Philippine National Health Research System Act

Section 4 institutionalizes the PNHRS within the mandate of the PCHRD, as the national coordinating body for health research.
Section 4 recognizes that the PNHRS was initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the DOST and the DOH in 2003 and 2007.
Section 5 provides that the PNHRS aims to improve the health status, productivity, and quality of life of Filipinos.
Section 5(a) requires linking health research to health system needs.
Section 5(b) requires ensuring that investments in health research yield the most benefit.
Section 5(c) promotes good governance among health research organizations through an efficient, effective, transparent and ethical health research management system.
Section 5(d) requires engaging in national and international partnerships and networks for health research development.
Section 5(e) requires ensuring sustainability of resources for health research.

Section 6 provides that the PNHRS is composed of the Governing Council (GC), Steering Committee, Technical Working Committees (TWC), and Secretariat.
Section 6 provides that the whole health research community is an indispensable partner and contributor to strengthen the PNHRS.
Section 6 directs that interrelationships among PNHRS components are described in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act.
Section 6 establishes that the PNHRS is implemented through these components and their designated functions under succeeding provisions.

Section 7 provides that the PCHRD Governing Council created under Executive Order (EO) No. 784 of 1982 and EO No. 128 of 1987 is the Governing Council of the PNHRS.
Section 7(a) seats the Secretary of the DOST as Chair.
Section 7(b) seats the Secretary of the DOH as Co-Chair.
Section 7(c) seats the Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Section 7(d) seats the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines, Manila (UPM).
Section 7(e) seats the National Nutrition Council Executive Director.
Section 7(f) seats the PCHRD Executive Director.
Section 7(g) seats five (5) representatives from the private sector.
Section 8 provides that the Governing Council shall set policies and directions for the PNHRS.
Section 8(b) requires the GC to periodically review and approve long-term plans and programs of the PNHRS.
Section 8(c) requires the GC to evaluate and approve the National Unified Health Research Agenda and identify areas serving as the foci of the National Health Research Agenda.
Section 8(d) requires the GC to review, approve or disapprove research programs.
Section 8(e) authorizes the GC to create committees as the need arises to achieve PNHRS objectives.

Section 9 establishes the PNHRS Secretariat under the PCHRD, headed by an Executive Director.
Section 9 requires the Executive Director to be responsible, among others, for smooth implementation of programs and projects, and to exercise an oversight function over the PNHRS in pursuit of that responsibility.
Section 9 directs the Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support in:
- (a) Research and Development Management;
- (b) Institution Development;
- (c) Research Information, Communication and Utilization; and
- (d) Finance and Administration.
Section 10 requires the GC to create a Steering Committee headed by the PCHRD Executive Director.
Section 10(a) enumerates Steering Committee members, including designated leaders/representatives from DOST-PCHRD, DOH-HPDPB, CHED-OPPRI, UPM-NIH, NEDA (Social Development Services), PHREB, PHIC, NSO, PRC, DOTC-LTO, DENR-EMB, LGUs, and the Chairpersons of relevant PNHRS TWC.
Section 10(b) assigns the Steering Committee to:
- (1) Recommend policies to the GC;
- (2) Exercise oversight on implementation and harmonization of PNHRS activities and the allocation of PNHRS fund;
- (3) Coordinate and harmonize the activities of the six (6) PNHRS TWC; and
- (4) Monitor and report to the GC the progress of PNHRS programs.

Section 11 directs that the GC creates Technical Working Committees (TWC) aligned with research themes based on the country’s health needs.
Section 11 requires TWCs to be aligned with the six (6) building blocks of the World Health Organization (WHO) to attain universal health care.
Section 11 requires each TWC to develop and monitor its respective strategic plans.
Section 11 requires TWCs to work closely with stakeholders and with the Secretariat.

Section 12 provides that the PHREB, created under DOST Special Order No. 091 s. 2006, ensures adherence to universal principles for protection of human participants in research.
Section 12(a) requires PHREB to formulate and update guidelines for ethical conduct of human health research.
Section 12(b) requires PHREB to develop guidelines for establishment and management of ethics review committees and standardization of research ethics review.
Section 12(c) requires PHREB to monitor and evaluate performance of institutional ethics review committees in accordance with procedures outlined in a prior agreement.
Section 12(d) requires PHREB to promote establishment of functional and effective ethics review committees.
Section 12(e) requires PHREB to provide advice and recommendations to the PNHRS Governing Council and other appropriate entities regarding programs, policies and regulations relating to ethical issues in human health research.
Section 12(f) requires PHREB to initiate and contribute to discourses and discussions on ethical issues in human health research.
Section 12(g) requires PHREB to network with relevant local, national and international organizations.

Section 13 requires mirroring the PNHRS framework in all regions of the country through a network of regional research consortia.
Section 13 provides that regional consortium setup varies depending on the culture and resources of the region.
Section 13 requires each regional health research system to address concerns relating to:
- health research agenda;
- development of human resource in health research;
- conduct of researches;
- dissemination of research results;
- research utilization;
- resource mobilization; and
- leadership and management.

Section 14(a) requires regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms by the GC through the Secretariat to determine accountabilities of the PNHRS to contributing agencies.
Section 14(a) directs that specifics on monitoring, evaluation, accountabilities, and annual reporting are provided in the IRR.
Section 15 requires DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED, and UPM-NIH to promulgate the IRR within sixty (60) days after effectivity of this Act.
Section 16 provides separability: if any provision or part is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder remains valid and subsisting.
Section 17 repeals, modifies or amends laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, or regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act.
Section 18 provides effectivity: this Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.
The Act is Approved: MAY 07 2013, by President Benigno S. Aquino III, and was passed on February 4, 2013 by the Senate and the House of Representatives.