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WHEREAS, the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Act or Republic Act No. 10532 became effective on 1 June 2013 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Joint DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED and UPM-NIH Administrative Order No. 001, s. 2013) became effective on 15 November 2013;

WHEREAS, the IRR shall be reviewed every three (3) years pursuant to Rule 32; and any amendments shall be done in writing and be approved by all implementing agencies as stated in Rule 31 of the same IRR;

WHEREAS, a series of consultations was conducted from 08 April to 28 May 2019 to determine the applicability of the IRR with the law; as such amendments were made and reviewed by all concerned stakeholders and revised IRR was completed on 25 November 2019;

NOW THEREFORE, the following Joint Administrative Order of the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education and University of the Philippines hereby promulgates the revised rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 10532.

These Rules shall be known and cites as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10532, otherwise known as the "Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013."

These Rules are hereby promulgated to prescribe the procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the PNHRS Act in order to facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and convergence among all stakeholders and to achieve the objectives of the Act.

All doubts in the implementation, construction and interpretation of these implementing rules and regulations shall be resolved in promoting cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders as well as the integration and convergence of all health research efforts in the country to ensure that research contributes to evidence-based health-related policies and actions.

It is hereby declared the policy of State to protect and promote the right to health of the people, instill health consciousness among them and improve the quality of life of every Filipino through health research and development facilities.

In pursuit of the above policy, it is the mission of the PNHRS to create and sustain an enabling environment for health research toward evidence-based health-related policies and actions. Further, the PNHRS shall facilitate and enable the engagement of stakeholders of the health research community.

For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

(a) Act refers to RA 10532.

(b) Health shall refer to a state of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and the ability to function at the individual level.

(c) Health Research Stakeholders shall refer to the local and international public and private agencies/organizations, policymakers, the academe, medical and health societies, people's organizations and others who are concerned with and affected by health and development. Others shall also refer to international stakeholders, both individual and institutional.

(d) Health Research Community shall refer to all stakeholders such as but not limited to policymakers, researchers, research institutions, funders and/or advocates of research, users and/or beneficiaries of research results at local, national. and/or international levels.

(e) Health System shall refer to: (i) all the activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore and/or maintain health; and (ii) the people, institutions and resources, organized together in accordance with established policies, to improve the health of the population they serve, while responding to people's legitimate expectations and protecting them against the cost of ill-health through a variety of activities whose primary intent is to improve health.

(f) International organizations shall mean the following: (i) United Nations and its specialized agencies, (ii) ASEAN and its specialized agencies, (iii) international development and/or funding institutions recognized by the Philippine Government, and, (iv) all such other international organizations and/or institutions covered by a headquarters agreement and/or an international treaty signed by the Philippine Government.

(g) International Networks shall mean both formal and informal linkages, collaborations, assistance, cooperation, information sharing and other similar activities with non-Filipino individuals, institutions, universities, public or private research entities and international organizations subject to existing constitutional and legal limitations, provisions, and penal clauses.

(h) National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) shall refer to a set of research priorities determined by the country's stakeholders which addresses the health needs of the population in relation to the health sector's goal for universal health care. This agenda is a platform to advocate for local, national and international support. The term National Health Research Agenda (NHRA) shall also have the same definition as the foregoing.

(i) Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) shall refer to one of the sectoral planning councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which provides central direction, leadership and coordination in health science and technology (S&T). PCHRD shall serve as the national coordinating body for health research.

(j) Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) shall refer to the national policymaking body on health research ethics, created under DOST Special Order No. 091, which is mandated to ensure shall all phases of health research shall adhere to the universal ethical principles that value the protection and promotion of the dignity of health research participants.

(k) Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) shall refer to a framework anchored on the principles of Essential National Health Research on inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency, and effectiveness, which connect to, and converge with, the wider health, economic, political, educational, and S&T systems of the country, and operationalized by individuals and institutions involved in health research and development.

(l) Philippine National Health Research System Network shall refer to public and private agencies and institution which are members of the regional health research and development consortia.

