Office of Research Services - Benguet State University

𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐇𝐑𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟏𝟒 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐁𝐒𝐔 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 ‘𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’

The Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC) concluded the second and final day of the 14th Regional Health Research Conference (RHRC) on June 19 with renewed calls for researchers, institutions, and health professionals to translate research into solutions that directly benefit communities.

The day's activities opened with a synthesis of the previous day's discussions led by Conference chair Dr. Ruth S. Batani of Benguet State University and CRHRDC. She reflected on the key messages delivered during the opening program, emphasizing that meaningful health research thrives through collaboration, commitment, and a shared vision among institutions and stakeholders.

Dr. Batani also revisited the conference's discussions on artificial intelligence and ethics, noting the importance of ensuring that technological advancements are guided by responsibility and respect for human dignity.

A plenary session on health equity, culture, and social responsibility followed, featuring Ms. Batani, Ms. Lilia Rose A. Say-awen of the Department of Health–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR), and former Mountain Province Provincial Health Officer Dr. Penelope A. Domogo. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Erlinda C. Palaganas of CRHRDC.

The panel highlighted the need to provide healthcare services that respond to the unique realities of different communities. Speakers emphasized that health equity is not about providing the same services to everyone, but ensuring that communities receive the support they need based on their circumstances. Participants were reminded that effective healthcare programs must recognize local culture, language, and traditional practices while ensuring access to quality services.

Another plenary session focused on transforming health research into policy briefs that can help address health concerns and improve decision-making.

BSU garnered five (5) winning papers and the ‘People’s choice’ award. For the Oral Professional Category, Edlyn Mae N. Ciano secured 2nd Place for her study on the ‘Relationship between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commercial layer farms and the KAP of poultry raisers in Benguet.’ In the Oral Student Category, Mirae Claire P. Colas also earned 2nd Place for her study on ‘Improving sexual and reproductive health through a family-centered, nurse-led communication intervention.’

Meanwhile, Marson P. Lao-an placed 2nd in the Poster Professional Category for his study on the ‘Experiences of special education teachers handling children with special needs and its implications for nursing education.’ In the poster Student Category, Krisha Marie G. Apostol received the People's Choice Award, while Ma. Erica D. Mariano secured 2nd Place for her study on ‘Promoting social connectedness among elderly individuals at risk of hearing impairment through a nurse-led communication intervention.’ Rhiofa M. Bucagan of CNAS also garnered 3rd Place for her ‘Study on factors affecting the survival time of breast cancer patients in Baguio.’ The regional qualifiers include : BC Sanidad ‘Pixels to plates: An evaluation of developed E-nutrition games for enhancing delivery of nutrition lessons among children,’ KM Faustino’s ‘Pamiyag ni Ikarao:Assessment of diet diversity food security and nutritional status of household heads of Ikarao in Bokod; JS Cruz ‘Leng-ag:Mobile based health system for TB prevention, treatment adherence and risk assessment among small scale miners in Itogon, Benguet’; LC Caranto’s ‘The mind gym loop of success facilitating PNLE readiness’; HG Kimot-Saingan’s Inayan care: Adolescent maternal pathway in Mt Province. ‘Comparative analysis of mental help-seeking tendencies and perceived barriers among generation Z and millennial adult cohorts’ by JL Ledsey. For poster presenters, regional finalists includes JT Lartec with the poster titled ‘Binnadang for health: Championing holistic and collaborative health science in the Cordillera.’ Meantime, Ms HD Sanchez ‘Diteng:Safeguarding children’s health and future government funds’ qualified for the regional policy brief presentation – completing the 14 paper and poster entries from BSU.

During the closing program, CRHRDC Regional Coordinator Dr. Erlinda C. Palaganas delivered a call to action centered on seven key commitments for the region's research community.

She urged participants to transform research into practical solutions, place communities at the center of research efforts, strengthen the Cordilleran spirit of Binnadang, translate evidence into policy and practice, mentor the next generation of researchers, promote a culture of research excellence, and leave the conference with a concrete commitment that can create positive change.

"Research must begin with people and return to people, especially those who are underserved, unheard, and left behind," Palaganas said.

"The measure of this conference will not be the presentations we heard, the awards we received, or the papers we presented. It will be what we do when we return to our institutions and communities," she added.

As the 14th RHRC came to a close, participants left with a renewed commitment to strengthen research collaboration and ensure that health research continues to contribute to better policies, stronger health systems, and healthier communities across the Cordillera. // John Lester Tangonan, Keren Gaspar

𝑯𝒆𝒚 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆!

𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴!
𝘛𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝑅&𝐸 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳/𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥!

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆! 😊