QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10532)
RA No. 10532 is titled the "Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013."
To protect and promote the right to health, instill health consciousness, and improve the quality of life of every Filipino through health research and development initiatives.
As a framework anchored on the principles of Essential National Health Research—inculcing inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency, and effectiveness—connecting and converging with wider health, economic, political, educational, and S&T systems of the country.
A set of research priorities determined by the country’s stakeholders that addresses population health needs vis-a-vis the health sector’s goal for universal health care, serving as a platform to advocate for local, national, and international support.
The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), a sectoral planning council of the DOST.
To ensure that all phases of health research adhere to universal ethical principles that protect and promote the dignity of health research participants.
It is institutionalized within the mandate of the PCHRD (national coordinating body), building on a prior Memorandum of Understanding between the DOST and DOH in 2003 and 2007.
To improve health status, productivity, and quality of life of Filipinos by linking research to health system needs; maximizing benefits from investments; promoting good governance in research management; engaging in partnerships and networks; and ensuring sustainability of resources for health research.
The Governing Council (GC), Steering Committee, Technical Working Committees (TWC), and the Secretariat.
The Secretary of the DOST chairs it; the Secretary of the DOH serves as co-chair.
They include: (1) DOST Secretary (Chair); (2) DOH Secretary (Co-Chair); (3) CHED Chair; (4) UP Manila Chancellor; (5) National Nutrition Council Executive Director; (6) PCHRD Executive Director; and (7) five (5) private sector representatives.
Set policies/directions; review and approve long-term plans/programs; evaluate and approve the National Unified Health Research Agenda and identify research foci; review/approve/disapprove research programs; and create committees as needed.
The Secretariat, headed by a PCHRD Executive Director, provides technical and administrative support and performs an oversight function to ensure smooth implementation of PNHRS programs and projects.
It recommends policies to the GC; provides oversight on implementation and harmonization and allocation of PNHRS funds; coordinates/harmonizes six TWC activities; and monitors/report progress to the GC.
The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB).
Among others: formulate/update ethical guidelines for human health research; develop guidelines for ethics review committees and standardize reviews; monitor/evaluate institutional ethics review committee performance; promote functional ethics review committees; advise/recommend on ethical programs/policies; initiate discourses; and network with local/national/international organizations.
It requires that the PNHRS framework be mirrored in all regions, forming a network of regional health research consortia (with setup varying by culture/resources), addressing agenda, HR development, research conduct, dissemination/utilization, resource mobilization, and leadership/management.
Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms shall be conducted by the GC through the Secretariat to determine accountabilities of the PNHRS to contributing agencies; details are to be provided in the IRR.
DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED, and UPM-NIH must promulgate the IRR within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of the Act.
Fifteen (15) days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.