As part of the effort in establishing a consortium approach Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC), the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) together with Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) had a meeting with the member institutions of the consortium last April 23, 2019 at Grand Regal Hotel. It was led by Dr. Amelia P. Guevara, former undersecretary of Department of Science and Technology and the Chair of the Technical Advisory Group together with Dr. Irene M. Villasenor, a Tuklas Lunas Research Partner. The meeting started with Dr. Guevara’s presentation on the TLDC framework followed by the presentation of Dr. Warlito C. Vicente, Chair of RHRDC XI on the past initiatives done by the consortium. The institutions then presented their strengths in terms of equipment and facilities and human resource capability. A discussion was then made wherein topics regarding intellectual property rights, future collaborative efforts and next steps especially in coming up proposals for TLDC.

The main objective of TLDC is to produce world-class medicines derived from the Philippine biodiversity thru research and equipment grants. In attendance were the heads, research directors and researchers of Brokenshire College (BC), Davao Doctors College (DDC), Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. (DMSFI), San Pedro College (SPC), University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) and University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin).

The meeting was followed by an institutional visit by the PCHRD team to BC, DDC, DMSFI, and SPC last April 24, 2019.  This is to assess the institutions’ capabilities and for the PCHRD team to give guidance and consultation as to what they can do as a research institution.