Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research & Development

31/10/2025

Institutional Visit | Province of Sulu
October 28–30, 2025

The Department of Science and Technology IX (DOST IX) through the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD) conducted an institutional visit to various institutions and hospitals in the Province of Sulu as part of its continuous efforts to strengthen partnerships, promote health research initiatives, and enhance collaboration in science, technology, and innovation (STI) across the region.

Day 1 (October 28, 2025) – The team visited Mindanao State University–Sulu Campus, where they were warmly welcomed by OIC-Chancellor Hji. Ronald Ancheta and faculty heads from various college departments. Presentations were delivered on ZCHRD’s mandates, programs, and services, DOST scholarships, ZIEERDEC initiatives, and Project SARAI, highlighting the opportunities for academic and research collaboration.

Day 2 (October 29, 2025) – The team proceeded to the Sulu Provincial Hospital–IPHO, where they met with the Chief of Staff, to discuss ZCHRD programs and services, DOST scholarship opportunities, and a brief overview of Project SARAI, emphasizing the importance of science-driven approaches in public health and agriculture.

Day 3 (October 30, 2025) – The visit concluded at Notre Dame of Jolo College (NDJC), the team presented its programs, services, and ZIEERDEC initiatives, encouraging greater engagement in research and innovation within the academic community.

Joining the visit were representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology – BARMM (MOST-BARMM), who reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and science-based development in Sulu.

In accordance with Executive Order No. 91, which placed Sulu Province in Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), the Department of Science and Technology IX is getting ready to broaden access to its STI programs, supporting inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development for the people of Sulu.







DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
Ousec RO

30/10/2025

1 DAY LEFT! ⏰

Hello, we’re just checking in: have you submitted your application yet? 👀If not, don’t worry, there’s still time to send in your thesis proposal for the DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products! 🌿

Get up to ₱75,000 in funding for your study on natural products from indigenous plants or microorganisms.

📍 Submit through your Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC)
📅 Deadline: 31 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/2025-2ndCall_NatProdGrant

We’ll be waiting for your submission 😉

28/10/2025

23/10/2025

𝓢𝓽𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓼? 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞! 💙

Get up to ₱7️⃣5️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ in funding for your study on natural products from indigenous plants or microorganisms through the 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗣𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗗 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀.

✅𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 3rd/4th year 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥uate 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧
𝘗𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘺, 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥
𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 & 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴
✅ 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘶𝘮
(𝘙𝘏𝘙𝘋𝘊)

📎 Learn more here: bit.ly/2025-2ndCall_NatProdGrant

Tag your thesis partner and apply now! 👇

23/10/2025

Explore Filipino traditional healing wisdom! 🌿

The Philippine TKDL is the national digital library on medicinal plants, healing rituals, and traditional practices — gathered from Indigenous and local communities.

Access it for FREE at https://www.tkdl.ph or scan the QR code!
For support: tkdlph@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

18/10/2025

Congratulations, Norvie T. Jalani, MD, MPH, PHSAE!

The Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD) proudly congratulates Dr. Norvie T. Jalani for having her ZCHRD–DOH Health Systems Research Funds Initiative (HSRFI)–funded manuscript titled “Psychosocial and Health-Related Quality of Life Needs of People Living with HIV in Southern Mindanao: Implications for Universal Health Care in the Philippines” accepted for publication by the Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development.

This milestone highlights Dr. Jalani’s commitment to advancing health research that supports evidence-based policymaking and contributes to achieving Universal Health Care in the Philippines. Her study provides vital insights into the psychosocial and health-related needs of people living with HIV—an important step toward building a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.

13/10/2025

A researcher in Zamboanga City has received a grant of over P200,000 to review scientific literature on lemongrass and its potential role as a natural, affordable remedy against kidney stones.

FULL STORY: http://bit.ly/3J5dFp7

08/10/2025

The PNHRS Strategic Plan 2023–2028 is here! 🗂️

A milestone for the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS): the Strategic Plan 2023–2028 was officially launched during the opening ceremony of the 18th PNHRS Week Celebration last August 13, 2025, at the Marison Hotel in Legazpi City. ✨

This Plan is the product of a highly collaborative process — from environmental assessments to strategic planning workshops, stakeholder validations, committee refinements, and a final review by an external consultant. It reflects our shared vision for a more responsive and resilient health research system in the Philippines. 🧠🤝

📥 Now available for download: https://bit.ly/PNHRSStratPlan

07/10/2025

06 October 2025 | DOST IX, through the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD), held the ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing at the Office of the President, Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), for the DOST-PCHRD funded research project titled “Lemongrass as Antiurolythic: A Systematic Literature Review".

The project, led by Dr. Rica Rose May A. Rubio of WMSU-College of Nursing, received a grant amounting to ₱225,320.00 under the Regional Research Fund (RRF) of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD). The study seeks to address the growing concern of urolithiasis (kidney stones) in the country by critically reviewing available literature on Cymbopogon (lemongrass) and its potential role in managing the disease. Utilizing the PRISMA framework and the Cochrane Tool, the research will identify and analyze eligible studies, extract relevant data, and perform a narrative synthesis using Review Manager to generate evidence-based insights on lemongrass’ therapeutic potential.

Present during the MOA signing were DOST IX OIC-Regional Director Ms. Jennifer A. Pidor, ZCHRD Consortium Director and DOST IX ARD for Technical Operations Services Mr. Ricardo J. Apolinario III, WMSU President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, Vice President for Research, Extension, and External Linkages Dr. Joel G. Fernando, Project Leader Dr. Rica Rose May A. Rubio, and Dr. Melbert C. Sepe
This partnership highlights DOST IX and ZCHRD’s steadfast commitment to fostering impactful research that supports the nation’s pursuit of science-based health innovations for the Filipino people.

02/10/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Rica Rose May A. Rubio!

The Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD) proudly congratulates its member, Dr. Rica Rose May A. Rubio of the Western Mindanao State University – College of Nursing (WMSU-CN), for the approval of her research project under the Regional Research Fund (RRF) of the DOST–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) amounting to ₱235,320.00.

Project Title: “Lemongrass as Antiurolithic: A Systematic Literature Review”

This milestone not only reflects Dr. Rubio’s commitment to advancing health research but also highlights ZCHRD’s continuing mission to empower researchers in the region in contributing meaningful solutions for a healthier Philippines.







DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
Ousec RO

30/09/2025

💚 October is Mental Health Awareness Month! Alam mo bang mayroon nang Outpatient Benefit Package for Mental Health ang PhilHealth? 🧠

Alamin kung anu-anong mga kondisyon at serbisyong saklaw ng benepisyong ito para masiguro ang mas abot-kayang pangangalaga sa kalusugang pangkaisipan.

Ang benefit package na ito ay nabuo mula sa pag-aaral sa ilalim ng PhilHealth STUDIES (Supporting the Thrust for Universal Health Care through Data, Information, and Knowledge Exchange Systems) program—isang partnership ng DOST-PCHRD at PhilHealth.