PCHRD News

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 07 September 2020; Hits: 3507

The current landscape of COVID-19 vaccine initiatives in the country is still dynamic - as discussions are still ongoing with potential partners. Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on COVID-19 vaccine initiatives, as addressed by the office of DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation. The contents of these FAQs will be updated regularly.

1. What is Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19)?

It is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus –SARS-CoV-2. The disease is transmitted to humans through respiratory droplets or discharges from sneeze and cough, and saliva. Since its first recorded case in China, COVID- 19 had widely spread in the different parts of the world. With the continuous increase in the number of infected people, countries have taken numerous measures and/or strategies to control the spread of the disease – physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks and increased detection of cases with early isolation and quarantine among others. Also, the global scientific community has been working tirelessly searching for the vaccines to provide immunity against this virus.

2. How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by introducing inactivated, weakened or killed copies of the whole or part of the disease-causing pathogen, for instance SARS-CoV-2, to our bodies just enough to stimulate our immune system to naturally produce cells or specific antibodies that will fight the virus. Once our immune system has successfully eliminated these foreign elements inside our bodies, it will remember the disease it caused and the antibodies it previously produced to fight it. If we are then exposed to the real SARS- CoV-2 in the future, our immune system already knows how to destroy the virus before it can even make us seriously sick.

3. What if there is no vaccine?

If there is no vaccine, transmission of the virus may slow down if enough people get infected and the country approaches herd immunity and gain at least a temporary respite from major outbreaks Some experts have estimated reaching that point would require as much as 60 percent to 70 percent of the population getting infected. However, death rate at 60 70 infections in the population will also increase.

4. Will there be a vaccine for COVID 19?

The SARS CoV 2 is a novel coronavirus, and vaccines against it have yet to be developed But experts think there will be a COVID 19 vaccine. In fact, there are more than 160 ongoing SARS CoV 2 vaccine developments being conducted across the globe by many research institutions, private and state-owned pharmaceutical companies, and universities. To date, these vaccine candidates are in various trial stages to ensure their efficacy and safety for human use. As of 20 August 2020 the World Health Organization ( records 30 candidate vaccines that are in various clinical trial stages while 139 are in pre clinical trial stage.

Health experts are accelerating research to study the origins of the virus and how it is spreading. The virus has been differentiated from SARS and MERS, but its contagiousness and virulence is still being studied.

5. What are the stages of vaccine development?

Vaccines undergo various clinical trial stages to ensure their safety and efficacy These stages include:

• Pre-clinical - Vaccines are tested in animals such as mice and monkeys to see if it produces an immune response
• Phase 1 - Vaccines are given to a small number of people 10 100 people) to test its safety
• Phase 2 - Vaccine are given to hundreds of people 100 to 1 000 people) to test its efficacy, determine the right dosage, and ensure that the desired effects are achieved
• Phase 3 Vaccine are tested in a larger group of people to confirm its efficacy and safety when compared to other treatments

6. How are clinical trials done?

In a clinical trial, a volunteer is usually assigned a specific study group Volunteers in one study group may receive the COVID 19 vaccine while others may receive a placebo or a comparator vaccine in order to assess its efficacy. The trial is usually a double-blind test where participants, physicians, and research staff do not know which volunteer receives a placebo and the active treatment. This will eliminate bias so that physicians and research staff will provide the same level of medical attention and care to all participants. The vaccine recipients are monitored for side effects at various time points during the trial, and tested for their immune responses to the vaccine components.

7. Who can participate in the clinical trials?

All potential recipients of the vaccines under the clinical trial will first be screened for certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. These criteria include physical examination, general state of health, and ability to follow instructions among others. Laboratory tests will also performed such as baseline RT PCR for SARS CoV 2 viral RNA, IgM and IgG tests, clinical chemistry examinations to detect abnormalities or disease conditions that may not be detected on physical examination alone.

8. What will participants get for joining in the clinical trial?

Participants of clinical trials in the Philippines will be given excellent healthcare services and closely monitored by the attending physicians They will also receive a minimal allowance to reimburse meals and transportation associated with participation to the clinical trial.

9. Are there risks associated with participation in the clinical trials?

Vaccination of investigational drugs or vaccines may have side effects including pain, redness, itchiness or swelling at the injection site, which may last a few hours Other side effects may also include fever, feeling of weakness or fatigue, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, and nausea. However, during the trial, the attending physician will determine if the side effects are causally related to the vaccines. Participants are also given diary cards and are expected to report to the vaccine trial monitors any side effects or development of COVID 19 signs and symptoms during the clinical trial period. Generally, the benefits of taking the vaccine outweigh the risks associated with its side effects.

10. Are all vaccines the same? Will they work for everyone?

There are several platforms being used for development of COVID 19 vaccine, each one having their own advantages and disadvantages Some are tried and proven and have worked for other viral illnesses Some can be produced much faster, but it is unclear if they will all be as effective Hence, parallel development of multiple types of vaccines is a good thing.

Also, a COVID 19 vaccine should have at least 50 efficacy rating which refers to the percentage reduction of disease in a vaccinated group of people compared to an unvaccinated group. The efficacy depends on the types of the vaccine and the population inoculated This means that different types vaccines and different populations may produce different outcomes.

11. What are the initiatives of PH government to provide vaccines for Filipinos?

The Philippines does not currently have the capacity to produce and manufacture its own vaccines Hence, the government has been in close collaboration with several countries and international organizations that are engaged in the development and manufacturing of possible COVID 19 vaccine. So far, the Philippines has had talks with seven foreign vaccine R&D institutes and manufacturers who are ahead in the race for COVID 19 vaccine Also, the government has signified its intent to participate in both the WHO Solidarity Trial on Vaccines and the GAVI COVAX Facility.

12. What are the criteria in choosing possible PH bilateral partners for COVID 19 vaccine?

The Philippines is looking into possible partnerships with bilateral partners who ( have COVID 19 vaccine development in the advance stage (i e vaccine candidate has finished Phase II Clinical Trial or currently on Phase III Clinical Trials), and ( willing to locally manufacture their vaccines in the Philippines.

13. What is WHO Solidarity Trial for Vaccine?

The World Health Organization leads the Solidarity Trial for vaccines which aims to i harness a global cooperation to develop and evaluate vaccine candidates as quickly as possible (identify vaccine candidates and their progress; (define the desired characteristics of safe and effective vaccines to combat the pandemic and ( coordinate the clinical trials across the world giving the best chance of safe and effective vaccines for all.

14. Can other vaccine developers outside the WHO Solidarity Vaccine Trial still conduct clinical trial in the Philippines?

Yes. Other vaccine developers can conduct independent clinical trials in the Philippines given that they will be able to fund their own trials and register their application with the FDA Independent trials would require a larger sample size based on the size requirements of a Phase III clinical trial and will be mainly overseen by the vaccine developers/manufacturers and the local. Contract Research Organization and/or medical team they will engage.

15. What is COVAX Facility?

The COVAX Facility, co led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO), is a platform that aims to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID 19 vaccines and to ensure that every country in the world is able to access the successful vaccines.

16. How will the COVAX Facility ensure equitable access to COVID 19 vaccines?

The COVAX Facility works by incentivizing manufacturers to accelerate the development and manufacture of possible vaccine candidates This allows the facility to create the largest and most diverse portfolio of COVID 19 vaccines As soon as it becomes available, COVAX will deliver doses for at least 20 of each country’s population, prioritizing the most vulnerable and at risk.

17. Will there be a financing support available for the Philippines?

Yes. The COVAX facility provides opportunities for low income and lower-middle-income countries to access subsidies through the Gavi COVAX Advanced Marketing Commitment (AMC). The Philippines, as a lower-middle-income country, was recently announced as one of the countries eligible to access the COVAX facility.

Overall, the facility will require at least US 2 Billion of seed funds to fund the volume guarantees and deliver the vaccines to Low-Income Countries (LICs)and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

18. What are the criteria for choosing a successful vaccine?

The vaccine technical evaluators use the WHO internationally accepted standards for vaccines for pandemic or outbreak response use or for long term use The WHO Target Product Profiles are used as reference standards, as well as other WHO Technical standards and FDA requirements.

A matrix is prepared to give weights on compliance of the vaccine candidates with respect to the following vaccine characteristics indication for use, contraindication, target population, safety/ reactogenicity, measures of efficacy, dose regimen, the durability of protection, route of administration, product stability and storage, co-administration with other vaccines, presentation, WHO Emergency Use Listing registration and pre-qualification, and accessibility. All pre-clinical and clinical data are rigorously evaluated.

19. What are the government’s measures to ensure the vaccine’s safety?

Aside from the Solidarity Trials, overseas clinical trials and prequalification from the WHO, the Philippine government has established additional measures to ensure vaccines safety and efficacy The sub Technical Working Group on Vaccine Development has created the DOST Vaccine Expert Panel, a group of technical experts and scientists tasked to identify, evaluate, and recommend possible vaccine candidates for the Philippines. The DOH Health Technology Assessment Unit as well as different medical and specialty societies have also suggested to the IATF safety nets to ensure vaccine safety when already in use through pharmacovigilance and surveillance.

