Overview

The UP Manila is recognized as the country’s leading institution in health research and development. It has the greatest assembly of scholars and researchers who are leaders in their respective fields in the Philippines. The creation of the National Institutes of Health in January 1996 under the UP Manila System was a boost to the existing research infrastructure. With efficient organization, the inquisitive minds of the health researchers were put to task:

1. to develop new health products
2. to search for innovative methods for health promotion and prevention of disease,
3. to address growing health concerns about aging, degenerative diseases, metabolism and disability,
4. to conduct holistic, integrative and transdisciplinary studies on wellness, health communication and health social sciences, and
5. to explore alternatives to Western medicine and study the management of health care systems.

Over the past years, the key leaders of the University of the Philippines have been the strongest supporters for research, including this aspect in their development agenda for their terms of office.

In 2005 current UP President Emerlinda Roman, in starting her term, realized the potential influence of the university not only within but also beyond the nation’s shores. She seeks to “strengthen the UP position as the leading research university in the country and in the region.” UP Manila Chancellor Arcadio takes on the challenge to improve the utilization of research output in the basic and applied sciences to effect real change in the lives of Filipinos.

The existing research infrastructure in UP Manila is headed by the Vice-Chancellor for Research. Research units in each academic and clinical department of the UP College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital conduct studies that comprise much of the research activities in UP Manila. Technical and Ethical Review Boards in both the College of Medicine and the NIH ensure the quality of researches and the adherence to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. The opportunities for internal resource generation at the University level however are lacking and the UP Manila does not have an organized official unit to negotiate with external funding agencies as research sponsors.

In this setting, the Research Grants Administration Office (RGAO) was created. The idea was introduced by representatives of the UPMASA Research Committee. When Dr. Patricio Reyes came to visit UP Manila and the Philippine General Hospital in December 2005, he pointed out that the creation of a central research office should be a priority for UP Manila to become a major player in international research. A central research office would streamline the research funding process and its component units notably PGH and the UP College of Medicine would greatly benefit from the generated research funds. The idea was followed through in the subsequent year and the creation of such an office became one of the major thrusts of the UPMASA. The RGAO has expanded its role upon the approval of the Chancellor to register all researches that emanate from the university employees and trainees.

Brief History

• Created by an Administrative Order No. RLA 07-018 of the UPM Chancellor Dr. Ramon L. Arcadio on January 15, 2007
• Presented to the UP System Presidential Advisory Council for discussion & endorsement by UP President Erlinda Roman to the UP-BOR on August 15, 2007
• Finally approved by the UP Board of Regents in its 1223rd meeting on August 22, 2007
  

Goals and Objectives

1. To rationalize the processing of grants and/or financial support for research in UP Manila
2. To promote UP Manila as a national and international research collaborating center
   

Functions of RGAO

As stipulated in the UPM Administrative Order dated January 15, 2007, the functions consist of the following:

1. To assist investigators in preparing the necessary documents required in applying for grants/funds;
2. To assist investigators in complying with the requirements of the sponsor or organizations/institutions;
3. To serve as the central office that will facilitate and administer research grants, receive funds from sponsor organizations/institutions, request for release of funds to the investigators, conduct internal audit and ensure the proper conduct and subsequent termination of completed projects; and
4. To serve as the liaison and coordinating office between UP Manila and national and international research agencies, particularly with regard to financial matters.

Functioning Chart of RGAO