Community

Medicine

DOH Health Programs

Ronnie Juangco
UERMMMCI Department of Preventive and
Community Medicine
Community Medicine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH HEALTH PROGRAM (AYHP) ........................................................................................ 4

BELLY GUD FOR HEALTH ..................................................................................................................................... 11

BLOOD DONATION PROGRAM............................................................................................................................ 12

BOTIKA NG BARANGAY (BNB) ................................................................................................................... 12

BREASTFEEDING TSEK ......................................................................................................................................... 15

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE ................................................................................................................................ 20

CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN YEAR 2001-2004 ........................................................... 22

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE ................................................................................................. 26

CLIMATE CHANGE ............................................................................................................................................... 28

COMMITTEE OF EXAMINERS FOR MASSAGE THERAPY (CEMT).......................................................................... 29

DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM................................................................................................................................ 31

DIABETES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM ............................................................................................ 36

DENGUE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM ............................................................................................. 38

EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROGRAM ..................................................................... 39

DENGUE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM ............................................................................................. 41

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.................................................................................................................................. 42

ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE ............................................................................................................................... 43

EXPANDED PROGRAM ON IMMUNIZATION ....................................................................................................... 46

FOOD FORTIFICATION PROGRAM ....................................................................................................................... 51

FOOD AND WATERBORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM ................................................. 55

FAMILY PLANNING .............................................................................................................................................. 57

FILARIASIS ELIMINATION PROGRAM .................................................................................................................. 61

FILARIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM......................................................................................................................... 63

GARANTISADONG PAMBATA .............................................................................................................................. 66

HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH NETWORK ...................................................................................................... 69

HEALTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR OLDER PERSON - (BUREAU OR OFFICE NATIONAL CENTER FOR
DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL) ............................................................................................................... 70

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER PERSONS ................................................................................................. 96

INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING (IYCF) ....................................................................................................... 98

INTER LOCAL HEALTH ZONE .............................................................................................................................. 116

HIV/STI PREVENTION PROGRAM ...................................................................................................................... 118

ILIGTAS SA TIGDAS ANG PINAS ......................................................................................................................... 120

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS (IMCI) ......................................................................... 121

KNOCK OUT TIGDAS 2007 .......................................................................................................................... 122

LEPROSY CONTROL PROGRAM ......................................................................................................................... 126

LGU SCORECARD ............................................................................................................................................... 128

LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS UNDERTAKEN BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ........... 129

MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAM ........................................................................................................................ 130

MICRONUTRIENT PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................ 132

National Prevention of Blindness Program....................................................................................................... 135

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM............................................................................................................................. 142

NEWBORN SCREENING ..................................................................................................................................... 147

ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM.................................................................................................................................. 151

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ............................................................................................................... 154

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ............................................................................................................... 158

PROVINCE-WIDE INVESMENT PLAN FOR HEALTH (PIPH) ................................................................................. 162

PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TOURISM PROGRAM ...................................................................................................... 163

PROVISION OF POTABLE WATER PROGRAM (SALINTUBIG PROGRAM - SAGANA AT LIGTAS NA TUBIG PARA SA
LAHAT) .............................................................................................................................................................. 165

PHILIPPINE CANCER COTROL PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... 169

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATE DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM (PHADP) ...................................................................... 171

PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS PROGRAM ........................................................................................................... 173

RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM .............................................................................................. 180

RURAL HEALTH MIDWIVES PLACEMENT PROGRAM (RHMPP) / MIDWIFERY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE
PHILIPPINES (MSPP) .......................................................................................................................................... 182

SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROGRAM....................................................................................................................... 185

SCHISTOSOMIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... 188

SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM ..................................................................................................................... 189

TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL PROGRAM ............................................................................................................... 194

URBAN HEALTH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT (UHSD) PROGRAM........................................................................... 197

UNANG YAKAP (ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE: PROTOCOL FOR NEW LIFE) ...................................................... 200

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IMPLEMENTERS PROJECT (UHCIP).......................................................................... 201

VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM ............................................................................................. 204

WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT .................................................................................. 209

WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION PROGRAM........................................................................................... 214

ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH HEALTH PROGRAM (AYHP)
A Situationer on Adolescents Health
Non-communicable diseases account for more than 40% of the deaths in young people (10-24
years old) and injuries are the causes of death in almost one third of people in this age group.
Assault and transport accidents are the leading causes of mortality among young people with a
mortality rate of 9.7 and 5.8 deaths per 100,000 populations, respectively (Philippine Health
Statistics, 2003). Other significant causes of death among the 10-24 years old Filipinos include
complications related to pregnancy, labor and puerperium; epilepsy; chronic rheumatic heart
disease; intentional self-harm; and accidental drowning and submersion (Philippine Health
Statistics, 2003). Of the 1.67 M, live births registered in 2003, 35.7% (596, 076 LB) were by
women £24 years old. Teenage pregnancy accounted for 8% of all births (National Demographic
Health Survey, 2003). Of the 1,798 maternal deaths registered for the same year, 22.3% were
women £24 years old. The proportion of malnutrition among those 11 – 19 years of age
(underweight and overweight) were noted to increase from 1993 to 2003 (FNRI Survey 1993, 1998
and 2003). About 4% of Filipinos 10 – 24 years of age have some form of disability. The most
common of this are speaking and hearing disabilities.

MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG 10-24 YEARS OLD

PER 10,000 POPULATION. Philippine Health Statistics, 2003
Male Female Both
Rank Cause of Death No. Rate No. Rate No. Rate
1 Assault 2,240 17.6 183 1.5 2,423 9.7
2 Transport Accidents 1,146 9.0 303 2.5 1,449 5.8
3 Event of undetermined intent 570 5.3 300 2.5 970 3.9
Symptoms, signs & abnormal clinical findings not
4 602 4.7 352 2.9 954 3.8
elsewhere classified
5 Pneumonia 527 4.1 355 2.9 882 3.5
6 Tuberculosis of the Respiratory System 537 4.2 340 2.8 877 3.5
7 Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease 447 3.5 426 3.5 873 3.5
8 Accidental drowning and submersion 596 4.7 215 1.7 811 3.2
9 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis 385 3.0 332 2.7 717 2.9
Other accidents & late effects of transport/other
10 518 4.1 113 0.9 631 2.5
accidents

Leading Threats to Adolescents Health

Accidents and other inflicted injuries
Among 10- 24 age groups, this threat caused 27% of the total deaths (2003 data). Young males
always exclusively succumb to injuries and females have the increasing mortality due to
complications of pregnancy, labor delivery and puerperium. These data have been on the uptrend,
a challenge to community-based or DOH-led programs. The threat is caused by the adolescent’s
exposure to poorly maintained roads and poorly managed traffic systems. Adolescents’ increased
mobility to urban areas needs a corresponding physical and infrastructure support in their quest for
better opportunities and education pursuits. Another is the inability of the state to provide
adequate number of police personnel leading to an increasing number of assault and transport
accidents among the young males.

Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, and Accidental drowning

Close to 6% of young Filipinos who died in 2003 died of various forms of tuberculosis, followed
by pneumonia that caused 4% of deaths. This health issue among the young has been
declining through the years due to sustained nationwide programs that began in 1987 and has
somehow caused to keep deaths down, hence efforts to continue sustaining becomes the
challenge.

The threat of HIV and other sexually – related diseases

Reported cases increased substantially increased over the past year. Among the 15-24-year-old,
reported HIV infections nearly tripled between 2007 and 2008 from 41 cases to 110 per year,
which is substantial cause for alarm. In 2009, 15-24-year-old make 29% of all new infections; in
2009, the number of new infections among 20-24 equals the number of new infections among 25-
29; with 10 cases see July DoH AIDS Registry Report. The substantial increase from the past year
can be traced from the adolescents’ early engagement in health risk behavior, due to serious
gaps of the knowledge on the dangers of drugs, as well as the cause as well as
causes on the transmission of STD and HIV AIDS, dangers of indiscriminate tattooing and body-
piercing and inadequate population education. Under this threat, young males are prone to
engaging in health risk behavior and more young females are also doing the
same without protection and are prone to aggressive or coercive behaviors of others in the
community such that it often results to significant number of unwanted pregnancies, septic
abortion and poor self-care practices.
In addition, there are also other less common but significant causes of disease and deaths namely;
Intentional self- harm –the 9th leading cause of death among 20-24 years old. In this age group,
seven out of 10 who died of suicide were males. In age group of 10-24 years old took up 34% of
all deaths from suicide in 2003
Substance Abuse - 15-19 years old group has the claim of drug use; more males than females
who are drug users and drug rehabilitation centers claim that majority of clients belong to age
group of 25-29 years old. According to the SWS survey, 1996- 1.5M youth Filipinos and
1997- grew into 2.1M youth Filipinos are into substance abuse
Nutritional Deficiencies –there are no specific rates for adolescent and youth, but there is the
prevalence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency which may be also high for the adolescents and
youth as those known for the younger and pregnant women.
Disability – Filipinos aged 10-24 years old has an overall disability prevalence of 4%. The most
common disability among this age group affected are speaking (35%), hearing (33%) and moving
and mobility (22%)
There are also vulnerable Filipino adolescents which can be classified in their respective areas of
vulnerability
VULNERABLE YOUNG FILIPINOS
Sub-groups Vulnerability areas
Young among Common infections, physical abuse or assault,
the street-dwellers sexual exploitation, drug use, road accidents
Out- of- High risk behavior; smoking, alcohol use, drug abuse,
school adolescents high risk sexual behavior, risky work conditions
and youth leading to injuries and diseases
Urban –based male High risk behavior; transport accidents,
youth other inflicted injuries
Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation,
Female adolescents unwanted pregnancies, abortion, unsafe
pregnancy and insecure motherhood
Not living with parents Nutritional disorders, substance use and risky
or family sexual behavior, other inflicted injuries

Factors Causing Threats to Adolescents Health

The alarming patterns of health issues affecting adolescent’s health is caused by the following
factors operating in a systemic manner reinforcing further complexities in the health issues
affecting adolescents.

Socio-Cultural Factors
Demographic Factors
Continuing Rapid Population Growth
The rapid population growth of the youth creates pressure to the state to expand education, health
and employment FO this age group. The pressure creates an imbalance to the distribution and
allocation of resources to various sectors especially the youth. The imbalance reinforces deeper
the marginalization and deprivation of some sectors to basic services. A vicious cycle is created
and more are having difficulties to access provision on health service delivery.

Increased population movement

The scarcity of local employment has triggered the participation of the youth in overseas
work. The movement of the sector has caused displacement from families and love
ones increase youth’s vulnerability to exploitation, low paying jobs. According to a study in
2001, there were more than 6,000 workers in the teenage group overseas workers and it is most
likely that they would land in overseas low paying work.

Attitudes, Lifestyles, Sense of Values, Norms and Behaviors of Adolescents

Health Risk Behaviors
A significant proportion of young people engage in high-risk behaviors – 23% ever had pre-
marital sex, 57% of first sex experience was unplanned and unplanned. About 70% - 80% of their
most recent sexual experiences were unprotected (YAFS, 2002).
The 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey showed that the proportion of 15-24-year-
old who were currently smoking, drinking and using drugs were 20.9%, 41.4% and 2.4%,
respectively. The proportion is higher among males compared to females. A comparative data
(1994 and 2003) showed that among 15 – 24-year-old, smoking increased by 23%; drinking
increased by 10%; drug use increased by 85%; and pre-marital sex increased by 30% (YAFSS,
2003). The likelihood of engaging in pre-marital sex is higher among those who smoke, drink
alcohol or take drugs. As a consequence of substance and alcohol abuse, some have mental and
neurological disorders; others spend the productive years of their life behind bars with hardcore
lawless adults.
Health Seeking Behavior
Adolescents are more likely to consult the health center (45%) or government physician (19%) for
their health needs (Baseline Survey for the National Objectives for Health, 2000). The most
common reasons for not consulting were the lack of money, lack of time, fear of diagnosis, distance
and disapproval of parents. Dental examination and BP monitoring were the most common reasons
for consultation (62.4% and 37.8%, respectively). Similarly, Conditions relating to pregnancy,
childbirth and post-partum were among the leading reasons for utilization of in-patient, emergency
room and outpatient health services at DOH-Retained Tertiary General Hospitals.
Low Contraceptive Use
The overall use of contraception among sexually active adolescents is at 20%. Non- desire for
pregnancy and high awareness of contraceptive methods were not enough to encourage
adolescents to use contraceptives. Among the reasons cited for the low contraceptive use were:
 Contraceptives were given only to married individuals of reproductive age
 Even if they were made available to adolescents, the culture says that it is taboo for young
unmarried individuals to avail of contraceptive services and commodities.
 Condom use is perceived mainly for STIs, HIV/AIDS prevention rather than
contraception

The practice Abortion and Unmet need for Contraception

In 2000, induced abortion among adolescents reached 319,000. This is due to the inadequate
knowledge on preventing unwanted pregnancies. Consequences of teen-age pregnancies among
young mothers include not being able to finish school and reduced employment options and
opportunities. In addition, the social stigma and fear brought about by unwanted pregnancy pushes
the young mother to resort to abortion. Although the disapproval rating for abortion remains to be
high, there is an increasing trend among those who approve of it (from 4% to 6% in males and
3.5% to 4% in females). On contraceptive use, adolescents also don't use condoms for prevention
of HIV, it's not only that they don't use them for contraception.

Risk of HIV/AIDS due to Unprotected Sex

Adolescents including children living in extreme conditions and great exposure to sexual
exploitation and abuse belong to high-risk categories threatened by unprotected sex. Latest data
on these shows that majority of people engaged in sex work are young and 70 % of HIV infections
involve male-to-male sex. The proportion of young people reported to have STDs/HIV and AIDS
is increasing. The YAFS survey showed that although awareness about STDs is increasing,
misconceptions about AIDS appear to have the same trend. The proportion of those who think
AIDS is curable more than doubled (from 12% in 1994 to 28% in 2002). Many adolescents also
resort to services of unqualified traditional healers, obtain antibiotics from pharmacies or drug
hawkers or resort to advices from friends (e.g. drinking detergent dissolved in water) without
proper diagnosis to address problems of STDs. Improper or incomplete treatment may mask the
symptoms without curing the disease increasing the risk of transmission and development of
complications. The limited use of condoms to protect adolescents from risk of HIV is an issue
to reflection for condom use is not only to prevent pregnancy but also preventing sexually
transmitted disease. r The YAFS 2002 survey showed that Filipino males and females are at risk
of STIs, HIV/AIDS. It was reported that 62 % of sexually transmitted infections affect the
adolescents while 29 % of HIV positive Filipino cases are young people. In addition, it
was revealed that thirty seven percent (37%) of Filipino males 25 years of age have had sex before
they marry with women other than their wives. Some will have paid for sex while others will have
had five or more partners.