20. When will the vaccine be available?

We are anticipating that the first vaccine supply will come from the GAVI COVAX Facility in the second quarter of 2021 But a lot of factors may affect this timeline that may result to advances or delays in the release of the vaccine.

There are other sources of vaccines aside from the COVAX Facility that PH is also exploring Vaccines may also be obtained through bilateral engagements with governments and foreign vaccine developers. However, there is no definite timeline yet for the release of these vaccines as it will depend on the results of the vaccine clinical trials.

21. Who will have the first access to the vaccines?

Once the vaccines become available, the government may prioritize vulnerable or high risk groups such as healthcare workers to receive the first doses of the vaccine Also, the indigent sector of the population (senior citizens, most vulnerable citizens, poorest of the poor, etc and those communities and areas with high risk factors, may also be provided access to the initial doses.

Succeeding supplies of the vaccine will be provided to the general population after the priority population have been given with the vaccine.

22. Will the immunity last for a lifetime?

Immunity induced from administering a vaccine fades over time and the protection differs with each kind of disease and their causative agent Since SARS CoV 2 is a novel coronavirus, any long term immunity may only be determined once vaccines become available and data on their efficacy of become available after about 6 months from when the phase III trials.

23. Does the Philippines intend to produce its own COVID 19 vaccines?

The Philippines currently does not have the capacity to produce a COVID 19 vaccine for its population But the government is working with foreign vaccine developers who would be willing to invest and manufacture their vaccines in the country Currently, local pharmaceutical companies have expressed willingness to establish a fill and finish facility in the Philippines With this, the country will only import bulk antigens from foreign vaccine developers and fill them in ampoules and vials These facilities are intended to be modular so that it can be used and repurposed for other vaccines in the future.

24. What is the Philippines’ long-term goals to ensure the vaccine self-sufficiency?

The DOST has initiated two long term action plans to achieve vaccine self-sufficiency One is the establishment of a Virology Institute of the Philippines ( that is currently a pending bill in the legislature, together with the reinstitution of the DOST Pharma Center The sub-Technical Working Group on Vaccine Development suggested to expand the VIP to include not only viruses but other pathogens as well These institutions will serve as research arms of the government to build its capacity to produce its vaccines and drugs especially for future pandemic situations The second long term action plan is to establish a vaccine manufacturing facility through the Vaccine Self Reliance Project of the Research Institute for Tropical that is currently in the pipeline.

25. What is the manufacturing process for vaccine?

The tools that are needed for manufacturing a vaccine vary considerably depending on its type But in many cases, vaccine development requires a bioreactor a giant tank that allows the organisms to grow that will be the source of vaccines

In addition to the bioreactor, there are other things to take into consideration, such as medical grade glass, a sterile vial or syringe which are generally limited and may eventually become a bottleneck if the goal is to produce billions of doses of the vaccine.

26. Are there other ways to protect us against the novel coronavirus?

A vaccine will be our best protection against the novel coronavirus. However, while the vaccine development is still underway, we have to continue instituting measures to limit the spread of the virus such as physical distancing, early detection and isolation of cases, use of face masks and other PPEs We should sustain our efforts to:

• Improve testing availability and turnaround times to help detect outbreaks
• Hire and train more contact tracers, creating more tools to assist them
• Produce high-quality N95 masks for daily public use
• Find effective treatments that speed up recovery and increase survivability

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 07 September 2020; Hits: 2299

TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced their commitment to fund and support the Philippines’ participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Vaccine Trial as part of the country’s efforts to join the global action in developing a vaccine against COVID-19.

The Solidarity Vaccine Trial will ensure prompt, efficient, and reliable evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the many SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates currently being developed worldwide. To date, over 100 countries have expressed interest to participate in this large-scale vaccine trial.

The Philippines’ participation in the trial was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) as recommended by the sub-Technical Working Group (TWG) on Vaccine Development led by DOST.

“We are in close collaboration with WHO to intensify our preparations for the Solidarity Vaccine Trial, including the identification of trial sites in the country. In addition, we are continuously monitoring several vaccine candidates with the technical help from the Vaccine Expert Panel,” said Usec. Rowena Cristina Guevara, Chair of the Sub-TWG on Vaccine Development and DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development.

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 07 September 2020; Hits: 2726

In a ceremonial turnover on Friday, 4 September 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) formally received the Feasibility Analysis of Syndromic Surveillance Using Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler For Early Detection of Diseases, commonly called FASSSTER, as a tool to aid in disease surveillance in the country, including the monitoring of COVID-19.

