Cotabato City – Following their reorganization last June 2019, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Health Research and Development Consortium (BHRDC) held its second Management Committee meeting on September 24, 2019 at the Alu Hotel in Davao City.
Under the stewardship of its Chair, Engr. Aida M. Silongan, Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOST-BARMM), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council of Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the meeting was convened to discuss pressing issues such as mobilizing the different BHRDC Technical Working Committees (TWCs) and implementing activities that are relevant in responding to the health problems besetting the region.
Minister Silongan was ably represented during the meeting by Dr. Norma A. Dalamban, Chief of the Technical Management Division of MOST- BARMM. Also in attendance were the Chairs of the Technical Working Committees: Ms. Nurhaya Sumaluyan of Capacity Building Committee; Dr. Fema Abamo of Research Management Committee; Ms. Lilian Macadupang of Research Ethics Committee; and Dr. Michael Macion of Research Utilization Committee. BHRDC Regional Coordinator, Ms. Nadjiyah Sinarimbo, BHRDC secretariat, Ms. Rohania Ibrahim and Ms. Marinell Mabazza, and Regional Project Officer of DOST-PCHRD, Ms. Maria Belen Balbuena participated as well in the discussions.
Dr. Macion presented his committee’s initial plans while Dr. Abamo reported that 13 proponents were able to submit capsule proposals and will attend the upcoming Basic Research Methods (BRM) training on September 29-October 2, 2019 in Zamboanga City.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Dalamban assured the body that, as Chair of the consortium, Minister Silongan commits her full support to the consortium. The TWCs will also do their share in ensuring that all planned activities are implemented and monitored.
Written by: Ms. Rohania Ibrahim
Edited by: Ms. Ullyann Garcia and Ms. Maria Belen Balbuena