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As part of its 58th Founding Anniversary celebration, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center (MMMH&MC) conducted its Annual Residents Research Competition for Oral Presentation on February 24, 2026, at the 5th Floor Function Hall, Annex Building, MMMH&MC, Batac City.

The activity was facilitated and assisted by the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) Secretariat, helping ensure the smooth and organized conduct of the event. The competition gathered medical professionals from different specialties who presented their research studies, promoting evidence-based practice and strengthening the institution’s research culture.

The Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC), through its Research Management Committee (RMC), invites early-career researchers to submit research proposals for possible funding in Calendar Year 2026. Qualified proponents may receive financial support of up to One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) for health-related research projects.

Eligibility and Research Priorities

This call is open to early-career researchers holding plantilla positions in R1HRDC member institutions. Proposed research projects must be aligned with the following priority frameworks:

• National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) 2023-2028

•  Region 1 (Ilocos Region) Health Research Priorities for 2023–2028 

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence in research created new opportunities to improve data analysis, manuscript development, and publication processes. In response to these advancements, the Region I Health Research and Development Consortium – Research Utilization Committee R1HRDC – RUC conducted a training titled “Artificial Intelligence in Research: Tools, Techniques, and Trends in Research Publication,” on December 2–3, 2025, at the Paragon Hotel and Suites, Baguio City, Benguet.

The training featured two expert resource speakers who guided participants through key aspects of research publication and AI integration. Dr. Cynthia P. Lopez delivered a lecture on the preliminaries of research publication, providing foundational guidance on preparing manuscripts for scholarly journals. This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Rhowel Dellosa, who discussed the introduction and overview of AI in research publications, including its benefits, challenges, current trends, and future directions. Participants actively engaged in workshop sessions, during which they presented their outputs and worked on improving their research publications using AI-assisted approaches.

Overall, the activity strengthened participants’ competencies in applying AI responsibly and effectively in research and scientific writing. The training reinforced ethical considerations and practical applications of AI, contributing to enhanced research quality and improved dissemination of scientific outputs across the region.

Bringing together four major research and development consortia in Region I, the Region I Health Research and Development Consortium R1HRDC successfully organized the 3rd Joint Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Symposium from November 26 to 28, 2025, at the Center for Flexible Learning, Mariano Marcos State University CFL MMSU in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

With the theme “Pioneering Smart, Sustainable, and Innovation-Inclusive Next-Generation Technologies for Health, Industry, Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources,” the symposium served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the presentation of research outputs among researchers, professionals, and institutions across Region I.

The joint symposium brought together the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium ILAARRDEC, the Region 1 Health Research Development R1HRDC, the Ilocos Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development ICIEERD, and the Sustainability, Innovation, Leadership, Linkages, Access, and Growth SILLAG Consortium.

The Department of Science and Technology Region I successfully hosted the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week from November 18 to 21, 2025, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. With the theme “Siyensya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan” and the sub theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,” the event highlighted scientific and technological innovations that are ready for adoption, transfer, and commercialization. These innovations are aligned with DOST’s four pillars: human well being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.

NSTW 2025 showcased Filipino ingenuity through research outputs and locally developed technologies that support the development of smart, sustainable, and future ready communities.

The Region I Health Research and Development Consortium R1HRDC actively participated in the event as an exhibitor, showcasing its programs, initiatives, and services that promote and support health research and development in the region.