The disease surveillance tool (FASSSTER) was developed by the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), with funding grant from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), in 2016, initially for dengue, but which has since been recalibrated as a web-based disease surveillance platform that allows policymakers to understand the outbreaks at the national, regional, and local levels and assess the effects of the preventive measures in place.

As a disease surveillance tool for COVID-19, the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe) of ADMU collaborated with the University of the Philippines Manila - National Telehealth Center (UP-NTHC) and the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau to develop the technology which is now publicly accessible at https://fassster.ehealth.ph/covid19 and uses localized indices from Philippine health records.

“It is indeed heartwarming to see our experts in FASSSTER actively contributing to public health through research and innovation. I share the pride with our researchers in saying that what started as a modest project in data science has today become a vital support to our healthcare system, especially in these uncertain times,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya.

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 14 July 2020; Hits: 1991

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) is pleased to announce the first call for research proposals for the Advancing Health through Evidence-Assisted Decisions with Health Policy and Systems Research (AHEAD-HPSR) Program.

Interested institutions, organizations, and researchers are invited to submit a full proposal on any of the topics listed below.

1. A Situational Analysis on the Drug Shortages and Stock-outs in the Philippines: Causes, Frequency, Impact and Management Strategies
2. Behavior Change, Social and Economic Outcomes of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ): Phase 1- National Capital Region (NCR)

Interested institutions, organizations, and researchers are invited to submit a full proposal on any of the topics hereto attached.

Kindly submit your proposal and the following requirements to Ms. Guidita L. Gelera at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms. Clarissa B. Reyes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Letter of Intent
Project Proposal following the PCHRD Detailed Proposal Form
Workplan Schedule (Gantt Chart of Activities)
Proposed Line-Item Budget (LIB)
Informed Consent Form (for studies involving human subjects)
Curriculum Vitae of lead proponent (Principal Investigator/Project Leader)
Duties and Responsibilities of each project personnel
Profile of the institution
Endorsement of agency head

For queries, you may contact Ms. Clarissa B. Reyes.

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 14 July 2020; Hits: 5780

The coronavirus, not even a living thing, has transformed how the world works. Technically, all homes now are quarantine facilities. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, isolation became the new norm, with strict social distancing and “stay at home” policies, being critical to protect our physical health from a public health emergency.

But this might be taking a toll on our mental health, warns Balik Scientist Dr. Christian Gloria: “The COVID-19 pandemic is the initial crisis, followed by the economic crisis, and—now—we are beginning to see the coming wave of the mental health crisis as a consequence of the first two. At this point, the primary source of stress and anxiety—aside from the pandemic—is the question of “how will we survive through the quarantines, lockdowns, and joblessness for however long this will last?”

Being a public health expert himself, Dr. Gloria sees that it is critical to include mental health as part of public health response. This means that a holistic approach in responding to a health crisis is not a choice but a necessity, as cases of mental health disorders continue to spike along with the surge of COVID-19 infections worldwide.

“Many people and families are without enough income, food, shelter, financial assistance, and healthcare for over three months. Everyday, we have been worrying about yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the uncertainties of when these struggles will end. These incredibly challenging times are chronically stressful, and it is well known in research that chronic stress significantly contributes to the development of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression disorders,” he added.

“The good news is that this coming wave of mental health crisis is preventable, and one sure way of achieving that is for the government and other abled organizations to help the people meet their said needs. Enable people to survive these trying months by simply providing enough food, water, and funds, and we will effectively prevent many health problems from arising—mentally, physically, and socially.”

“People are struggling [with mental health] and we need to help them. But before we can help them, we need data in order to understand where we are now and what programs and services are needed to ensure a healthy and bright future for all,” Dr. Gloria emphasized. This is his impetus for conducting mental health research in the Philippines, as part of his Balik Scientist engagement with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).

Curious about how mental health research is like through the lens of a public health expert, our team had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Gloria on how we can communicate mental health with our audiences. Dr. Gloria let us in on his own insights, experiences, and personal thoughts, through another feature story which will be prepared by our expert himself. For now, let us get to know Dr. Christian Gloria.

Specializing in health behavior

Dr. Gloria is currently the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Public Health at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU). He earned his PhD, specializing in Health Behavior and Health Education, from The University of Texas at Austin in 2013. Four years prior, he obtained his Master’s degree in Health Education from the same University.

