Taking advantage of health research and data analysis are important in crafting evidence-based policies on tourism and the health sectors, according to the Bohol Provincial Health Office.
Dan Blyke D. Bantugan, health education and promotions officer I of Bohol’s Provincial Health Office (PHO) said that health researchers are ‘badly needed’ in local communities to analyze available data and come up with a study that may be used as a basis in making policies to promote public health.
“In terms of research, we really need it because we just consolidate the data, and we have no anchor to make policies if there is no research. We have a lot of data, but they are not analyzed. They are just collected and submitted to the national level,” Bantugan said.
Bantugan is one of the speakers in a recent webinar series, called Policy Rx: Prescribing Science for Better Decisions initiated by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
According to Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, DOST-PCHRD executive director, the second session titled, “Harnessing Health Research for Multisectoral Policy on Tourism and Health” highlights the vital role of health research in ensuring that tourism contributes not only to economic development but also to the protection and promotion of public health.
Bohol province was designated as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023, due to its unique geological features, rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, making it one of the famous tourist destinations in the country.
“As the tourism sector re-opens and evolves in a post-pandemic world, scientific evidence becomes more crucial in shaping strategies that are safe, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of both travelers and local communities,” Montoya said.
To date, Bohol’s Provincial Health Office has 23 ongoing health programs, and 7 health-related services, which may affect the tourism industry if not properly implemented— according to Bantugan.
For instance, Bantugan shared that Bohol PHO strictly observes environmental sanitation programs, which are crucial in promoting tourism.
“Environmental sanitation issues in the Philippines include open defecation and lack of access to clean water. We cannot promote tourism in Bohol if we don’t have clean water and proper sanitation, so we included this,” Bantugan said.
However, he also shared that the most important services they offer in the context of conducting health research is the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS).
FHSIS is the Philippine’s official health data system, adopted by the Bohol PHO, where it collects and analyzes health data from local facilities such as Barangay Health Stations, Rural Health Units and municipal health offices. This system also supports planning, monitoring, and policymaking by ensuring health programs are based on accurate, grassroots-level data.
On the other hand, Product Development Officer of Bohol Provincial Tourism Office Gina Peluchi Kapirig said that there are common challenges in terms of ensuring healthy and sustainable tourism both in the interests of tourists and those working in the sector that need to be addressed.
This includes poor information dissemination and lack of capacity-building activities in terms of data monitoring among staff of local government units (LGUs).
“It’s very important na collaborative ang tourism sector with the rural-municipal health [office], kasi sa kanila nanggagaling ‘yong information eh. It’s important na ma-disseminate ‘yon not only sa tourism sector, but at the same time, sa academe. Sa ganoong level nasisimulan kasi yung mga prevention,” Kapirig said.
Moreover, aside from the webinar, the DOST-PCHRD has also kicked off the Early-Career Researcher’s Workshop on Policymaking for Health on June 25, 2025, at Kew Hotel, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, where select researchers with PCHRD-supported projects are expected to produce policy pitches and policy brief outlines as key outputs of the workshop.
Policy Rx: Prescribing Science for Better Decisions is a new DOST-PCHRD initiative featuring a series of webinars and podcasts: The Bridged Research and Policy. It serves as a platform for experts, researchers, and policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss evidence-based solutions to pressing health, science and social problems. This is among the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph
Select researchers with PCHRD-supported projects join the Introduction to Evidence-Informed Policymaking for Health Early-Career Researcher’s Workshop on June 25, 2025, at Kew Hotel, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The workshop is a side event of the Policy Rx: Prescribing Science for Better Decisions webinar series initiated by the DOST-PCHRD (Photo from DOST-PCHRD).
Photo of the famous chocolate hills found in Bohol province, which is considered as one of the famous tourist spots in the country. (Photo from Adobe Stock).
