The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to institutionalize the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).

The authors of House Bill 6735 are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite), Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao).

Angara said it is important to build the country’s capability for research and development because it can fuel the necessary innovation that will lead to a responsive and efficient health care system.

“The country must provide for a favorable research environment wherein government agencies, non-government organizations, public and private hospitals, academic institutions and private agencies can optimize their research activities,” Angara said.

Palmones said the PNHRS is a framework of cooperation and resource sharing of the core agencies and stakeholders in health research anchored on the principles of inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency and effectiveness.