He relocated to Hawaii to “pursue his life’s calling of teaching, conducting research, and providing public health services in Asia and the Pacific.” Some of the courses he is currently teaching are related to public health research and communication, risk and resilience, health behavior theories, and public health program planning and leadership.

Dr. Gloria has also led various public health organizations in Hawaii. In 2017, he became the first Filipino-citizen to be elected as the President of the Hawaii Public Health Association (HPHA) since its founding in 1945. HPHA is one of the largest chapters of the American Public Health Association. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Faculty Assembly at HPU’s College of Health & Society, which houses undergraduate and graduate programs in Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, and Physical Therapy. Many students from these programs are Filipino-Americans. He received the Progress Award for Education from the United Filipino Council of Hawaii in 2017 and was also recognized as the 2018 Friend of Social Work by the Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The research journey

In 2018, Dr. Gloria collaborated with Angeles University Foundation (AUF) in Angeles City, Pampanga, where he also became an Adjunct professor and worked as consultant for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-funded project Mental Health Across Ages: Identifying Issues and Trends in Pampanga. His research with AUF generated baseline data on mental health concerns, which will become the basis for the development and establishment of a mental health care program in Pampanga.

A year after, he became a DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientist which allowed him to share more of his expertise to the country. Currently, he is involved in three mental health research projects in the Philippines, one of which is a study about the mental health of healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 health crisis.

Dr. Gloria also published several research publications on various topics under public health, risk and resilience, and mental health in collaboration with other experts on health-related fields. One of the research projects he is currently working on is about identifying the mental health issues and trends across ages in Pampanga.

Among Dr. Gloria’s hobbies are practicing yoga, learning to play the ukulele, reading in coffee shops, and watching shows on Netflix.

In an article published online, experts warned that the pandemic may lead to behavioral problems and mental illnesses, as COVID-19 is described to be a “traumatic event” that everyone is experiencing.

With plans to delve deeper into mental health research discussions, we are preparing another feature story about mental health research experiences authored by Dr. Gloria himself. We are also inviting everyone to participate in our online poll in DOST-PCHRD’s Facebook and Twitter pages, to determine which mental health-related topics are mostly preferred by our stakeholders for our future mental health communication campaigns.

Stay updated for future stories in our online channels here.

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The Balik Scientist Program

The Balik Scientist Program (BSP) is the brain gain initiative of the government which aims to tap into the ingenuity and expertise of Filipinos abroad to strengthen the S&T capabilities of local researchers in the academe, public and private sectors, and industry. The program was initiated to reverse the effects of brain drain, to provide researchers and scientists whose expertise are not available locally, and to accelerate the flow of new strategic technologies that are vital to national development.

BSP was established in 1975 and was later reinstated in DOST in 1993. Through the efforts of Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV and Congressman Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, their co-author, Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu, and all the legislators in the Senate and Congress, the Republic Act 11035 also known as an “Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program” was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 15, 2018. The enacted law strengthened the implementation of BSP by giving better incentives and benefits to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and engineers who would return and share their expertise.

With the passing of the law, a science, technology, or innovation (STI) expert or professional who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent can apply and undertake STI activities on his/her field of expertise through a host institution under short term, medium term, or long term engagement.

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 09 July 2020; Hits: 1749

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) is now accepting proposals for the study, Potential Fraud Index Claims for the years 2019-2020.This study is part of the PhilHealth STUDIES (Strengthening the Thrust for Universal Health Care through Data, Information, and Knowledge Exchange Systems) project, a collaboration between PCHRD and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).PhilHealth STUDIES provides funding for R&D, capacity building, and research dissemination projects focusing on the development of evidence-based policy recommendations on PhilHealth programs and services.

WHO MAY APPLY

Filipinos with at least a Master’s Degree in a relevant field, have proven research competence/track record, and employed in universities/colleges, research institutes, hospitals, and other health-related agencies are eligible to apply for the research grant. Interested private foundations and firms, engaged in scientific activities, must be registered as a Science & Technology Foundation under the DOST Science and Technology Foundation Unit (https://sfu.dost.gov.ph/) to be eligible for the grant.

REQUIREMENTS

We encourage interested parties to submit the following documents via email to Mr. Marc Enrico Hasta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than August 7, 2020.

Letter of Intent addressed to PCHRD Executive Director
Project Proposal following the PCHRD Detailed Proposal Form
Workplan Schedule (Gantt Chart of Activities)
Proposed Line-Item Budget (LIB)
Curriculum Vitae of lead proponent (Project Leader)
Duties and Responsibilities of each project personnel
Profile of the institution
Endorsement of the agency head

For more information, please contact Mr. Marc Enrico Hasta via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the mobile number 0927-152-2891 (Globe).

