RITM - Biorisk Management Office

30/09/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗭𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦

The RITM National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, in collaboration with the RITM Biorisk Management Office, successfully conducted the Infectious Substance Shipping Training on September 16-18, 2026, at the Quest Plus Conference Center, Muntinlupa City.

The three-day training brought together participants from Department of Health (DOH) institutions across various regions, including healthcare professionals from Regional Centers for Health Development (CHDs), DOH-accredited hospitals, City Health Offices, and RITM Virology staffs. The activity provided an opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the proper handling, packaging, documentation, and shipment of infectious substances in accordance with the established guidelines of WHO, DOH and RITM, and IATA regulations.

Through this initiative, RITM continues to strengthen the capacity of public health professionals and promote a culture of safety and responsibility in infectious substance management. Together, we work toward safer laboratory practices and a stronger public health system.

24/09/2026

04/09/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟-𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗠

The RITM Department of Virology, in collaboration with the Institute’s Biorisk Management Office, conducted an Applied Biosafety Training on August 3–5 and 24, 2026, for members of the Department of Virology Biosafety Committee, composed of representatives from the different National Reference Laboratories and support units within the department.

The activity strengthened participants’ competencies in biosafety and biorisk management through lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and practical exercises. The training forms part of the Department of Virology’s continuing efforts to promote a strong culture of safety and maintain a safe and effective laboratory environment.

02/09/2026

27/08/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬, 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗦' 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗭𝗢𝗡-𝗖𝗛𝗗

The Biological Risk Management Office (BRMO), in collaboration with the Center for Health Development–CALABARZON Region, successfully conducted the five-day Cross Sectoral One Health Training on Biosafety, Biosecurity and Biorisk Management with Respirator Fit Test Officer's Training from August 17 to 21, 2026, at Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central.

A total of 15 participants successfully completed the training program, comprising allied health laboratory professionals and practitioners from the agriculture, animal health, and fisheries sectors. The training enhanced their knowledge and skills in identifying biological hazards, conducting biorisk assessments, and implementing appropriate control measures to minimize occupational exposure and prevent the spread of biological hazards across diverse work environments.

The training further underscored the critical role of biorisk management within a One Health framework, enhancing participants’ capacity to identify, assess, and manage biological risks associated with emerging and zoonotic diseases across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. As the first cross‑sectoral activity of its kind conducted by BRMO, the programme convened participants from DOH, DA, and DENR, demonstrating the practical application of the One Health approach and strengthening collaborative competencies essential for managing biological risks across interconnected systems.

The successful conduct of this training was made possible through the initiative of Ms. Myla A. Velgado, RMT, CBO, DMM, MPM‑HG, Program Manager of the Regional Laboratory Network and National Voluntary Services Program and Development Management Officer IV – PDOHO Rizal, and Dr. Anacleta P. Valdez, FPSP, MHA, PhD, Chairperson of the Regional Laboratory Network, together with their dedicated team. Their leadership and coordinated efforts were instrumental in ensuring the smooth laboratory operation and in advancing CHD CALABARZON's commitment to strengthening biorisk management capacities across sectors.

24/08/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬, 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗛𝗗-𝗠𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine–Biological Risk Management Office (RITM–BRMO), in partnership with the Health Facility and Development Unit–MIMAROPA Region, successfully conducted the 2nd Applied Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Biorisk Management (BBBRM) Training from August 10 to 14, 2026, at Richmonde Hotel Eastwood, Quezon City.

A total of 32 participants from selected clinical laboratories in MIMAROPA have successfully completed this training program. The participants were given the opportunity to observe best biosafety practices at the Rizal Medical Center (RMC) Clinical Laboratory.

The training strengthened their ability to identify laboratory hazards, assess biological risks, select appropriate biorisk mitigation measures, and demonstrate effective response to spills, incidents, and biological emergencies, and promote a strong culture of biosafety and biosecurity.

RITM-BRMO has expressed sincere appreciation for the time and support extended by Rizal Medical Center, particularly to their Director, Dr. Maria Rica M. Lumague, FPCS, MHA, the Chief Medical Technologist of the Clinical Laboratory, Ms. Minda Aguenza, RMT and RMC Biosafety Officers, Dr. Cyril Kim Evangelista and Mr. Justine Lorenz Falzado, RMT. The best practices they shared has contributed to the learning experience of the participants.

The successful conduct of the training was made possible through the initiative and coordination of Ms. Pauline Tanya G. Yap, RN, MPH, OIC of the Health Facility Development Unit (HFDU)-MIMAROPA CHD and Ms. Angela Kaye T. Reyes, RN, MPH, Senior Health Program Officer of the HFDU-MIMAROPA CHD, together with their dedicated team.

17/07/2026

30/06/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘: 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐀 (𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐆𝐘𝐎 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐒) 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒

This Advisory aims to provide clear and comprehensive instructions for disease reporting units/public health units regarding the safe collection, handling, proper packaging, and submission of specimens for confirmatory testing of suspected cases of Ebola virus (Bundibugyo virus). The updated procedures are intended to ensure the safety of personnel and the integrity of specimens throughout the referral process.

All concerned units are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined herein to minimize the risk of exposure, prevent specimen contamination, and facilitate timely and accurate laboratory testing. Proper coordination with the designated reference laboratories and compliance with biosafety and biosecurity standards are essential to support effective surveillance and response efforts.

For strict compliance and immediate dissemination to all concerned personnel.

For the full instructions, please refer to the full advisory at: https://bit.ly/4wnJwo9

26/06/2026

Another impactful training program has successfully concluded through the initiative of the BSL SNRL team and trainers support from RITM.

BRMO is proud to deliver this pioneering training program, advancing Laboratory Biorisk Management through the implementation of ISO 35001:2019.

Together with our partners, BRMO remains committed to developing relevant, needs-based training programs that deliver practical, transformative, and impactful learning opportunities, strengthening laboratory capacity and fostering a sustainable culture of biosafety, biosecurity, quality, and continuous improvement.

19/05/2026

The Biological Risk Management Office congratulates the 1055 completers from Batch 11 of the BRM Academy - Online Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Biorisk Management Training (BBBRM), achieving 97% completion rate!