The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) participated in the 12th Philippine National Health Research Week held on August 6-9, 2018 at the CAP John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City. Focused on the theme, "Research and Innovation for Equity in Health," the celebration was organized by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) together with the Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education and University of the Philippines-Manila and participated in by the health R&D consortia from the different regions. Plenary and parallel sessions that included topics on governance and equity in health, translating research to public health programs, and strengthening research offices of higher education institutions (HEIs) and research and development institutions were conducted. Focused discussions on the current situation, challenges, and advancements to improve health and equity through reinforced health research and innovation in the regions and local communities were also held.
The PNHRS celebration also served as a venue to showcase and recognize the significant contributions of health researches conducted by the students and professional researchers all over the Philippines. Once again the CLHRDC proved its mettle as it took home awards and prizes. Dr. Sarah Jane S. Pineda of Pampanga Agricultural State University participated in the poster exhibit contest with her study entitled: "Identification and Qualification of Antibiotic Residues of Fish Harvested from Pampanga River." On the other hand, Ms. Faye Marion Sebastian of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology bagged the 2nd place in the oral research presentation (student category) with her study entitled: "Modified Starch from Bran as Absorbent of Heavy Metals in Aqueous Solution."
Research institutions that have successfully established their respective ethics committees to guide them in the ethical review and conduct of researches in their respective institutions were also recognized. In Central Luzon through the assistance of CLHRDC, two (2) member institutions were awarded Level I accreditation by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) namely: the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology and Holy Angel University. The Tarlac State University, was also granted renewal of their level 1 accreditation. Through the PHREB accreditation, the said institutions will now be able to review research proposals that have minimal risk to participants.
These achievements no matter how meager, will further inspire CLHRDC to work for stronger collaboration with its member institutions to become leaders in health research in Region 3.
Fig. 1 (left to right) Dr. Al D. Biag of Holy Angel University, Dr Armee N. Rosel and Dr. Lucile Sunga of Tarlac
State University, Dr. Jean N. Guillasper of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology with DOST 3 Regional
Director, Julius Caesar V. Sicat.
Fig. 2 From left, Dr. Jaycee Sicat, Ms. Faye Marion Sebastion of NEUST, second place in the Oral Research Presentation
(Student Category) together with NEUST President, Dr. Feliciana Jacoba and Dr. Jean N. Guillasper.