: Christine Jane Gonzalez; Latest News; 13 May 2020; Hits: 3448

Countries around the world are working non-stop to find a cure and come up with appropriate and effective interventions against the COVID-19 pandemic. In the frontline of all these work on COVID-19 is health research and health researchers --- understanding the virus, developing vaccines and possible treatments, and generating evidence to support policymaking.

In the Philippines, the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) is at the center of all COVID-19 efforts. The System, through its implementing institutions --- Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), has been working at all fronts providing the much needed R&D, human resources, and evidence-based support to the Philippine Government.

The PNHRS, to date, has already supported a number of R&D programs and put in place platforms to help curb COVID-19.

The project is implemented by the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) led by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit. Results will be used for further studies.

COVID-19 Tracker

The DOH launched the COVID-19 Tracker in line with its commitment to promote transparency and accountability. The tracker features information on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the country, COVID-19 testing, health facilities, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPEs). The public can view data on the laboratory testing capacities of the DOH-accredited laboratories including the total number of tests and unique individuals tested. Likewise, the public gets a snapshot of the health system's capacity in responding to the pandemic based on data collected from the DOH DataCollect application.

The DataCollect app gathers daily data from hospitals and stakeholders such as essential resources and supplies, availability of hospital beds, isolation rooms, ICU beds and mechanical ventilators, and human resource needs. The application can also accurately calculate the projected need of PPEs, and link to logistics offices for delivery of supplies.

SOLIDARITY Treatment Trial

To compare the effects of major COVID-19 treatment outcomes among hospitals globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a solidarity treatment trial aimed at unifying efforts to assess any effects and provide reliable estimates of these treatments on COVID-19 cases. As one of the participating countries, the Philippines is conducting a study among 24 hospitals from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The study will test the safety and effectiveness of four repurposed drugs in treating COVID-19 compared to the standard of care being practiced in all participating hospitals.

The project is expected to provide evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the care of COVID-19 patients and, eventually, provide evidence-based medicine against the virus. Funded by the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the project has been approved for implementation last April 11, 2020 and has started enrolling patients.

Transmission patterns of COVID-19

To help policymakers create better and evidence-based strategies in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) led by Dr. Mayan U. Lumandas are investigating the coronavirus transmission patterns among confirmed cases and their contacts in the country.

The DOST-PCHRD-funded study will use RITM samples in its aim to supply the DOH useful data which can improve national efforts in case isolation, contact tracing, and disease control and prevention.

VCO as possible treatment for COVID-19

Another DOST-PCHRD-funded project entitled, “In-vitro Study on the Efficacy of Lauric Acid and its Derivatives against SARS-CoV-2,” aims to test whether certain coconut oil components, such as lauric acid, can diminish or prevent the infectivity of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The project is implemented by the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) led by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit. Results will be used for further studies.

COVID-19 Test Kits

To equip the country with accessible and affordable COVID-19 testing, Dr. Raul V. Destura of the Manila HealthTek Inc., in collaboration with the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), UPM - National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) and DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), led the development of the GenAmplifyTM Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) rRT-PCR Detection Kit.

The locally developed test kit can detect the 2019 novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 with high specificity and efficiency by utilizing a one stop-multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform at a significantly cheaper price than its foreign counterparts. Currently, the team is working for the production and distribution of 26,000 tests to hospitals in and outside Metro Manila for field implementation.

Last April 20, 2020, the Manila HealthTek Lab Inc., already delivered the first batch of test kits to the UPM-NIH, making it the first health facility to officially use the Pinoy-made COVID-19 test kits.

COVID-19 Specimen Collection Booths

Recognizing the need to generate innovative ways to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity, the DOST-PCHRD and DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) jointly supported the development and distribution of specimen collection booths (SCBs), designed and fabricated by the Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME), to DOH-identified hospitals.

The development of the SCBs were inspired by the innovative phone booth-style COVID-19 testing stations from other Asian countries. Designed with a proper ventilation system and window-mounted nitrile gloves to receive patients, the booths serve as the protective barrier between the healthcare workers and the suspected COVID-19 patients to reduce the risk of infection during collection of swab samples.

Recently, the SCBs passed the initial performance assessment conducted in four hospitals, namely: the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

To date, 77 out of 132 SCBs have already been deployed to DOH-identified testing centers in NCR, CAR, Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V. Deployment of remaining 55 SCBs is still ongoing for the regions in Visayas and Mindanao.

