The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally issued an approval for the commercial use of the GenAmplify™ Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) rRT PCR Detection Kit developed by Dr. Raul Destura of the Manila HealthTek, Inc. The FDA Advisory No. 2020-513 was released today, three days after the completion of its field validation study last April 1, 2020. 

The test kit is the first locally manufactured test kit for COVID-19 and was developed in collaboration with the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) and the University of the Philippines - National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) with support from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). 

The approval issued by the FDA signals the start of its roll-out to several hospitals in and out of Metro Manila starting on April 4. 

Dr. Destura and his team are currently working on the production of 120,000 tests - 26,000 of which will be distributed by the DOST to the Philippine General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City in Pasig City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, and Baguio General Hospital Medical Center in Baguio City for field implementation from April 4 to April 25. The remaining 94,000 tests will be sold commercially by the Manila HealthTek Inc.

The COVID-19 detection kit was developed to provide accessible and affordable testing for the Filipino as a response to the growing worry on the risks posed by the infection towards public health. By utilizing a one-step multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform, each test is projected to cost P1320 which is significantly cheaper than its foreign counterparts. 

In the press briefing held for the test kit last March 12, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña cited the project as an example of solutions brought by R&D that help the country achieve its national goals and address emergencies or crises.


Written by: Jwynne Gwyneth Macan
Contributor: Catherine Joy Dimailig

1. Why should I submit a research proposal?

Health research contributes to the achievement of our national health goals by providing sustainable health solutions that are world-class, affordable, and accessible for all. 

Your research proposal can make change happen.

2. Who can submit a research proposal to PCHRD?

1. Filipinos with at least a Master’s Degree in relevant field
2. Has proven research competence/track record
3. Is employed/affiliated in universities/colleges, research agencies/institutes, hospitals, and other health-related agencies

3. How do I submit a research proposal?

For the Call for Proposals 2021-2022 –

1. Register as Researcher at the DOST Project Information Management System: dpmis.dost.gov.ph 
2. Click submit a new proposal on the proponent dashboard and fill-in the required fields

For more information, watch the tutorial here: https://bit.ly/PCHRDCallforProposals21-22

4. Aside from a research proposal, what are other documents required when applying for a research grant to PCHRD?

1. Workplan Schedule (Gantt chart of activities)
2. Appropriate clearance needed (Ethics clearance; Biosafety clearance; Animal care and use clearance)
3. Informed consent form (for research involving human participants)
4. Case report form, if applicable
5. Endorsement of agency head
6. Duties and responsibilities of each project personnel
7. Letter of request addressed to PCHRD Executive Director

5. What is the evaluation process for research proposals?

1. In-house screening in terms of alignment to the research priorities, duplication, and completeness of requirements
2. Technical review by external consultants
3. Approval by the PCHRD Governing Council or the PCHRD Executive Director depending on the recommended total budgetary requirement of the proposal. If funding will be sourced from the DOST-Grants in Aid, the DOST Executive Committee will be the final approving body.

6. What are the PCHRD research priority areas? 

For this year’s call for proposals, the DOST-PCHRD accepts proposals on the following program areas:

1. Diagnostics
2. Functional foods, Nutrition, Food Safety
3. Biomedical Engineering & Health Technologies
4. Information and Communication Technology for health
5. Dengue and Other Arboviruses
6. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
7. Mental Health
8. OMIC technologies for health (Platform technology across research priorities)

For more information on the specific priority research topics, please download the handout of the Call for proposals 2021-2022 here: https://bit.ly/PCHRDPriorities21-22

7. Who should I contact for concerns regarding research grants? (Sino ang pwedeng kontakin para sa mga katanungan patungkol sa research grants?)

Following are the contact persons for each of the program area:

1. OMIC Technologies for Health: Mr. Jose Joy Gepanaga - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Information & Communication Technology for Health: Ms. Pearl Kathleen Tumlos - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Biomedical Engineering and Technologies for Health: Mr. Jose Joy Gepanaga - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4. Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation: Mr. Rogelio Guaring - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5. Dengue and Other Arboviruses: Ms. Guiddita Gelera - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
6. Functional Foods: Ms. Marianne Joy Gochangco-Laya - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
7. Diagnostics: Ms. Mary Ann Pacho - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
8. Mental Health:  Ms. Marianne Joy Gochangco-Laya - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8. Is there a deadline for this year’s submission of proposals?

You may submit your research proposals from April 1 to April 30, 2020.

9. How long will the review process take?

The review process will take 40 working days provided that all the requirements were submitted

For more information, go to: https://bit.ly/CallConferenceMaterials 

source: http://pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6531-faqs-dost-pchrd-call-for-proposals-2021-2022

The Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium is already accepting health research proposals for funding on CY 2021-2022.

The consortium will prioritize health research proposals aligned with its Regional Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRA) and the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA). 

What should be in the proposal?

1. Title
2. Background and Rationale
3. Review of Related Literature
4. Objectives
5. Significance of the Study
6. Methodology
7. Expected Output and Method of Dissemination
8. Potential Users of Research Findings
9. Time Frame
10. Budget
11. Reference List/ Literature Cited

Download the Capsule and Detail proposal format HERE.

For inquiries, you may contact:

CLYDE BETH B. CARAANG

Science Research Specialist II

Department of Science & Technology Region 02

Cagayan Valley Health Research & Development Consortium

Cellphone No: 0926-499-0796

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESS RELEASE

With the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) together with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is looking for designs of ventilators and respirators to augment the health care system grapple with COVID-19 patients needing these medical devices.

“As a leader in enabling scientific solutions through R&D, the DOST-PCIEERD together with PCHRD opens its doors to our innovators and researchers to share their innovations that will ultimately aid our government respond better to the pandemic and contribute to the healing of our nation,” said DOST-PCIEERD executive director Dr. Enrico Paringit.

Paringit said the prototype must be made from medical-grade materials and components and should have an assist control (AC) mode, tidal volume, back-up or respiratory rate (RR), inspiration: expiration (I:E) ratio, fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2), alarms, and humidifier.

DOST-PCIEERD will support activities related to design and development, prototyping, fabrication and assembly of the prototype, simulation, pre-accreditation testing and calibration in collaboration with the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) and testing by an accredited inspection body of the government.

Concept proposals, including preliminary works done, description of design, workplan, deliverables, with a letter of intent from the medical expert or hospital, and the budget should be sent through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 28 April 2020.

For projects/prototypes that passed industrial standards, DOST-PCHRD will support the conduct of the clinical trials and other clinical acceptance protocols.

DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya stressed the importance of evaluating the safety and efficacy of the ventilators. He said, “Ventilators are vital in ensuring that our patients, especially those confined in the ICU, are given the maximum care and support they need to recover. Aside from addressing the need to secure more ventilator units, we also have to make sure that the equipment we produce or procure are reliable and efficient.”

Upon submission of proposal to DOST-PCHRD, the proponent must have partnered with medical experts, secured an ethics clearance from an institution capable of conducting clinical trials, and identified industry partner/s with a License-to-Operate (LTO) certificate from the Food and Drugs Administration – Philippines for mass production.  (S&T Media Service/Source: DOST-PCIEERD)