Regional Ethics Monitoring Board VI

Western Visayas regional ethics group breaks boundaries, trains 65 researchers in Bohol

Breaking new ground in the promotion of research integrity, the Regional Ethics Monitoring Board (REMB) VI, serving as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) for the Visayas Cluster, successfully facilitated a Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) for Bohol Island State University (BISU) last March 18-19, 2026, at Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

REMB VI, based in the Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas, serves as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in implementing its policies and in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human participants in research. This event, the BRET, marks a milestone as the first ethics training facilitated by REMB VI outside of Western Visayas. Its primary objective was to equip the academic leaders and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of research ethics principles and provide hands-on experience in the evaluation of research protocols involving human participants.

The two-day training program was led by a team of PHREB-accredited trainers, including Prof. Lerma L. Paris (Chair, REMB VI Committee on Information, Dissemination, Training and Advocacy), Dr. Manuel Emerson S. Donaldo (Professor of Medicine, Cebu Institute of Medicine), and Dr. Leah Wilfreda R.E. Pilongo (Dean of Research and Graduate School, University of Bohol). Their combined expertise provided a rigorous academic and practical framework for the participants.

A total of 65 attendees participated in the sessions, a group that included research directors and members of the Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC) panels from all six BISU campuses.
Currently, BISU functions with an acting chair and an approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). With the completion of the BRET, the university is now positioned to: strengthen the RERC functions and operations ensuring that the institution complies with the accreditation standards; enhance data privacy; and improve the ethical framework on how research findings are shared and utilized by the public.

Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, University President of BISU, emphasized in his message that upon completing the two-day BRET, participants become ambassadors of ethical research, promoting compliance with ethical standards in studies involving human participants within their institutions.

DOST Western Visayas, serving as the Secretariat of REMB VI, plays a key role in advancing the Board’s mandate by promoting initiatives that foster a culture of ethical research. Through sustained coordination, capacity-building, and strategic partnerships, it strengthens the implementation of research ethics standards across Western Visayas and the broader Visayas Cluster.

By extending this specialized training beyond regional boundaries, REMB VI, together with DOST Western Visayas, reaffirms its commitment to capacitating research ethics committees across the Visayas and ensuring the protection of human participants in research.

Photos courtesy of the official student publication of Bohol Island State University - Main Campus.

The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) announces the publication of its 2022–2024 Annual Reports, made possible through the committed leadership of the Board and the dedicated work of the PHREB Secretariat. These reports underscore the key accomplishments and sustained initiatives of the PHREB, its committees, and the Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards (REMBs) in strengthening ethical oversight and upholding ethical standards in health research in the Philippines. This is aligned with the Philippine National Health Research System's goal of generating, utilizing, and disseminating ethical, high-quality health research that contributes to improved health outcomes and supports national development. Stakeholders are invited to access the full reports through the PHREB website.

https://ethics.healthresearch.ph/.../47-phreb-annual-reports

The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) announces the publication of its 2022–2024 Annual Reports, made possible through the committed leadership of the Board and the dedicated work of the PHREB Secretariat. These reports underscore the key accomplishments and sustained initiatives of the PHREB, its committees, and the Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards (REMBs) in strengthening ethical oversight and upholding ethical standards in health research in the Philippines. This is aligned with the Philippine National Health Research System's goal of generating, utilizing, and disseminating ethical, high-quality health research that contributes to improved health outcomes and supports national development. Stakeholders are invited to access the full reports through the PHREB website.

https://ethics.healthresearch.ph/index.php/phoca-downloads/category/47-phreb-annual-reports

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) through the Regional Ethics Monitoring Board VI - Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (REMB VI - CIDTA) held an orientation on "Research Ethics: Definition, Principles, and Governance" on March 21, 2025, at the Library Extension, JBLFMU Molo. Researchers, advisers, and research coordinators from all JBLFMU campuses (Molo, Arevalo, and Bacolod) attended. Prof. Lerma L. Paris (Chair, REMB VI CIDTA) served as resource person.