(m) PNHRS Implementing Institutions shall refer to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education and University of the Philippines Manila.

(n) regional Health Research Systems shall include regional health research consortia or communities in all the regions of the country which mirror the PNHRS framework at the regional level.

(o) Research shall refer to the development of knowledge with the aim of understanding health challenges and mounting an improved response to them. This covers the full spectrum of research in five (5) generic area of activity: (1) measuring the problem; (2) understanding its cause(s); (3) elaborating solutions; (4) translating the solutions or evidence into policy, practice and products; and (5) evaluating the effectiveness of solutions.

(p) "Research for Health" or "Health research" shall refer to the fact that improving health outcomes requires the involvement of many sectors and disciplines. As identified in the work of the Global Forum for Health Research, it is research that seeks to understand the impact of health policies, programmes, processes, actions, or events originating in any sector, to assist in developing interventions that will help prevent or mitigate the impact; and to contribute to the achievement of universal health care, development goals, health equity, and better health for all.

(q) Regional Unified Health Research Agency (RUHRA) shall refer to a set of research priorities determined by the regional stakeholders which addresses the health needs of the population in relation to the health sector's goal for universal health care. This agenda is a platform to advocate for local, regional, national and international support.

(r) Rules shall refer to these Rules and Regulations.

(s) Universal Health Care shall refer to a focused approach to health reform implementation, ensuring that all Filipinos especially the poor receive the benefits of health reform. This is a deliberate focus on the poor to ensure that they are given financial risk protection through enrollment to PhilHealth and that they are able to access affordable and quality health care and services in times of need.

(t) Technical Working Committee shall refer to the PNHRS working committees aligned with research themes which are based on the country's health needs, and the six (6) building blocks of the World Health Organization (WHO) to attain universal health care.

The PNHRS, initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the DOST and the Department of Health (DOH) in 2003, and in 2007, with the addition of the Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines Manila as PNHRS Implementing Institutions, is hereby institutionalized within the mandate of the PCHRD, the national coordinating body for health research.

The PNHRS aims to improve the health status, productivity and the quality of life of Filipinos by:

(a) Ensuring that health research is linked to the health system needs;

(b) Ensuring that investments in health research yield the most benefit;

(c) Promoting good governance among health research organizations through efficient, effective, transparent and ethical health research management system;

(d) Engaging in national and international partnerships and networks for health research development; and

(e) Ensuring sustainability of resources for health research.

In achieving these objectives, the PNHRS shall consider the provisions of existing laws.

The process in formulating the research agenda for the present and future requirements of the country's health system should consider alignment with societal goals in science and technology, education, the economy, environment, agriculture and other priority areas of the country. The national and regional research agenda shall be used as a strategic tool to direct research programs, funding priorities, and related activities.

Insuring that investments in health research will yield the most benefit, the PNHRS shall employ internationally accepted health technology assessment methodologies to determine cost benefits of health research.

To ensure sustainability of resources for health research and development, the PNHRS implementing institutions shall allocate in their respective annual budget as well as in their work and financial plan the appropriate resources to support the plans and programs of the PNHRS.

DOST: at least twenty percent (20%0 of its Grants-in-Aid budget to health research

DOH: one hundred percent (100%) of its priorities are funded

CHED: at least twenty percent (20%) of its research budget to health research accessible to public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and issuance of CHED Memorandum Order for HEIs to allocate funding for health research and adoption of the PNHRS Health Research Registry System

UP Manila: experts' time equivalent to two percent (2%) of its MOOE

Public and private organizations who are members of the PNHRS Network shall likewise allocate in their respective annual budget as well as their work and financial plan the appropriate resources to support the plans and programs of the PNHRS.

PNHRS shall tap other funding sources including any government revenues generated through various legal instruments or laws.

Public or private local, national or international institutions or organizations may contribute resources including but not limited to funds, expertise, technical assistance, logistics, and facilities.

