware but we’re not actually commissioned for this, we’re not paid by the government [nor] anyone,\u201d he furthered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metro Manila is set to go back to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) starting August 6, until August 20. Lockdowns, however, \u201care empty measures without ramping up testing, tracing, and vaccination efforts, and will not be sustained without sufficient economic aid,\u201d stressed by a medical student. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, David projects that Delta variant cases may have already reached 2,000 in an online forum held last August 3, Tuesday. He furthers that a surge in the Metro is \u201cdefinitely happening,\u201d and that the increase in cases will \u201cgrow exponentially from this point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured image courtesy of Rappler.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The think tank previously advised government officials to impose an \u201canticipatory, preventive, circuit-breaking lockdown,\u201d as Metro Manila is \u201cofficially in a surge.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,11],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[126],"class_list":["post-1623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/covid-19-vaccination-crowd-manila-july-27-2021-003-1627801227144-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4977,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/07\/19\/unsubtle-crony-traits-the-marcos-cabinet-part-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":1623,"position":0},"title":"Unsubtle Crony Traits: The Marcos Cabinet \u2014 Part 5","author":"Staff","date":"19 July 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Even weeks after his inauguration and days shy from the first State of the Nation Address, Marcos, Jr.'s Crony Cabinet remains incomplete \u2014 with crucial positions yet to be filled. 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The Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives filed a resolution urging a probe on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/14-senators-want-doh-secretary-duque-to-resign-immidiately-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/14-senators-want-doh-secretary-duque-to-resign-immidiately-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/14-senators-want-doh-secretary-duque-to-resign-immidiately-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/14-senators-want-doh-secretary-duque-to-resign-immidiately-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1646,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/08\/12\/coa-flags-doh-for-poor-management-of-p67-billion-covid-19-funds\/","url_meta":{"origin":1623,"position":2},"title":"COA flags DOH for poor management of P67 billion COVID-19 funds","author":"Staff","date":"12 August 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Commission on Audit (COA) released its 2020 report last August 11, Wednesday, indicating the Department of Health\u2019s (DOH) mismanagement of COVID-19 funds worth P67-billion. The Commission on Audit (COA) released its 2020 report last August 11, Wednesday, indicating the Department of Health\u2019s (DOH) mismanagement of COVID-19 funds worth P67-billion.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20190814-senate-hearing-jc-1471.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20190814-senate-hearing-jc-1471.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20190814-senate-hearing-jc-1471.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20190814-senate-hearing-jc-1471.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1678,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/08\/17\/despite-coa-report-duque-insists-no-covid-funds-were-stolen\/","url_meta":{"origin":1623,"position":3},"title":"Despite COA report, Duque insists no COVID funds were stolen","author":"Staff","date":"17 August 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"COA clarified its report on Friday, after the backlash, that it is still premature to claim that there is corruption since the DOH still has the chance to submit untransmitted documents. 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