JBLFMU plans to finalize its Institutional Research Ethics Review Board (IRERB) composition and later apply for PHREB Level 1 Accreditation.
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REMB VI serves as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in implementing its policies and in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human participants in health and health-related research.

Continuing research ethics training at the University of St. La Salle. Researchers and new members of the Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC) completed a two-day Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) on March 17-18, 2025, at USLS, Bacolod City. This training addresses recommendations from accreditors for the RERC's ongoing PHREB Level 2 accreditation application.
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REMB VI serves as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in implementing its policies and in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human participants in health and health-related research.

Leveling up research ethics in Western Visayas! The Regional Ethics Monitoring Board (REMB) VI, through its Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (CIDTA), facilitated a two-day Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) for the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD). The training was held last February 12-13, 2025, at the Cone Hall, Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City, and was attended by Health Program Officers, Administrative Officers, and Research Committee members of DOH WV CHD. The lectures and discussions clarified concerns, particularly in streamlining the proposal evaluation process from technical review to ethics clearance.
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REMB VI serves as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in implementing its policies and in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human participants in health and health-related research.

Strengthening research ethics at Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST)! The Regional Ethics Monitoring Board (REMB) VI, through its Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (CIDTA), recently facilitated a two-day Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) for ISUFST researchers, administrators, and potential Research Ethics Committee (REC) members on February 5-6, 2025, at Sam's 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. The training provided the institution with direction and guidance as they finalize their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and composition of their REC.

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REMB VI serves as the regional arm of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) in implementing its policies and in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human participants in health and health-related research.

DAY 1 (Pre-conference Session): 17th PNHRS Week Celebration PHREB Training of Trainers Phase 2 at Cabadbaran Hall, Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

Research Ethics Committee (REC) members of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and West Visayas State University (WVSU) completed the Training of Trainers Phase 2 organized by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). The activity aims to further capacitate potential trainers from various institutions in the country and ensure the effective delivery of PHREB-CIDTA’s training modules on Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) and Good Research Practice (GRP) Training.

Participants present are Mr. John Michael Gabriel Torrefranca Zaragoza (CLMMRH), Dr. Emmanuel S. Prudente (CLMMRH), Dr. Michelle Viva Lemoncito-Tolosa (CLMMRH), Dr. Joy C. Lizada (WVSU), Prof. Lerma L. Paris (WVSU), and Atty. Roberto P. Villanueva (WVSU).

Ready for the 4th PHREB Biennial Summit?

Former Chairperson of the DOST Vaccine Expert Panel and former Dean of the UP Manila - College of Public Health Dr. Nina G. Gloriani will deliver the keynote address for this year's event, focusing on the challenges in advancing and scaling up of ethical research in the country.

Tune in to the DOST-PCHRD and PHREB page this coming May 13, 2024 to watch her keynote address!

Ready for the 4th PHREB Biennial Summit?

Former Chairperson of the DOST Vaccine Expert Panel and former Dean of the UP Manila - College of Public Health Dr. Nina G. Gloriani will deliver the keynote address for this year's event, focusing on the challenges in advancing and scaling up of ethical research in the country.

Tune in to the DOST-PCHRD and PHREB page this coming May 13, 2024 to watch her keynote address!

Take a quick look at this year's PHREB Biennial Summit!

Following the theme: “The Changing Landscape of Ethical Research: Issues, Challenges, and Possibilities," the two-day summit will feature sessions that will touch on the evolving challenges and relevant issues in research ethics review. Join us online as we discuss the changing landscape of conducting ethical research this coming May 13-14, 2024. All sessions will be broadcasted online through the DOST-PCHRD and PHREB page.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Take a quick look at this year's PHREB Biennial Summit!

Following the theme: “The Changing Landscape of Ethical Research: Issues, Challenges, and Possibilities," the two-day summit will feature sessions that will touch on the evolving challenges and relevant issues in research ethics review. Join us online as we discuss the changing landscape of conducting ethical research this coming May 13-14, 2024. All sessions will be broadcasted online through the DOST-PCHRD and PHREB page.

Stay tuned for more updates!