“The most important benefit of health research lies in its utilization, translated into strategies, technologies, policies and interventions that will make lives better for the Filipinos,” said PNHRS Research Utilization Committee (RUC) Chair Dr. Marie Carmela Lapitan, emphasizing research as a tool that influences health programs and systems. 

This year’s winning pitch pushed for improved accessibility of primary healthcare for the elderly at the barangay level. According to local data from emergency room (ER) consultations, the majority of health concerns of elderly patients can be treated through outpatient care. Recognizing that private outpatient care may be inaccessible to some, Dr. Nolasco’s study recommends local government units (LGUs) to establish elderly clinics in all barangay centers and the implementation of healthcare information campaigns among the elderly to increase their level of healthcare literacy. At the national level, the study suggests the implementation of a nationwide health program, through the Department of Health (DOH), dedicated to addressing geriatric health needs. It also calls for the involvement of medical societies to capacitate primary healthcare providers in caring for Filipino elderly.

Bagging second place was Region 2 represented by Prof, Jennifer Luyun; while Region 12 represented by Dr. Benneth Mercado won third place. For special awards, Region 6 represented by Mr. John Michael Gabriel Zaragoza won the People’s Choice Award.

In her closing message, DOST-PCHRD Research Information, Communication, and Utilization Division (RICUD) Chief Ullyann Garcia highlighted how the activity impacts healthcare. “Researchers can reframe the way health policy issues are seen, and collaboration with policy-makers initially can enhance implementation later,” she said. 

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. vows to push for the establishment of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in his keynote speech during the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week on 11 August 2022 at Clark Marriott Hotel, Pampanga.

“As your president, I hope that my presence here today gives a clear signal that this administration continues to support your endeavors,” Marcos emphasized in his address to more than 200 health researchers representing the 17 regions of the country at the main conference of the PNHRS Week celebration.

Leading the VIP program, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has highlighted the importance of a research institute for virology in the Philippines, especially in future pandemic responses, as it will also provide more support such as human resource development through more scholarships and world-class research laboratories, especially in the regions.

“I have presented to both houses of Congress the proposed creation of the virology center of the Philippines so that we can consolidate, in a better way, all sources of research and new data,” Marcos stated.

“Secondly, of course, the creation of our own disease control center here in the Philippines so that we are ready for the unfortunate events, that this is not going to be the last pandemic, at least not in our lifetimes,” Marcos added. The CDC is envisioned to be the lead agency for developing communicable disease control and prevention initiatives, primarily responsible for controlling the spread of infectious diseases in the country. 

Hosted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and the Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium, the PNHRS Week served as a platform for the health research community to share their insights and experiences in developing innovative solutions for achieving resilience through health R&D. 

In his speech, the President also expressed his gratitude to the health research community for its contributions to the country’s pandemic response. “There is nothing more heroic in my mind than what you have achieved, not only from me but from all the millions who somehow reaped the benefit of your hard work,” Marcos furthered.

Also present at the celebration are the heads of the PNHRS implementing agencies, namely: Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health (DOH), Chancellor Carmencita Padilla of the University of the Philippines Manila, and Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Meanwhile, DOST Officer-In-Charge Usec. Renato Solidum was represented by the DOST Region III Director Julius Caesar Sicat.

“Indeed, we look forward to a close partnership towards a resilient health system that fosters unity and cooperation not just with our four core implementing agencies and regional consortia, but across all stakeholders in health research,” PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya, says in his PNHRS report delivered by Dr. Sicat.

Themed, “Health Research: Responding to Challenges to National Recovery and Resiliency,” the PNHRS Week celebration was also attended by virtual participants watching through Zoom and Facebook live. The PNHRS Week is celebrated every second week of August in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 1309 of June 2007.

The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) will start accepting proposals for its services under the Intellectual Property and Technology Management (IPTM) Unit this 1 September 2022, as announced during the IPTM Call Conference held online last 9 August 2022.

To boost the utilization of health technologies and innovations, the DOST-PCHRD, through its IPTM Unit, recently launched new programs that aim to address research utilization gaps experienced by technology generators and innovators. “We envision more research-based health solutions in the market and ultimately, in our communities making Filipino lives better,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya on the Council’s goals for the implementation of its research utilization efforts. 

Overview of the IPTM’s Unit’s programs and application processes for each program were discussed during the conference. The programs included in the call are the following:

• Intellectual Property Protection And Management Of Health Research Outputs Program (IPROTECH) - This provides IP-related services and assistance to PCHRD RHRDC members to help them protect, commercialize, and manage their health innovations. Specific services under the program include development of institutional IP policies, establishment of institutional technology transfer processes, securing IP protection, securing IP valuation and freedom to operate (FTO) reports, and drafting of licensing agreements.

• Startup Research Grant Program (SGP) - The program supports research activities of startups in the health sector. It was launched in 2021 in support of Republic Act 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act which mandates the DOST to promote the Philippine startup ecosystem among Filipino startups. 

• Technology Transformation and Empowerment of Knowledge Generators and Innovators in Health (TEKI in Health) - This assists researchers and research institutions who plan to have their health or health care innovations utilized through community adoption or the creation of spin-off companies. 

In anticipation of the call for proposals, DOST-PCHRD Research Information, Communication, and Utilization Division (RICUD) Chief Ullyann Garcia encouraged stakeholders to participate and submit proposals. “Having witnessed your interest and support in today’s activity, I am optimistic that this upcoming round of call for proposals will be a productive and fruitful one,” she said. 

During the event, the Council also launched the DOST-PCHRD’s Innovation Portfolio, HeaRTNovation. The portfolio contains the DOST-PCHRD supported innovations that are fully-commercialized ready for adoption, and currently in the pre-commercialization stage. HeaRTNovation can be accessed here: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/heartnovation/

For inquiries regarding the IPTM’s call for proposals, you may contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Central Mindanao University’s (CMU) Jason Alcano wins first place at the Oral Research Paper Presentation Competition for the Grantees of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products held via Zoom  last 9 August 2022.

Conducted as part of the 15th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week, the competition was participated by grantees of the program who received the top six highest average scores from technical evaluators in 2019 and 2021. 

Alcano’s winning research presentation entitled, “Exploring the Philippine Endemic Hornstedtia conoidea fruit and Etlingera elatior inflorescence: Its metabolite profile and antioxidant activity and its potential for functional powder development,” focused on the metabolomic profiling of two understudied edible ginger plants. Parallel to the theme of the 15th PNHRS week, he emphasized how “it is only fitting to tap our own biodiversity, our local plants, to look for alternative medicine and food sources.”

Meanwhile, Wenzel Perian of the Western Mindanao State University and Jerson Angelo Armecin of the Velez College Philippines bagged the 2nd and 3rd place in the competition, respectively. Their studies likewise focused on natural products, specifically on mango peels and seed extracts, and seaweed extracts. 

Highlighting how the research grant and competition serve as a platform to train young researchers, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya explains the relevance of building a pool of well-rounded researchers. “Along with assisting our young researchers in the conduct of research, we believe it is equally important to allow them to gain experience in communicating their studies which is the focus of this activity,” he said. 

“Throughout the years, our researchers have proven that indeed, our talents across the regions are worth supporting. In turn, the Council will always support Filipino researchers of all ages in realizing their potentials and building their capacities in health research through programs such as the Undergraduate Thesis Grant and the Oral Research Paper Competition,” Dr. Montoya added.

A replay of the competition may be accessed here.