CHD4 Calabarzon Research and Innovation Development Unit

12/03/2026

The Research and Innovation Development Unit (RIDU) congratulates our very own Dr. Darren Venturina on his appointment as Associate Editor of the ASEAN Journal of Disaster Health Management (AJDHM) for 2026–2028.

The AJDHM, the official journal of the ASEAN Academic Network on Disaster Health Management (AAN-DHM), serves as a regional platform for advancing research, knowledge sharing, and policy dialogue in disaster health management across ASEAN.

Dr. Venturina was nominated by the Department of Health – Health Emergency Management Bureau (DOH-HEMB) to serve as the Philippine representative on the editorial board.

This recognition highlights his dedication and valuable contribution to strengthening disaster health management not only in CALABARZON but also in the ASEAN region.

Congratulations, Dr. Venturina!

04/02/2026

📢 𝐂𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐7 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐏𝐒𝐑 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 📋

We are excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the Advancing Health Through Evidence-Assisted Decisions with Health Policy and Systems Research (AHEAD with HPSR) Program!

This call aims to support high-quality, policy-relevant research and other related activities that strengthen health systems, inform decision-making, and contribute to evidence-based health policies and programs in the Philippines. Proposed studies or projects must be aligned with the Medium-Term Health Research and Innovation Agenda (MTRIA) 2023–2028, particularly priority areas under Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR).

📅 Deadline of Submission: February 11, 2026

📍 This call is open for academic and medical institutions, non-government organizations, and local government units across Region IV-A (CALABARZON).

🔗 Scan the QR code below for more details on the Proposal Application form.

For any inquiries, contact the Research and Innovation Development Unit at research@ro4a.doh.gov.ph

We look forward to receiving your submissions. Together, let’s create innovative and evidence-based solutions toward advancing health systems. 🏛👨🏼‍⚕️👩🏼‍🔬

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

2026 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝑪𝑨𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑨𝑹𝒁𝑶𝑵 𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈

The Research and Innovation Development Unit (RIDU), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and the Department of Science and Technology IV-A (DOST IV-A), conducted the 2026 Regional Health Research and Development Consortium CALABARZON Operational Planning from January 28 to 30, 2026, at the Sotogrande Hotel in Katipunan, Quezon City.

The event was attended by representatives from the following Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs):

- De La Salle University - Dasmariñas (DLSU-D)
- De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI)
- Cavite State University (CvSU)
- Emilio Aguinaldo College - Cavite (EAC-Cavite)
- Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD)
- Batangas Medical Center (BatMC)
- Mary Mediatrix Medical Center (MMMC)
- Batangas State University (BatStateU)
- National University Lipa (NU Lipa)
- First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH Colleges)
- Lyceum of the Philippines - Batangas (LPU-Batangas)
- Lyceum of the Philippines - Laguna (LPU-Laguna)
- Lyceum of the Philippines - St. Cabrini School of Health Science, Inc. (LPU-SCSHSI)
- University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (UPHSL)
- University of Perpetual Help - Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University (UPH-DJGTMU)
- Our Lady of Fatima University Antipolo (OLFU Antipolo)
- Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF)

The planning workshop was facilitated by Mr. Ildebrando Ruaya, Chief Health Program Officer at the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH).

The purpose of the planning activity was to facilitate a smooth transition and a fresh start for the Health Research and Development Consortium (HRDCC). It focused on creating strategic objectives and initiatives that align with the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS). Additionally, participants reviewed the HRDCC's Organizational Mission, Vision, and Core Values, explored innovative approaches for providing health research services in each committee, and developed future-proof strategies that will withstand the test of time in the generation, utilization, and implementation of health research within Calabarzon.

26/11/2025

26/11/2025

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒚

On November 24, 2025, the Health Research and Development Consortium Calabarzon (HRDCC) General Assembly was convened through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the Department of Science and Technology Calabarzon (DOST IV-A), and the Department of Health Center for Health Development Calabarzon's Research and Innovation Development Unit (DOH CHD IV-A RIDU) at the Acacia Hotel Alabang in Muntinlupa.

Prominent attendees included Dr. Voltaire Guadalupe, Assistant Regional Director of CHD IV-A; Ms. Emelita Bagsit, Regional Director of DOST IV-A; Ms. Joana America, Chief of the Institution Development Division at PCHRD; and Dr. Darren Venturina, Head of RIDU. The assembly also welcomed representatives from various Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs), including their directors, presidents, research directors, coordinators, and deans, from the following institutions:

- Batangas Medical Center
- Batangas State University
- Cavite State University
- De La Salle Dasmariñas
- De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
- De La Salle Lipa
- Emilio Aguinaldo College Cavite
- First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities
- Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas
- Lyceum of the Philippines University Laguna
- Mary Mediatrix Medical Center
- National University Lipa
- Our Lady of Fatima University - Laguna
- Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo
- University of Perpetual Help Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University

The assembly included the introduction of the Consortium Implementing Agency and Chair, with DOST IV-A designated as the implementing agency and CHD IV-A assuming the role of chair of the HRDCC. Beginning in 2026, the consortium will undergo a transition to new leadership.

