The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council of Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya said that the country’s health researchers are very competitive not just with the Southeast Asian nations but also with other countries around the world.
However, Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the country needs more experts specializing on the animals and how it will affect humans, under the Philippines’ One Health approach.
“I have proven this. The University of the Philippines Manila, which is one of our core agencies conducting research on health—when I looked at the citation index that we conducted at [DOST-PCHRD]—it surpassed the citation of Harvard University and other leading universities in America,” Montoya said during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference on Wednesday, highlighting the competence of Filipino health researchers.
According to Dr. Pio Justin V. Asuncion, chief of the Health Research Division of the Department of Health (DOH), One Health is an integrated approach that requires multi-sectoral collaboration.
“[It’s] not just a responsibility only those in the health sector would have accountability on. Meaning to say, this requires even more focus by other agencies to really put an investment to address any issues and challenges revolving around One Health,” Asuncion said.
One Health approach recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected and that sustainability requires integrated actions across these sectors.
Moreover, Solidum cited an example addressing the lack of researchers in the country. He said it has been a vision of the agency to take the lead among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing liver problems, however he said one of the concerns in DOH and PCHRD is the human resource capacity to address liver diseases in the country.
To address this, the DOST, through the PCHRD has partnered with the Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) and Liver Institute in Italy under the University of Trieste, to advance liver research.
“We are sending PCHRD students to focus on liver diseases, not only the treatment but more on the preventive side, focused on nutrition and other diagnostics. The idea is to, and we have established a liver network for the Philippines already, but we want to take the lead in ASEAN so that we can actually, later on if we have the lead, we can also invite other potential customers from other countries to come to the Philippines,” Solidum said.
Meanwhile, Montoya said that One Health concept is not just for public health, but also for emergency preparedness.
“You already heard [about] the transmission of COVID-19 vaccines. Did you know that the Philippines is one of the countries in the world that has the most diverse and has the most species of bats. And because of that, we have been identified by much research, including WHO, that could be the beginning of the next pandemic,” Montoya said, highlighting the importance of conducting studies to understand how viruses can spread from animals and humans.
However, despite the fact there could have another pandemic, Montoya said the Philippines is better equipped to address this, especially with the establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP), which is probably the first research institution where experts in animals, plants, and humans will work and research under one roof, according to Montoya.
“To our health researchers, we need your energy. To our local and international partners, we need your continued cooperation. To the Regional Health Research and Development Consortia, we need your influence. To the PNHRS implementing agencies, we need your steady guidance and continued support,” Solidum said.
The Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference served as a platform to officially kick off the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration, conducted in Legazpi City, Albay.
Hosted by the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) in partnership with the DOST-PCHRD, the 18th PNHRS Week served as a national convergence point for regional research consortia, academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations championing health equity through science and innovation.
Anchored on the theme “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Philippines,” the celebration highlighted the urgent need for collaborative frameworks that break down gaps between disciplines and sectors to deliver holistic, evidence-based responses to public threats.
The 18th PNHRS Week is one of the many initiatives of the DOST through its DOST-PCHRD 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. (Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)
Caption: DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, together with DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. speaks before the media during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference held on August 13, 2025, at La Piazza Hotel, Legazpi City Albay. The press conference is conducted to officially kick off the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration. (Photo by Rosemarie C. Senora, DOST-STII)