The PNHRS shall be institutionalized within the mandate of the PCHRD, the latter being the national coordinating body for health research. It is composed of the Governing Council (GC), the Steering Committee, the Technical Working Committee (TWC) and the Secretariat, as described in Section 9 of Republic Act 10532.

The whole health research community shall be deemed an indispensable partner and contributor in the effort to strengthen the PNHRS.

The PCHRD Governing Council, created under Executive Order (EO) No. 784 of 1982 and EO No. 128 of 1987, shall be the Governing Council of the PNHRS. The PNHRS Governing Council shall be composed of the following:

(a) The Secretary of the DOST, as Chair;

(b) The Secretary of the DOH, as Co-Chair;

(c) The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

(d) The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM);

(e) The National Nutrition Council Executive Director;

(f) The PCHRD Executive Director; and

(g) Five (5) representatives from the private sector.

The five (5) private sector representatives shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of two years. The criteria and terms of the appointment of four representatives shall be governed by EO 128, Section 16 while the fifth private sector representative shall represent a recognized health civil society organization.

The meetings of the PNHRS Governing Council shall follow the exiting procedures of the PCHRD Governing Council.

The PNHRS Governing Council shall:

(a) Set policies and directions for the PNHRS;

(b) Periodically review and approve the long-term plans and programs of the PNHRS;

(c) Evaluate and approve the National Unified Health Research Agenda, and identify areas that will serve as the foci of the National Health Research Agenda;

(d) Review, approve or disapprove research programs; and

(e) Create committees as the need arises to facilitate and ensure the achievement of its objectives.

The PCHRD Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director, shall serve as the PNHRS Secretariat. The Executive Director shall be responsible for, among others, the smooth implementation of programs and projects and shall, in pursuit thereof, exercise an oversight function over the PNHRS.

The Secretariat shall provide technical and administrative support to the Technical Working Committees, Steering Committee and the Governing Council in the following areas:

(a) Research and Development Management;

(b) Institution Development;

(c) Research Information, Communication and Utilization; and

(d) Finance and Administration.

The PNHRS Secretariat's organizational structure and staffing pattern are subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management. The DOST-PCHRD shall determine its secretariat organizational structure and staffing pattern as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees of the PNHRS Secretariat in accordance with the civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

The budget for staffing and operations of the PNHRS shall be incorporated in the budget of the PCHRD and provided for in annual General Appropriations Act.

(a) The Governing Council (GC) shall create a Steering Committee to be headed by the PCHRD Executive Director. It shall be composed of the following:

(1) The Executive Director, DOST-PCHRD;

(2) The Director, Department of Health-Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau (DOH-HPDPB);

(3) The Director, Commission on Higher Education, Office of Planning, Research and Knowledge Management (CHED-OPRKM), previously known as Office of Policy, Planning, Research and Information (CHED-OPPRI);

(4) The Executive Director, University of the Philippines Manila - National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH);

(5) The Director of the Social Development Staff of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

(6) The Chair of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB);

(7) A representative from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC);

(8) A representative from the Philippine Statistics Authority, previously known as National Statistics Office (NSO);

(9) A representative from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);

(10) A representative from the Department of Transportation-Land Transportation Office (DOTC-LTO);

(11) A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB);

(12) A representative from the local government units (LGUs); and

(13) The Chairpersons of relevant PNHRS TWCs.

Representatives from other government agencies and the private sector, whose contributions are deemed critical to PNHRS programs shall be invited as resource persons.

(b) The Steering Committee shall perform the following functions:

(1) Recommend policies to the GC;

(2) Perform oversight function on the implementation and harmonization of the PNHRS activities and the allocation of the PNHRS fund;

(3) Coordinate and harmonize the activities of the PNHRS TWCs; and

(4) Monitor and report to the GC the progress of the PNHRS programs.

The Steering Committee may also coordinate and harmonize the activities of the other PNHRS TWCs.

The Steering Committee shall promulgate its guidelines for the conduct of its meetings.

The Steering Committee shall meet twice a year at every first and third quarter.

