November 11-13, 2026
Wyndahm Garden Manila Bay, 179 Roxas Blvd., Tambo,Parañaque, Metro Manila
Project Rationale
The Regional Health Laboratory Network (RHLN) Council Officers and Members Year-End Meeting and Learning Session serves as an important platform for assessing the performance, accomplishments, and challenges of member laboratories while strengthening collaboration and coordination among regional laboratory stakeholders.
The activity supports the implementation of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS) and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025–2030, pursuant to Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2025-0007. It promotes the alignment of regional initiatives with national standards, particularly in laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS), biosafety, biosecurity, and the delivery of accessible, reliable, and sustainable laboratory services.
Beyond reviewing annual accomplishments, the training-workshop aims to enhance laboratory leadership and management competencies, encourage the sharing of best practices and lessons learned, and identify opportunities for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). Through collaborative discussions and strategic planning, participants are expected to formulate actionable priorities that strengthen laboratory capacity, operational resilience, and service sustainability in support of Universal Health Care (UHC).Specific Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
At the end of the meeting and training-workshop, participants are expected to:
- Understand the implementation of national laboratory strategies through updates on the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS) and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025–2030.
- Strengthen laboratory leadership and management competencies, particularly in implementing Quality Management Systems (QMS) and applying Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles to laboratory operations.
- Evaluate laboratory performance and accomplishments by reviewing the annual initiatives, achievements, and operational performance of RHLN member laboratories.
- Identify gaps, challenges, and improvement opportunities in laboratory service delivery, particularly concerning quality management, biosafety, biosecurity, and operational effectiveness.
- Promote knowledge exchange and collaboration by sharing best practices, innovations, successful initiatives, and lessons learned among regional laboratory network members.
- Develop strategic priorities and actionable improvement plans aligned with the PHLS and NLSP 2025–2030 to strengthen laboratory capacity, service reliability, resilience, and sustainability.
November 11, 2026
Strengthening Laboratory Quality, Leadership, Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Continuous Improvement
The first day focused on strengthening laboratory leadership, quality management, biosafety, biosecurity, and continuous improvement through a series of lectures and interactive workshops facilitated by the BioRisk Association of the Philippines 2015, Inc. (BRAP).
The program opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Cherylle G. Gavino, DOH MIMAROPA Director III, and opening remarks from Dr. Winifredo A. Pernia, RHLN Council Vice Chairman, followed by the presentation of the activity’s rationale and objectives by Ms. Angela Kaye T. Reyes.
The morning learning sessions featured Mr. Ronaldo E. Puno, BRAP National President, who discussed building effective Laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) and the importance of leadership in sustaining quality laboratory services. Mr. Lito G. Atienza, BRAP Assistant Treasurer, subsequently facilitated a workshop entitled “Is Our Laboratory QMS Working?”, encouraging participants to assess their existing quality management practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
The afternoon sessions focused on transforming laboratory challenges into opportunities for institutional improvement. Ms. Michaella B. Sayo, BRAP National Treasurer, presented “From Problems to Progress: Continuous Quality Improvement in the Laboratory,” emphasizing systematic approaches to enhancing laboratory performance.
This was followed by Dr. Miguel Martin N. Moreno II, BRAP Founding President, who delivered “Managing a Safe, Secure, and Resilient Laboratory: Integrating Quality, Biosafety, and Biosecurity.” His lecture highlighted the interconnected roles of quality management, biosafety, biosecurity, and operational resilience in establishing reliable and sustainable laboratory services.
The day’s final learning activity was facilitated by Mr. Ariel Angelo B. Aquino, BRAP National Secretary, through the workshop “From Incident to Improvement: Applying RCA, CAPA and CQI.” This practical session explored how laboratory incidents can be systematically investigated, addressed through corrective and preventive actions, and translated into continuous improvement initiatives.
The day concluded with group reporting, integration discussions, a post-test, and participant evaluation.
Overall, the seminar-workshop emphasized that laboratory excellence extends beyond accurate test results. It requires competent leadership, effective quality management, proactive biorisk management, a strong safety culture, and a continuing commitment to improvement—essential foundations for safe, secure, reliable, and resilient laboratory services across Region IV-B: MIMAROPA.
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