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Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), officially launched the national research agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Health (DRR-CCA) on August 15, 2024, during the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week in Butuan. This initiative builds upon the 2023 update of the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and is the result of a comprehensive project titled “Development of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Health Research Agenda 2023-2028.”

Led by Dr. Carlos Primero Gundran of the UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Health (UPM DRRM-H) Program, the project seeks to align research and development efforts with the country’s evolving needs in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation, ensuring that these efforts contribute meaningfully to the health sector.

The Philippines, which is ranked among the most disaster-vulnerable countries by the 2022 World Risk Index, faces a critical shortage of research focused on the health aspects of DRR and CCA. Addressing this gap, the UPM DRRM-H Program, in partnership with DOST-PCHRD, embarked on a series of consultative meetings across the country’s regions. These consultations aimed to identify six priority research areas related to DRR and CCA. The project involved various health experts and stakeholders from the academe, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local government units.

Dr. Gundran emphasized the importance of local expertise in disaster research, stating, “Ang daming disasters sa Pilipinas… tayo ang expert sa disaster, pero bakit ang nagpa-publish ng research ay mga banyaga? So, the goal is i-encourage natin ang mga Pinoy, kasi tayo ang expert, dapat tayo ang nagpa-publish.” He added that robust research and evidence are crucial for improving disaster response planning and strengthening public health services across the country.

The agenda development involved four nationwide consultation meetings covering all 17 regions. These meetings identified 121 research topics, reflecting the unique geographic, economic, and cultural contexts of each region. The topics were synthesized into seven comprehensive themes:

1. Community Resilience, Engagement, and Participation in Health Emergencies and Disasters – Focuses on community-driven approaches and capacity-building to enhance resilience.
2. Climate Change Adaptation, Prevention, and Mitigation – Examines the health impacts of climate change and explores innovative solutions in water management and sanitation.
3. Surveillance, Data Management, and Technology – Highlights the use of emerging technologies and data management to tackle challenges in DRR and CCA.
4. Food Security and Nutrition – Addresses the importance of nutrition and food security during disasters, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.
5. Governance and Policies in DRR and CCA in Health – Analyzes existing policies and explores opportunities for strengthening the healthcare system.
6. Health Service Delivery – Ensures the provision of essential healthcare services throughout the disaster cycle.
7. Mental Health and Psychosocial Services – Focuses on the psychological and social impacts of disasters.

The project’s regional consultations began with an initial meeting in Cebu City on January 31, 2024, involving participants from the Visayas region. This was followed by a Luzon meeting in Baguio City on February 21, 2024, and an NCR cluster meeting on March 8, 2024. The consultations will culminate with the Mindanao cluster meeting in Davao City from April 3 to 5, 2024. A national multi-stakeholder workshop is scheduled for April 17, 2024, to finalize the research agenda.

The project team, composed of esteemed experts such as Dr. Ofelia Saniel, Dr. Ronald Law, Dr. Jessie Manuta, former PGH Director Juan Nanagas, Dr. Pauline Convocar, and the UPM DRRM-H staff, played a pivotal role in shaping the agenda. The project concluded in June 2024 with a total funding support of PhP 4,897,004 from DOST-PCHRD.

Through this collaboration, UP Manila and DOST-PCHRD aim to strengthen the nation’s capacity to address health challenges posed by disasters and climate change, ensuring a more resilient future for all Filipinos.

Source: DOST-PCHRD, UP Manila launch national research agenda for DRR-CCA in health 

National Health Research Agenda in DRR and CCA 2023-2028 Booklet – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (dost.gov.ph)