11/09/2026
DOST REGION 02 AND CVHRDC HOLD TRAINING ON PROPOSAL PACKAGING FOR ICT APPLICATION ON HEALTH
The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 2 (DOST Region 02), through the Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium (CVHRDC), successfully conducted the Training on Proposal Packaging for ICT Application on Health on September 9–11, 2026, at the Cagayan Coliseum, Tuguegarao City. This activity was held as part of the 2026 Cagayan Valley Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW), themed "Science, Technology and Digital Innovation Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy, and National Resilience."
The training aimed to strengthen the capabilities of researchers in preparing well-structured, technically sound, and potentially fundable research proposals that apply information and communications technology (ICT) to address pressing health-related needs and concerns.
The session was graced by Rev. Fr. Macwayne Nimez Maniwang, CICM, STL, PhD, Fifth President of the University of Saint Louis, who delivered the welcome remarks and expressed his support for research initiatives that bridge technology and community health. In his inspirational message, Dr. Julius T. Capili, Dean of the Graduate School of Cagayan State University and Executive Director of the CVHRDC, emphasized the importance of connecting health research with emerging technologies to better deliver research outputs to communities in need.
Serving as resource speaker, Dr. Arnel Fajardo, Dean of the College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology at Isabela State University–Cauayan Campus and recognized University Top Faculty Researcher in Scopus-indexed publications, guided participants through the fundamentals of digital health innovation. The training explored emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, geographic information systems (GIS), and mobile platforms, and their growing role in public health research, with a particular focus on reframing health challenges—such as vector surveillance and disease monitoring—into structured ICT research opportunities.
A highlight of the training was its hands-on, workshop-driven design. Participants were guided through a full learning journey covering the digital health landscape and emerging ICT innovations in healthcare; the essential elements of an ICT-based health research proposal; and design thinking approaches for refining ICT solutions to health problems. Through a series of workshops, participants formed teams, identified problems, developed concept ideas, and progressively drafted and refined their own concept proposals—covering background, problem statement, objectives, proposed ICT innovation, expected outputs, potential impact, initial budget, and sustainability.
Aldersgate College, Inc. was well represented at the training, with participants coming from the RDE Unit, namely Jovelyn A. Detablan from the RDE Cluster, and Tyrone Marcial Lopez and Maricar Daculan from the RPAS Unit.
The ACI participants presented their proposed project output during the workshop, which was critiqued by the experts for further improvement, in preparation for a possible proposal submission to the DOST's 2028 research funding cycle.
Through the support of its President and his administration, Aldersgate College, Inc. reaffirms its commitment to advancing research that is not only scientifically sound but also responsive to the health needs of communities across the region.
This initiative is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – advancing research that addresses public health challenges through innovative solutions.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – promoting the application of ICT and digital innovation in health research.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – strengthening collaboration among academic institutions, researchers, and the health research consortium.
The CVHRDC, under DOST Region 02, will continue to facilitate capacity-building initiatives such as this, ensuring that researchers across the Cagayan Valley region are equipped to produce impactful, fundable, and technology-driven health research proposals.