Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC)

The DLSU Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC) has been established since January 2017. The RERC is an independent ethics review body composed of representatives of the various colleges of the university.

In light of the increased research productivity in the University, a new ethics governance structure was created in 2022. The review process is now conducted by multidisciplinary research ethics review panels (RERP) under the administration of the University RERC.

The RERC has been tasked to ensure that research of affiliated members of the University are of the highest standards of scientific integrity and ethical accountability. The primary responsibilities of the RERC are identifying and assessing the risks and the potential benefits of a research, as well as providing guidance for adherence to the University Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and updated international, national, and disciplinal guidelines on research ethics.

In line with the University’s vision and mission, the RERC, shall ensure that the health, welfare, dignity and rights of human participants are safeguarded, and that risks to participants, researchers, third parties and to the university are minimized, and to protect the integrity of the research and the data.

The DLSU RERC presently holds Level 2 accreditation status conferred by the PHREB. The accrediting body is the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), which is a government agency that was created by virtue of the Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013 (RA 10352) under the Department of the Science and Technology Special Order No. 091 s. 2006 “to ensure adherence to the universal principles for the protection of human participants in research studies conducted in the Philippines”. Being Level 2 accredited means that the University RERC can review all types of research except clinical trials required for FDA registration of new drugs as these may entail more than minimal risk to participants.