The Fund Utilization Committee, an ad hoc committee of the PSM, Inc. for FY 2012-2013, has been created to determine special projects for possible funding of the Society. The committee is composed of Dr. Marian P. De Leon (Chair), Dr. Supachai A. Basit, Prof. Olivia C. Emata, Prof. Howell T. Ho, Dr. Jessica F. Simbahan and Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo. Among the approved projects, two (2) were implemented by the Board of Directors, namely, Handwashing Project(Phase 2) and Donation of Microscopes to public high schools.
The Handwashing Station project in its second phase benefited four (4) public high schools, namely, Oton National High School (Oton, Iloilo City), Lumbao National High School (Lumbao, Cagayan de Oro City), Cararayan National High School (Naga City) and Bacnotan National High School (Bacnotan, La Union). The handwashing stations were turned-over to recipient schools in a simple turn-over ceremony headed by Dr. Basit and the principal of each school, members of the PSM Board of Directors and PSM regional chapter officers. The short turn-over ceremonies concluded with a career orientation on microbiology for 3rd and 4th year high schools students. Speakers came from the members of the PSM national and regional chapters board of directors who talked on the role of microbiology in medicine, education, dairy/food and industries.
Several units of microscopes were also donated to 12 public high schools for more appreciation of microbiology. These microscopes were awarded to selected schools during the PSM regional annual and scientific convention at St. Paul University, Iloilo City (PSM Visayas), Marco Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City (PSM Mindanao), University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City (PSM Bicol) and Don Mariano Marco Memorial State University (PSM Northern Luzon). Recipients include the Janiuay National Comprehensive High School (Janiuay, Iloilo), Oton National High School (Oton, Iloilo), Sankanan National High School (Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon), Takepan High School (Pikit, Cotabato), Tomas Cabili National High School (Iligan City), Catanduanes National High School (Catanduanes City), Sacred Heart High School (Camarines Sur), Sergio Rosero Memorial High School (Masbate), Don Eulogio de Guzman Memorial National High School (Bauang, La Union) and Benigno V. Aldana National High School (Pozorrubio, Pangasinan).