Regional capacity building programs are important in empowering local researchers to find solutions to the endemic problems in the regions.

In an interview with Mr. Hermogenes “Jun” Allegreof Sagitsit Ratsada, a local radio program in Sorsogon, last September 4, 2012, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), stressed that the Council and the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) are committed to empower Bicolano health researchers through the conduct of capacity building programs. He said, “Ang talagang objective natin sa mga regional consortia ay magkaroon ng kapasidad ang mga consortia na gumawa ng magaganda at makabuluhang health research na magagamit di lang ng region kundi pati na rin sa bansa. (Our goal really is to build capacity in the regional consortia to produce high value researches that can be used locally and nationally.)”

Dr. Montoya said that only Bicolanos can address the problems in Bicol. Through high impact researches, Bicolano researches can influence local policymakers to create policies needed by the region. He cited Telehealth and lagundi cough remedy as among the many successful projects supported by PCHRD that made strong impact to the health of the Filipino people. Describing these projects as proudly made in the Philippines, he hoped that these would inspire Bicolano researchers to create and innovate.

“Ito pong lahat ay through Filipino talent and ingenuity. Tatak Filipino po ito! (These are all made through Filipino talent and ingenuity. These are certified-Pinoy!) Kung may problema sa region, sila rin ang gagawa ng paraan para maadress ang problema na yun, Hindi yung taga-labas. Magagawa lang natin yan kung may kapasidad tayo upang gumawa ng research (If the region has a problem, the people from the region themselves should find the solution. We can only do that if the region has the capacity to do research),” Dr. Montoya said.

Dr. Montoya called on all local researchers to work with PCHRD and BCHRD in strengthening the standard of health research in Bicol.

“Ang hinahangad lang namin ay sana sa pamamagitan nito ay magsimula na rin ang mga researcher sa Bicol na magresearch upang maiiangat natin ang antas ng health research sa region. (I hope that these projects will inspire our local researchersin Bicol to start their research and uplift the standard of health research in region.), said Dr. Montoya.”