Representatives from member-institutions of Caraga Health Research and Development Consortium (CHRDC) agreed on strengthening its efforts on health research development and promotion after reviewing the consortium’s direction and its best practices during the General Assembly at Butuan City, January 29.

Mr. Ricardo Varela, Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations of the Department of Science and Technology Caraga presented the accomplishments of CHRDC in 2017. Among these notable attainments of CHRDC were its efforts in communicating health research outputs to the end-users in the communities and campaigning for the utilization of these research-based knowledge.The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) recognized these efforts and committed to support the undertakings of the consortium in the years to come.

A communication plan for the consortium is on the works to help utilize research information in Caraga. Mr. Varela also mentioned various capacity building activities, meetings and other health research activities conducted to encourage young researchers to engage in health research.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cesar Cassion, Assistant Regional Director for Department of Health Caraga and the current chair of the Research Management Committee presented and discussed the updates of the Technical Review Board (TRB) Manual of Operations to inform the members regarding the important changes in the operation, particularly in the review and evaluation of Research and Development (R&D) proposals. 

“Let’s always keep the flame burning”, said Rey Brangan, Bombo radyo representative. 

CHRDC aims this year to strengthen the collaboration among stakeholders engaged in health research and development in Caraga region to continuously exert effort in the promotion and development of health researches.