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The Philippines faces a significant unmet need for mental health care services, especially in remote and underserved areas with limited access to traditional in-person psychiatric services. Telepsychiatry offers a potential solution for bridging this gap and improving access to care. This study aimed to evaluate the telepsychiatry service in a Level 1 government hospital in southern Philippines and assess its feasibility for improving mental healthcare access. This evaluation study used a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of patient demographic data and psychiatric diagnoses retrieved from medical records (2018-2021), as well as qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with patients, guardians, and hospital staff. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis was also conducted to assess areas for improvement. The majority of patients were between 18-35 yr old, male, and single. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, followed by depressive and anxiety disorders. Key issues included medicine shortage, lack of communication, and poor Internet connectivity. However, stakeholders cited advantages such as access to free consultations, timely diagnosis, and potential for service scaleup. This study features telepsychiatry's potential for enabling better mental health care access in resource-constrained areas of the Philippines. It is the first to demonstrate telepsychiatry service provision from a specialist hospital to a Level 1 government hospital in the country. However, sustained multi-sector and multi-level coordination is crucial for long-term viability. Recommendations for enhancement and future research directions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species new to science, Cryptocoryneesquerionii Naive & Wongso from the island of Mindanao is herein described and illustrated. It differs significantly from all other Cryptocoryne species by its yellow, colliculate spathe with a long acuminate apex. A detailed description, colour plates, phenology, geographical distribution information and a provisional conservation status are provided. The discovery of this new endemic species further highlights the importance of the citizen science in exploring and conserving the Philippine biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva of Vestalis melania is described and illustrated for the first time, based on specimens collected from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines. The identity of the larva was confirmed by matching its mitochondrial COI sequence with the adult. The larva can be distinguished by the shape of the prementum and its median cleft, lateral gills, and posterolateral abdominal spines. Comparison with other known larvae in the genus is also provided. The significance of using DNA barcoding for identifying larvae of Philippine Odonata is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, from the island of Basilan, Philippines, is herein described and illustrated. It is comparable to C. usteriana, but differs significantly in having lanceolate leaves, acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect spathe limb. Information on the geographical distribution, ecological data, phenology and conservation status as well as an identification key to the Philippine Crytocoryne species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is both a UNESCO and ASEAN recognised heritage site. There is a current move to expand the site by expanding the buffer zone. This area unfortunately is poorly studied in terms of its biodiversity. This paper explores the odonata species found in the proposed buffer zone. Transect line along fluvial ecosystem was established in the two bordering municipalities. A total of 32 species from 22 genera and nine families were recorded in which eighteen species (18) belong to the suborder Zygoptera while 14 species are Anisoptera. High level of endemism was recorded for Zygoptera (94.44%) endemism while low endemism for Anisoptera (21.43%). Distribution of Risiocnemis antoniea (Gassmann and Hämäläinen, 2002), an IUCN endangered damselfly was recorded in the creeks of Barangay Tandang Sora, Governor Generoso at relatively lower elevation between 100-300 meters above sea level. Due to its habitat's close proximity to human habitation and the encroaching anthropogenic disturbances, it should be declared as Local Conservation Area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]