Political and Economic Factors

Marginalization and Poverty
The disturbing poverty situation of households and families where majority of the adolescents
belong brings in difficulties to meet adolescents’ needs. Poverty is closely link to adolescent
health issues. It reinforces to the situation of adolescents’ vulnerability to health risks due to the
lack of access to various services and unsupportive social, political and economic
environment. The following are some of the consequences of poverty faced by the youth.
 Limited Access to Information -among the greatest challenges for Filipino youth is
access to correct and meaningful information on sexual and reproductive issues.
 Limited access to services and commodities-The lack of access to contraceptive services
and supplies was among the most frequently articulated concerns with regard to adolescent
SRH. Programs such as the AYHDP do recognize adolescents’ need for access to
contraception.
 Limited awareness of pertinent policies-While the AYHP Administrative order was
issued in 2000, few key informants knew of its existence. In fact, many key informants
said that no ARH policy existed at the time they were interviewed

Technological Factors
Rapid Advancement of Communication
The value of technological advancement could never be discounted. However, to the curious
and adventurous adolescent’s various modes of communications are oftentimes abused and
misused such as the use of internet and mobile phones. Adolescents then become vulnerable to
exploitation, in cybersex and pornography exposing them deeper into risky behavior. In addition,
the digital dependence and addiction causes alienation of adolescents’ to personal and closer
mode of communication resulting to a distorted image of the adolescents’ relationships to the
social environment. This also deprives the adolescents from productive activities where they
can develop themselves fully grown up and mature e economic and social being Moreover,
communication advancement has also produced advertisements and television commercials whose
image are not adolescent- friendly are paving the way for so much consumerism, distorted personal
and family values
THE ADOLESCENTS HEALTH PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES
8. International Policies, Passages and Laws as anchors
In International Laws
 UN Convention on the Rights of Children
 UN Convention the Action for the Promotion and Protection of the health of adolescents
 Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)
 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women
 World Program of Action for Youth 2000
 MDG Goals:
 Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
 Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality
 Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
 Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
 Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
National Laws and Policies
o National Objectives for Health
o Fourmula One for Health
o Adolescent and Youth Health Policy (AYH)
o Adolescent and Youth Health and Development Program
o National Directional Plan for reaching the Un reached Youth Population
o Reproductive Health Program AO#1 s1998
o Local Government Code
WHO, together with countries and areas in the Region and partner agencies, are working to
promote healthy development of adolescents and reduce mortality and morbidity. In the Western
Pacific Region, several technical units are working to implement interventions that improve
adolescent health in the Region. The Philippines belong to the Western Pacific Region and is
committed to:
Recognize adolescents as ‘vulnerable and a ‘group in need’
o Address Issues that have an evidence base
o Socio- Cultural perspectives
o Develop Innovative mechanisms to reach out to adolescents.
o Encourage collaboration and partnerships
o Program implementation is monitored and evaluated.
The Adolescent Health Program
The Adolescents Youth and Heath Development Programs was established in 2001 under the
oversight of the Department of Health in partnership with other government agencies with
adolescent concerns and other stakeholders. The program is targeting youth ages 10–24, and the
program provides comprehensive implementation guidelines for youth-friendly comprehensive
health care and services on multiple levels—national, regional, provincial/city, and municipal.
The program is solidly anchored on International and laws, passages and polices meant to address
adolescent’s health concerns. It is operating then within the facets and adolescents and youth
health that includes disability, mental and environmental health, reproductive and sexuality,
violence and injury prevention and among others.
It employed strategies to ensure integration of the program into the health care system in addition,
broader society such as building a supportive policy environment, intensifying IEC and advocacy
particularly among teachers, families, and peers, building the technical capacity of providers of
care, and support for youth; improving accessibility and availability of quality health services,
strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, resource mobilization, allocation and improved data
collection and management.
The program to address sexual and reproductive health issues likewise adopts gender-sensitive
approaches. The primary responsibility for implementation of the AYHDP, and its mainstreaming
into the health system, falls to regional and provincial/city sectors. Guidelines cover service
delivery, IEC, training, research and information collection, monitoring and evaluation, and
quality assurance.

Program Manager:
Dr. Minerva Vinluan
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Phone: (02) 651-7800 locals 1728-1730
Email: mineravinluan@yahoo.com
BELLY GUD FOR HEALTH
Contact Person:
Rosemarie Holandes
Telephone Nos.:
651-7800 loc. 1750-1754

Overnutrition such as overweight and obesity is a serious health concern especially in the light of
its strong association with the development of non-communicable diseases which are among the
leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability in the country today. These NCDs include
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal diseases, and degenerative
arthritis, gout and gallbladder diseases. With the various medical consequences associated with
overnutrition, this weight problem contributes to decreased productivity and economic growth
retardation.
In the Department of Health Office, from a total of 779 personnel taken waist circumference in
2012 prior to the conduct of Belly Gud for Health, 362 or 46.5% have waist circumference above
desirable levels. Waist circumference (WC) is a simple and easy measure of central obesity among
adults and a significant indicator of risk for non-communicable diseases particularly heart disease
and stroke.
In the effort to promote and protect the health of the DOH personnel, the National Center for
Disease Prevention and Control, Degenerative Disease Office in partnership with the National
Center for Health promotion will repeat the conduct of Belly Gud for Health (BG for Health) 2012
as an advocacy strategy for healthy lifestyle this 2013. This time, it will challenge the executives
namely Secretary, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries and Directors and employees of the
Department of Health Central Office with high waist circumference (HCW), to be fit by attaining
and maintaining a desirable waist circumference (DWC) of <80 cm for females and <90cms for
males.
Other Activities
· Hataw Exercise
Where: DOH Gym
When: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 8:00-9:00 AM
· Jogging / Walking
Where: DOH Compound
When: Before and after office hours
· Ala Stress
When: Respective Office
Where: Everyday
Time: 3:00-3:15PM
· Free use of Gym Facilities
Where: DDO and Gate I
When: Daily
BLOOD DONATION PROGRAM
Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994,
promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate blood
banks. This act aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.
The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health
is targeting the youth as volunteers in its blood donation program this year. In accordance with RA
No. 7719, it aims to create public consciousness on the importance of blood donation in saving the
lives of millions of Filipinos.
Based from the data from the National Voluntary Blood Services Program, a total of
654,763 blood units were collected in 2009. Fifty-eight percent of which was from voluntary blood
donation and the remaining from replacement donation. This year, particular provinces have
already achieved 100% voluntary blood donation. The DOH is hoping that many individuals will
become regular voluntary unpaid donors to guarantee sufficient supply of safe blood and to meet
national blood necessities.
Mission:
 Blood Safety
 Blood Adequacy
 Rational Blood Use
 Efficiency of Blood Services
Goals:
The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) aims to achieve the following:
1. Development of a fully voluntary blood donation system;
2. Strengthening of a nationally coordinated network of BSF to increase efficiency by centralized
testing and processing of blood;
3. Implementation of a quality management system including of Good Manufacturing Practice
GMP and Management Information System (MIS);
4. Attainment of maximum utilization of blood through rational use of blood products and
component therapy; and
5. Development of a sound, viable sustainable management and funding for the nationally
coordinated blood network.
Program Manager:
Dr. Ponciano Limcangco
Department of Health-National Voluntary Blood Services Program (DOH-NVBSP)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2900, 731-7578, 731-8475
BOTIKA NG BARANGAY (BNB)

Botika ng Barangay
I. What is Botika ng Barangay?
Botika ng Barangay (BnB) - refers to a drug outlet managed by a legitimate community
organization (CO) / non-government organization (NGO) and/or the Local Government Unit
(LGU), with a trained operator and a supervising pharmacist specifically established in accordance
with this Order. The BnB outlet should be initially identified, evaluated and selected by the
concerned Center for Health Development (CHD), approved by the PHARMA 50 Project
Management Unit (PMU) and specially licensed by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to sell,
distribute, offer for sale and/or make available low-priced generic home remedies, over-the-
counter (OTC) Drugs and two (2) selected, publicly-known prescription antibiotics drugs (i.e.
Amoxicillin and Cotrimoxazole).
The establishment of the Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in the communities, including the
insurgent areas, ensures accessibility of low-priced generic over-the-counter drugs and eight (8)
prescription drugs as recommended by the National Drug Formulary Committee. Under
Memorandum # 31 and its amendment, as much as 40 essential medicines that address common
diseases can be made available in BnBs depending on the morbidity and mortality profiles of the
community. And the policies surrounding the BnB (AO 144) ensure that such can be sustained in
the medium term.
II. Objectives
The objectives of this Order are as follows:
1. To promote equity in health by ensuring the availability and accessibility of affordable,
safe and effective, quality essential drugs to all, with priority for marginalized,
underserved, critical and hard to reach areas.
2. To integrate all related issuances of the DOH that provides rules and regulations in the
establishment and operations of BnBs; and
3. To define the roles and responsibilities of the different units of the DOH and other partners
from the different sectors in facilitating and regulating the establishment of BnBs.
III. Status of the Program
Variants of the BnBs include Botika Binhi (funded by the members of the Peso for Health with
counterpart from the local government unit), Health Plus (funded by the GTZ), Botika sa Parokya
(funded by DOH and Office of the President) and the Botika ng Bayan (BNB) express under PITC/
PITC Pharma Inc. At present, about 16,350 BnB outlets have been established in the country.
The initial target was to establish 1 BnB to serve 3 adjacent Barangays. However, due to the
immensity of Barangays, and the need for more than 1 BnB in some poor adjacent barangays to
better provide for the service, the target was changed to 1:1.
Since absorptive capacity for the DOH-CHDs to establish BnBs is also limited due to resource and
time constraints, the initial phasing of the target to achieve 1:1 is being done. Thus, for the next
two (2) years, the target would be initially 1:2 except for select areas that have high poverty
incidence, conflict or Geographically isolated areas, and the like where the target would be 1:1.
Sourcing of medicines for the initial seed capital of these medicines is done through PITC Pharma
Inc.
Issuances about Botika ng Barangay
Issuances Date Title
Department
January 26, Moratorium on the Establishment of Botika ng
Memorandum
2011 Barangay (BnB) Nationwide
No. 2011-0022
Department Submission of Reports for the Impact
February
Memorandum Assessment of Maximum Drug Retail Price
12, 2010
No. 2010-0033 (MDRP) / Government
Department Amendment to Memorandum No. 31 s. 2003
February
Memorandum dated 17 February 2003 re: Drugs to be sold in
21, 2008
No. 2008-0038 Botika ng Barangays (BnBs)
Department
April 5, Utilization of Slow-Moving Pharma 50 Botika
Memorandum
2005 ng Barangay (BnB) Drugs and Medicines
No. 2005-0046
 Supplemental Guidelines to Administrative
Order No. 144 series 2004, entitled: "Guidelines
Administrative for the Establishment and Operations of Botika
April 4,
Order No. 2005- ng Barangays (BnB) and Pharmaceutical
2005
0011 Distribution Network (PDNs)" relative to the
inclusion of other drugs which are classified as
Prescription Drugs and other related matters
Department
November Botika ng Barangay Performance Monitoring
Memorandum
22, 2004 Reports and Routine Schedule of Submissions
No. 118 s. 2004
Administrative Guidelines for the Establishment and
April 14,
Order No. 144 s. Operations of Botika ng Barangays (BnB) and
2004
2004 Pharmaceutical Distribution Network (PDNs)
Memorandum February
Drugs to be sold in Botika ng Barangays (BnBs)
No. 31 s. 2003 17, 2003
BREASTFEEDING TSEK
On February 23, 2011, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the exclusive
breastfeeding campaign dubbed “Breastfeeding TSEK: (Tama, Sapat, Eksklusibo)”. The primary
target of this campaign is the new and expectant mothers in urban areas.
This campaign encourages mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies from birth up to
6 months. Exclusive breastfeeding means that for the first six months from birth, nothing except
breast milk will be given to babies.
Moreover, the campaign aims to establish a supportive community, as well as to promote
public consciousness on the health benefits of breastfeeding. Among the many health benefits of
breastfeeding are lower risk of diarrhea, pneumonia, and chronic illnesses.
The protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding rank among the most effective
interventions to improve child’s survival. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it
is estimated that high coverage of optimal breastfeeding practices could avert 13% of the 10.6
million yearly deaths of children five years old and below. Evidence on the importance of exclusive
breastfeeding and early initiation includes:
• Babies who were not breastfed in the first 6 months of their lives are 25 times more likely
to die than those who experienced exclusive breastfeeding from the time they were born.
• The timing of initiation of breastfeeding is important as there is a higher risk of death
among infants with longer delay in the initiation of breastfeeding.
• Hospitalized low birth weight Infants who were fed with formula milk had 4 times the
incidence of serious illness compared to those infants who were breastfed.
• There is a 2-4-fold increase in neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in not receiving colostrum.
There is a 5-13% decrease in NMR with exclusive breastfeeding.
• Breastfeeding not only saves babies from death, but also provides long-term benefits.
Breastfed babies do better in school cognitive tests by as much as 4.9 points. There is a
positive association of breastfeeding with educational attainment.
However, in our country, the state of breastfeeding remains to be low. The 7th National
Nutrition Survey (DOST-FNRI) revealed that among infants 0-5 months old, only 36 out of every
100 were exclusively breastfed; only 37 of every 100 were breastfed at the same time given a
complementary food and as many as 27 out of every 100 infants were given other milk and other
foods.
1. What does BREASTFEEDING TSEK means?
TSEK or Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo means:
• “Tama” by immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth, and initiation
of breastfeeding within the first hour of life.
• “Sapat” by encouraging and assuring mothers that little breastmilk is enough for the first week
and that frequent breastfeeding ensures continuous breastmilk supply to respond to the increasing
needs of the baby
• “EKsklusibo” by giving only breastmilk and no other liquid to the baby for the first six months.
Breastmilk has all the other and nutrients that the baby needs for the first six months after which
the baby should be given appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding.
2. What is the importance of BREASTFEEDING TSEK?
The protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding rank among the most effective
interventions to improve child’s survival. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it
is estimated that high coverage of optimal breastfeeding practices could avert 13% of the 10.6
million yearly deaths of children five years old and below. Evidence on the importance of exclusive
breastfeeding and early initiation includes:
3. What is the current breastfeeding situation in the country?
The 7th National Nutrition Survey (DOST-FNRI) revealed that among infants 0-5 months old,
only 36 out of every 100 were exclusively breastfed; only 37 of every 100 were breastfed at the
same time given a complementary food and as many as 27 out of every 100 infants were given
other milk and other foods.
These are despite existing policies and programs spearheaded by the Department of Health
supporting breastfeeding. These include the following:
• Executive Order 51 or the “National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes,
Breastmilk Supplements, and Other Related Products, Penalizing Violation Thereof,
and for Other Purposes”, otherwise known as the Milk Code. It aims to promote, protect
and support breastfeeding through intensified dissemination of information on
breastfeeding and the regulation of advertising, marketing and distribution of breastmilk
substitutes and other related products, including bottles and teats.
• RA 7600 or “The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992″. This law aims to create
an environment where basic physical, emotional and psychological needs of mothers and
infants are fulfilled after birth through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding. Health
institutions must provide facilities for rooming-in and breastfeeding expenses incurred, in
this regard, it shall be deductible expenses for income tax purposes.
• RA 10028 or “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009″. The law provides for
the necessary support services to enable breastfeeding mothers to combine family
obligations with work responsibilities. The law provides for the establishment of lactation
stations in workplaces, provision of breastfeeding breaks for working breastfeeding
mothers, establishment of human milk banks in health institutions, inclusion of
breastfeeding in curriculums of schools and declaring August of each year as Breastfeeding
Awareness Month.
• DOH Administrative Order (AO) 2005-0014- “National Policies on Infant and Young
Child Feeding”. The policy provides the guidelines for improving the survival of infants
and young children by improving their nutritional status, growth and development through
optimal feeding anchored on exclusive breastfeeding, early initiation within one hour after
birth, provision of timely, adequate and safe complementary foods at six months while
continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. The AO is supported with the
National Plan of Action for Infant and Young Child Feeding.
• DOH AO 2007-0026 or the “Revitalization of Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital
Initiative in Health Facilities with Maternity and Newborn Care Services”. The AO
aims to transform these health institutions into facilities that protect, promote and support
rooming-in, breastfeeding and mother-baby friendly practices.
• DOH AO 2009-0025 or “Adopting New Policies and Protocol on Essential Newborn
Care”. It provides guidelines on evidence-based essential newborn care for health workers
and medical practitioners. The protocol entails four key elements including: 1) immediate
and thorough drying of the newborn; 2) early skin-to-skin contact of the newborn to
mother’s skin; 3) properly-timed cord clamping and cutting; and 4) non-separation of the
newborn from the mother for early breastfeeding initiation and rooming-in.
• Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition. The country’s framework for nutrition identifies
as priority action the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and
 complementary feeding and the other necessary conditions to promote infant and young
child feeding practices.
As medical practitioners, intervention can be done on multiple levels.
a. Families/Communities
• Report violations of the Milk Code to the Department of Health to prevent unregulated
marketing of formula milk which threatens to undermine the practice of breastfeeding.
Health and nutrition workers and health facilities must not be used to promote breastmilk
substitutes but instead should be strongly promoting breastfeeding. There must be no milk
company-supported activities. Remove marketing materials of formula milk in health
facilities.
• Create local media watch to monitor Milk Code violations and report to the Department of
Health.
• Volunteer as breastfeeding peer counselor. Help other mothers to become successful in
breastfeeding and in giving appropriate complementary feedings after 6 months. Peer
counselors are mothers who have had successful breastfeeding experiences and provide
peer-to-peer counseling to other mothers with difficulties in breastfeeding and
complementary feeding practices. In some areas, there are male volunteers who help
advocate for breastfeeding as well as provide counseling to mothers, fathers and other
family members to create a supportive family environment for appropriate infant and
young child feeding practices. Ask your midwife, nutrition action officer and other health
and nutrition personnel in your community.
• Form support groups in communities. Mother-to-mother support groups are women, and
men too, who want to share their experiences in infant and young child feeding, mutually
support each other through their own experiences, strengthen or modify certain attitudes
and practices and learn from each other.
• Protect breastfeeding even during emergencies and disasters. Young infants are especially
vulnerable during emergencies and disasters particularly to diarrhea, acute respiratory tract
infections and malnutrition, Breastfeeding reduces the risk of death up to six times during
emergencies. The Milk Code does not allow donation of formula milk during emergencies
and disasters because use of formula milk increases the risk to death and disease. There are
many dangers of using formula milk – by itself, formula milk is not sterile; unsafe when
there is not enough clean water to sterilize feeding bottles and prepare the formula; water
used may be contaminated; there may be no equipment, fuel, cooking pots, and water to
sterilize feeding bottles; incorrect proportion of formula milk with water which can result
to over or under-diluted formula; and formula milk does not protect against infections
unlike breastmilk. It is therefore best to be prepared during emergencies by having trained
personnel on infant and young child feeding to be able to assist, support and counsel
mothers to continue breastfeeding even during emergencies.
• Disseminate correct information about breastfeeding. Conducting seminars and other fora
to discuss breastfeeding among mothers and also fathers together with the experts on
breastfeeding. Many misconceptions about breastfeeding still exist which prevent mothers
and their families to practice breastfeeding. Help correct these misconceptions by
increasing awareness on correct breastfeeding practices.
• Family members can support breastfeeding mothers by building her confidence that she
can and is able to breastfeed, help care for the baby so the mother can have enough rest;
provide nutritious and balance meals; and give practical help. A supportive family and
 community environment increases the likelihood that the mother will initiate and continue
to breastfeed.
• Pass local resolutions and ordinances that enforce the Milk Code, promote infant and young
child feeding, establish lactation stations in barangay halls, markets and other places,
providing budget for breastfeeding promotion, peer counseling and support groups.
b. Working places
• Establish lactation stations in accordance with the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act
(RA 10028) wherein the lactations centers shall be adequately provided with the necessary
equipment and facilities, such as: lavatory for handwashing, unless there is an easily-
accessible lavatory nearby; refrigeration or appropriate cooling facilities for storing
expressed breastmilk; electrical outlets for breast pumps; a small table; comfortable seats;
and other items, the standards of which are defined by the Department of Health.
• Provide breastfeeding breaks for working mothers in addition to their regular breaks. The
breastfeeding breaks should not be less than 40 minutes for every 8 hours of work.
• Enforce the two-month maternity leave and when possible, allow extended maternity leave
or allow work-from-home scheme to enable the mother to continue exclusive
breastfeeding.
• Do not allow any direct or indirect marketing, promotion or sales of infant formula or
breastmilk substitutes within the work place.
c. Health facility
• Be certified as a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital (MBFH). Follow the Ten Steps to
Successful Breastfeeding. Implement the Essential Newborn Care Protocol. Train health
facility staff on lactation management. Contact the Center for Health Development in your
region for details on the MBFH certification
• Provide pre- and post-natal services for pregnant and lactating women to support mothers
to breastfeed their child.
• Set-up milk banks or milk storage and pasteurization facilities for breastmilk donated by
mothers. The milk shall be given to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit whose own
mothers are seriously ill.
• Provide continuing education, re-education and training of health workers including
doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionist-dietitians on current and updated lactation
management. Health workers must be able to provide correct information and support for
breastfeeding.
• Produce and distribute information materials on breastfeeding for distribution to mothers
in addition to breastfeeding counseling.
• Refer breastfeeding mothers prior to discharge from the health facility, to breastfeeding
support groups in the community to help them continue breastfeeding when they return
home.

