On June 1-4, 2021, a 4-day training entitled The Basic Research Methods Training was conducted via Zoom attended and conducted by the member institutions of Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium. It aims to provide basic knowledge and skills in health research methodologies to researchers. Furthermore, it aims to generate more research project proposals aligned with the 2017-2022 Regional Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRA).

On its first day, the training kicked off with a prayer and the singing of the National Anthem lead by Ms. April Rose Amor, an EVHRDC staff. Then everyone was welcomed with the opening speech from the OIC Regional Director of DOH-EV CHD, Dr. Exuperia B. Sabalberino. After which, Dr. Virgilio Sabalo, the EVHRDC CBC Chair explained the need for this training while Mr. Raymond Campo, an EVHRDC Staff, presented the DOST 6Ps and the updated 2017-2022 RUHRA. The training then commenced with the sequence: Engr. Michael Manguerra from De La Salle University talked about the opportunities and challenges of Biomedical Engineering, Mr. Leonido Olobia presented the sub-module entitled “Overview of the Reasearch Process” which tackled about the characteristics of the research process, and Dr. Willard N. Riveral from Biliran Province State University presented the sub-module entitled “Defining the Research Problem” after lunch break. At 2:30 in the afternoon, the Question and Answer session took place before Workshop 1 and day 1 of the training ended by 5pm.

The second day of the 4-day training started with a prayer and housekeeping rules setting by Ms. Amor. And so, sub-module 3 entitled “Establishing the Theoretical and Empirical Basis of the Research” was presented by Sr. John Mary Formillos an RMC/TRB member. She presented an overview of the two-step process which aims to establish both the theoretical and empirical basis for the objectives formulated and the variables investigated. Then Dr. Fidelita Dico of DOH-EVCHD discussed the sub-module 4 bearing the title “Epidemiologic and Experimental Studies”. After lunch, RUC Chair Dr. Sherrie Ann Labid shared about the different “Sampling Designs” which is sub-module 5. She presented the applications of sampling in health research. A large part of the module was spent in describing the steps in implementing the different probability sampling designs. At 2:30 again in the afternoon, another Question and Answer session was conducted and another workshop as well.

And on the third day, it started exactly the same as the previous ones. Then it progressed on to Mr. Leonid Arado of PIT presenting the sub-module on “Sample Size Determination” which was about myths and misinformation. He presented the actual factors to be considered when computing for the sample size of surveys where subjects were selected using a probability sampling design. The next topic, “Qualitative Research” was discussed by Prof. Esther Bañar of Eastern Samar State University. And to top off the day, Prof. Ferdinand Abocejo comprehensively discussed about “Data Collection” and later on, “Data Analysis”. 

And finally, the fourth and final day of the training was opened with a prayer and a setting of expectation. As the event progressed brilliantly, Dr. Sarah Delorino, Co-Chair of EVHRDC ERC shared about the sub-module 10 which was “Ethics on Health Research. Then Dr. Lucia Dauz tackled sub-module 11 entitled “Administrative Aspects of Research”. She talked about the steps and activities involved in addressing both administrative aspects of the research process. And finally, for the last sub-module “Writing the Research Proposal”, we had Ms. Josephine Hipe, Chair of EVRHDC SOME to discuss said topic. Q and A with a workshop followed the discussions.

After the training ended, Ms. Anicia P. Catameo, the OIC of Institution Development from PCHRD delivered a message purposely to inspire and further motivate researchers to do better in the future. Then Ms. Jean Gay O. Ragub, EVHRDC Coordinator awarded certificates to the magnificent resource speakers. And finally, DOST 8 Regional Director and the EVHRDC Execom Co-Chair, Engr. Ernesto M. Granada, delivered a closing message which acknowledged the efforts of the trainers and the enthusiasm of the participants.

The Commission on Higher Education – Regional Office 1 (CHED-RO1) and CHED Office of Planning, Research and Knowledge Management (OPRKM) conducted an Online Orientation-Seminar on the Establishment and Accreditation of Research Ethics Committee (REC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) on May 25, 2021, with the aim of capacitating HEIs and researchers to overcome difficulties in establishing and subjecting their RECs and IACUCs for accreditation.

In a recent survey done by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office 1 and Regional Ethics Monitoring Board-1 (REMB-1) chaired by Dr. Mayrose L. Quezon, there were only seven (7) higher education institutions with established institutional Research Ethics Committees (RECs) out of thirty-six (36) higher education institutions (HEIs) offering graduate and health program. Two (2) of which are accredited by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). Meanwhile, only three (3) out of eleven (11) HEIs conducting animal studies have Laboratory Animal Facilities that are registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Speakers were Dr. Marita V. Tolentino-Reyes, Ethics Trainer of PHREB and Dr. Marlon G. Mendez, Veterinarian II of the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office I. Chairpersons of REC and IACUC of HEIs that are accredited by PHREB and BAI also shared insights and experiences for the participants to benchmark on.

A total of 141 participants attended from public and private HEIs offering graduate and health programs, composed of head of institutions, members of REC and IACUC, and from government agencies conducting research.

Expected output of the orientation-seminar is the submission of an application for REC and IACUC accreditation.