14/11/2025
CAPACITY BUILDING ON RESEARCH METHODS AND CLINICAL TRIAL MANAGEMENT
Last October 7-8, 2025, the National Clinical Trials and Translation Center (NCTTC) provided 38 Department of Health participants with the knowledge and skills on various clinical research methods and on the management of clinical trials.
The NCTTC of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was commissioned by the Department of Health's Disease Prevention and Control Bureau – Evidence Generation and Technical Support Division (DOH DPCB-EGTSD) to implement the project titled “Capacity Building on Research Methods and Clinical Trial Management.” With the unwavering and technical support from our Department of Health partners, we co-designed this initiative to elevate the quality of clinical research by equipping fellow Filipino professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills. The training participants were composed of the different divisions of DPCB, DOH - Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, and DOH - Pharmaceutical Division.
The two-day training was gracefully opened by the NIH Executive Director, Dr. Marissa Alejandria. They shared lessons from the pandemic where we should aim to strengthen our health research eco system. "With our vision of 'Always on, Always busy', We want to have sustained national and global clinical trial capacity during and in between crises. We need to ensure that clinical trials are sustained in all health systems so trials can help in improved health outcomes.”
The NCTTC Director, Dr. Lia Aileen Palileo-Villanueva, warmly welcomed the DOH stakeholders with the spirit of partnership. “It is important we strengthen our collaboration across divisions and the academe, so that we can ensure that the research we produce is not only ethical, but also of the highest quality.”
As the OIC Division Chief of DPCB-EGTSD, Dr. Zashka Alexis Gomez ensured the commitment of the Department of Health towards health research and development for the Filipino people.
The program was composed of four sessions on:
(1) Clinical Research Design and Implementation,
(2) Publication and Research Translation,
(3) Overview of Good Clinical Practices, and
(4) Quality Assurance in the Conduct and Management of Clinical Trials.
These sessions were developed by respective experts into 11 modules:
1. Clinical Research and Protocol Development (Dr. Jacinto Blas Mantaring III)
2. Technical Review of Research Protocols and Proposals (Dr. John Mark Velasco)
3. Scientific Writing, Publication, and Research Dissemination (Dr. Ryan Lintao)
4. Evidence Assessment in Clinical Research (Dr. Mac Ardy Gloria)
5. Research Translation and Utilization (Dr. Ian Theodore Cabaluna)
6. Good Clinical Practice and Ethical Research Conduct (Ms. Rowena Miranda)
7. Patient Recruitment, Retention, and Community Engagement (Prof. Edlyn Jimenez)
8. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement in Clinical (Dr. Lia Aileen Palileo-Villanueva)
9. Leadership and Management in Clinical Trials (Dr. Mario Philip Festin)
10. Clinical Trial Operations and Site Management: Planning, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation (Ms. Anna Maria Segundina Ordinario)
11. Financial and Contract Management in Clinical Trials (Ms. Rowena Miranda)
On the last day, Dr. John Mark Velasco and Prof. Edwin Ruamero, Jr. led a case workshop among the 38 participants – focusing on the technical review of a research protocol. The two-day capacity building was synthesized and formally closed by the Project Leader, Prof. Edwin Ruamero, Jr.
With the support of the UP College of Pharmacy, CPD units were credited for Medicine (12.0 units), Nursing (10.5), Pharmacy (14.0), Medical Technology (11.5), and Nutrition and Dietetics (4.0).
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This effort is made possible through the Department of Health (DOH), DOH - Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DOH-DPCB), DOH - Health Policy and Development Planning Bureau (DOH-HPDPB), University of the Philippines - National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), National Clinical Trials and Translation Center (NCTTC), and UP College of Pharmacy (UP CP).
📷 Hans Angelo Tinio
📍 Venue: Hotel Kimberly Manila, Malate, Manila
