TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Samar State University (SSU) marked a strong presence at the 2025 Regional Health Research Symposium (RHRS) that commenced yesterday, December 1, and will conclude today at Summit Hotel, Tacloban City, with SSU officials and researchers actively participating in the region’s premier health research gathering themed “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Eastern Visayas.”
SSU was represented by University President Dr. Redentor Palencia and Executive Director for Research Dr. Sherrie Ann Labid, who attended the event to support the institution’s research engagements and strengthen SSU’s role in regional health initiatives. The symposium brought together health experts, academics, and policymakers from across Eastern Visayas to present research findings and promote collaborative solutions.
Two SSU academics served as plenary speakers during the opening day.
Dr. Noel Espallardo, Dean of the Samar Island Institute of Medicine, delivered a session on “Harnessing Transdisciplinary Approaches for Health Systems Strengthening.” His talk emphasized the need for cross-sector efforts to address persistent gaps in the region’s health systems and build resilience against emerging health challenges.
Ms. Christine Capidos, Science Research Specialist, presented the plenary topic “From Sea to Society: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Jellyfish Awareness and Risk Management in Eastern Visayas.” She highlighted the rising threat posed by box jellyfish (Chironex yamaguchii) in coastal communities and called for urgent policy attention to what she described as a “silent but serious” public health concern.
The two SSU-led sessions formed part of the RHRS 2025’s broader objective of advancing integrated, evidence-based initiatives for regional health development. The symposium, spearheaded by the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) convened a diverse lineup of attendees, including representatives from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), and the UP Manila National Institutes of Health, along with medical institutions, national government agencies, and other academic partners in the region. The two-day program featured plenary sessions, research paper and poster competitions, and panel discussions focusing on health systems, community resilience, and evidence-based policymaking.
SSU’s participation underscored the university’s commitment to contributing scientific expertise, fostering partnerships, and supporting health research that directly benefits communities in Samar and the wider region.