Legazpi–Daraga, Albay — The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) took part in the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week on 13–15 August 2025, hosted by the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) in partnership with DOST-PCHRD and anchored on the theme “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Philippines.” The three-day national gathering brought together more than 500 researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders.
The EVHRDC delegation was led by EXECOM Vice Chair Dir. John Glenn Ocana, ARD Marilyn Radam, Consortium Director Lucia Dauz, Consortium Coordinator Raymond Campo, RUC Chair Sherrie Ann C. Labid, SOMEC Chair Josephine Hipe, CBC Chair Analyn Espano, and RMC Member Sister John Fornillos. Representing the consortium in national research competitions were Dr. Santiago Pena (finalist, 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers) and Dr. Addie Egloso (participant, Oral Research Presentation).
Across the three days, delegates engaged in plenary sessions, policy dialogues, exhibits, committee meetings, and research contests aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda. Highlights included the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference to open the celebration (Aug. 13), Plenary Session 1 on inter-agency collaboration, a full day of research competitions including the 3-Minute Pitch (Aug. 14), technical working committee meetings, and Plenary Session 2 on innovation, education, and governance in One Health (Aug. 15).
The 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers finals were held on 14 August 2025 at The Marison Hotel, Legazpi City—an annual PNHRS platform that challenges researchers to distill findings into actionable policy messages. DOST EVHRDC’s participation in both the policy-pitch and oral presentation tracks reflects the consortium’s continued push to translate evidence into programs that address the intertwined drivers of human, animal, and environmental health outcomes—core tenets of the One Health approach emphasized at this year’s PNHRS Week.
PNHRS Week is celebrated every second week of August pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1309, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a responsive, inclusive, and collaborative national health research system.