d. Schools
• Integration of infant and young child feeding in the curriculum. The Department of
Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority are tasked to integrate in the relevant subjects in the elementary,
high school and college levels, especially in the medical and education, the importance,
benefits, methods or techniques of breastfeeding and change of societal attitudes towards
breastfeeding.
 • Enforcement of the Milk Code in schools. Schools must not allow any marketing including
sponsorship from milk companies within the school. Schools must not also accept
donations of formula milk and breastmilk substitutes as this is against the Milk Code.
• Place posters, brochures and other information about breastfeeding in school-based health
centers.
• Establish lactation stations in the school to enable teaching and non-teaching personnel to
breastfeed or express and store breastmilk. Schools are also considered workplaces and
therefore must comply with the provisions of RA 10028.

e. Industry/manufacturers
• Compliance to the Milk Code by milk companies. Strictly no marketing of products within
the scope of the Milk Code.
• Fortify foods that are mandated by RA 8976 or the Food Fortification Law and volunteer
to fortify other food products.
• Compliance to the Code of Hygienic Practice for Food for Infants and Children of
manufacturers in accordance to the proper handling of foods in the food chain. This will
ensure that food products intended for infants and children are safe.

Exercise: Role Play how to promote breastfeeding in the different settings

Source: http://www.healthpromo.doh.gov.ph/breastfeedingtsek/
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Contact Person:
Franklin C. Diza, MD, MPH
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), cancers chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes (DM) are among
the top killers in the Philippines, causing more than half of all deaths annually. Hypertension and
diseases of the heart are among the ten leading causes of illnesses each year. These diseases are
collectively known as Lifestyle Related Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as defined in the
National Objectives for health, particularly because these diseases have common risk factors which
are to large extent related to unhealthy lifestyle.
POLICY STATEMENT
The prevention and control of chronic lifestyle related non-communicable diseases shall be guided
by the following policy statements.
1. The country shall adopt an integrated, comprehensive and community based response for the
prevention and control of chronic, lifestyle related NCDs.
2. Health promotion strategies shall be intensified to effect changes that would lead to significant
reduction in mortality and morbidity due to chronic lifestyle related NCDs.
3. Complementary accountabilities of all stakeholders must be ensured and actively pursued in the
implementation of an integrated, comprehensive and community based response to chronic
lifestyle related NCDs.
OBJECTIVE
1. Decrease of morbidity and mortality
2. Decrease in the economic burden of CVDs to the individual, family and community
STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED
· Adopted in the context of health promotion in order to decrease the chances of the targeted
population to adopt high risk behaviors and habits that may lead to the development of
cardiovascular disease
· Will be implemented by setting:
• Community-based
• School-based
• Industry-based
• Hospital-based ·
Training, research, environmental support system are important components of the progress

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION / ACTION

Program is well in place and its implementation is continuous. Focus of implementation is in the
community level and other settings.
· Development of Administrative Order on the National Policy on the integrated chronic non-
communicable disease registry system (cancer, stroke, DM and COPD).
· 1st public hearing on the Administrative Order on the National Policy on the integrated chronic
non-communicable disease registry system with CHD-NCR, government and private hospitals and
non-government agencies.
· Trained hospitals for the registry system entitled “Users” training for the Unified Registry
System.
· Trained CHDs for the Registry system.
· Establishment of Philippine Coalition on the prevention and control of NCD.
· A training manual for health workers on promoting healthy lifestyle.
· Healthy lifestyle advocacy campaign.
· Manual of operations on the prevention and control lifestyle related non-communicable diseases
in the Philippines.
· Training manual for Health workers: WHO/ DOH smoking cessation clinic: Helping smokers
quit.
FUTURE PLAN/ACTION
· Implement the program through the institutionalized integrated program of NCD-lifestyle related
diseases control program.
· Development of service package for cardiovascular diseases.
· Development of clinical practice guideline for cardiovascular disease.
· Development of strategic framework and five-year strategic plan for cardiovascular disease
(2012-2016).
MISSION
To ensure that quality prevention and control and LRD services are accessible to all, especially to
the vulnerable and at-risk population.
VISION
A nation of Filipinos with healthy lifestyle and habits, living and working in clean and safe
environment and with access to adequate medical care for CVD.
CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN YEAR
2001-2004
1 INTRODUCTION
The Philippine National Strategic Framework for Development for Children or CHILD 21 is a
strategic framework for planning programs and interventions that promote and safeguard the rights
of Filipino children. Covering the period 2000-2005, it paints in broad strokes a vision for the
quality of life of Filipino children in 2025 and a roadmap to achieve the vision.
Children's Health 2025, a subdocument of CHILD 21, realizes that health is a critical and
fundamental element in children's welfare. However, health programs cannot be implemented in
isolation from the other component that determine the safety and wellbeing of children in society.
Children's Health 2025, therefore, should be able to integrate the strategies and interventions into
the overall plan for children's development.
Children's Health 2025 contains both mid-term strategies, which is targeted towards the
year 2004, while long-term strategies are targeted by the year 2025. It utilizes a life cycle approach
and weaves in the rights of children. The life cycle approach ensures that the issues, needs and
gaps are addressed at the different stages of the child's growth and development.
The period year 2002 to 2004 will put emphasis on timely diagnosis and management
of common diseases of childhood as well as disease prevention and health promotion, particularly
in the fields of immunization, nutrition and the acquisition of health lifestyles. Also, critical for
effective planning and implementation would be addressing the components of the health
infrastructure such as human resource development, quality assurance, monitoring and disease
surveillance, and health information and education.
The successful implementation of these strategies will require collaborative efforts with
the other stakeholders and also implies integration with the other developmental plan of action for
children.
Vision
A healthy Filipino child is:
 Wanted, planned and conceived by healthy parents Carried to term by healthy mother Born
into a loving, caring. stable family capable of providing for his or her basic needs Delivered
safely by a trained attendant
 Screened for congenital defects shortly after birth; if defects are found, interventions to
correct these defects are implemented at the appropriate time
 Exclusively breastfed for at least six months of age, and continued breastfeeding up to two
years Introduced to complementary foods at about six months of age, and gradually to a
balanced, nutritious diet Protected from the consequences of protein-calorie and
micronutrient deficiencies through good nutrition and access to fortified foods and iodized
salt
 Provided with safe, clean and hygienic surroundings and protected from accidents Properly
cared for at home when sick and brought timely to a health facility for appropriate
management when needed. Offered equal access to good quality curative, preventive and
promotive health care services and health education as members of the Filipino society
 Regularly monitored for proper growth and development, and provided with adequate
psychosocial and mental stimulation Screened for disabilities and developmental delays in
early childhood; if disabilities are found, interventions are implemented to enabled the
child to enjoy a life of dignity at the highest level of function attainable
  Protected from discrimination, exploitation and abuse
 Empowered and enabled to make decisions regarding healthy lifestyle and behaviors and
included in the formulation health policies and programs Afforded the opportunity to reach
his or her full potential as adult
Current Situation
Deaths among children have significantly decreased from previous years. In the 1998
NDHS, the infant mortality rate was 35 per 1000 livebirths, while neonatal death rate was 18 deaths
per 1000 livebirths. Among regions IMR is highest in Eastern Visayas and lowest in Metro Manila
and Central Visayas. Death is much higher among infants whose mothers had no antenatal care or
medical assistance at the time of delivery. Top causes of illness among infants are infectious
diseases (pneumonia, measles, diarrhea, meningitis, septicemia), nutritional deficiencies and birth-
related complications.
The probability of dying between birth and five years of age is 48 deaths per 1000
livebirths. The top five leading causes of deaths (which make up about 70%) of deaths in this age
group) are pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, meningitis and malnutrition. About 6% die of accidents
i.e. submersion, foreign bodies, and vehicular accidents.
The decline in mortality rates may be attributed partly to the Expanded Program of
Immunization (EPI), aimed to reduce infant and child mortality due to seven immunizable diseases
(tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B and measles).
The Philippines has been declared as polio-free during the Kyoto Meeting on Poliomyelitis
Eradication in the Western Pacific Region last October 2000. This. however, is not a reason to be
complacent. The risk of importing the poliovirus from neighboring countries remains high until
global certification of polio eradication. There is an urgent need for sustained vigilance, which
includes strengthening the surveillance system, the capacity for rapid response to importation of
wild poliovirus, adequate laboratory containment of wild poliovirus materials, and maintaining
high routine immunization until global certification has been achieved.
Malnutrition is common among children. The 1998 FNRI survey show that three to four
out of ten children 0-10 years old are underweight and stunted. The prevalence of low vitamin A
serum levels and vitamin A deficiency even increased in 1998 compared to 1996 levels as reported
by FNRI. Vitamin A supplementation coverage reached to more than 90%, however, a downward
trend was evident in the succeeding years from as high as 97% in 1993 to 78% in 1997.
Breastfeeding rate is 88% (NSO 2000 MCH Survey), with percentage higher in rural areas
(92%) than in urban areas (84%). Exclusive breastfeeding increased from 13.2% to 20% among
children 4-5 mos. of age (NDHS).
Several strategies were utilized to improve child health. The Integrated Management of
Childhood Illness aims at reducing morbidity and deaths due to common childhood illness. The
IMCI strategy has been adopted nationwide and the process of integration into the medical,
nursing, and midwifery curriculum is now underway.
The Enhanced Child Growth strategy is a community-based intervention that aims to
improve the health and nutritional status of children through improved caring and seeking
behaviors. It operates through health and nutrition posts established throughout the country.
Gaps and Challenges
Many Local Health Units were not adequately informed about the Framework for Children's
Health as well as the policies. There is a need to disseminate the two documents, CHILD 21 and
Children's Health 2025 to serve as the template for local planning for children’s health. There is
also the need to update and reiterate the policies on children's health particularly on immunization,
micronutrient supplementation and IMCI.
LGUs experienced problems in the availability of vaccines and essential drugs and
micronutrients due to weakness in the procurement, allocation and distribution.
Pockets of low immunization coverage is attributed largely to the irregular supply of vaccines
due to inadequate funds. Moreover, there is a need to revitalize the promotion of immunization.
Goal
The ultimate goal of Children's Health 2025 is to achieve good health for all Filipino children by
the year 2025.
Medium-term Objectives for year 2001-2004
Health Status Objectives
1. Reduce infant mortality rate to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births
2. Reduce mortality rate among children 1-4 years old to 33.6% per 1000 livebirths
3. Reduce the mortality rate among adolescents and youths by 50%
Risk Reduction Objectives
1. Increase the percentage of fully immunized children to 90%
2. Increase the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed up to six months to 30%
3. Increase the percentage of infants given timely and proper complementary feeding at six
months to 70%
4. Increase the percentage of mothers and caregivers who know and practice home
management of childhood illness to 80%
5. Reduce the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition among school-age children
6. Increase the health care-seeking behavior of adolescents to 50%

Services and Protection Objectives

1. Ensure 90% of infants and children are provided with essential health care package
2. Increase the percentage of health facilities with available stocks of vaccines and essential
drugs and micronutrients to 80%
3. Increase the percentage of schools implementing school-based health and nutrition programs
to 80%
4. Increase the percentage of health facilities providing basic health services including
counseling for adolescents and youth to 70%
Strategies and Activities
* Enhance capacity and capability of health facilities in the early recognition, management and
prevention of common childhood illness
This will entail improvements in the flow of services in the implementing facilities to ensure that
every child receive the essential services for survival, growth and development in an organized
and efficient manner. Facilities should be equipped with the essential instruments, equipment and
supplies to provide the services. Health providers shall have the knowledge and skills to be able to
provide quality services for children. Existing child health policies, guidelines and standards shall
be reviewed and updated, and new ones formulated and disseminated to guide health providers in
the standard of care.
* Strengthening community-based support systems and interventions for children's health
Notable community-based projects and interventions, such as the health and nutrition posts,
mother support groups, community financing schemes shall be replicated for nationwide
implementation. Model building and dissemination of best practices from pilot sites has proven
effective in generating support and adoption in other sites. More of these shall be initiated
particularly for developing interventions to increase care-seeking and prevention of malnutrition
in children.
* Fostering linkages with advocacy groups and professional organizations and to promote
children's health
Collaboration with the nongovernment sector and professional groups shall:
* Conduct national campaigns on children's health
* Conduct and support national campaigns for children
* Initiate and support legislations and researches on children's health and welfare
* Development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for child health programs and
projects
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Contact Person:
Franklin c. Diza, MD, MPH
Respiratory conditions impose an enormous burden on society. According to the WHO World
Health Report 2000, the top five respiratory disease account for 17.4% of all deaths and 13.3% of
all Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Lower respiratory tract infections, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis and lung cancer are among the leading 10
causes of death worldwide. Based partly on demographic changes in in the developing world, but
also on the changes in health care systems schooling, income and tobacco use, the burden of
communicable diseases is likely to lessen while the burden of CRDs including asthma, COPD and
lung cancer will worsen because of tobacco use.
POLICY STATEMENT:
The prevention and control of chronic lifestyle related non-communicable diseases shall be guided
by the following policy statements:
1. The country shall adopt an integrated, comprehensive and community based response for the
prevention and control of chronic, lifestyle related NCDs.
2. Health promotion strategies shall be intensified to effect changes that would lead to a
significant reduction in mortality and morbidity due to chronic lifestyle related NCDs.
3. Complementary accountabilities of all stakeholders must be ensured and actively pursued in
the implementation of an integrated, comprehensive and community base response to chronic
lifestyle related NCDs.
OBJECTIVES
1. Decrease of morbidity and mortality
2. Decrease in the economic burden of CVDs to the individual, family and community.
STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED BY THE DOH
· Adopted in the context of health promotion in order to decrease the chances of the targeted
population to adopt high risk behaviors and habits that may lead to the development of COPD.
· Will be implemented by setting:
• Community-based
• School-based
• Industry-based
• Hospital-based
· Training, research, environmental support system are important components of the progress