COVID-19 Testing at the Philippine Genome Center

The Philippine Genome Centers (PGCs) of the University of the Philippines also lead initiatives to capacitate the country for COVID-19 testing.

PGC Diliman, which contributed to the development of the GenAmplifyTM Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) rRT-PCR Detection Kit in collaboration with the Manila HealthTek Inc., UPM-NIH, and the DOST-PCHRD, also works with the DOH and the RITM in confirming COVID-19 cases in the country. Last April 30, PGC's core facility released a report which identifies six viral genome sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19 cases recorded in Metro Manila from March 22 to 28. Two of the identified genome sequences are clustered closely to cases recorded from Japan and Australia, while four are close to those from Shanghai, China. The data is shared with GISAID, the international database for data sharing and access by researchers on genetic sequence, clinical and epidemiological data on COVID-19 and other influenza viruses.

In PGC Mindanao, the opening of the second COVID-19 testing laboratory in Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) is targeted to open by June. The establishment of the laboratory aims to supplement the ongoing COVID-19 testing facilitated by the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) which is currently the only accredited subnational COVID-19 referral center in Mindanao. Once fully operational, the laboratory may also accept samples from other hospitals and facilitate 110 tests per day.

Meanwhile, PGC Visayas, in collaboration with the Department of Health-Region VI, UP alumni, and other University partners, lent their digital dry bath and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) to reinforce their COVID-19 testing capacity.

SUCs as Quarantine Centers

The CHED has issued guidelines to local government units (LGUs) that plan to use the facilities of state universities and colleges (SUCs) as COVID-19 quarantine centers.

The Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) earlier adopted a policy that all LGUs who plan to use the facilities of SUCs as quarantine centers must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the CHED to ensure consistency and accountability in the operation of these facilities.

The CHED has organized a Public Health Experts Group led by UPM College of Public Health Dean Vicente Belizario, Jr. to provide technical assistance to both LGUs and SUCs in establishing and running quarantine centers.

Quarantine centers are areas where Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) can be accommodated for easier monitoring and provision of health care.

Under the guidelines, LGUs must identify SUCs in their areas that can be converted into a quarantine center/ community isolation unit (CIU). They need to ensure that the following requirements and services are met for setting up quarantine centers/CIUs in SUCs:

Spaces or venues equipped with utilities and basic amenities
Required LGU personnel (CIU manager, sanitation officer, physician via teleconsult, other healthcare workers and support staff)
Food, sanitation, infection control health monitoring and prompt referral systems
Provision of security, waste management and vector control, and psychosocial wellness and support for PUMs/PUIs.

Once compliant with the requirements, the SUC, LGU and CHED shall sign a MOA. SUCs may also augment the logistics and will regularly update the CHED Regional Offices (CHEDROs) regarding their status especially for breaches in protocols and other problems.

GINHAWA

Ventilators and respirators are vital to save the lives of severely ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. As a response to the shortage of respiratory equipment, a compact, safe and effective ventilator called GINHAWA was developed and distributed by Filipino researchers led by Dr. Abundio Balgos of UP Manila. The locally-made ventilator costs 42% cheaper than similar portable ventilators intended for use in ICUs, emergency rooms and ambulances and can be used for both children and adults. The project started in 2012, in collaboration with biomedical engineers from De La Salle University and then proceeded with the redesign phase in 2019 with the help of technical consultant Mr. Glenn Tuazon.

RxBox

To help in the country's battle against COVID-19 , the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office IV-A (DOST IV-A) and the DOST-PCHRD deployed 106 units of RxBox to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) which is one of the designated COVID-19 referral centers in Luzon.

Developed by Filipino researchers from UP Manila and UP Diliman, with support from DOST-PCHRD, RxBox is a biomedical device capable of measuring a patient’s temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, uterine contractions, and electrocardiogram readings. The RxBox units were manufactured in partnership with IONICS EMS Inc., a local manufacturing company based in Laguna.

Specific to the country’s COVID-19 response, RxBox will be used for bedside monitoring of vital signs, oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram readings of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, especially those in severe or critical conditions who need continuous monitoring. The use of the RxBox device can reduce contact between patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and healthcare workers, as it provides an efficient way for healthcare workers to monitor multiple patients at once.

DOST IV-A, the implementing agency of the ongoing RxBox 1,000 Roll-out Project, will coordinate with DOST regional offices for identification of other COVID-19 referral centers where the remaining units of RxBox may be distributed.

