The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) celebrated its 10th anniversary last April 25-26, 2018 at the Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, served as the highlight of the milestone event. The successful conduct of the 2nd Central Luzon Health Research Forum was organized in collaboration with the Department of Health-Regional Office 3 with the theme, "CLHRDC @ 10: A Decade of Better Health, Better People thru Collaborative Health Research and Innovations". The forum was conducted to link institutions engaged in or with interests in health research activities that could impact on regional as well as national health needs.

Fig. 1 Dr. Cesar Cassion delivered the welcome remarks

Dr. Cesar C. Cassion, Regional Director of DOH-RO3 mentioned in his speech during the forum that investment in Health Research and Development, means fostering innovation through creation or enhancement of public policies, including organizational standards, regulatory, procurement, and service delivery networks. He added that thru Fourmula 1 + it is envisioned that Filipinos will be the healthiest people in Southeast Asia by 2022 and Asia by 2040.  This strategic thrust is expected to impact the populace favourably.  Dr. Cassion also extended his deepest appreciation to CLHRDC for its leadership of collaborative health research initiatives in the past 10 years.

Mr. Paul Ernest N. De Leon, Chief SRS, Research and Development Management Division of PCHRD-DOST, read the message of Dr. Jaime Montoya, the Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST). Mr. De Leon also spearheaded the launching of the National Unified Health Research Agenda 2017-2022. Mr. De Leon mentioned that the current NUHRA 2017-2022 was developed through bottom-up approach via the 17 regional consultations and top-down consultations via review of research agenda of individual government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Universal health care via FOURmula 1+ was presented by Dr. Maria Eloisa C. Vidar, Medical Officer IV of the DOHRO3. Dr. Vidar emphasized that FOURmula 1+ for health reforms are now packaged into four distinct components that include Health Service Delivery, Health Regulation, Health Finance and Good Governance in Health.

To promote ethically sound research outputs, Dr. Reynaldo DL. Bundalian Jr, Chair of the CLHRDC-RMC discussed the Health Research Regulatory Requirements for the guidance of the participants who attended the forum.

The forum was attended by more than 226 participants from higher education institutions, local government units, non-government organizations, and DOH-retained hospitals. Presentation of Completed Research Papers published in reputable journals and the CLHRDC's accomplished projects were presented.

As part of its commitment, the CLHRDC will continue to promote and strengthen collaboration that will enhance the research culture among member institutions that will help improve the well-being of the people in Central Luzon.

Fig. 2 From left to right, Dr. Maila S. Rostrata (DOH RO3), Mr. Paul Ernest De Leon (PCHRD-DOST),

Dr. Eloisa C. Vidar (DOH RO3), Dr. Reynaldo Bundalian, Jr. (AUF) and Dr. Jean N. Guillasper (NEUST)