The Region I Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC), through its Technical Review Board (TRB), successfully conducted the Phase II Review of revised regional research proposals for possible funding on September 26, 2025. The activity was held at the Strategy Room of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) and was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing both onsite and online participation. The review aimed to further assess the quality, relevance, and feasibility of the submitted proposals and ensure their alignment with regional and national research and development priorities.
The program formally commenced with an opening prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by the acknowledgment of presenters led by the R1HRDC Secretariat. The TRB Chairperson, Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, delivered the welcome message, underscoring the vital role of research in addressing emerging and persistent health challenges in the Ilocos Region. He emphasized the importance of the Technical Review Board in mentoring researchers and guiding them toward producing impactful, evidence-based, and policy-relevant studies.
A total of eleven research proposals were presented by researchers from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC). The proposed studies covered diverse research areas, including natural products research, public health surveillance, genetic and molecular studies, climate change and dengue dynamics, teenage pregnancy risk assessment, and sociological resilience. Following each presentation, the Technical Review Board members provided in-depth comments, recommendations, and technical suggestions aimed at strengthening the proposals’ research design, methodologies, timelines, and expected outputs.
An open forum was conducted after the presentations to facilitate further discussion and clarification among the presenters, evaluators, and participants. This interactive exchange fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing, reflecting the Consortium’s strong commitment to research excellence and capacity building within the region. As part of the activity, a Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Ms. Ruby Ann King, an external evaluator from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), in recognition of her expertise and valuable contributions to the review process.
The successful conduct of the Phase II Technical Review underscores R1HRDC’s ongoing commitment to promoting high-quality, relevant, and responsive health research that supports evidence-based decision-making and contributes to sustainable regional development.
continuing efforts to promote high-quality, relevant, and responsive research that supports evidence-based decision-making and contributes to sustainable regional development.