Furthermore, operational strategies for the transition period were presented, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of HRDCC member institutions.

With renewed commitment and a strengthened, interconnected network, the HRDCC is well-positioned to foster a healthier future for Calabarzon.

Photo credits: DOST PCHRD Regional Health Research and Development Consortia

19/11/2025

𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑯𝑷𝑺𝑹 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑼𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑨 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊-𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉

On November 18, 2025, a collaborative project conducted by the Research and Innovation Development Unit (RIDU), the Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau (HPDPB), and the University of the Philippines' Health Promotion Program held its closing presentation. The results of the project were shared, along with discussions that will be included in the final report.

Present at the meeting were the leads from each institution and their team members: Mr. Pio Asuncion from HPDPB, Dr. Katherine Ann Reyes from HPP, and Dr. Darren Venturina from RIDU.

This study addresses the need to strengthen the connection between research and policymaking, particularly in government-funded Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) projects. The framework developed provides a practical tool for the Department of Health (DOH) to design, monitor, and evaluate research translation pathways. It includes indicators that can be incorporated into the DOH’s contracting and monitoring systems to assess how evidence is generated, translated, and applied in policy and program development.

The objective of this work is to enhance the relevance of HPSR outputs for policymakers and practitioners, while also emphasizing the role of the Health Policy Program (HPP) in promoting collaboration between evidence producers and users.

The Health Promotion Program (HPP) team, composed of Dr. Katherine Ann Reyes, Ms. Ferlie Famaloan, Ms. Krizelle Fowler, and Mr. Reiner Tamayo, presented to the Department of Health (Philippines) and the Department of Health Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon the results of the project “Developing and Validating a Framework for Effective HPSR Translation and Utilization in Philippine Policymaking: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach.”

The study responds to the growing need to strengthen the link between research production and its use in policymaking, particularly within government-funded HPSR projects. The framework serves as both a conceptual and operational tool for DOH in designing, monitoring, and evaluating research translation pathways. It also introduces a set of indicators that can be embedded within the DOH contracting and monitoring system to assess how evidence is generated, translated, and applied in policy and program development.

This work contributes to ongoing efforts to make HPSR outputs more relevant to policy actors and practitioners. It also reinforces HPP’s role within HPSR — a field where knowledge translation strengthens engagement between evidence producers and users.

UP Manila for the SDGs University of the Philippines Manila UP Manila National Institutes of Health Institute of Clinical Epidemiology

14/11/2025

14/11/2025

𝑻.𝑬.𝑬.𝑵.𝑫𝒊𝒈 𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 2.0

With the theme "Synergy for Change: Advancing Adolescent Health Together," the Department of Health (DOH) Calabarzon conducted the T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan Convention 2.0 on October 28 -30, 2025, at Sotogrande, Batangas. This event was organized through the Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) in partnership with other relevant health programs on adolescent health.

The event was attended by key partners in health, including former Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Ariel Valencia; Dr. Ron Allan Quimado from the Department of Health's Adolescent and Maternal Health Division; Mr. Rodolfo Anacan from the World Health Organization; and Dr. Zaldy Collado and Dr. Anjo Fabellan from the De La Salle University Social Development Research Center. Additionally, representatives from the Commission on Population and Development, Schools Division Office, adolescent health point persons from Local Government Units, students and faculty from T.E.E.Dig schools, and their respective T.E.E.N.Dig nurses were present, along with partner programs from CHD Calabarzon.

A major highlight of the convention was the launch of the T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan! Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan Manual of Procedures (MOP). This comprehensive guide serves as a roadmap for implementing adolescent health initiatives and promoting evidence-based strategies across various sectors. The research for this manual was funded by the Research and Innovation Development Unit (RIDU) and conducted by the De La Salle University - Social Development Research Center (DLSU-SDRC).

With the support of partner agencies and institutions, including the Department of Health Central Office, Department of Education Calabarzon, the World Health Organization, Commission on Population and Development, local government units, health partners, and adolescents from across Calabarzon, the T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan! Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan project aims to thrive and continue serving adolescents in the region, helping them to stay healthy, active, and develop into the best versions of themselves.

Photo credits: Health Education and Promotion Unit - DOH CHD Calabarzon

02/10/2025

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒈 𝑳𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒐𝒅 𝒏𝒈 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎

A meeting was held with the new administration and research team of Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng Lucena (DLL) to discuss a collaborative study titled, “Examining Health Care Accessibility and Discrimination Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Individuals in CALABARZON: Implications for Inclusive Health Policy and Service Delivery.” last September 29, 2025 at the Director's Office Conference Room of the Department of Health Center for Health Development CALABARZON (DOH CHD IV-A).

Present at the meeting were DLL President Atty. Sheila de Leon, College Administrator Ms. Alyssa Mijares, and Research Director Dr. Mary Rose Cabreros. The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Venturina along with the RIDU team.

With the new management at DLL, RIDU has begun to strengthen its collaboration with the institution. As a result of this renewed partnership, DLL has committed to joining the Health Research and Development Consortium Calabarzon (HRDCC) in 2026.