“Research on herbal medicine is not performed across the country. Mostly researches are concentrated in NCR,” reported Dr. Maribel G. Nonato, Professor at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) during the second roundtable discussion on Philippine Herbal Industry-Standards and Regulatory Settings last March 19, 2012 at the Traders Hotel, Pasay City.

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), only 57 private universities and 38 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide are shortlisted as Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers of Development (CODs)due to their demonstrated level of high standard along the areas of instruction,