Health research crucial in making evidence-based local policies on health and tourism

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TAKING advantage of health research and data analysis is crucial in crafting evidence-based policies in the tourism and health sectors, according to the Bohol Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Dan Blyke Bantugan, health education and promotions officer I of Bohol PHO, emphasized the need for health researchers in local communities to analyze available data and develop studies to guide policymaking. “We need research because we just consolidate data without an anchor to make policies. We have a lot of data, but they are not analyzed. They are just collected and submitted to the national level,” Bantugan explained.

HEALTH RESEARCHERS Select researchers with PCHRD-supported projects join the Introduction to Evidence-Informed Policymaking for Health Early-Career Researchers’ Workshop on June 25, 2025, at the Kew Hotel, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. PHOTO FROM DOST-PCHRD

Bantugan spoke during a recent webinar series, Policy Rx: Prescribing Science for Better Decisions, organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, DOST-PCHRD executive director, noted that the session, “Harnessing Health Research for Multisectoral Policy on Tourism and Health,” highlighted the importance of scientific evidence in ensuring that tourism promotes both economic growth and public health.

Bohol, named the first Unesco Global Geopark in the Philippines in 2023 for its unique geological features and cultural heritage, is among the country’s leading tourist destinations. Montoya said that as tourism reopens in the post-pandemic era, health research becomes essential in crafting strategies that are safe, sustainable, and responsive to both tourists and locals.

BOHOL LANDMARK Photo of the famous Chocolate Hills found in Bohol province, which is considered one of the famous tourist spots in the country. PHOTO FROM ADOBE STOCK

The Bohol PHO currently implements 23 health programs and seven health-related services that could impact the tourism industry if not properly managed. Bantugan cited environmental sanitation programs as vital in promoting tourism. “We cannot promote tourism in Bohol if we don’t have clean water and proper sanitation,” he stressed.

Bantugan also highlighted the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) as their most critical tool in conducting health research. FHSIS is the country’s official health data system and is used in Bohol to collect and analyze health data from Barangay Health Stations, Rural Health Units, and municipal health offices. It supports planning, monitoring, and policymaking based on accurate grassroots-level data.

Gina Peluchi Kapirig, product development officer of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, added that sustainable tourism also faces challenges, such as weak information dissemination and limited capacity-building among local government unit (LGU) staff. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the tourism and health sectors.

“It’s very important na collaborative ang tourism sector with the rural-municipal health [office], kasi sa kanila nanggagaling ‘yong information. It should be disseminated not only in the tourism sector but also in the academe. That’s where prevention starts,” Kapirig said.

In addition to the webinar, the DOST-PCHRD also launched the Early-Career Researchers’ Workshop on Policymaking for Health on June 25, 2025, at the Kew Hotel, Tagbilaran City. Selected researchers with PCHRD-supported projects are expected to produce policy pitches and policy brief outlines as key outputs.

Policy Rx: Prescribing Science for Better Decisions is part of DOST-PCHRD’s broader initiative, The Bridged Research and Policy, which features webinars and podcasts aimed at bringing together experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to tackle pressing health, science, and social issues through evidence-based solutions.

This initiative reflects the Department of Science and Technology’s commitment to providing innovative and inclusive solutions grounded in four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability, embodied in its advocacy OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All.

For more information, visit www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph.