Key academic leadership of Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) convened for a virtual orientation on the Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN) on September 24, 2026, via Zoom, aimed at fortifying its institutional capacity for research excellence and accessibility.
The virtual orientation was organized through a strategic partnership between the institution’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) and Research and Extension Office (REO), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).
As the official national health research registry of the Philippines managed by DOST-PCHRD, HERDIN serves as an online platform providing seamless access to bibliographical and full-text health and health-related research output produced across the country.
Led by Ms. Grace Ruth Daulat, HERDIN Training Lead, the session introduced the platform’s features, tools, and expansive health research database designed to support the academic, scientific, and information needs of the NCF community.
Ms. Daulat highlighted HERDIN’s growing repository, which houses over 64,000 publicly available records contributed by nearly 100 partner institutions, including publishers, research consortia, and higher education institutions nationwide.
The ongoing negotiations between NCF and DOST-PCHRD are focused on finalizing the terms of agreement, addressing onboarding and logistical requirements, and preparing institutional researchers for active participation in the upcoming HERDIN Research Camp.
Highlighting the momentum of the partnership, LRC noted in a social media update: “We look forward to more opportunities to work together with DOST-PCHRD in supporting research and strengthening access to valuable health research information for our academic community.”
The orientation gathered key administrators, college deans, program chairpersons, and faculty members across academic disciplines, including Dr. Nora Elizabeth F. Maniquiz, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Josephine Francia R. Villanueva, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies; Dr. Marilyn F. Balares, Assistant Vice President for Tertiary Education and Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education; Dr. Onward O. Ognita, Dean of the College of Teacher Education; Dr. Fausto C. Romero, Jr., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Anna Loretta C. Romulo, Dean of the College of Computer Studies; Ms. Lorence Aster B. Pellejera, Dean of the College of Accountancy and Finance; Dr. Ronel B. Simon, Research and Extension Director; Ms. Mary Rose G. Delovieres, Chief Librarian; and Ms. Rica Raphaela DR. Villanueva, Head of the Center for Language and Program Development.
Through this trailblazing initiative, NCF reinforces its commitment to expanding its digital research ecosystem, empowering faculty and student researchers with high-impact national databases to drive evidence-based health research and regional development.