Dr. Jaime C. Montoya discussed. the RHRDC Program to the body. It is a program that aims for a. dynamic health research network to form the backbone for the aggressive implementation of health science and technology activities that will redound to the development of a country as a whole. The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), as the lead coordinating agency of the Philippine National Health Research System in  collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and University of the Philippines- National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH).

The primary objective of the consortium/committee were also discussed which is to strengthen the system of collaboration in a region to develop and enhance capacity of institutions involved and promote health research, as a strategy to improve the health conditions in the region.

Details the roles of the niember-agtmcies as well as the composition and functions of the different committees to be created under the RHRDC were also discussed.

The PCHRD will provide financial support for the projected activities of the RHRDC's and the administrative costs for the meetings of the sub committees in the performance of their functions.

In September 4, 2008, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed, which defined the organization, composition and functions of the consortium as well as its committees.

Source:  Central Luzon Health Research & Development Consortium. Regional Health Research and Development Committees Organizational Meeting: Minutes of the Meeting.14 March 2008.