Laoag City, Ilocos Norte - The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 02 in partnership with the Cagayan Valley Health Research & Development Consortium conducted the 1st Biennial Health Research Symposium on June 26-27, 2014. This was held at Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

More or less 100 participants from different State Universities & Colleges (SUCs), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), health agencies from regions 1, 2, CAR & the nearby provinces were in attendance. With the theme "Understanding the Issues and Prospects of Indigenous Plants in Medicinal Research, the opening program was graced by Dr. Miriam E. Pascua, President (MMSU) with Mr. Perry Martinez, City Administrator who welcomed the participants. Dr. Urdujah A. Tejada, Regional Director of DOST 02 gave the opening remarks. Engr. Sylvia T. Lacambra introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Florentina S. Dumlao, President of NVSU.

The two-day activity was a mixture of different activities such as contest in poster research exhibits, oral research abstract presentation, trainings & mini symposium on the selected abstracts of researches.

Distinguished speakers from reputable institutions lectured on various topics. Among them were Dr. Arturo Arboleda, NMD who addressed the significance of Indigenous Plants in the Philippines lectured on the Controversies in the Use of Herbal Drugs; Engr. Emmanuel M. Mendoza, Area Manager of Intellectual Property Office tackled the Importance of Intellectual Property in Health Research.

The activities was moderated by Dr. Maria Nilda M. Munoz, a Balik Scientist-Director, Research Management Office, St. Lukes College of Medicine. The symposium would not be successful without the full support of DOST 02 Regional Director, Dr. Urdujah A. Tejada and the cooperation of all the staff of DOST R02 and CVHRDC.

During the closing ceremonies, the participants clamored for another round of symposium in the near future.