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION / ACTION

1. Development of Administrative Order on the National Policy on the integrated chronic non-
communicable disease registry system (cancer, stroke, DM and COPD).
2. 1st public hearing on the Administrative Order on the National Policy on the integrated
chronic non-communicable disease registry system with CHD-NCR, government and private
hospitals and non-government agencies.
3. Trained hospitals for the registry system entitled “Users” training for the Unified Registry
System.
4. Trained CHDs for the Registry system.
5. Establishment of Philippine Coalition on the prevention and control of NCD.
6. A training manual for health workers on promoting healthy lifestyle.
7. Healthy lifestyle advocacy campaign.
8. Manual of operations on the prevention and control lifestyle related non-communicable
diseases in the Philippines.
9. Training manual for Health workers: WHO/ DOH smoking cessation clinic: Helping smokers
quit.
FUTURE PLAN/ACTION
· Implement the program through the institutionalized integrated program of NCD-lifestyle
related diseases control program.
· Development of service package for cardiovascular diseases.
· Development of clinical practice guideline for cardiovascular disease.
· Development of strategic framework and five-year strategic plan for cardiovascular disease
(2012-2016).
MISSION: To ensure that quality prevention and control and LRD services are accessible to all,
especially to the vulnerable and at-risk population.
VISION: Improved quality of life for all Filipinos.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Ano ang CLIMATE CHANGE?
Ang climate change ay ang pagbabago ng klima o panahon dahil sa pagtaas ng mg greenhouse
gases na nagpapainit sa mundo. Nagdudulot ito ng mga sakuna kagaya ng heatwave, baha at
tagtuyot na maaaring magdulot ng pagkakasakit o pagkamatay. Kapag tumaas ang temperatura ng
mundo, dadami ang mga sakit kagaya ng dengue, diarrhea, malnutrisyon at iba pa.
Sanhi ng CLIMATE CHANGE
Ayon sa pag-aaral, ang dalawang sanhi ng climate change ay ang:
1. Natural na pagbabago ng klima ng buong mundo nitong mga nagdaang matagal na panahon. Ito
ay sama-samang epekto ng enerhiya mula sa araw, sa pag-ikot ng mundo, at sa init na nagmumula
sa ilalim ng lupa na nagpapataas ng temperatura o init sa hangin na bumabalot sa mundo.
2. Mga gawain ng tao na nagbubunga ng pagdami o pagtaas ng carbon dioxide at iba pang
greenhouse gases )GHGs). ANg GHGs ang nagkukulong ng init sa mundo. Ang pagbuga ng
carbon dioxide ng mga sasakyang gumagamit ng gasolina, ang pagputol ng mga puno na siya
sanang mag-aalis ng carbon dioxide sa hangin, at pagkabulok ng mga bagay na organic na
nagbubunga ng methane (isa pang uri ng GHGs) ay ilan sa mga dahilan ng climate change.
Epektong Pangkalusugan ng CLIMATE CHANGE
Mga epekto sa tao ng matinding init, tagtuyot at bagyo.
 Pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso ng mga sakit na:
- Dala ng tubig o pagkain tulad ng choler at iba pang sakit na may pagtatae.
- Dala ng insekto tulad ng lamok )malaria at dengue) at ng daga (Leptospirosis).
Dulot ng polusyon (allergy)
 Malnutrisyon at epektong panglipunan dulot ng pagkasira ng mga komunidad at
pangkabuhayan nito.
 Video Presentation on Green for Health: Plant a Tree "Protecting Health from Climate
Change"
 Climate Change Policy Manual
 Climate Change WHO Reference Manual
 Climate Change Newsletter
COMMITTEE OF EXAMINERS FOR MASSAGE THERAPY (CEMT)
Rationale
Traditional medicine throughout the world recognizes the significance of therapeutic massage in
managing stress, illness or chronic ailments. Massage therapy is considered the oldest method of
healing that applies various techniques like fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking,
friction, kneading and compression using primarily the hands and other areas of the body such as
the forearms, elbows or feet to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body.
Massage therapy can lead to significant biochemical, physical, behavioral and clinical changes in
massage as well as the person giving the massage. It contributes to a higher sense of general well-
being. Recognizing this, many healthcare professionals have begun to incorporate massage therapy
as a complement to their routine clinical care. Efficacy of massage therapy in patient ranges from
preterm neonates to senior citizens. Although the country has the training standards and regulations
through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), it lacks control /
regulations over the training institutions, thus, anyone who calls himself/herself a massage
therapist is one, regardless of training or experience.
Objective:
The Department of Health created the Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) to
regulate the practice of massage therapy in accordance to the provisions of the Sanitation Code of
the Philippines (PD 856) and Executive Order No. 102 s. 1999, Reorganization and Streamlining
of the Department of Health. It provides the CEMT the function to ensure that only qualified
individuals enter the regulated profession and that the care and services which the massage
therapists provide are within the standards of practice.
Strategies:
To ensure that only qualified individuals enter the regulated profession and that the care and
services which the massage therapists provide are within the standards of practice, the DOH-
CEMT created:
1. CEMT Resolution No. 2011-001 - Three-Year Transition Period for Compliance to
Administrative Order No. 2010-0034.
2. Memorandum dated August 10, 2010 - to the Centers of Health Development (CHDs)
Human Resource Development Units (HRDUs) regarding Updates on the Committee of
Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) Program
3. Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 - Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of
PD 856 Chapter XIII Governing Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments
4. CEMT Resolution No. 2010-001 - Adoption of the Code of Ethics for Massage Therapists
in the Philippines.
5. CEMT Resolution No. 2009-001 - Creation of Committee for Continuing Massage
Therapy Education Council (CMTEC)
6. CEMT Resolution No. 2008-001 - Conduct of Licensure Examination for Massage
Therapists in Centers for Health Development (CHDs) to conduct a simultaneous licensure
examination in the Central Office and the CHDs with a minimum of 50 examinees for cost
effectiveness.
7. Department Memorandum No. 2008-0009 - Designation of DOH Human Resource
Development Units (DOH-HRDUs) as Coordinators for Massage Therapy Program to
facilitate immediate response to queries and complaints regarding the massage therapy
practice.
 8. CEMT Resolution No. 2008-001 - Accredited training institutions and training providers
for massage therapists for CY 2008-2011 to regulate existing and potential training
providers and training institutions for massage therapists for the enhancement and
maintenance of its professional standards.
9. CEMT Resolution No. 2008-002 - Extension of Moratorium as per CEMT Resolution No.
2008-001
10. CEMT Resolution No. 2008-001 - Moratorium on the Non-Renewal of Licenses for
Embalmers for the past five (5) years and over with the aim of providing chance to licensed
embalmers who were unable to renew their licenses for the past five years and over
11. Administrative Order No. 2008-0031 - Policies and Guidelines for the Accreditation of
Training Institutions, Training Programs and Training Providers for Massage Therapists in
the Philippines with the aim of institutionalizing the continuing education program for
massage therapists in the country. Hence, to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethical
and technical, moral and professional standards in its practice, taking into account the
quality of care to be rendered to respective clientele. At the same time, the regulation
ensures the global competitiveness of the massage therapists.
Chapter XIII "Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments mandate the CEMT to monitor and
enforce quality standards of massage therapy practice in the Philippines and exercise the powers
necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethical and technical, moral and professional
standards in its practice, taking into account the quality of care to be rendered to respective
clientele. At the same time, the regulations ensure the global competitiveness of the Filipino
massage therapists.
Program Status
Nationwide information dissemination of the following:
 Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 (Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments)
 Curriculum for Licensure Examinations
 Manuals for Licensure Examinations
 Code of Ethics
1. March 25, 2011 - National Capital Region
2. May 3, 2011 - Visayas Regions (Iloilo City)
3. May 13, 2011 - Mindanao Region (Cagayan de Oro City)
4. June 30, 2011 - Butuan City (upon request)
5. August 25, 2011 - Aklan (upon request)
DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the Philippines. The prevalence of
dental caries on permanent teeth has generally remained above 90% throughout the years. About
92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay (dental caries) and 78% have gum diseases (periodontal
diseases) (DOH, NMEDS 1998). Although preventable, these diseases affect almost every Filipino
at one point or another in his or her lifetime.

Table 1: Prevalence of the Two Most Common Oral Diseases by Year, Philippines
Prevalence
YEAR
Dental Caries Periodontal Disease
1987 93.9% 65.5%
1992 96.3% 48.1%
1998 92.4% 78.3%

The oral health status of Filipino children is alarming. The 2006 National Oral Health
Survey (Monse B. et al, NOHS 2006) investigated the oral health status of Philippine public
elementary school students. It revealed that 97.1% of six-year-old children suffer from tooth decay.
More than four out of every five children of this subgroup manifested symptoms of dentinogenic
infection. In addition, 78.4% of twelve-year-old children suffer from dental caries and 49.7% of
the same age group manifested symptoms of dentinogenic infections. The severity of dental caries,
expressed as the average number of decayed teeth indicated for filling/extraction or filled
permanent teeth (DMFT) or temporary teeth (dmft), was 8.4 dmft for the six-year-old age group
and 2.9 DMFT for the twelve-year-old age group (NOHS 2006).
Table 2 - Dental caries Experience (Mean DMFT/dmft), per age groups, Philippines
Age in NMEDS NMEDS NMEDS NMEDS NMEDS
Years 1982 1987 1992 1998 2006
6 8.4 dmft
12 6.39 5.52 5.43 4.58 2.9
15-19 8.51 8.25 6.3
35-44 14.18 14.82 14.42 15.04

Filipinos bear the burden of gum diseases early in their childhood. According to NOHS,
74% of twelve-year-old children suffer from gingivitis. If not treated early, these children become
susceptible to irreversible periodontal disease as they enter adolescence and approach adulthood.
In general, tooth decay and gum diseases do not directly cause disability or death.
However, these conditions can weaken bodily defenses and serve as portals of entry to other more
serious and potentially dangerous systemic diseases and infections. Serious conditions include
arthritis, heart disease, endocarditis, gastro-intestinal diseases, and ocular-skin-renal diseases.
Aside from physical deformity, these two oral diseases may also cause disturbance of speech
significant enough to affect work performance, nutrition, social interactions, income, and self-
esteem. Poor oral health poses detrimental effects on school performance and mars success
in later life. In fact, children who suffer from poor oral health are 12 times more likely to have
restricted-activity days (USGAO 2000). In the Philippines, toothache is a common ailment among
schoolchildren, and is the primary cause of absenteeism from school (Araojo 2003, 103-110).
Indeed, dental and oral diseases create a silent epidemic, placing a heavy burden on Filipino
schoolchildren.
VISION: Empowered and responsible Filipino citizens taking care of their own
personal oral health for an
enhanced quality of life
MISSION: The state shall ensure quality, affordable, accessible and available oral
health care delivery.
GOAL: Attainment of improved quality of life through promotion of oral health
and quality oral health care.

OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS:

1. The prevalence of dental caries is reduce
Annual Target : 5% reduction of the prevalence rate every year
2. The prevalence of periodontal disease is reduced
Annual Targets : 5% reduction of the prevalence rate every year
3. Dental caries experience is reduced
Annual Target : 5% reduction of the mean dmft/DMFT for 5/6 years old and 12 years old children
every year
4. The proportion of Orally Fit Children (OFC) 12-71 months old is
increased
Annual Targets : Increased by 20% yearly

The national government is primarily tasked to develop policies and guideline for local
government units. In 2007, the Department of Health formulated the Guidelines in the
Implementation of Oral Health Program for Public Health Services (AO 2007-0007). The program
aims to reduce the prevalence rate of dental caries to 85% and periodontal disease by to 60% by
the end of 2016. The program seeks to achieve these objectives by providing preventive, curative,
and promotive dental health care to Filipinos through a lifecycle approach. This approach provides
a continuum of quality care by establishing a package of essential basic oral health care (BOHC)
for every lifecycle stage, starting from infancy to old age.
The following are the basic package of essential oral health services/care for every lifecycle
group to be provided either in health facilities, schools or at home.
TYPES OF SERVICE
LIFECYCLE
(Basic Oral Health Care Package)
 Oral Examination
 Oral Prophylaxis (scaling)
Mother(Pregnant
 Permanent fillings
Women) **
 Gum treatment
 Health instruction
 Dental check-up as soon as the first tooth erupts
Neonatal and Infants
 Health instructions on infant oral health care
under 1 year old**
and advise on exclusive breastfeeding
 Dental check-up as soon as the first tooth
Children 12-71 months appears and every 6 months thereafter
old **  Supervised tooth brushing drills
 Oral Urgent Treatment (OUT)
 - removal of unsavable teeth
- referral of complicated cases
- treatment of post extraction complications
- drainage of localized oral abscess
 Application of Atraumatic Restorative
Treatment (ART)
 Oral Examination
 Supervising tooth brushing drills
School Children (6-12  Topical fluoride therapy
years old)  Pits and Fissure Sealant Application
 Oral Prophylaxis
 Permanent Fillings
 Oral Examination
 Health promotion and education on oral
Adolescent and Youth
hygiene, and adverse effect on consumption of
(10-24 years old)**
sweets and sugary beverages, tobacco and
alcohol
 Oral Examination
Other Adults (25-59  Emergency dental treatment
years old)  Health instruction and advice
 Referrals
 Oral Examination
 Extraction of unsavable tooth
Older Person (60 years
 Gum treatment
old and above)**
 Relief of Pain
 Health instruction and advice
STRATEGIES AND ACTION POINTS:
1. Formulate policy and regulations to ensure the full implementation of OHP
a. Establishment of effective networking system (Deped, DSWD, LGU, PDA, Fit for School,
Academe and others)
b. Development of policies, standards, guidelines and clinical protocols
- Fluoride Use
- Tooth brushing
- Other Preventive Measures
2. Ensure financial access to essential public and personal oral health services
a. Develop an outpatient benefit package for oral health under the NHIP of the government
b. Develop financing schemes for oral health applicable to other levels of care ( Fee for service,
Cooperatives, Network with HMOS)
c. Restoration of oral health budget line item in the GAA of DOH Central Office
3. Provide relevant, timely and accurate information management system for oral Health.
a. Improve existing information system/data collection (reporting and recording dental
services and accomplishments )
- setting of essential indicators
- development of IT system on recording and reporting oral health service accomplishments
and indices
- Integrate oral health in every family health information tools, recording books/manuals
 b. Conduct Regular Epidemiological Dental Surveys – every 5 years
4. Ensure access and delivery of quality oral health care services.
a. Upgrading of facilities, equipment, instruments, supplies
b. Develop packages of essential care/services for different groups (children, mothers and
marginalized groups)
-revival of the sealant program for school children
- tooth brushing program for pre-school children
- outreach programs for marginalized groups
c. Design and implement grant assistance mechanism for high performing LGUs
- Awards and incentives
- Sub-allotment of funds for priority programs/activities
d. Regular conduct of consultation meetings, technical updates and program implementation
reviews with stakeholders
5. Build up highly motivated health professionals and trained auxiliaries to manage and
provide quality oral health care
a. Provision of adequate dental personnel
b. Capacity enhancement programs for dental personnel and non-dental personnel

Current FHSIS Indicators/parameters:

a) Orally Fit Child (OFC)– Proportion of children 12-71 months old and are orally fit
during a given point of time. Is defined as a child who meets the following conditions upon oral
examination and/or completion of treatment a) caries- free or carious tooth/teeth filled either with
temporary or permanent filling materials, b) have healthy gums, c) has no oral debris, and d) No
handicapping dento-facial anomaly or no dento-facial anomaly that limits normal function of the
oral cavity
b) Children 12-71 months old provided with Basic Oral Health Care (BOHC)
c) Adolescent and Youth (10-24 years old) provided with Basic Oral Health care
(BOHC)
d) Pregnant Women provided with Basic oral Health Care (BOHC)
e) Older Persons 60 years old and above provided with Basic Oral Health Care (BOHC)

Policy/Standards/Guidelines formulated/developed:
a. AO. 101 s. 2003 dated Oct. 14, 2003 – National Policy on Oral Health
b. AO 2007-0007 – Dated January 3, 2007 Guidelines In The Implementation Of Oral
Health Program For Public Health Services In The Philippines
c. AO 4-s.1998 – Revised Rules and Regulations and Standard Requirements for
Private School Dental services in the Philippines
d. AO 11-D s. 1998 – Revised Standard Requirements for Hospital Dental services in
the Philippines
e. AO 3 s. 1998 - Revised Rules and Regulations and Standard Requirements for
Occupational Dental services in the Philippines
f. AO 4-A s. 1998 – Infection Control Measures for Dental Health Services

Trainings/Capacity Enhancement Program:

a. Basic Orientation Course on Management of Public Health Dentist
 The training program was designed with the Public Health Dentists (PHDs) as the main
recipients of the Basic Course on the Management of Oral Health Program. The training is
expected to provide an in-depth understanding of the different roles and functions of the PHDs in
the management and delivery of Public Health Services. A training module was developed for the
basic course.