The GC shall create TWC aligned with research themes which are based on the country's health needs, and the sic (6) building blocks of the World Health Organization (WHO) to attain universal health care.

The Committees shall develop and monitor their respective strategic plans. They shall work closely with the stakeholders and the Secretariat.

The number of PNHRS TWCs shall be increased or decreased depending on the circumstances as may be determined by the Governing Council. In doing this, existing PNHRS TWCs on research agenda management, capacity building, ethics, research utilization, resource mobilization, structure, organization, monitoring and evaluation.

Representation of the private sector, civil society and regional, national or international institutions or organizations shall be considered in the creation of national technical working committees.

The chairs and members of the TWCs shall serve for a term of two years, renewable for another term.

The PNHRS Inter-Technical Working Committee Chairs (ITWCC) shall ensure that the PNHRS policies and programs are aligned with the national and global health goals.

(1) Promote coordination and cooperation among the TWCs;

(2) Provide a forum for discussion on PNHRS best practices and lessons learned on issues related to System governance and program implementation; and

(3) Make recommendations to the PNHRS Steering Committee in regard improvement and harmonization of plans and programs of the TWCs.

The PNHRS Governing Council shall be the highest policymaking body. As such, its day-to-day operation shall be subsumed within the mandate, staff and budget of the PCHRD. The mode of operation of the PNHRS is through cooperation and collaboration between and among consortia, organizations, individuals and experts within the health research community. Engagement of stakeholders is through, but not limited to, the formation of advisory bodies, study groups, working groups, task forces, or similar bodies by the Governing Council or the Secretariat.

The PHREB, created under DOST Special Order No. 091, s. 2006, as the highest policymaking body for health research ethics in the country shall ensure adherence to the universal principles for the protection of human participants in research.

The constitution of PHREB shall be governed by the same terms of reference contained in the above DOST Special Order.

To ensure adherence to the universal principles for the protection of human participants in research, the PHREB shall, among other, things:

(a) Formulate and update guidelines for the ethical conduct of human health research

The National Ethical Guidelines for Health Research shall be regularly updated every five years or whenever necessary. For this purpose, PHREB shall constitute a committee which shall be responsible for the undertaking.

(b) Develop guidelines for the establishment and management of ethics review committees and standardization of research ethics review.

All researches involving human participants must undergo ethical review and clearance before implementation to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of research participants. The research ethics review shall be undertaken by a Research Ethics Committee (REC) duly accredited by PHREB as provided for the Joint Memorandum Order 2012-001 of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines Manila and the Memorandum of Understanding of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and National Museum of the Philippines (NM).

The National Ethical Guidelines for Health and Health-related Research shall include the standards for the establishment and management of ethics review committees and the standards for research ethics review.

PHREB shall conduct the necessary training activities for researchers, REC members, administrators of research institutions and other stakeholders at the national, regional, or local levels; or as cluster or individual committees.

(c) Monitor and evaluate the performance of institutional ethics review committees in accordance with procedures outlined in a prior agreement.

In carrying out its monitoring and evaluation function, PHREB shall establish or designate Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards. These Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards may be located within existing regional DOH, DOST, CHED offices or designated institutions; and shall directly supervise the Ethics Review Committees established in their regional area of responsibility.

PHREB and the Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards, in consultation with ethic review committees shall develop and agree on indicators of good performance which shall be used in ensuring and monitoring quality ethics review in health research.

(d) Promote the establishment of functional and effective ethics review committees

The standards for the establishment of functional and effective ethics review committee shall be included in the National Ethical Guidelines for Health Research for reference of institutions and organizations.

RECs shall be categorized as follows:

(a) Institution-based RECs like those in hospitals, academic and research institutions

(b) Government Agency-based RECs

(c) organization-based RECs

(d) Cluster RECs

(e) Research site-based RECs

(f) Other RECs, as may be recognized by PHREB

PHREB shall accredit RECs as provided for in the Joint Memorandum Order 2012-001 of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines Manila and the Memorandum of Understanding of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and National Museum of the Philippines (MI). All RECs shall apply with PHREB for accreditation. Only RECs granted accreditation by PHREB shall be allowed to conduct ethics review.

