The four core agencies of the Philippine National Health Research System, namely the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and University of the Philippines Manila, through Joint Memorandum 2012-001, require that all health researches involving human subjects undergo ethical review and clearance by a Research Ethics Committee (REC) before implementation to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of research participants.

The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), the duly created board that oversees the establishment and management of RECs, has stipulated in its policies that all RECs shall undergo an accreditation process to standardize research ethics reviews in the country. Through the Department of Science and Technology Special Order No. 248 s.2017, Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards (REMB) were created to support the tasks of PHREB. Region XI was one of the three pilot regions in the country to organize REMB.  

REMB XI is composed of duly appointed representatives from the CHED, DOH, DOST, and several other government and private institutions. The following are the  members of REMB in Davao Region with their respective affiliations: Alvin S. Concha, M.D., Chairperson, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: Southern Philippines Medical Center/Chief of SPMC Journal); Lucila T. Lupo, D.M., Vice Chairperson, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: Davao Doctors College/Dean, College of Allied Health Sciences); Anthony C. Sales, Ph.D., CESO III, Board Secretary, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: DOST XI/Regional Director); Gilbert B. Arendain, M.D., Board Member, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: Davao Medical School Foundation/Chair, Physiology Department); Vergel Jay T. Bautista, M.D., Board Member, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: DOH XI/Chair, Research & Development); Liza C. Suan, Ph.D., Board Member, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: CHED XI/Education Supervisor); and Fr. Manuel B. Perez, S.J., M.D., Board Member, REMB XI (Affiliation/Current position: Ateneo de Davao University/ Chair, University Clinics; Member, Bioethics).

While the primary purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, the goal is also to protect the rights and interests of the participants. Protecting humans is naturally a universal knowledge. Hence, majority of our laws are for the protection of rights, safety and welfare of individuals.

Davao Region has been one of the most active regions in crafting and implementing good researches for the benefit of the Mindanaoans. In crafting a good research, it must be both scientific and ethical.

To prepare and guide the researchers for a good proposal, the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) facilitated a two-day simultaneous ethics training namely: Basic Research Ethics Training and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Workshop on July 1 to 2, 2019 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.

The Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) aims to introduce the basic principles of protecting human participants. There were 42 attendees from various RHRDC XI member institutions who actively participated during the training. The trainers for BRET are Dr. Angeles T. Alora and Dr. Angelica Francisco from the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). The training consists of lectures, group work activities and the most exciting role playing of the participants.

Meanwhile, the SOP writeshop intends to help develop a Standard Operating Procedures Manual for existing Research Ethics Committees (REC) and improve the quality and consistency in the operational activity of the institutions which will serve as guide in the review process of the proposals. There were 10 member institutions who attended the workshop and these institutions have their intent in applying for PHREB accreditation after thorough polishing of their draft SOPs. The trainers for the SOP workshop were Dr. Marita VT. Reyes and Dr. Josephine Lumitao of PHREB.

True enough that research participant must be safeguarded as what Jean Bernard stated: “Experimenting on human beings is morally necessary and necessarily immoral”.