Researches:
a. National Monitoring Evaluation Dental Survey (NMEDS).
The Department of Health (DOH) has been conducting nationwide surveys every five years (1977,
1982, 1987, 1992, and 1998) to determine the prevalence of oral diseases in the Philippines. Data
gathered provide continuous information that enables planners to update data used in planning,
implementation and evaluation of existing oral health programs. The latest NMEDS was conducted
in 2011. Results will be available on the 1st quarter of 2012.

Existing Working Group for Oral Health:

National Technical Working Group (TWG) on Oral Health (DPO 2005-1197)
Member Agencies: Department of Health (NCDPC, HHRDB, NCHP)
DOH- Center for Health Development for NCR, Central Luzon and
Calabarzon
Philippine Dental Association
Department of Education
Up- College of Public Health
Department of Interior and Local Government
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Local Government Units ( Makati, Quezon City)

Print materials:
1. Leaflets (Malakas ang dating Buo ang Ngipin) for Children, Adolescent, Pregnant Women
and Older Person
2. Training Module on Basic Course on Management of Oral Health Program
Non-Government Organization Major Partners:
Philippine Dental Association
Fit for School, Inc.
Program Managers/Coordinators:
Dr. Manuel F. Calonge
Chief Health Program Officer
National Oral Health Program Coordinator
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Department of Health
Manila, Philippines
(632) 651-7800 loc. 1726-1730
E-Mail : mfcalonge@yahoo.com
DIABETES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Rosemarie P. Holandes
Diabetes is a global concern that cuts across geographical boundaries regardless of race,
sex, status and age. Diabetes and its complications impose a heavy burden to the individual, his
family and society in general. Some of its serious effects are disability, poor quality of life and
premature death. These impacts not only on health care cost but more significantly on national
growth and development.

GOAL
To reduce morbidity, mortality and disability rates due to chronic lifestyle related non-
communicable diseases through an integrated and comprehensive program on the prevention and
control of lifestyle related diseases.

OBJECTIVES
1. To develop and promote an integrated and comprehensive program on the prevention and
control of lifestyle related diseases in the country.
2. To engage all province-wide or city-wide health systems to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive program on the prevention and control of lifestyle related diseases.
3. To achieve improvement in the following key performance indicators from 2011-2016.

INTERVENTIONS / STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED BY DOH

The action framework has seven (7) action areas as follows: (1) Environmental Interventions (2)
Lifestyle interventions (3) Clinical interventions (4) Advocacy (5) Research, surveillance,
monitoring and evaluation (6) Networking and coalition building (7) Health system strengthening

STATUS IMPLEMENTATION/ ACCOMPLISHMENT

 Policy/standard/ Guidelines Development
 Development of clinical practice guidelines on diabetes and other NCDs are on-going
 Promotion and Advocacy
 Conduct of healthy lifestyle to the MAX campaign- this advocacy focuses on clear
health priorities such as consumption of healthy diet, promoting physical activity,
curbing the use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs, proper weight and stress
management, early detection and control of hypertension.
 Coalition Building
 Also, known as healthy lifestyle coalition, the DOH encourages the fast food
establishments to offer healthier food choices by reducing the fat, sugar and salt content
as well as trans-fatty acids in the food they serve.
 Future Plan/ Action
 Printing and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines on diabetes-
Orientation/forum will be conducted among NCD coordinators in CHDs and
hospitals to discuss details of the CPG. Experts from diabetes societies will be
invited as speakers.
 Continue conduct of promotion and advocacy activities and partnership with
specialty societies and other stakeholders on NCD prevention and control
including diabetes.
 Ensure implementation of diabetes registry
 Together with National Center for Health Promotion and other experts on diabetes,
develop various information-education materials on the prevention and
management of diabetes for dissemination to various clients.
DENGUE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM
The National Dengue Prevention and Control Program was first initiated by the Department of
Health (DOH) in 1993. Region VII and the National Capital Region served as the pilot sites. It
was not until 1998 when the program was implemented nationwide. The target populations of the
program are the general population, the local government units, and the local health workers.

Vision: Dengue Risk-Free Philippines

Mission: To improve the quality of health of Filipinos by adopting an integrated dengue

control approach in the prevention and control of dengue infection.

Goal: Reduce morbidity and mortality from dengue infection by preventing the
transmission of the virus from the mosquito vector human.

Objectives:
The objectives of the program are categorized into three: health status objectives; risk reduction
objectives; and services & protection objectives.

Health Status Objectives:

 Reduce incidence from 32 cases/100,000 population to 20 cases/100,000 population;
 Reduce case fatality rate by <1%; and
 Detect and contain all epidemics.

Risk Reduction Objectives:

 Reduce the risk of human exposure to aedes bite by House index of <5 and Breteau index
of 20;
 Increase % of HH practicing removal of mosquito breeding places to 80%; and
 Increase awareness on DF/DHF to 100%.

Services & Protection Objectives:

 Establish a Dengue Reference Laboratory capable of performing IgM capture ELISA for
Dengue Surveillance;
 Increase the % of 1° and 2° government hospitals with laboratory capable of platelet count
and hematocrit; and
 Ensure surveillance and investigation of all epidemics.

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in the achievement of the program’s objectives:
 World Health Organization (WHO)
 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 Department of Education (DepEd)
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE
PROGRAM
Emerging and re-emerging infections (e.g., SARS, meningococcemia, Avian Influenza or
bird flu, A (H1N1) virus infection) threaten countries all over the world.
In 2003, SARS affected at least 30 countries with most of the countries from Asia. In
response to its sudden and unexpected emergence, quarantine and isolation measures and rapid
contract tracing were carried out. The Philippines was able to minimize the impact of SARS
through effective information dissemination, risk communication, and efficient conduct of
measures.
The unexpected and unusual increase in cases of meningococcal disease (meningococcemia
as the predominant form) in the Cordillera Autonomous Region resulted to at least 50% of cases
in the early stage of occurrence.
In 2009, the influenza A (H1N1) virus infection led to global epidemic, or most popularly
known as pandemic. On June 11, 2009, a full pandemic alert was declared by the World Health
Organization (WHO).
However, some local health offices from many provinces were not able to respond
effectively and rapidly. With the lack of strong linkages and coordinating mechanisms, the
Department of Health (DOH) hopes to further improve the functionality and effectiveness of local
response systems.
Efforts to prepare for emerging infections with potential for causing high morbidity and
mortality are being done by the program. Applicable prevention and control measures are being
integrated while the existing systems and organizational structures are further strengthened.

Goal: Prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease from becoming
public health problems.

Objectives:
The program aims to:
1. Reduce public health impact of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; and
2. Strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious
diseases.

Program Strategies:
The DOH, in collaboration with its partner organizations/agencies, employs the key strategies:
1. Development of systems, policies, standards, and guidelines for preparedness and response to
emerging diseases;
2. Technical Assistance or Technical Collaboration;
3. Advocacy/Information dissemination;
4. Intersectoral collaborations;
5. Capability building for management, prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging
diseases that may pose epidemic/pandemic threat; and
6. Logistical support for drugs and vaccines for meningococcemia and anti-viral drugs and vaccine
for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in achieving the goal of the program:
 World Health Organization (WHO)
 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 Department of Education (DepEd)
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
 Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI)

Program Manager:
Dr. Lyndon L. Lee Suy
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
Email: donleesuymd@yahoo.com
DENGUE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM
The National Dengue Prevention and Control Program was first initiated by the Department of
Health (DOH) in 1993. Region VII and the National Capital Region served as the pilot sites. It
was not until 1998 when the program was implemented nationwide. The target populations of the
program are the general population, the local government units, and the local health workers.
Vision: Dengue Risk-Free Philippines
Mission: To improve the quality of health of Filipinos by adopting an integrated dengue
control approach in the prevention and control of dengue infection.
Goal: Reduce morbidity and mortality from dengue infection by preventing the
transmission of the virus from the mosquito vector human.
Objectives:
The objectives of the program are categorized into three: health status objectives; risk reduction
objectives; and services & protection objectives.

Health Status Objectives:

 Reduce incidence from 32 cases/100,000 population to 20 cases/100,000 population;
 Reduce case fatality rate by <1%; and
 Detect and contain all epidemics.
Risk Reduction Objectives:
 Reduce the risk of human exposure to aedes bite by House index of <5 and Breteau index
of 20;
 Increase % of HH practicing removal of mosquito breeding places to 80%; and
 Increase awareness on DF/DHF to 100%.

Services & Protection Objectives:

 Establish a Dengue Reference Laboratory capable of performing IgM capture ELISA for
Dengue Surveillance;
 Increase the % of 1° and 2° government hospitals with laboratory capable of platelet count
and hematocrit; and
 Ensure surveillance and investigation of all epidemics.

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in the achievement of the program’s objectives:
 World Health Organization (WHO)
 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 Department of Education (DepEd)
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)

Program Manager:
Dr. Lyndon L. Lee Suy
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
Email: donleesuymd@yahoo.com
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Environmental Health is concerned with preventing illness through managing the environment
and by changing people's behavior to reduce exposure to biological and non-biological agents of
disease and injury. It is concerned primarily with effects of the environment to the health of the
people.
Program strategies and activities are focused on environmental sanitation, environmental
health impact assessment and occupational health through inter-agency collaboration. An Inter-
Agency Committee on Environmental Health was created by virtue of E.O. 489 to facilitate and
improve coordination among concerned agencies. It provides the venue for technical collaboration,
effective monitoring and communication, resource mobilization, policy review and development.
The Committee has five sectoral task forces on water, solid waste, air, toxic and chemical
substances and occupational health.
Vision: Health Settings for All Filipinos

Mission: Provide leadership in ensuring health settings

Goals:

Reduction of environmental and occupational related diseases, disabilities and deaths through
health promotion and mitigation of hazards and risks in the environment and workplaces.

Strategic Objectives

1. Development of evidence-based policies, guidelines, standards, programs and parameters for

specific healthy settings.

2. Provision of technical assistance to implementers and other relevant partners

3. Strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration and broad based mass participation for the promotion
and attainment of healthy settings

Key Result Areas

Appropriate development and regular evaluation of relevant programs, projects, policies and plans
on environmental and occupational health
Timely provision of technical assistance to Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and other
partners
Development of responsive/relevant legislative and research agenda on DPC
Timely provision of technical inputs to curriculum development and conduct of human resource
development
Timely provision of technically sound advice to the Secretary and other stakeholders
Timely and adequate provision of strategic logistics
Components

Inter- agency Committee on Environmental Health

ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE
Profile/Rationale of the Health Program

The Child Survival Strategy published by the Department of Health has emphasized the need to
strengthen health services of children throughout the stages. The neonatal period has been
identified as one of the most crucial phase in the survival and development of the child. The United
Nations Millennium Development Goal Number 4 of reducing under five child mortality can be
achieved by the Philippines however if the neonatal mortality rates are not addressed from its non-
moving trend of decline, MDG 4 might not be achieved.

Vision and Mission: None to mention as these are inclusive in the MNCHN Strategy and NOH
2011-2016
Goals: To reduce neonatal mortality rates by 2/3 from 1990 levels
Objectives:
1. To provide evidence-based practices to ensure survival of the newborn from birth up to the
first 28 days of life
2. To deliver time-bound core intervention in the immediate period after the delivery of the
newborn
3. To strengthen health facility environment for breastfeeding initiation to take place and for
breastfeeding to be continued from discharge up to 2 years of life
4. To provide appropriate and timely emergency newborn care to newborns in need of
resuscitation
5. To ensure access of newborns to affordable life-saving medicines to reduce deaths and
morbidity from leading causes of newborn conditions
6. To ensure inclusion of newborn care in the overall approach to the Maternal, Newborn,
Child Health and Nutrition Strategy

Stakeholders:
1. Both public and private sector at all levels of health service delivery providing maternal and
newborn services
2. Health Professional Organizations and their member health professionals
a. Pediatricians/neonatologists of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and the Philippine Society
of Newborn Medicine (PSNbM)
b. Obstetrician-Gynecologists of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS)
c. Perinatologists of the Perinatal Association of the Philippines, Inc., (PAPI)
d. Anesthesiologists and obstetric anesthesiologists of the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists
(PSA) and the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia of the Philippines (SOAP),
e. Family medicine specialists of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP)
f. Nurses, Maternal and child nurses, intensive care nurses of the Philippine Nurses Association
and its affiliate nursing societies
g. Midwives of the Integrated Midwives of the Philippines (IMAP), Philippine League of
Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI), Midwives Foundation of the Philippines
(MFP) and Well Family Midwives Clinic
3. Government regulatory bodies e.g. Professional Regulations Commission
4. Academe - professors and instructors from member’s schools and colleges of:
a. Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC)
b. Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN)
c. Association of Philippine Schools of Midwifery
5. Hospital, health care administrator and infection control associations
a. Philippine Hospital Association (PHA)
b. Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP)
c. Philippine College of Hospital Administrators
d. Philippine Hospital Infection Control Society
6. Local government units - local chief executives and LGU legislative bodies

Beneficiaries:
a. Newborns all over the country
b. Parents
c. communities

Program Strategies:
1. Health Sector Reform
a. Policy and Guideline Issuance
i) Administrative Order 2009-0025 - Adopting Policies and Guidelines on Essential Newborn Care
- December 1, 2009
ii) Clinical Pocket Guide on Essential Newborn Care
b. Aquino Health Agenda and Achieving Universal Health Care - Administrative Order 2010-0036
c. PhilHealth Circular 2011-011 dated August 5, 2011 on Newborn Care Package
d. Development of Operationalization of Essential Newborn Care Protocol in Health Facilities
2 Identification of Centers of Excellence
- Adoption of essential newborn care protocol (including intrapartum care and the MNCHN
Strategy)
3. Curriculum Reforms
- Curriculum integration of essential newborn care (including intrapartum care and the MNCHN
Strategy) in undergraduate health courses
- Integration and revision of board exam questions in licensure examinations for physicians, nurses
and midwives
4. Social Marketing
- Development of social marketing tools - Unang Yakap MDG 4 & 5

Major Activities and its Guidelines:

a. Conduct of one-day orientation-workshop on essential newborn care (including intrapartum care
and the MNCHN Strategy)
b. Regional MNCHN Conference for CHDs and LGUs including DOH-retained hospitals and
LGU hospitals

Current Status of the Program

A. What have been achieved/done
1. Policy was issued in December 1, 2009
2. DOH/WHO Scale-up Implementation was done in 11 hospitals
3. Advocacy Partners Forum on essential newborn care (including intrapartum care and the
MNCHN Strategy)
4. One-day orientation-workshop on essential newborn care (including intrapartum care and the
MNCHN Strategy) among health workers in different health facilities
5. Inclusion of dexamethasone and surfactant as core medicines in the essential medicines list for
children in the Philippine National Formulary

B. Statistics
Early outcomes of EINC implementation has shown reduction on neonatal deaths in select DOH-
retained hospitals including deaths from neonatal sepsis and complications of prematurity

Partner organizations/agencies:
 National Nutrition Council
 Population Commission
 WHO
 UNICEF
 UNFPA
 AusAID
 USAID
 health professional and academic organizations mentioned above.

