Filipino health researchers from across the country competed in a clocked oral research presentation aimed to encourage government leaders and decision-makers to adopt evidence-based solutions, especially on pressing health issues in the country.
Acknowledging the importance of bridging the gap between scientific studies and public policy, the Department of Science and Technology, through its Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) conducted the ‘3-Minute Pitch to Policy Makers’ competition as part of the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration.
Sixteen finalists representing different regions presented their health studies along with their policy recommendations on urgent and relevant issues on health in their respective communities.
“It kind of forces the researchers to get the skills on how to really present the research that should be transformed into a policy. Because that is really one of the weaknesses especially of the health researchers. Our framework is, what is the knowledge gap? It's not what is the policy gap. So, but definitely, all, if not nearly all, if not all researchers should have a policy implication,” Dr. Maria Carmela Lapitan, chairperson of the Research Utilization Committee of the Philippine National Health Research said in an interview.
She added that by doing these types of competitions, it forces the researchers to think about the policy implications of their studies and be able to get the skill, comfort and confidence to present it and pitch the results so that it can be translated into actionable programs.
On the other hand, House Committee on Health Secretary Erwin Vicman Lara said that health researchers should know how to identify the policy gaps and what would be the concrete proposals arising from those, before developing a study and to ensure that these studies will be adopted into policies.
“The common thing that we noticed earlier, is that they're very strong in terms of identifying the problem, the situation. As well as the recommendation in terms of programs, how do you identify the policy gaps? And what would be the concrete proposals arising from the policy gaps? That's the area that needs to be developed. Maybe in the future, [in] events like this, that's the important thing to see,” Lara added.
Pitch Perfect: Meet the Winners
The study titled “Where Will High-risk Pregnant Women Go?” by Dr. Ana Pholyn Balahadia-Mortel of the Calabarzon region wins the first prize. Her study analyzes the national and local policies on the birthing of primigravid and grand multigravid women in the Philippines.
Caption: DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Monotoya congratulates Dr. Dr. Ana Pholyn Balahadia-Mortel for winning 1st place at the 3-Minute Pitch to Policy Makers Competition, held on August 14, 2025 at the Marison Hotel, Legazpi City, Albay.
Second place was awarded to Michael G. Bacus, with the study titled, “Towards Safer Communities: Mitigating Emergency Infectious Diseases in Davao City” from Region XI. His study advocates the use of ‘One Health’ framework in addressing emerging infectious diseases and in developing locally responsive solutions in his locality.
Moreover, the study on analyzing the suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm behavior of youth in Ifugao province, got the third place.
Dr. Florence Bahni’s study of the Ifugao State University recommends policy makers to establish Linggop—a community-based, accessible mental health care program which will cater to the needs of young people at risk of mental health.
“I must say that the topics earlier are diverse and are very, very important and very relevant. Say, for example, our concern in mental health. That's why it's important that we mentioned earlier that maybe later, the research should be developed in terms of identifying gaps because we're already replete with so many laws, but it's new. So, in the course of implementing it, we can identify where the problem is,” Lara said.
The participants were judged based on the policy relevance, timeliness and feasibility.
The winners received P30,000; P20,000; and P10,000 pesos for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placers, respectively.
The 3-Minute Pitch 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: Second and third place of the 3-Minute Pitch to Policy Makers competition Mr. Michael G. Bacus and Dr. Florence Bahni receive their awards along with Dr. Jaime C. Montoya and Dr. Maria Carmela Lapitan.