Accreditation procedures shall be described in the National Ethical Guidelines for Health and Health-related Research and in the website of PHREB.

PHREB shall determine and impose accreditation fees, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

PHREB shall maintain an updated registry of accredited RECs.

(e) Provide advice and make recommendations to the PNHRS Governing Council and other appropriate entities regarding programs, policies and regulations as they relate to ethical issues in human health research.

(f) Initiate and contribute to discourses and discussions on ethical issues in human health research.

PHREB shall organize fora and establish other platforms for discussions, and provide updates on ethical issues in human health research and other concerns, and sharing of good practice models and best practices.

(g) Network with relevant local, national and international organizations.

PHREB shall undertake collaborative initiatives with local, regional, and international organizations in furtherance of its goals and objectives to foster ethical health researches for the protection of human participants, safeguard the rights of human participants, and promote the integrity of research data.

The PNHRS framework of cooperation and collaboration, strategic directions and programs, shall be mirrored in all the regions of the country, forming a network of regional research consortia. The consortium setup varies depending on the culture and resources of the region. Each regional health research system shall address concerns relating to health research agenda, development of human resource in health research, conduct of researches, dissemination of research results, structure, organization, monitoring and evaluation, leadership and management.

The PNHRS Network will be strengthened to ensure equitable distribution of health research resources as well as to achieve full coverage within regions. Strategies to increase and sustain commitment of member institutions to participate in and share resources shall be pursued.

Inter-regional collaboration shall be encouraged through joint projects, information and resource sharing, participation in, and hosting of, the annual Philippine National Health Research System Week celebration, among other things.

Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanism shall be done by the Governing Council, through the Secretariat, to determine the accountabilities of the PNHRS to the contributing agencies.

All implementing institutions and regional health research consortia, including the members of their networks or consortia, shall regularly input to the PNHRS research databases and monitoring systems as well as submit annual reports on their health research activities and accomplishments, regardless of the source of funding.

The Secretariat, with the Technical Working Committees and the Steering Committee, shall develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation plan, with appropriate indicators, for approval of the Governing Council.

All health researches shall be registered in the Philippine Health Research Registry, and when published, to the national repository (HERDIN) of published health researches. The Secretariat shall develop and disseminate guidelines to enable institutions to share their research information to these registries and databases.

The PNHRS Network and implementing institutions shall develop policies and guideline to institutionalize and operationalize their participation in the PNHRS.

The Secretariat shall submit an annual report of the accomplishments of the PNHRS to the Governing Council. This report shall be presented during the PNHRS Week celebration.

Any amendment to these Rules can only be done in writing by any of the implementing agencies which shall be effective upon approval of all the implementing agencies.

This IRR shall be reviewed every three years.

If any provision, or parts, of these Rules are held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Rules not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

All exiting rules and regulations, or parts thereof which may be contrary to or inconsistent with these rules are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

These Rules shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation and upon filing at the UP Law Center in accordance with existing law.

Approved:

 

(SGD.) FORTUNATO T. DE LA PEÑA

Secretary

Department of Science and technology

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III

Secretary

Department of Health

 

(SGD.) J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III

Chairperson

Commission on Higher Education

   
 

(SGD.) CARMENCITA D. PADILLA

Chancellor

University of the Philippine Manila

Witnessed:  

 

(SGD.) JAIME C. MONTOYA

Executive Director

Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

Department of Science and Technology

 
   
 

(SGD.) FRANCES ROSE ELGO-MAMARIL

OIC-Director IV

Health Policy Development Planning Bureau

Department of Health

   
 

(SGD.) MARY SYLVETTE T. GUINIGUNDO

OIC, Office of the Director IV

Office of Planning, Research and Knowledge Management

Commission on Higher Education

   
 

(SGD.) EVA MARIA C. CUTIONGCO-DELA PAZ

Executive Director

National Institutes of Health

University of the Philippines Manila