Davao de Oro State College, through its Research Ethics Committee (REC), gathered student researchers from all programs for the REC Orientation today, October 9, 2025, at the DDOSC Main Campus Activity Center.

Serving as the College’s institutional safeguard for the rights, welfare, and dignity of research participants, the REC ensures that all studies conducted under DDOSC uphold integrity and ethical compliance.

During the session, participants were given a comprehensive orientation on ethical research standards and institutional review procedures.

Specifically, the orientation covered the REC’s mandate and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), along with the ethical principles and guidelines set by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB).

Meanwhile, REC Chairperson Dr. Juanita C. Leopoldo emphasized the importance of building an ethics-first research culture.

“As a foundation for responsible research, we want our students to carry forward a culture of ethics in every scholarly endeavor,” she highlighted.

REC personnel Kenny Jim Gambong and Honey Queen Andrino also walked participants through the process flow and documentary requirements for ethical clearance applications.