R1HRDC SALUTES FORMER CHAIR REGIONAL DIRECTOR LEONARDO N. QUITOS, JR. ELECTS DR. MA. LOURDES K. OTAYZA AS NEW HEAD
The members of the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) recognized the sterling leadership of former consortium’s chair, Dir. Leonardo N. Quitos, Jr., of the National Economic and Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (NEDA-CAR) in a Turn Over Ceremony of Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) Chairmanship and CY 2011 Performance Assessment and CY 2012 Work Planning Workshop held last 19 January 2012, at the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) Plaza, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.
Dir. Quitos was formerly the NEDA 1 Regional Director before he was reassigned to NEDA-CAR last November 28, 2011. Serving as the longest chairperson of the consortium for eleven years, he had contributed in the growth and development of the R1HRDC by revitalizing its operation in 2000, crafting its operations manual (first RHRDC to develop among the RHRDCs across the country), pushed for the trainings of pool of health researchers in the region, chaired the Search Committee for Northern Luzon for the Best in Health Mentor Award of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) for several years and among others. The officials of the consortium together with the representatives from the Philippine Council for Health Research and development conferred the plaque of recognition to Dir. Quitos.
Dir. Quitos although now reassigned at the NEDA Cordillera Administrative Region had still opened his service to the consortium especially in facilitating the conduct of team building activities for the R1HRDC.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) of Batac City, Ilocos Norte was installed as the new chair of the consortium via unanimous decision. She will be assisted by her co-chairperson, Dr. Leo B. Solis of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) of San Carlos Pangasinan.
The R1HRDC is the region’s steering body for health and health-related research and concerns. It serves as the regional arm of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) and it is mandated to strengthen the system of health research collaboration in the region to develop, enhance and capacitate institutions to engage in health research to help improve the health conditions of the people. To know more about the consortium you may contact the office of Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza at telephone number 077-792-3133/3144.