FASSSTER and TanodCOVID

As the official operational model of the IATF, the Feasibility Analysis of Syndromic Surveillance using Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler or FASSSTER is a technology that provides expert and evidence-based forecasts to policymakers on possible COVID-19 cases and scenarios in the country. Data generated from this technology allows policymakers to understand the pandemic at the national, regional, and local levels, assess the effects of the preventive measures in place, and use best practices in specific communities.

FASSSTER dashboard generates disease models that enable users to project the effect of interventions such as community quarantine, social distancing, and optimal testing on the total number of confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries over time. Another feature of FASSSTER is TanodCOVID, a self-reporting application which enables constituents to report COVID-19 related symptoms to their local health authorities. The data will then feed into the FASSSTER LGU dashboard which serves as a tracker for confirmed cases upon validation of Provincial/ City/Municipality Epidemiology Surveillance Units.

FASSSTER was developed by the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe) of Ateneo de Manila University in collaboration with the UP Manila - National Telehealth Center (UP-NTHC) and the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau and funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research (DOST-PCHRD).

DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientists and Scholars as COVID-19 Frontliners

As experts in the field of healthcare, DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientists also serve as frontliners against COVID-19:

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña is a member of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) which advises the Department of Health (DoH) and the IATF
Dr. Joseph Adrian Buensalido is an Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine Consultant serving at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Makati America Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, and University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH)
Dr. Jonel Saludes and Dr. Doralyn Dalisay assist in assessing the capacities of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) and its technicians for accreditation as a COVID-19 testing facility
Dr. Raymond Sarmiento collaborates with the FASSSTER team for COVID-19 surveillance
Dr. Reynaldo Garcia leads the national databasing of laboratoriew with PCR
Dr. Harvy Joy Liwanag generates projections related to the country’s health capacity needed to address COVID-19.

Aside from Balik Scientists, MD-PhD Scholars of DOST-PCHRD also volunteered in the fight against COVID-19. Twelve scholars have signified willingness to work as onsite mentors to laboratory personnel in COVID-19 testing centers while 33 other scholars volunteered for offsite work with DOST-PCHRD in monitoring and coordination of several COVID-19-related projects.

CORe Portal

In April 2020, the DOST-PCHRD launched the COVID-19 CORe (Communication, Ongoing projects, Research) Portal in April to provide the public a gateway to available evidence-based information on COVID-19, including the latest updates on coronavirus research, news, library resources, and other related information in one site.

DOST-PCHRD expects to add resources to the portal as more information becomes available to the public. The portal can be easily accessed at http://covid19.healthresearch.ph/.

Virtual Presser: Working FASSSTER than COVID-19

To communicate the latest information on FASSSTER and COVID-19, DOST-PCHRD, in partnership with ACCCRe and UP-NTHC, held online interactive virtual pressers entitled, “Working FASSSTER than COVID-19” every Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 21 to May 5. The pressers allowed FASSSTER developers to discuss the features of the technology in connection to the pandemic and at the same time engage with the media and the public on COVID-19-related concerns.

Replays of the pressers are available for viewing at DOST-PCHRD’s Facebook page. New episodes will be available after the conduct of FASSSTER training for various LGUs.

e-Turo Webinar Series

With support from DOST-PCHRD, the Ateneo de Manila University - Institute of Philippine Culture (ADMU-IPC) organized “Sustaining the Conversation on COVID-19: How Do We Cope? The eTURO Webinar Series on Engaging Communities and Networks (WE CaN!!)” to facilitate evidence-based discussions on COVID-19 between experts and the public.

The webinar series highlight the effects of local, national and regional initiatives to the coping mechanisms of individuals, communities and networks against the pandemic, in line with the following themes: 1) Social and Cultural Dimensions of Disease Control Measures, 2) Implications of the Pandemic and the Disease Control Measures to the Health System and Society, 3) Changing Health Belief Models and Behaviours, 4) Vulnerabilities, Preparedness and Resilience.

The webinar airs via Webinar Jam on weekdays. Replays are accessible through DOST-PCHRD’s CORe Portal at http://covid19.healthresearch.ph/.

References:

https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-LAUNCHES-NEW-COVID-19-TRACKER-AND-DOH-DATACOLLECT-APP

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/04/up-mindanao-eyes-opening-of-covid-19-test-lab-by-june/

https://ched.gov.ph/covid-19-updates/
https://www.up.edu.ph/up-pgc-visayas-satellite-facility-shares-equipment-for-covid-19-testing/
https://pgc.up.edu.ph/philippine-genome-center-gears-up-to-verify-presence-of-2019-ncov-through-whole-genome-sequencing/
https://pgc.up.edu.ph/pgc-releases-6-complete-genomes-of-sars-cov-2-sequences/

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