CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines— Samar State University (SSU), recognized for its leadership in research ethics in Eastern Visayas, spearheaded an Online Benchmarking Program of its Institutional Human Research Ethics Committee (IHREC) on September 16, 2025, via Zoom Web Conferencing, in accommodation to the benchmarking request of Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas and Palawan State University.
The activity was joined by Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, SSU President, Sariah R. Villanueva, Coordinator of the Research Ethics Section of Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas, and Jemimah G. Pizarro-Ompad, Chairperson of the Research Ethics Review Committee of Palawan State University.
The benchmarking proper was led by Dr. Rheajane A. Rosales, Chairperson of SSU-IHREC. Meanwhile, Ms. Angelica Dawn Dejarme, IHREC member and Chairperson of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), presented the committee’s institutional profile. Afterward, an open forum provided an avenue for a productive discussion and sharing of best practices.
This initiative highlights SSU’s commitment to advancing ethical standards in research as a Level 1 Accredited Research Ethics Committee recognized by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), and the only academic institution in Region VIII to have passed the PHREB accreditation in 2024.