NDMU Strengthens Commitment to Health Research at the 19th Philippine National Health Research System Week.

CITY OF KORONADAL, South Cotabato — As a member institution of the Health Research and Development Consortium–Region XII (HRDC XII), Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) took part in the 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week, held at The Farm @ Carpenter Hills, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, on August 11–13, 2026. NDMU was represented by Sheila B. Roma, MPA, Research Director; Aldrin F. Quintero, PhD, Data Privacy Officer and chairman of the NDMU Ethics Review Board; and Efren II C. Deocades, RMT, MSMT, Assistant Professor I of the Medical Technology Department.

Sheila B. Roma, MPA, Research Director; Aldrin F. Quintero, PhD, Data Privacy Officer and Chairperson of the NDMU Ethics Review Board; and Efren II C. Deocades, RMT, MSMT, Assistant Professor I of the Medical Technology Department, represent Notre Dame of Marbel University during the 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Celebrated during the second week of August each year, the PNHRS Week is a national convention of health researchers, health-allied professionals, policymakers, stakeholders, and representatives from various sectors. It aims to provide a platform for discussing, promoting, and advancing health research, initiatives, and advocacies that improve the health and health-related outcomes of Filipinos. This year, HRDC XII took on the challenge and honor of hosting the celebration under the theme "HEALTHCONVERGED: Transforming Health Research, Connecting Cultures," which champions collaborative, ethical, and locally responsive health research and development for a culturally diverse Filipino population.

Notre Dame of Marbel University delegates Sheila B. Roma, MPA; Aldrin F. Quintero, PhD; and Efren II C. Deocades, RMT, MSMT, join fellow researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and representatives from various institutions during the 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week at The Farm @ Carpenter Hills in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

The three-day event featured plenary sessions on equitable, ethical, and culturally rooted health research, with the translation of research into policy also central to the discussions. In special sessions led by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the National University of Singapore–Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (NUS-SSHSPH), participants explored the strengthening of the Philippine Network for Health Policy and Systems Research and joined a training on the basics of modeling for health policy and research using R and RStudio. Other highlights included oral and poster research competitions for both student and professional categories, a three-minute policy pitch to policymakers, and the consortium poster contest.

Efren II C. Deocades, RMT, MSMT, Assistant Professor I of the Medical Technology Department at Notre Dame of Marbel University, poses for a photo with the official 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week event tarp displayed in the background at The Farm @ Carpenter Hills in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Beyond attending the celebration, Mrs. Roma and Dr. Quintero served on the research poster competition committee, as vice chair and assistant committee chair, respectively, while Mr. Deocades was invited to the DOH-NUS-SSHSPH special sessions.