TACLOBAN CITY– Behind many government policies and programs are research studies that provide the evidence needed to understand problems, identify solutions, and determine what interventions can make a difference in people’s lives.
In the health sector, research plays an important role in helping policymakers make informed decisions rather than relying solely on assumptions or anecdotal experiences.
The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) is calling on health researchers and students to submit their completed studies for the 2026 Regional Health Research Symposium, providing them an avenue to share research findings that could help address health concerns in the region.
The annual symposium is scheduled on October 13-14, 2026 at the Summit Hotel in Tacloban City, featuring competitions that aim to recognize researchers and promote the use of research evidence in improving health programs and policies.
Studies can reveal emerging health concerns, identify vulnerable populations, measure the effectiveness of existing programs, and provide evidence on where government resources are most needed.
The EVHRDC will hold three major competitions, the Oral Research Paper Presentation, Research Poster Exhibit Contest, and the 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers Competition.
The oral and poster competitions will have professional and student categories. Researchers will present studies highlighting significant findings and their potential contribution to evidence-based health solutions.
For the 3-Minute Pitch competition, researchers will have three minutes and a single slide to present their completed studies to policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing how research findings can be translated into policies and interventions.
The consortium said eligible studies must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda, DOST-Harmonized National R&D Agenda, or Regional Unified Health Research Agenda.
Entries must have been completed within the last two years and must not have been previously featured in the Regional Health Research Symposium (RHRS) or Philippine National Health Research System Week competitions.
Full research papers must not exceed 10 pages, excluding references, and must follow the prescribed format and submission requirements.
Interested participants have until September 18, 2026 to submit electronic copies of their research papers through evhealthresearch2020@gmail.com.
Entries will undergo initial screening for eligibility and completeness, followed by technical evaluation by experts. Research papers obtaining a preliminary score of 85 percent or higher will qualify for the Oral Research Paper Presentation, while those scoring 84 percent or below will be considered for the Research Poster Contest.
For the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC), promoting health research also means strengthening the connection between researchers and policymakers.
Research findings become more valuable when translated into practical recommendations that government agencies and local governments can use in developing policies, programs and services.
Evidence from studies can help policymakers determine whether an existing intervention should be continued, improved, expanded or replaced with a more effective approach.
As health challenges become increasingly complex, research serves not only as a tool for understanding problems but also as a guide for building policies that are responsive, effective and grounded in the actual needs of communities.
Ultimately, when research findings reach the policy table, scientific evidence can become concrete action—helping government deliver better health services and improve the lives of the people it serves.
(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-Leyte)
