The University of the Philippines (UP) Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), along with its partners, inaugurated the Filipino Genomes Research Program (FGRP) Facility at the Miranda Hall, UP Diliman, last 15 July 2022. The activity was held in conjunction with the 26th Founding Anniversary of the NSRI’s DNA Analysis Laboratory.

With cutting-edge equipment and a highly skilled team of researchers, the facility is expected to support the program’s research activities which focus on regional and ethno-linguistic groups as well as explore its applications, particularly in DNA forensics. It will also accommodate collaborative R&D efforts on Filipino genomics.

Composed of three research projects, the FGRP is an initiative supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) under the OMIC Technologies for Health research priority. Its main objectives are to represent Filipino groups in genomics research, generate a DNA biobank and databank, build local capacities and human resources in genomics research, and increase stakeholder appreciation of genomic concepts and methods.

Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, the project leader of FGRP Project 3 and head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of UP-NSRI, shared the main message of the program which is to enable science to serve the Filipinos. “Science is not just about publishing scientific papers. What we need to do is we need to be able to reach and inform the community,” she further emphasized.

The following are the projects under the FGRP:

1. Project 1: Filipino Forensic Genomics (Phase 1)
Led by Ms. Jazelyn M. Salvador, this project aims to generate a Filipino-specific sample resource and population database at different forensic panels or types of DNA variations that may be observed in DNA analysis.

2. Project 2: Filipino Genomes: History, Evolution, Origins, and Applications (Phase I)
Led by Mr. Frederick C. Delfin, Project 2 of the FGRP focuses on creating a Filipino-specific whole genome data and sample resource for various applications.

3. Project 3: Filipino Genome Regions to Help Resolve Child Sexual Abuse Cases 
Led by Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, the project aims to validate the process of using biological samples form child victims of sexual abuse in the context of forensics.

According to Mr. Delfin, these projects are expected to provide forensically and clinically relevant information, which may also have applications in other fields.

Former DOST Secretary Prof. Fortunato de la Peña, who has supported efforts in genomics under his term, commended the growth of genomics research in the country, noting the establishment of various facilities as well as the increased capacities and human resources in the field. The achievements and recognitions received by the FGRP is one indicator of this progress, according to Prof. de la Peña.   

“We should also translate our work that we are doing to the work of different regions in the country,” Prof. de la Peña said, urging continued partnerships in genomics research with regional researchers as well as other industries, moving forward.

Likewise, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the DOST-PCHRD, shared his insights on the future of the FGRP, in terms of its impacts to Philippine healthcare. “Creating this wealth of data will contribute to the development of medicines, treatment, or health procedures that are better suited or are tailored for the Filipino people,” said Dr Montoya. He added that this will result in more successful health interventions for Filipinos. Preparing for its 4th year of implementation with funding from the DOST-PCHRD, the program is set to continue seeking answers to the question “How can we use our DNA to help the Filipino?” 

Source: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/news_and_updates/dost-pchrd-supported-facility-to-boost-research-on-filipino-genomics/ 

Initiated in 2012 as an electronic medical record (EMR) system, the eHealth TABLET developed by Dr. Dennis Batangan of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) – Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), with support from the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), has evolved to assist local government units (LGUs) in building health information systems in support of universal health care (UHC).

Recognizing the emerging eHealth needs of Filipino communities, the eHealth TABLET team created several enhancements to the technology including a feature enabling the generation and transmission of reports on the Primary Care Benefit (PCB) Package 1 of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), an eClaims system for the processing of claim reimbursements with PhilHealth, a data analytics system, and an interoperability layer enabling local health information management. Now known as the eHealth TABLET for Informed Decision Making of LGUs or eHATID LGU, the system fostered collaborations with local government units in the country, with over 450 sites across the country adopting the technology. 

eHATID in support to UHC 

In 2019, Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act was signed into law to ensure equitable access to inclusive, quality healthcare through refinements in the country’s health systems. One of the reforms the law calls for is strengthened eHealth Systems at the LGU level. In response to this, AdMU IPC, with support from DOST-PCHRD, expanded its efforts in assisting LGUs to build their eHealth capacities in support of the implementation of UHC. 

The Local Government Unit-mandated eHealth Networked Services for Universal Health Care (UHC LeHNS) was launched by the AdMU IPC, in close partnership with the Province of Pangasinan, to develop UHC-compliant local health information systems. UHC LeHNS initiated major reforms such as the establishment of provincial-level and city-level health information systems that facilitate information exchange between the province’s health institutions. 

A similar project utilizing the eHATID LGU to strengthen local health information systems is the Smarter and Integrated Local Health Information System for Cagayan de Oro City (SmILHIS CDOC). It specifically aims to assist the city of Cagayan De Oro in creating an interoperable health information system that facilitates easy access to and exchange of local health information among various health institutions. 

With streamlined management of local health information, LGUs are guided in decision making to ensure that programs and policies improve efficiency of healthcare service delivery to Filipino communities.

Due to eHATID’s significant contributions in refining local healthcare systems, the project was recently recognized by the Provincial Health Office of Pangasinan during the  11th Provincial Health Summit: 2020 LGU Health Scorecard Recognition and Outstanding COVID-19 Response Awarding Ceremony for the project’s contribution to Pangasinan’s ehealth system. It also received the People’s Choice Award from the DOST-TAPI’s Gawad TECHNiCOM for their Facebook video entry entitled, “Tugon sa Hamon,” which narrated the team’s journey in developing the eHATID. 

On 17 June 2022 from 10AM-12PM during the DOST-PCHRD’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference, the eHATID team, represented by Dr. Dennis Batangan as the project lead and Mr Jaztine, will share their experiences in the eHATID journey. They will be joined by DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya, Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Hon. Oscar Moreno, and Cagayan De Oro City Health Insurance Office Head Dr. William Bernardo to answer questions from the audience. To join, register via: https://bit.ly/THBJune17_Reg.

Source: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/news_and_updates/pchrd-supported-ehatid-gears-local-ehealth-systems-for-uhc 

The Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) Inc. with support from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is organizing the 18th National Medical Writing Workshop on 08-12 August 2022 via Zoom. The workshop aims to help young investigators in health and health social sciences acquire practical knowledge and skills in preparing a scientific article for publication in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal. Successful applicants will be granted free workshop registration and post-workshop mentoring sessions with an assigned mentor-facilitator who will guide them in preparing their articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS:

The workshop is designed for a maximum of forty (40) researchers in health sciences and health social sciences who have a research project completed not more than 2 years ago and have drafted a publication-ready manuscript of maximum 2,500 – 3,000 words, formatted for submission to a scholarly biomedical journal. Note that thesis, dissertations, and technical reports in original format and length do not qualify. 

The selected draft manuscripts will be reviewed and revised during the workshop, based on the lectures and exercises, under the guidance of the faculty and mentor – facilitators. All participants are expected to present a powerpoint summary of their revised manuscripts on the fifth day of the workshop and agree to submit the article to an appropriate scholarly peer-reviewed journal within four (4) months after the workshop.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Accomplish the application form at https://tinyurl.com/18NMWW2022

2. Send the following requirements via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before July 8, 2022:

• Conforme slip (attached below)
• Abstract (in .docx and .pdf format)
• Draft of Journal Manuscript (in .docx and .pdf format)
• Instructions to Authors for the target journal (This is a free document downloadable from the website of your prospective journal.)

For inquiries, you may contact us at 8-837-7534 send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.