The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) conducted a two-day Research Ethics Training in Miriam College from April 23-24. It was attended by 40 participants from the Higher Education and Basic Education Units and the Miriam Advocacy Centers (MACs).  Participants were composed of administrators, department chairs, research teachers, and guidance counselors.

PHREB is the main policy making body on health research ethics in the Philippines and is responsible for the establishment, accreditation, and monitoring of functional and effective Research Ethics Committees (REC) around the country. Organized by the Quality Assurance Office and the Center for Strategic Research, the training gave participants a better understanding of the concepts and principles of research ethics needed in conducting ethics review of various research proposals.

The training is the school’s initial step toward the creation of an institutional REC accredited by PHREB. Accredited RECs can issue Ethics Clearance which is now being required by the government in conducting researches especially those that may compromise the rights and dignity of human participants. Having an REC will facilitate the conduct of the researches by members of the Miriam community and ensure that they are being done within ethical and legal bounds.

The resource persons were PHREB Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy Chair and UP-Manila College of Medicine Professor Dr. Ricardo Manalastas, Jr. and Ateneo De Manila University Research Ethics Office Director and Department of Psychology Associate Professor Dr. Liane Alampay.