Program Manager:
Dr. Anthony Calibo
Supervising Health Program Officer
Direct Line: (63 2) 7392-956; (63 2) 6517800 local 1726, 1728, 1729
Telefax (Director IV's Office): (63 2) 711-7846
Mobile: 09174810661 or 09237764870
EXPANDED PROGRAM ON IMMUNIZATION
I. Rationale
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was established in 1976 to ensure that
infants/children and mothers have access to routinely recommended infant/childhood vaccines.
Six vaccine-preventable diseases were initially included in the EPI: tuberculosis, poliomyelitis,
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles. In 1986, 21.3% “fully immunized” children less than
fourteen months of age based on the EPI Comprehensive Program review.

II. Scenario
Global Situation
The burden
In 2002, WHO estimated that 1.4 million of deaths among children under 5 years due to diseases
that could have been prevented by routine vaccination. This represents 14% of global total
mortality in children under 5 years of age.

Source: Weekly Epidemiological Record, WHO: No.46,2011,86.509-520)

Burden of Diseases
The immunization coverage of all individual vaccines has improved as shown in Figure 1:
(Demographic Health Survey 2003 and 2008). Fully Immunized Child (FIC) coverage improved
by 10% and the Child Protected at Birth (CPAB) against Tetanus improved by 13% compared to
any prior period. Thus, the Philippines has now historically the highest coverage for these two
major indicators.

Figure 1: Comparison of the 2003 and 2008 EPI indicators, Source: NDHS

III. Interventions/ Strategies

Program Objectives/Goals:

Over-all Goal:
To reduce the morbidity and mortality among children against the most common vaccine-
preventable diseases.

Specific Goals:
1. To immunize all infants/children against the most common vaccine-preventable diseases.
2. To sustain the polio-free status of the Philippines.
3. To eliminate measles infection.
4. To eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus
5. To control diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis b and German measles.
6. To prevent extra pulmonary tuberculosis among children.

Mandates:
Republic Act No. 10152“MandatoryInfants and Children Health Immunization Act of
2011Signed by President Benigno Aquino III in July 26, 2010. The mandatory includes basic
immunization for children under 5 including other types that will be determined by the Secretary
of Health.

Strategies:
 Conduct of Routine Immunization for Infants/Children/Women through
the Reaching Every Barangay (REB) strategy
REB strategy, an adaptation of the WHO-UNICEF Reaching Every District (RED), was
introduced in 2004 aimed to improve the access to routine immunization and reduce drop-
outs. There are 5 components of the strategy, namely: data analysis for action, re-establish
outreach services, strengthen links between the community and service, supportive supervision
and maximizing resources.
 Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA)
Supplementary immunization activities are used to reach children who have not been vaccinated
or have not developed sufficient immunity after previous vaccinations. It can be conducted either
national or sub-national –in selected areas.

 Strengthening Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance

This is critical for the eradication/elimination efforts, especially in identifying true cases of
measles and indigenous wild polio virus
 Procurement of adequate and potent vaccines and needles and syringes to all health
facilities nationwide

IV. Status of implementation/ Accomplishment

 All health facilities (health centers and barangay health stations) have at least one (1)
health staff trained on REB.

Polio Eradication:
 The Philippines has sustained its polio-free status since October 2000.
 Declining Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) third dose coverage since 2008 from 91% to 83%. A
least 95% OPV3 coverage need to be achieved to produce the required herd immunity for
protection.

Figure 2 OPV1 and OPV3 Coverage, Philippines, 2005-2010

 There is an on-going polio mass immunization to all children ages 6 weeks up to 59 months
old in the 10 highest risk areas for neonatal tetanus. These areas are the following: Abra,
Banguet, Isabela City and Basilan, Lanao Norte, Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Lanao Sur,
Marawi City and Sulu.

 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) reporting rate has decreased from 1.44 in 2010 to 1.38 in
2011. Only regions III, V and VIII have achieved the AFP rate of 2/100,000 children below
15 years old. (Source: NEC, DOH). A decreasing AFP rate means we may not be able to
find true cases of polio and may experience resurgence of polio
cases
Measles Elimination
 Conducted 4 rounds of mass measles campaign: 1998, 2004, 2007 and 2011.
 Implemented the 2-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV) in 2009
MCV1 (monovalent measles) at 9-11 months’ old
MCV2 (MMR) at 12-15 months old.
 Implemented and strengthened the laboratory surveillance for confirmation of measles.
Blood samples are withdrawn from all measles suspect to confirm the case as measles
infection.
 A supplemental immunization campaign for measles and rubella (German measles) was
done in 2011. This was dubbed as “Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas” 15.6 million (84%) out
of the 18.5 million children ages 9 months to 8 years old were given 1 dose of the measles-
rubella (MR) vaccine between April and June 2011.
 Rapid coverage assessment (RCA) were conducted in selected areas to validate
immunization coverage, assess high quality and that there are NO missed child in every
barangay. Overall RCA results showed that 70,594 (97.6%) out of 72,353 9 months to 8
years old living in the randomly selected barangays were vaccinated. There are 3,494
barangays with a population of 1000 and above that were randomly selected. 97.6% of all
eligible children were given the MR vaccine during the immunization campaign.
 The Government of the Philippines spent PhP 635.7M for the successful conduct of the
MR campaign’s high quality and that there are NO missed child in every barangay. Overall
RCA results showed that 70,594 (97.6%) out of 72,353 9 months to 8 years old living in
the randomly selected barangays were vaccinated. There are 3,494 barangays with a
population of 1000 and above that were randomly selected. 97.6% of all eligible children
were given the MR vaccine during the immunization campaign.
 As of Morbidity Week 8 of 2012, there were 92 confirmed cases: 60 cases were laboratory
confirmed, 5 cases were epidemiologically-linked and 27 clinically confirmed. This means
we have at least 60 “true” measles at present. Measles is said to be eliminated if we have 1
case per million or below 100 cases in a year

Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination

 10 areas were classified as highest risk for neonatal tetanus (NT). Figure 3 shows the areas
categorized as low risk, at risk and highest risk based on the NT surveillance, skilled birth
attendants and facility based delivery and the tetanus toxoid 2+ (TT 2+) vaccination.

Figure 3: Level of Risk for NT, Philippines

 Three (3) rounds of TT vaccination are currently on-going in the 10 highest risk areas. An
estimated 1,010,751 women age 15 - 40-year-old women regardless of their TT
immunization will receive the vaccine during these rounds. This is funded by the Kiwanis
International through UNICEF and World Health Organization.

Control of other common vaccine-preventable diseases (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B

and Meningitis/Encephalitis secondary to H. influenza type B)
Continuous vaccination for infants and children with the DPT or the combination DPT-HepB-HiB
Type B. Annex1 EPI Annual Accomplishment Report. DOH procures all the vaccines and needles
and syringes for the immunization activities targeted to infants/children/mothers.
Hepatitis B Control
 Republic Act No. 10152 has been signed. It is otherwise known as the “Mandatory Infants
and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, which requires that all children under five
years old be given basic immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases. Specifically,
this bill provides for all infants to be given the birth dose of the Hepatitis-B vaccine within
24 hours of birth.
 One strategy to strengthen Hepatitis B coverage is to integrate birth dose in the Essential
Intrapartum and Newborn Care Package (EINC). In 2011, 11 tertiary hospitals are already
EINC compliant.
 The goal of Hepatitis B control is to reduce the chronic hepatitis B infection rate as
measured by HBsAg prevalence to less than 1% in five-year-old born after routine
vaccination started 100% Hepatitis B at birth vaccination.
Figure 4 Hepatitis B Coverage. Philippines, 2001-2011
Timing of administration/dose 2009 2010* 2011*
<24 hours 34% 38% 14%
>24 hours 62% 55% 24%
Hep B 3rd dose 86% 81% 30%
*both 2010 and 2011 data are as of October 2011

Vaccines and cold chain management

 Upgraded the cold chain equipment in the 80 provinces, 38 cities and 16 regions since
2003.
 An effective vaccine management assessment was conducted last December 2011 and
revealed cold chain capacity gaps from the national up to the implementers level.
 A total of PhP 267 million is required to address the gaps identified during the assessment.

Introduction to New Vaccines

 For 2012, Rotavirus and Pneumococcal vaccines will be introduced in the national
immunization program. Immunization will be prioritized among the infants of families
listed in the National Housing and Targeting System (NHTS) for Poverty Reduction
nationwide.
 The Government of the Philippines has allocated PhP 1.6 billion for the procurement of
these 2 vaccines.

V. Future Plan/ Action

 Strengthening the Cold Chain to support the Immunization Program
 Capacity Building for Health Workers for the Introduction of New Vaccines
 Advocacy for the financial sustainability for the newly introduced vaccines for expansion.
 Development of the comprehensive multi-year plan for immunization program.

VI. Other Significant information worth mentioning

 One significant milestone is that the budget allocation for the immunization program has
continued to increase year by year
  The Government of the Philippines allocated budget for the immunization of all
infants/children/women/older persons nationwide. For 2012, the budget for EPI is PhP1.8
billion and another P1.5 Billion for the immunization for senior citizen and children for the
NHTS families. This is great leap towards universal access to quality vaccines for the
prevention of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases.

Program Managers:
Dr. Joyce Ducusin
Medical Specialist IV
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Telephone Number: 651-7800 locals 1726-1730

Ms. Luzviminda Garcia

Supervising Health Program Officer
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Telephone Number: 651-7800 locals 1726-1730
FOOD FORTIFICATION PROGRAM
Objectives:
1. To provide the basis for the need for a food fortification program in the Philippines: The
Micronutrient Malnutrition Problem
2. To discuss various types of food fortification strategies
3. To provide an update on the current situation of food fortification in the Philippines
Fortification as defined by Codex Alimentarius
“the addition of one or more essential nutrients to food, whether or not it is normally contained in
the food, for the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency of one or more
nutrients in the population or specific population groups”
Vitamin A, Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and its Consequences
 ›Vitamin A - an essential nutrient as retinol needed by the body for normal sight, growth,
reproduction and immune competence
 ›Vitamin A deficiency - a condition characterized by depleted liver stores & low blood
levels of vitamin A due to prolonged insufficient dietary intake of vit. A followed by poor
absorption or utilization of vit. A in the body
 ›VAD affects children’s proper growth, resistance to infection, and chances of survival
(23 to 35% increased child mortality), severe deficiency results to blindness, night
blindness and bitot’s spot
Prevalence of Vitamin a Deficiency:
1993, 1998, 2003, 2008
(DOST – FNRI, NNS)
Physiological State 1993 1998 2003 2008
6 months - 5 yrs. 35.3 38.0 40.1 15.2
Pregnant 16.4 22.2 17.5 9.5
Lactating 16.4 16.5 20.1 6.4
WHO Cut – off Point to be considered a public health problem = >15%
Iron and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and its consequences
 ›Iron - an essential mineral and is part of hemoglobin, the red protein in red blood cells
that carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells
 ›Iron Deficiency Anemia - condition where there is lack of iron in the body resulting to
low hemoglobin concentration of the blood
 ›IDA results in premature delivery, increased maternal mortality, reduce ability to
fight infection and transmittable diseases and low productivity
Prevalence of anemia by age, sex and physiologic state: Philippines, 2008

Source: NNS: FNRI

Iodine and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD)
 ›Iodine -a mineral and a component of the thyroid hormones
 ›Thyroid hormones - needed for the brain and nervous system to develop & function
normally
 ›Iodine Deficiency Disorders refers to a group of clinical entities caused by inadequacy
of dietary iodine for the thyroid hormone resulting into various condition e.g. goiter,
cretinism, mental retardation, loss of IQ points
Progress in the Philippines towards the Elimination of IDD, 1998-2008
Achievements
Indicator Goal*
1998 2003 2008
Proportion of Households using Iodized Salt, % >90 9.7 56.0 81.1
Median Urinary Iodine, ug/L
6-12 yrs. 100-200 71 201 132
Lactating Women 100-200 - 111 81
Pregnant Women 150-249 - 142 105
Proportion < 50µg/L, % < 20
6-12 yrs. 35.8 11.4 19.7
Lactating Women - 23.7 34.0
Pregnant Women - 18.0 25.8
*ICC-IDD 2007
Policy on Food Fortification
 ASIN LAW
Republic Act 8172, “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for other purposes”,
Signed into law on Dec. 20, 1995
 Food Fortification Law
Republic Act 8976, “An Act Establishing the Philippine Food Fortification Program and for other
purposes” mandating fortification of flour, oil and sugar with Vitamin A and flour and rice with
iron by November 7, 2004 and promoting voluntary fortification through the SPSP, Signed into
law on November 7, 2000

Status of the Philippine Food Fortification Program

Status and Recommendations for the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program
 ›There are 139 processed food products with SangkapPinoySeal with 83% with vitamin A,
29% with iron and 14% with iodine (2008)
 ›37% of the products are snack foods
 ›Most of the products FDA analyzed are within the standard
 ›Based on 2003 NNS Households’ awareness of SPS- and FF-products is 11% and 14%,
respectively, in 2008 awareness is 11.6%
 ›Although awareness is low, usage of SPS-products is 99.2%
Recommendations:
 ›Review voluntary fortification standards as standards were developed prior to mandatory
fortification
 ›Conduct in-depth analysis of the coverage of SangkapPinoySeal of the 2008 NNS
 ›Update list of Sangkap Pinoy Seal products as some companies have stopped using the
seal in their products
 ›Intensify promotions of Sangkap Pinoy Seal
Status and Recommendation on Flour Fortification with Vitamin A and Iron
Status:
 ›Based on FDA monitoring all local flour millers are fortifying with vitamin A and iron
 ›94% and 92% of all samples tested by FDA in 2009 were fortified with vitamin A and
iron respectively while 77% and 99% were fortified with vitamin A and iron respectively.
In 2010 decrease in vitamin A due to non-fortified imported and market samples flour.
  ›58% of samples from local mills for vitamin A and 67% of imported flour for iron were
fortified according to standards.
Recommendations:
 ›Review fortificants for iron and possible other micronutrients to be added to wheat flour
 Continue monitoring wheat fortification
 ›Assist flour millers to improve quality of fortification
 ›Need to show impact of flour fortification
Status and Recommendations on Mandatory Fortification of Refined Sugar with Vitamin A
Status:
 ›Non – fortification by industry due to the unresolved issue of who will bear the cost of
fortification brought about by the quedan system of transferable certificates of sugar
ownership.
 ›Lack of premix production
 ›Fortification of refined sugar would benefit mainly those in the high-income group.

Recommendations:
 ›Continue discussions with sugar industry to explore a compromise for fortification i.e.
fortification of washed sugar
 ›Review policy on mandatory fortification of refined sugar
Status and Recommendations on Rice Fortification with Iron
Status:
 ›NFA is fortifying 50% of its rice in 2009 and 2010
 ›With the non – fortification of NFA rice, private sector has an excuse for non –
fortification of its rice.
 ›There is limited commercial/private sector iron rice premix and iron fortified rice
production and distribution mostly in Mindanao (Region XII and XI) with Gen San having
the only commercial iron rice premix plant in the Philippines and Davao City implementing
mandatory rice fortification in food outlets
 ›NFA conducted communications campaign for its iron fortified rice thru the so called “I-
rice” campaign though issues remain on the acceptability of its product
Recommendation:
 ›Review of mandatory fortification of rice with iron
Status and Recommendations on Cooking Oil Fortification with Vitamin A
Status:
 ›Based on the samples analyzed by FDA in 2009 and 2010, more than 90% are fortified
(91% in 2009 and 94% in 2010)
 ›Samples monitored were labeled and packed
 FDA is not monitoring "takal"
Recommendations:
 To increase frequency of monitoring by FDA and other agencies such as PCA and LGU’s,
to ensure all oil refiners and repackers are monitored at least once a year
 ›Monitoring of “takal” oil, use of test kit
 ›Monitoring imported oil, FDA and BOC to coordinate
 ›Review policy of mandatory fortification of oil to possibly limit to those mostly used by
at risk population (coconut and palm oil)
Status and Recommendations on Salt Iodization
Status:
 Based on the 2008 NNS, 81.1% of households were positive for iodine using Rapid Test
Kit (RTK)
 In the same survey for Region III, 55.7% were positive for RTK but only 34.2% and 24.2%
have iodine content >5ppm and >15ppm respectively using WYD Tester
 For FDA monitoring in 2010, 88% were >5ppm while 44% were >15ppm
 FDA started implementing localization of ASIN Law with General Santos City as the 1stto
have a MOA with FDA on localization
Recommendation:
 FDA to expand localization of ASIN Law
 Set – up iodine titration for testing iodine in salt
 Continue to intensify monitoring particularly imported and takal salt
Food Fortification Day Theme 2010:
EO 382 declares November 7 as the National Food Fortification Day

Program Coordinator:
Ms. Liberty Importa
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Phone: 651-7800 local 1726-1728
Email: limporta@yahoo.com
FOOD AND WATERBORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND
CONTROL PROGRAM
The program covers diseases of a parasitic, fungal, viral, and bacteria in nature, usually
acquired through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water or food. The more common of these
diseases are bacterial in nature, the most common of which are typhoid fever and cholera. These
two organisms had been the cause of major outbreaks in the Philippines in the last two years.
Parasitic organisms are also an important factor, among them capillariasis, Heterophydiasis, and
paragonimiasis, which are endemic in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Cysticercosis is also a major
problem since it has a neurologic component to the illness. The approaches to control and
prevention is centered on public health awareness regarding food safety as well as strengthening
treatment guidelines.

Goal and Objectives:

The program aims to:
1. Prevent the occurrence of food and waterborne outbreaks through strategic placement of water
purification solutions and tablets at the regional level so that the area coordinators could respond
in time if the situation warrants;
2. Procure Intravenous Fluid solutions, venosets and IV cannula for adult and pediatric patients in
diarrheal outbreaks and to be stockpiles at the 17 Centers for Health Development (CHD) and the
Central Office for emergency response to complement the stocks of HEMS;
3. Place first line and second line antimicrobial and anti-parasitic medicines such as albendazole
and praziquantel at selected CHDs for outbreak mitigation as well as emergency stocks at the DOH
warehouse located at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) compound;
4. Increase public awareness in preventable food-borne illnesses such as capillaria, which is
centered on unsafe cultural practices like eating raw aquatic products;
5. Increase coordination between the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) and Regional
epidemiology surveillance Unit (RESU) to adequately respond to outbreaks and provide technical
support;
6. Procure Typhidot-M diagnostic kits for the early detection and treatment of typhoid patients;
7. Procure Typhoid vaccine and oral cholera vaccine to reduce the number of cases seen after
severe flooding;
8. Provide training to local government unit (LGU) laboratory and allied medical personnel on
the Accurate laboratory diagnosis of common parasites and proper culture techniques in the
isolation of bacterial food pathogens; and
9. Provide guidance to field medical personnel with regard to the correct treatment protocols vis-
à-vis various parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens involved in food and waterborne diseases.

Beneficiaries/Target Population:
The Food and Waterborne Disease Control Program targets individuals, families, and communities
residing in affected areas nationwide. For parasitic infections, endemic areas are more common.

Strategies/Management:
Case monitoring is maintained through the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and
Response (PIDSR) framework of NEC and the sentinel sites of the RESU. To add to that, quarterly
reports of the regional coordinators supplement the data and the regular updating from NEC
Outbreak Surveillance.
Outbreaks are being prevented though public education in print and radio stations. The need for
safe food and water intake by adequate cooking and boiling of drinking water is inculcated to the
public.
Multi-drug resistant cases of typhoid are monitored through reports from the hospital sentinel site
and the data from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine’s Antibiotic Resistance &
Surveillance Program.

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations and agencies take part in the achievement of program objectives:
 University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH)
 Department of Agriculture-National Meat Inspection Service (DA-NMIS)
 Asia Centric Disease Bureau
 World Health Organization-Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO-WPRO)
 World Health Organization-Southeast Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO)

Program Manager:
Dr. Lino Y. Macasaet
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
Email: macasaetmd@yahoo.com
FAMILY PLANNING
Brief Description of Program
A national mandated priority public health program to attain the country's national health
development: a health intervention program and an important tool for the improvement of the
health and welfare of mothers, children and other members of the family. It also provides
information and services for the couples of reproductive ages to plan their family according to
their beliefs and circumstances through legally and medically acceptable family planning methods.
The program is anchored on the following basic principles.
 Responsible Parenthood which means that each family has the right and duty to determine
the desired number of children they might have and when they might have them. And
beyond responsible parenthood is Responsible Parenting which is the proper upbringing
and education of children so that they grow up to be upright, productive and civic-minded
citizens.
 Respect for Life. The 1987 Constitution states that the government protects the sanctity of
life. Abortion is NOT a FP method:
 Birth Spacing refers to interval between pregnancies (which is ideally 3 years). It enables
women to recover their health improves women's potential to be more productive and to
realize their personal aspirations and allows more time to care for children and
spouse/husband, and;
 Informed Choice that is upholding and ensuring the rights of couples to determine the
number and spacing of their children according to their life's aspirations and reminding
couples that planning size of their families have a direct bearing on the quality of their
children's and their own lives.

Intended Audience:
Men and women of reproductive age (15-49) years old) including adolescents

Area of Coverage:
Nationwide

Mandate:
EO 119 and EO 102

Vision:
Empowered men and women living healthy, productive and fulfilling lives and exercising the right
to regulate their own fertility through legally and acceptable family planning services.

Mission
The DOH in partnership with LGUs, NGOs, the private sectors and communities ensures the
availability of FP information and services to men and women who need them.

Program Goals:
To provide universal access to FP information, education and services whenever and wherever
these are needed.
Objectives:

General
To help couples, individuals achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible
parenthood and improve their reproductive health. Specifically, by the end of 2004:

Reduce
 MMR from 172 deaths 100,000 LB in 1998 to less than 100 deaths/100,000 LB
 IMR from 35.3 deaths/1000 livebirths in 1998 to less than 30 deaths/1000 live births
 TFR from 3.7 children per woman in 1998 to 2.7 children per woman

Increase
 Contraceptive Prevalence Rate from 45.6% in 1998 to 57%
 Proportion of modern FP methods use from 28>2% to 50.5%

Key Result Areas

1. Policy, guidelines and plans formulation
2. Standard setting
3. Technical assistance to CHDs/LGUs and other partner agencies
4. Advocacy, social mobilization
5. Information, education and counselling
6. Capability building for trainers of CHDs/LGUs
7. Logistics management
8. Monitoring and evaluation
9. Research and development

Strategies
1. Frontline participation of DOH-retained hospitals
2. Family Planning for the urban and rural poor
3. Demand Generation through Community-Based Management Information System
4. Mainstreaming Natural Family Planning in the public and NGO health facilities
5. Strengthening FP in the regions with high unmet need for FP: CAR, CHD 5, 8, NCR,
ARMM
6. Contraceptive Interdependence Initiative

Major Activities
I. Frontline participation of DOH-retained hospitals
 Establishment of FP Itinerant team by each hospital to respond to the unmet needs for
permanent FP methods and to bring the FP services nearer to our urban and rural poor
communities
 FP services as part of medical and surgical missions of the hospital
 Provide budget to support operations of the itinerant teams including the drugs and medical
supplies needed for voluntary surgical sterilization (VS) services
 Partnership with LGU hospitals which serve as the VS site
II. Family Planning for the urban and rural poor
 Expanded role of Volunteer Health Workers (VHWs) in FP provision
 Partnership of itinerant team and LGU hospitals
 Provision of FP services

III. Demand Generation through Community-Based Management Information System

 Identification and master listing of potential FP clients and users in need of PF services
(permanent or temporary methods)
 Segmentation of potential clients and users as to what method is preferred or used by clients

IV. Mainstreaming Natural Family Planning in the public and NGO health facilities
 Orientation of CHD staff and creation of Regional NFP Management Committee
 Diacon with stakeholders
 Information, Education and counseling activities
 Advocacy and social mobilization efforts
 Production of NFP IEC materials
 Monitoring and evaluation activities

V. Strengthening FP in the regions with high unmet need for FP: CAR, CHD 5, 8, NCR, ARMM
 Field of itinerant teams by retained hospitals to provide VS services nearer to the
community
 Installation of Community Based Management Information System
 Provision of augmentation funds for CBMIS activities

VI. Contraceptive Interdependence Initiative

 Expansion of PhilHealth coverage to include health centers providing No Scalpel
Vasectomy and FP Itinerant Teams
 Expansion of Philhealth benefit package to include pills, injectable and IUD
 Social Marketing of contraceptives and FP services by the partner NGOs
 National Funding/Subsidy

VIII. Development /Updating of FP Clinical Standards

IX. Formulation of FP related policies/guidelines. E.g. Creation of VS Outreach team by retained
hospitals and its operationalization, Guidelines on the Provision of VS services, etc.
X. Production and reproduction of FP advocacy and IEC materials
XI. Provision of logistics support such as FP commodities and VS drugs and medical supplies

Other Partners
1. Funding Agencies
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA)
 Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
 Engender Health
 The Futures Group
2. NGOs
1. Reachout foundation
2. DKT
3. Philippine Federation for Natural Family Planning (PFNFP)
4. John Snow Inc. - Well Family Clinic
5. Philippine Legislators Committee on Population Development (PLPCD)
6. Remedios Foundation
7. Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
8. Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH)
9. Integrated Maternal and Child Care Services and Development, Inc.
10. Friendly Care Foundation, Inc.
11. Institute of Reproductive Health
3. Other GOs
 Commission on Population
 DILG
 DOLE
 LGUs
FILARIASIS ELIMINATION PROGRAM
Filariasis is a major parasitic infection, which continues to be a public health problem in the
Philippines. It was first discovered in the Philippines in 1907 by foreign workers. Consolidated
field reports showed a prevalence rate of 9.7% per 1000 population in 1998. It is the second leading
cause of permanent and long-term disability. The disease affects mostly the poorest municipalities
in the country about 71% of the case live in the 4th-6th class type of municipalities.
The World Health Assembly in 1997 declared “Filariasis Elimination as a priority” and
followed by WHO’s call for global elimination. A sign of the DOH’s commitment to eliminate the
disease, the program’s official shift from control to elimination strategies was evident in an
Administrative Order #25-A, s 1998 disseminated to endemic regions. A major strategy of the
Elimination Plan was the Mass Annual Treatment using the combination drug,
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Albendazole for a minimum of 2 years & above living in
established endemic areas after the issuance from WHO of the safety data on the use of the
drugs. The Philippine Plan was approved by WHO which gave the government free supply of the
Albendazole (donated by GSK thru WHO) for filariasis elimination. In support to the program, an
Administrative Order declaring “November as Filariasis Mass Treatment Month was signed by the
Secretary of Health last July 2004 and was disseminated to all endemic regions.

Vision: Healthy and productive individuals and families for Filariasis-free Philippines
Mission: Elimination of Filariasis as a public health problem thru a comprehensive approach and
universal access to quality health services
Goal: To eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem in the Philippines by year
2017
General Objectives: To decrease Prevalence Rate of filariasis in endemic municipalities to
<1/1000 population.
Specific Objectives:
The National Filariasis Elimination Program specifically aims to:
1. Reduce the Prevalence Rate to elimination level of <1%;
2. Perform Mass treatment in all established endemic areas;
3. Develop a Filariasis disability prevention program in established endemic areas; and
4. Continue surveillance of established endemic areas 5 years after mass treatment.

Baseline Data:
Prevalence Rate (1997): 9.7% per 1,000 pop.
Endemic in 43 provinces in 11 regions with a total population at risk of 30,000,000

Target Population/Clients/Beneficiaries:
The program targets individuals, families and communities living in endemic municipalities in 44
provinces in 12 regions (30 million targeted for mass treatment or 1/3 of the total population of
the country). However, 9 provinces have reached elimination level namely: Southern Leyte;
Sorsogon; Biliran; Bukidnon; Romblon; Agusan Sur; Dinagat Islands; Cotabato Province; and
COMVAL.

Program Strategies:
STRATEGY 1. Endemic Mapping
STRATEGY 2. Capability Building
STRATEGY 3. Mass Treatment (integrated with other existing parasitic programs)
STRATEGY 4. Support Control
STRATEGY 5. Monitoring and Supervision
STRATEGY 6. Evaluation
STRATEGY 7. National Certification
STRATEGY 8. International Certification

Management Being Used:

1. Selective Treatment – treating individuals found to be positive for microfilariae in nocturnal
blood examination.
Drug: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Dosage: 6 mg/kg body weight in 3 divided doses for 12 consecutive days (usually given after
meals)
2. Mass Treatment – giving the drugs to all population from aged 2 years and above in all
established endemic areas.
Drug: Diethlcarbamazine Citrate (single dose based on 6 mg/kg body wt.) plus Albendazole
400mg given single dose given once annually to people 2 yrs. & above living in established
endemic areas
3. Disability Prevention thru home-based or community-based care for lymphedema &
elephantiasis cases. Surgical management for hydrocele patients.

Status of the Program:

PROVINCES THAT REACHED ELIMINATION STAGE: Southern Leyte, Sorsogon, Biliran,
Bukidnon, Romblon, Agusan Sur, Dinagat island, Cotabato Province and COMVAL

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following are the organizations/agencies that take part in achieving the objectives of the
National Filariasis Elimination Program:
 Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis
 Culion Foundation, Inc.
 Peace and Equity Foundation, Inc. (PEF)
 Iloilo Caucus of Development NGOs, Inc. Iloilo (ICODE)
 Marinducare Foundation, Inc.
 Lingap Para sa Kalusugan ng Sambayanan, Inc. (LIKAS)
 Del Monte Foundation, Inc.
 Ang-Hortaleza Foundation (Splash Foundation)
 Belo Medical Group
 GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
 Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) with Theology Religious Education
Department (TREDTWO) – De La Salle University-Manila
 UP Open University-Manila
 UP Manila – National Institutes of Health (UP Manila-NIH)
 UP-College of Public Health
FILARIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Leda M. Hernandez, MD, MPH
Telephone Nos.:
651-7800 loc. 2350-2354
The elimination program started in 2001 after a pilot study using combination drugs in 2000 in
five selected municipalities in five provinces. To date, the Mass treatment has been going on
province wide in 2003 targeting the eligible population (2 yrs. old, 7 above) since its pilot study in
2000 using the combination drug Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and albendazole. In support to the
program, an administrative Order declaring “November as Filariasis Mass Treatment Month was
signed by the Secretary of Health on July 2004 and was disseminated to all endemic regions. In
addition to, an evidence of support was the Executive Order signed by our President in support to
the Administrative Order which contains the different roles and responsibilities of each
government and attached agencies in the campaign. Elimination strategies and activities are still
on-going and will continue until 2016 (elimination target). Integration of the mass treatment
scheme to other existing parasitic control programs like Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis control
program and Schistosomiasis Control program is being advocated.
BASELINE DATA
· Prevalence Rate (1997): 9.7% per 1,000 population
· Endemic in 44 provinces however, 7 provinces have reached elimination level namely: Southern
Leyte, Sorsogon, Biliran, Bukidnon, Romblon, Agusan del Sur & Dinagat Island.
TARGET POPULATION / CLIENTS / BENEFICIARIES
· Individuals, families and communities living in endemic municipalities in 43 provinces in 11
regions.

