Davao Region has diverse researches in agriculture, economic, health, education and other sectors to fill the gaps in the local setting. Many of these researches however is not cascaded and implemented as policies that could benefit the society.

On September 13 and 14, 2018, researches in the region funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) were invited to participate the Workshop on the Translation of Health Research Outputs into Policy Briefs. The main objective of the workshop is to translate health research outputs in the region into strategies that can provide solution to health-related issues in the local setting.  The resource speakers were Dr. Romulo D. Tagalo of PENRO Davao del Norte, Dr. Mervin G. Gascon of the University of Southeastern Philippines and Ms. Anelyn G. Binancilan of Mindanao Development Authority. Dr. Tagalo elaborated the definition of policy and its processes as well as the role of the government in implementing public policies. Meanwhile, Dr. Gascon shared the ‘how-to’ in preparing policy brief and guided the participants in drafting policies based on their researches. Furthermore, Ms. Binancilan explained priority policy reform initiatives of the Mindanao Development Authority which can also guide the participants in crafting their research into local policies.

The need to enhance policies in the local level should commence now to serve as guide in the implementation of health programs and increase the development of health policies in the region.  During the presentation, one of the policies recommended by the researchers is intensifying sanitation standards and monitoring strategies of the accrediting body to ensure hygienic practices in hospitals. The developed policy briefs is expected to be presented in the upcoming quarterly meeting of the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) XI  of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI which is the highest planning and policy-making body of Davao region.

-By MDMC