The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) conducted a two-day Basic Research Ethics Training (BRET) on Feb. 5-6 at Sam’s Hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, to strengthen ethical research practices and integrity.
Organized by the ISUFST School of Graduate Studies and facilitated by the Regional Ethics Monitoring Board VI’s Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (REMB VI-CIDTA), the event gathered university researchers, research advisers, administrators, and research assistants.
The training aimed to instill a deeper commitment to ethical research within the academic community, emphasizing responsibility, human subject protection, and integrity.
ISUFST seeks to become a leading research institution in fisheries, agriculture, education, and technology in Southeast Asia by 2030. To achieve this, the university remains committed to upholding the highest research ethics standards to meet global benchmarks and drive scientific and societal progress.
Dr. Fred Guillergan and Dr. Joy Lizada served as lead resource speakers, representing the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board-CIDTA (PHREB CIDTA) and the West Visayas State University Unified Research Ethics Review Committee (WVSU URERC). They facilitated in-depth discussions on research ethics principles throughout the training.
Prof. Lerma Paris of REMB VI-CIDTA and WVSU URERC coordinated the sessions, while Ms. Seth Barte of REMB VI provided logistical support.
On the first day, participants explored core research ethics principles, including scientific soundness, beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Discussions covered unethical research incidents, informed consent processes, authorship ethics, and research ethics review systems. Participants also examined transparency, accountability, and compliance in academic research.
The second day focused on research ethics involving vulnerable populations and public health emergencies. Topics included protection measures, global ethical guidelines such as the Declaration of Helsinki and the Nuremberg Code, and best practices for ethical research. The sessions also addressed ethical review processes and solutions to common ethical dilemmas.
Dr. Guillergan underscored that ethical research extends beyond compliance, emphasizing its role in safeguarding human dignity, minimizing risks, and ensuring equitable distribution of research benefits.
Dr. Lizada reinforced the importance of ethics review in research credibility, stating that a strong ethics review process does not hinder research but enhances its fairness, responsibility, and accountability.
The training highlighted the need for special ethical considerations when researching marginalized groups, ensuring ethical principles remain upheld in crisis situations. Through small group discussions, presentations, and open forums, participants deepened their understanding of ethical research applications.
ISUFST President Dr. Nordy Siason Jr. reaffirmed the university’s commitment to research integrity, stating, “Upholding ethical research ensures that our academic outputs meet global standards and contribute meaningfully to society.”
ISUFST Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Joan Belga expressed gratitude to the speakers and emphasized the training’s importance, saying, “This workshop equips our researchers with the ethical mindset necessary to produce studies that are not only academically rigorous but also morally responsible.”
The university plans to continue strengthening research ethics through upcoming programs such as Good Research Practice (GRP) Training and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Training. These initiatives aim to further equip researchers with knowledge on ethical considerations in social and clinical research, adherence to international guidelines, and the role of Ethics Review Committees (ERCs).
With its steadfast commitment to ethical and high-quality research, ISUFST continues to advance transformative academic contributions in fisheries, agriculture, education, and technology in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. (Glysa Regidor and Herman Lagon / PAMMCO)
