MIMAROPA Health Research and Development Consortium
Republic of the Philippines
MIMAROPA Health Research and Development Consortium
About MHRDC
The MIMAROPA Health Research and Development Consortium (MHRDC) is a dedicated regional center for health research and development. Founded in 2010 under the guidance of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), MHRDC is the youngest of the country’s 17 regional research consortia.
Our primary role is to serve as a vital link between regional institutions, fostering a network that addresses both regional and national health needs. We are committed to promoting a culture of health research that adheres to the highest ethical standards while contributing to the overall well-being of the Filipino people.
In line with this, the Republic Act No. 10532 instituted the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) within the mandate of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD; which was created by EO No. 784, 1982 and EO 128, 1987), the national coordinating body for health research. The said Republic Act strengthened the creation of the MHRDC.
The PNHRS formed the Regional Health Research Systems as a framework that shall be mirrored in all the regions of the country by forming a network of regional research consortia.
Furthermore, the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC) was organized by the PCHRD of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as a strategy to develop and/or enhance health research capabilities in the regions. It serves as a vital structure that links together regional institutions engaged in or with interest in health research activities that impact on regional as well as national health needs.
Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs)
- Department of Science and Technology MIMAROPA (DOST-MIMAROPA)
- Commission on Higher Education MIMAROPA (CHED MIMAROPA)
- Department of Health Center for Health Development MIMAROPA (DOH CHD MIMAROPA)
- Department of Economy, Planning and Development MIMAROPA (DepDev MIMAROPA)
- Commission on Population Development MIMAROPA (CPD MIMAROPA)
- Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH)
- Ospital ng Palawan (ONP)
- Romblon State University (RSU)
- Palawan State University (PSU)
- Western Philippines University (WPU)
- Mindoro State University (MinSU)
- Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC)
- Holy Trinity University (HTU)
- Marinduque State University (MarSU)
The newly established MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Health Research and Development Consortium (MHRDC), signed its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with member institutions last November 5, 2010, at the Richmonde Hotel, Pasig City.
MHRDC’s primary objective is to strengthen the system of collaboration in Region IV-B to develop and enhance the capacity of institutions within the region engaged in health research as a strategy to improve the health conditions of the people.
Major stakeholders in health research in Region IV-B recognized the need to collaborate to be able to share resources, expertise and facilities aligned with the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) framework.
Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of PCHRD said in his message, “We have money for research, but it is not fully utilized. You have to do research which will impact on the majority of the Filipino population particularly people in the regions. We want your priorities to be in the loop. That’s the only way for us to be able to fund the project.”He added, “The regional health research consortia is the life and soul of the system. Without this, the PNHRS will not be worthy as now.”
Dr. Juan Ma. P. Nañagas, Chair of the Structure, Organization, Monitoring & Evaluation (SOME) Committee, gave an overview of the PNHRS and the PNHRS Act that will institutionalize the PNHRS and fund for health research in the country.
Core agencies shared their commitment towards the achievement of the Consortium’s goals and objectives. DOST IV-B pledged their commitment as the technical Secretariat, trustee and depository of health research funds. DOH IV-B as well as the CHED IV-B commits appropriate institutional resources and ensuring that their programs and projects are in line with the region’s priority health research agenda.
The different member institutions from Region IV-B included in the MOA signing were Marinduque State College (MSC), Ospital ng Palawan (OP), Romblon State University (RSU), Palawan Polytechnic College, Inc. (PPCI), Palawan State University (PSU), Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC), and Holy Trinity University (HTU), Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) IV-B, Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) IV-B, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-B, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) IV-B, Commission on Population (POPCOM) IV-B and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) IV-B.
Mission
To provide an enabling environment for the MIMAROPA research community to generate and use knowledge, technology, products, policies, and services that contribute to the attainment of better health for all Filipinos.
Vision
To be a regional network of competent, ethical, dynamic, and responsive research organizations working together for the attainment of health goals.
Objectives
The MHRDC aims to
Cultivate a health research culture of excellence in accordance with highest ethical standards
Develop a dynamic and committed health Research and Development network, equitably sharing technical, logistical and financial resources for and among its members
Uphold the principles of excellence, high ethical standards, convergence, collaboration and partnership in all endeavors
Ensure the development of health research information and its utilization among various clientele, health partners and stakeholders
Provide timely, accurate and responsive health and health-related technical information to researchers, policymakers and program implementers
Promote the creation of institutional Research Ethics Committees and provide training and advocacy activities to all member institutions to consistently adhere to the guidelines on ethical standards and practices in health research
Assess, develop and sustain the human resource needs for health R & D of member institutions within MIMAROPA Region
Establish and sustain a mechanism that would promote sharing of information, resources and expertise among member institutions
Core Services
We offer a range of services to support our researchers and partner institutions:
Research Funding
and Support
We facilitate access to the Regional Research Fund (RRF) specifically for beginning researchers and assist qualified proponents in securing national funding.
Technical and
Ethical Review
Our committees provide rigorous technical and ethical evaluations of research proposals to ensure quality and compliance with national standards.
Resource
Sharing
We establish mechanisms for member institutions to share information, expertise, and facilities.
Research
Dissemination
We help researchers package and promote their findings to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
Capacity
Development
We conduct training and advocacy activities to enhance the research capabilities of our member agencies.
Core Values
Our work is guided by the principles of
Integrity
Motivation
Professionalism
Accountability
Commitment
Teamwork
Organizational Structure
The MHRDC operates through a collaborative governance structure designed to ensure expert oversight and regional representation:
Governing Board
The highest decision-making body, composed of the heads of our member institutions.
The Executives
Led by a Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, and a Consortium Director who oversees day-to-day operations.
Chief SRS and OIC-Office of the Regional Director, DOST-MIMAROPA
jbmercado@mimaropa.dost.gov.ph
Vice President for Research, Extension, Development, and Innovation, Romblon State University
eddiefetalvero@gmail.com
Secretariat
Responsible for administrative support, record-keeping, and maintaining regional research databases.
Management Committee
Coordinates the strategic direction and activities of the consortium’s various committees; comprising the secretariat and the technical committee chairs.
Research and Development Management Committee -
Technical Review Board (RDMC-TRB)
Research and Development Director
Occidental Mindoro State College
jomergonzalesjr21@gmail.com
Vice President for Research and
Community Engagement
Holy Trinity University
ed.gutierrez@htu.edu.ph
Vice President for Research, Development and Extension
Palawan State University
mespanola@psu.palawan.edu.ph
Head for Research, Development,
and Innovation-Monitoring and Evaluation
Romblon State University
garryvanzblancia@gmail.com
Special Assistant to VPRIDE and Department
Chair (Biology Department of the College of Fisheries and Natural Sciences)
Western Philippines University
jhonamie.omar@wpu.edu.ph
Vice President for Student Affairs and Services
Marinduque State University
platamarvinp@gmail.com
PPO III/OIC-PPO IV/ARD-Designate
Commission on Population and Development
marklaurence.guilles@cpd.gov.ph
Research Ethics Committee (REC)
Associate Professor I
Western Philippines University
cecilia.malolos@wpu.edu.ph
Assistant Professor II
Romblon State University
maryjanefadri@gmail.com
Faculty
Holy Trinity University
Assistant Professor I
Occidental Mindoro State College
arnoldjann_cast@omsc.ph.education
Faculty/ Researcher
Palawan State University
mjhabaradas@psu.palawan.edu.ph
Instructor I, College of Allied Health Sciences
Marinduque State University
malilay.joy@marsu.edu.ph
Research Information, Utilization, and
Dissemination Committee (RIUDC)
Instructor I of Graduate School
Palawan State University
per_alcorano30@yahoo.com
Education Supervisor II
CHED-MIMAROPA
khdalan@ched.gov.ph
OIC-VP Research, Innovation, Technology and Extension
Mindoro State University
leonelmendoza49@gmail.com
Provincial S&T Director – PSTO-Marinduque
DOST-MIMAROPA
btcaringal@mimaropa.dost.gov.ph
Science Research Specialist I
Occidental Mindoro State College
noremarie_ca@omsc.ph.education
Vice President for Research, Innovation, Development,
and Extension
Western Philippines University
lotacreencia@wpu.edu.ph
Associate Professor 1
Director, Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies (CRAIITech);
Head, Quality Management System
Romblon State University
TP066154@mail.apu.edu.my
Capacity Building Committee (CBC)
Associate Professor I
Palawan State University
soniaygloria@yahoo.com
Health Program Researcher
DOH-CHD- MIMAROPA
kmguntayon@gmail.com
Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences
Holy Trinity University
rachel.itok@gmail.com
Instructor I
Marinduque State University
semilla.herbertfelix@marsu.edu.ph
Senior Economic Development Specialist
DepDEV-MIMAROPA
aagerance@depdev.gov.ph
VP for Research, Development and Extension
Occidental Mindoro State College
vprde@omsc.edu.ph
Technical Committees
Ensures all health research follows strict ethical guidelines.
Identifies research priorities and provides technical reviews for projects.
Focuses on sharing research results and translating them into policy or practice.
Develops the skills and manpower of regional researchers through training and strategic planning.