Human involvement in the conduct of research creates ethical responsibility as people need to be protected especially if they are the subject of the study. It is imperative therefore that researches involving human participants be reviewed and approved by an accredited Ethics Review Committee (ERC) prior to the conduct of the study. As such, it is essential for institutions to have a self-regulating committee that will look after ethical issues and considerations among research protocols. The committee shall ensure that all researches conducted with human subjects are studied and approved in order to ensure that ethical codes, guidelines, and standards are followed. For the past years, the resident physicians of Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) have produced excellent research studies that won awards in their respective subspecialty societies, and it is their desire that these types of work be published. Prior to the publication, the publishing company requires that these researches be evaluated by an accredited ERC. However, establishing an ERC accredited by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) takes time.

Other young consortium in the country look up to R1HRDC as a developed consortium and some makes R1HRDC as their path of benchmarking activities. While it is overwhelming and a pride to the consortium, the Management Committee never cease to plan for activities that will develop the capacity of the organization. Last July 4, 2018 the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium, Ilo-ilo City, headed by Dr. Alice Joan Ferrer welcomed the R1HRDC for an educational tour.

 Overall Chairperson Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, spearheaded the tour together with other key persons of R1HRDC namely: Dr. Jose B. Orosa III (R&D Chair), Dr. Unity H. Cortez (CBC Chair), Dr. Hilarion Maramba Jr. (ERC Chair), Dr. Mercita Queddeng (RUC Chair), Ms. Lucila Roja and Ms. Wilma Santos (PCHRD Representatives), Ms. Maingelline Vivit (MMSU-TLDC Representative), Ms Ana Gay Ranga (R1HRDC Secretariat) and Ms Maria Virginia Ulit (R&D Secretary). The group learned about the framework of the scholarship program that they are implementing. This immersion activity opened a door to observe the culture of Western Visayas as well as their experiences in training and mentoring amateur researcher to come up with a good quality health research proposals worthy of funding. Today, this scholarship program has already produced and completed eight (8) research projects and there are still on going.

 As such, the R1HRDC is very willing to make a policy/resolution to adopt also a scholarship program. This is to enhance the potential of the consortium to develop researchers for the region. This will provide an opportunity for our aspiring researchers to hone their skills and help them grow as professional researchers. While doing the entire process of research, the researcher will be provided with a mentor to properly monitor and guide the scholars.

 On top of it, it is hoped that upon the implementation of this scholarship program, funded research and research enthusiasts will grow in region 1.

 All smiles from the visiting team of Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) together with the officials from Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC). @Ilo-ilo City—July 4, 2018

Membership expansion is important and critical to the success of every organization for it is a sign of growth and maturity. The Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) and Regional Ethics Monitoring Board 1 (REMB-1) simultaneously visited institutions in Pangasinan on May 22, 2018 to promote their services in the field of health research.

Through the years, R1HRDC have been a partner to many academes and health institutions in the region and it is continuously striving to reach every research enthusiast. The team is composed of Dr Leo B. Solis, Ms Ana Gay Ranga of R1HRDC and Ms Lucila Roja from PCHRD who visited institutions of Drug Treat and Rehabilitation Center in Dagupan City and Philippine College of Science and Technology in Calasiao.

Meanwhile, the visiting team of the recently established REMB-1 is composed of Ms Anita Criste, Mr Ariel Bacani and Ms Liezel Biag who visited Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City and Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City. This is to encourage the institutions to establish their Ethics Review Committee (ERC), check their activities, undergo for accreditation and to promote the activities of REMB-1 being the arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in the region.

This institutional visit is one of the many ways and activities of both offices in order to strengthen ties between them and their stakeholders.

The Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) thru the Research and Development Committee (R&D) is now calling for research proposals that aims to address pressing and current health concerns in the region.

At least Php 500,000 in funding support from the Regional Research Fund of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) will be used to support researches spanning National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Regional Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRA).

We encourage interested parties to submit their capsule proposals (using the PCHRD Detailed Research Format) with endorsement letter from the institution head and curriculum vitae of the proponent, on or before AUGUST 30, 2018. Proposals should be sent to Ms. Ana Gay D. Ranga via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For additional information please click the link below.

Detailed Research Format

National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) 2017-2022

Regional Unified Health Research Agenda 2017-2022

Last March 23, 2018, the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) – Research Utilization Committee organized the Regional Research Conference with the theme: “R1HRDC Bolstering People’s Quality of Life through Health Research” in Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The conference aimed to (1) Provide a platform for professionals and students for health research dissemination and utilization; (2)Strengthen collaboration between researchers and institutions; (3)Communicate skills and updates on data knowledge and management; and (4)Support, encourage and nurture scholarly work of student and professional researchers.

Below are the list of winners for the research contest.