The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) held its health research-to-policy workshop, "Turning Evidence into Policy," capacitating researchers in decoding research findings into policy inputs.

The series intends to contribute to a more informed and strengthened health policy landscape in the country.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized how the workshop represents the Council's continuous commitment to ensuring that health research evidence is amplified in platforms that are instrumental to translation and implementation.

"Through this workshop series, we aim to provide our health researchers with the necessary tools and skillset to engage the public and decision makers, with the vision to move research findings from the shelves into active community use," Solidum said.

The 3-day workshop featured lectures, mentoring sessions, and hands-on trainings intended to strengthen participants' training in translating research findings into policy-oriented outputs and engaging with policymakers.

The first two days of the workshop were facilitated by Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines Manila – College of Public Health (UPM-CPH) Romulo Nieva Jr.

Other facilitators included Dr. Ma. Esmeralda Silva-Javier, a professor at UPM-CPH, and Dr. Jason Ligot, an international health promotion specialist and Director for Development Communications at Organic Intelligence Consulting.

"Gathering researchers from across different regions in the country, we hope that this workshop will prove instrumental in bringing forth policies and practices that will help improve our health services and programs for the better health and well-being of the Filipino people," Solidum added.