AREA OF COVERAGE: 44 Provinces in 12 Regions

PROGRAM MANDATES:
· AO #24 s. 1998 = elimination of diseases
· EO # 369, 2004 = Filariasis Mass Treatment Month
· WHA#: Filariasis Elimination as a priority
· Global Situation

INTERVENTION OF DOH

Vision: Healthy and productive individuals and families for Filariasis-free Philippines

Mission: Elimination of Filariasis as a public health problem thru a comprehensive approach and
universal access to quality health services

Goal: To eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem in Philippines by year 2017
General Objective: To decrease Prevalence Rate of Filariasis in endemic municipalities to
<1/1000 population

Specific Objectives:
The National Filariasis Elimination Program specifically aims to:
1. Reduce the prevalence rate to elimination level of <1%
2. Perform mass treatment in all established endemic areas
3. Develop a filariasis disability prevention program in established endemic areas
4. Continue surveillance of established endemic areas 5 years after mass treatment

TARGET POPULATION / CLIENTS/ BENEFICIARIES

The program targets individuals, families and communities living in endemic municipalities in 44
provinces in 12 regions (30 million targeted for mass treatment or 1/3 of the total population in the
country).

PROGRAM STRATEGIES
1. Endemic Mapping
2. Capacity Building
3. Mass Treatment (integrated with other existing parasitic programs)
4. Support Control
5. Monitoring and Supervision
6. Evaluation
7. National Certification
8. International Certification

MANAGEMENT BEING USED

1. Selective Treatment- treating individuals found to be positive for microfilariae in nocturnal
blood examination
Drug: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Dosage: 6mg/kg body weight in 3 divided doses for 12 consecutive days (usually given
after meals)
2. Mass Treatment- giving the drugs to all population from aged 12 years and above in all
established endemic areas
Drug: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (single dose based on 6mg/kg body weight plus
Albendazole 400 mg given single dose once annually to people 12 years and above living in
established endemic areas.
3. Disability Prevention- thru home-based or community-based care for lymphedema &
elephantiasis cases. Surgical management for hydrocele patients.

CURRENT STATUS, PROGRAMS AND UPDATES

Provinces that reached elimination stage: Southern Leyte, Sorsogon, Biliran, Bukidnon, Romblon,
Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Cotabato Province and COMVAL.
FUTURE PLANS
1. Assist low performing areas to increase the MDA coverage in order to interrupt the
transmission of the LF.
2. Assist implementing Units to reach the goal of elimination.
3. Strengthen integration with other NTD programs.
4. Strengthen the disability prevention strategy thru community-based or home –based care &
thru integration with leprosy.
5. Implement an integrated vector management
6. Implement a sustainability plan for provinces that have reached elimination level.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS / AGENCIES:

 World Health Organization
 GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Family Health International
 Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis
 Culion Foundation, Inc.
 Peace and Equity Foundation, Inc. (PEF)
 Iloilo Caucus of Development NGOs. Inc. Iloilo (ICODE)
 Marinducare Foundation, Inc.
 Lingap para sa Kalusugan ng Sambayanan, Inc. (LIKAS)
 Del Monte Foundation, Inc.
 Ang-Hortaleza Foundation (Splash Foundation)
 Belo Medical Group
 Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) with Theology Religious Education
Department (TREDTWO)-De La Salle University-Manila
 UP Open University- Manila
 UP Manila- National Institutes of Health (UP Manila-NIH)
 UP-College of Public Health
GARANTISADONG PAMBATA
The Mandate: A.O. 36, s2010
Aquino Health Agenda (AHA): Achieving Universal Health Care for All Filipinos
Goal
 ›Achievement of better health outcomes, sustained health financing and responsive health
system by ensuring that all Filipinos, esp. the disadvantaged group (lowest 2 income
quintiles) have equitable access to affordable health care

Universal Health Care

Strategies:
 Financial risk protection.
 Improved access to quality hospitals and facilities
 Attainment of health-related MDGs by:
 Deploy CHTs to actively assist families in assessing and acting on their health needs
 Utilize life cycle approach in providing needed services: FP, ANC, FBD, ENC, IPP, GP
for 0-14 years’ old
 Aggressive promotion of healthy lifestyle change
 Harness strengths of inter-agency and intersectoral cooperation with DepEd, DSWD and
DILG

EXPANDED GARANTISADONG PAMBATA

Comprehensive and integrated package of services and communication on health, nutrition and
environment for children available every day at various settings such as home, school, health
facilities and communities by government and non-government organizations, private sectors and
civic groups.

Objectives:
 ›Contribute to the reduction of infant and child morbidity and mortality towards the
attainment of MDG 1 and 4.
 ›Ensure that all Filipino children, especially the disadvantaged group (GIDA), have
equitable access to affordable health, nutrition and environment care.

GP Services Package

Age by
Health Nutrition Environment
Year
Maternal nutrition Water
Iron supplementation Sanitation
Maternal health care Vitamin A Hygiene
0-1 Essential newborn care Early &exclusive promotion
Immunization breastfeeding Oral health
Complementary Child injury
feeding prevention
 Breastfeeding Treated bed nets
Complementary Smoke-free
Immunization
feeding homes
1-5 Deworming
Vitamin A
IMCI
Iron supplementation
Iodized salt at home
Deworming
Proper nutrition
6-10 Booster
Iodized salt at home
immunization (Screening)
Deworming
Booster immunization Proper nutrition
11-14 (Screening) Iron supplementation
Physical activity (Healthy Iodized salt at home
lifestyle)

Vitamin A Supplementation
›Policy remains the same for giving Vitamin A capsules:
Routine:
- every 6 months for 6-59 months’ preschoolers
Therapeutic:
- 1 capsule upon diagnosis regardless of when the last dose of VAC for preschoolers with
measles
- 1 capsule upon diagnosis except when child was given Vitamin A was given less than 4
weeks for preschoolers with severe pneumonia, persistent diarrhea, severely
underweight
- 1 capsule immediately upon diagnosis, 1 capsule the next day and another capsule after 2
weeks after for preschoolers with xerophthalmia
(Please refer to your MOP for other target groups)
Recording/Reporting:
 FHSIS Records and Reports
 GP Forms – submitted to NCDPC thru CHDs
 April – preschoolers 6-59 months given VAC from November of last year to April
of the current year October – preschoolers 6-59 months given
 VAC from May to October

Core Messages per Gateway Behavior

MAGPASUSO
(Newborn to 6 mos.) Pasusuhin ng gatas ni Nanay lang
(6 mos. to 2 years old) Magpasuso at bigyan ng (mga masustansiyang ibat-ibang pagkain) ibang
pagkain (pampamilyang pagkain).
Bumili/ Gumamit ng mga produktong may SANGKAP PINOY seal sa pagluluto.
MAGPABAKUNA
Siguraduhing kumpletoang bakuna ni baby bago siya magdiwang ng unang kaarawan.
Pabakunahan ng MMR ang mga batang 1 taon hanggang 1 taon at 3 buwan. Ito ay laban sa tigdas,
beke at rubella (German Measles)
MAGBITAMINA A
Siguraduhing mabigyan (mapatakan) ng Bitamina A kada anim (6) na buwan ang inyong mga anak
na edad 6 na buwan hanggang 5 taon
MAGPURGA
Siguraduhing mapurga ang inyong mga anak na edad 1 hanggang 12 na taong gulang kada anim
na buwan.

GUMAMIT NG PALIKURAN
Gumamit ng kubeta o palikuran sa pagdumi at pagihi.

MAGSIPILYO
Wastong pagsisipilyo ng ngipin ng dalawang beses sa isang araw, lalo na bago matulog.

MAGHUGAS NG KAMAY
Maghugas ng kamay bago kumain at matapos gumamit ng kasilyas. Ugaliin din ang paghuhugas
ng kamay matapos maglaro o humawak ng maduduming bagay.

Program Coordinator:
Ms. Liberty Importa
Program Manager
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Phone: 651-7800 local 1726-1730
Email: limporta@yahoo.com
HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH NETWORK
The Department of Health (DOH) spearheaded the creation of Human Resource for Health
Network (HRHN), which is a multi-sectoral organization composed of government agencies and
non-government organizations. The network seeks to address and respond to human resource for
health (HRH) concerns and problems.
HRHN was formally established during the launching and signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding among its member agencies and organizations held on October 25, 2006. This
network was grounded on the Human Resources for Health Master Plan (HRHMP) developed by
the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO). The HRHN was conceived to implement
programs and activities that require multi-sectoral coordination.

Vision: Collaborative partnerships for a better, more responsive and globally competitive HRH.

Mission: The HRHN is a multi-sectoral organization working effectively for coordinated and
collaborative action in the accomplishment of each member organization’s mandate and their
common goals for HRH development to address the health service needs of the Philippines, as
well as in the global setting.

Values: Upholds the quality and quantity of HRH for the provision of quality health care in the
Philippines.

Objectives:
The objectives of the HRHN are as follows:
1. Facilitate implementation of programs of the HRHMP that would entail coordination and
linkage of concerned agencies and organizations;
2. Provide policy directions and develop programs that would address and respond to HRH issues
and problems;
3. Harmonize existing policies and programs among different government agencies and non-
government organizations;
4. Develop and maintain an integrated database containing pertinent information on HRH from
production, distribution, utilization up to retirement and migration; and
5. Advocate HRH development and management in the Philippines.

Projects:
During its first year of implementation, the HRHN has the following priority projects and
activities:
1. Review and Harmonization of HRH Related Policies;
2. Development of HRHN Website;
3. Conduct of Capability Building Activities; and
4. Conduct of the National HRH Forum.

Program Manager:
Ms. Gwyn Grace Dacurawat
Department of Health-Health Human Resource Development Bureau (DOH-HHRDB)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 4204/4227
Email: hhrdb_doh@yahoo.com
HEALTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR OLDER PERSON -
(BUREAU OR OFFICE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISEASE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL)
Bureau or Office: National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Program Briefer
Cognizant of its mandate and crucial role, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) formulated
the Health Care Program for Older Persons (HCPOP) in 1998. The DOH HCPOP (presently
renamed Health Development Program for Older Persons) sets the policies, standards and
guidelines for local governments to implement the program in collaboration with other government
agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector.
The program intends to promote and improve the quality of life of older persons through the
establishment and provision of basic health services for older persons, formulation of policies and
guidelines pertaining to older persons, provision of information and health education to the public,
provision of basic and essential training of manpower dedicated to older persons and, the conduct
of basic and applied researches.
Target Population/Clients
1. Older persons (60 years and above) who are:
a. Well and free from symptoms
b. Sick and frail
c. Chronically ill and cognitively impaired
d. In need of rehabilitation services
2. Health workers and caregivers
3. LGU and partner agencies
Area of Coverage
Nationwide
Mandate
International:
 Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing
 General Assembly Resolutions
Local:
 Philippine Constitution (Article XIII, Section XI)
 Republic Act 7876 - Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines
 Republic Act No. 7432 - An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to
Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes
 Proclamation No. 470 - Declaring the 1st week of October every year as "Elderly
Filipino Week"
 Philippine Plan of action for Older Persons (1999-2004)
Vision
Healthy ageing for all Filipinos.
Goal
A healthy and productive older population is promoted.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7876
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER IN ALL CITIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
Sec. 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to provide adequate social
services and an improved quality of life for all. For this purpose, the State shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach towards health development giving priority to elderly among others.
Chan robles virtual law library
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — (a) "Senior citizens," as used in this Act, shall refer to any person
who is at least sixty (60) years of age.
(b) "Center," as used in this Act, refers to the place established by this Act with recreational,
educational, health and social programs and facilities designed for the full enjoyment and benefit
of the senior citizens in the city or municipality.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Centers. — There is hereby established a senior citizens center,
hereinafter referred to as the Center, in every city and municipality of the Philippines, under direct
supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereinafter referred to as the
Department, in collaboration with the local government unit concerned.
Sec. 5. Functions of the Centers. — The centers are extensions of the fourteen (14) regional offices
of the Department. They shall carry out the following functions:
(a) Identify the needs, trainings, and opportunities of senior citizens in the cities and municipalities;
Chan robles virtual law library
(b) Initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in
order to provide income or otherwise supplement their earnings in the local community;
(c) Promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumentalities of
government and the city and municipal councils for the elderly and the Federation of Senior
Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery
of health care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community
self-help projects; and
(d) To exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the
centers are established.
Sec. 6. Center Workers. — The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) may designate social workers from the Department as the workers of the centers:
Provided, however, That the Secretary may appoint other personnel who possess the necessary
professional qualifications to work efficiently with the elderly of the community.
The Secretary may also call upon private volunteers who are responsible members of the
community to provide medical, educational and other services and facilities for the senior citizens.
Sec. 7. Qualification/Disqualification. — A senior citizen who suffers from a contagious disease,
or who is mentally unfit or unsound or whose actuations are inimical to other senior citizens as
determined by the DSWD on the basis of an appropriate certification by a qualified government
or private volunteer physician, may be denied the benefits provided in the Center. However, the
center shall refer the senior citizen concerned to the appropriate government agency for the needed
medical care or confinement.
Sec. 8. Exemptions of the Center. — The Center shall be exempted from the payment of customs
duties, taxes and tariffs on the importation of equipment and supplies used actually, directly and
exclusively by the Center pursuant to this Act, including those donated to the Center.
Sec. 9. Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the DSWD,
in coordination with other government agencies concerned, shall issue the rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. Any violation of this section shall render the
concerned official(s) liable under Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" and other existing
administrative and/or criminal laws.
Sec. 10. Coordination of Government Agencies. — The DSWD, in coordination with the
Department of Health and other government agencies and local government units, shall assist in
the effective implementation of this Act and provide the necessary support services.
Sec. 11. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and every
year thereafter.
The sum necessary for the continuous operation of the centers shall be subsidized in part by the
DSWD and in part by the local government units concerned.
Sec. 12. Repealing or Amending Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and
regulations, which are not consistent with this Act, are hereby modified, amended or repealed
accordingly Chan robles virtual law library
Sec. 13. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved: February 14, 1995

(GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR ACTIVE AGING (GLOBAL EMBRACE 1999))
The Global Movement for Active Ageing, which was conceived by the World Health Organization
(WHO), will need the collaboration of many different partners from all over the world. Active
ageing is the capacity of the people, as they grow older to lead productive and healthy lives in their
families, societies and economies.
The Global Movement will be a network for all those interested in moving policies and practice
towards Actives Ageing. It will provide models and ideas for programme and projects that promote
active ageing.
The key messages of the Global Movement are:
1. CELEBRATE Celebrate ageing; getting older is good; the alternative dying prematurely is
not
2. SOCIETY FOR ALL - Active ageing is key for older persons continuing to contribute to
society; all dimensions for being active should be taken into account: the physical, mental,
social, and spiritual
3. INTEGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY - Older persons should not be marginalized:
reflecting the theme of the UN International Year of Older Persons, “towards a society for
all ages”

What is the Global Embrace 1999?

The Global Embrace, which will mark simultaneously the launching of Global Movement for
Active Ageing 1999 International Year for Older Persons, is exactly as the title implies, a series
of walk events embracing the globe: in time zone after time zone, ageing will be celebrated in
cities around the world, through these walk events. The walk will start in countries in the Pacific,
where the date line marks the start of a new day.
Thus, the first walk will be in New Zealand. followed by Australia, then Japan, Korea, China,
Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Always at a set time, a group of cities, within the
same time zone, will be starting their celebrations. Eventually, they will reach the Middle East,
Africa, Europe, the America, until the very last locations will close the day and embrace. The
Global embrace is a round the clock around the world party which every country is invited.
Objectives:
1. To inspire, to inform, to promote health and to provide enjoyment and good company.
2. Moreover, it will link the local project to a global community of similar concerns and people
from all over the world.
Target date: October 2, 1999 (Saturday)
Target Pop.: General population
Target venue: Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City (Metro Manila) simultaneous with La Union
(Luzon), Metro Cebu (Visayas), and Metro Davao (Mindanao)

As there are still negative stereotype associated with old age in many societies, a participatory
event that promotes a positive image of ageing will assist in dissipating these stereotypes. This is
a necessary precondition both for allowing the aged to make a contribution to the world as well as
for building a harmonious global community and an intergenerational society.
2 The Message
“ Kami ay para sa KSP” (Kalusugan Sa Pagtanda or Healthy Ageing)
Ageing is a NORMAL, dynamic process and NOT a DISEASE. It is the inevitable alternative
to PREMATURE DEALTH. It can prevent or delay many disabling conditions that often
accompany ageing through healthy lifestyle such as proper diet,
exercise, avoidance of untoward stress, smoking and alcohol.
3 The Walk Event
The World Health Organization (WHO) Ageing and Health Programme has launched
initiatives that encourage healthy ageing globally. To assist in the promotion, an annual
celebration on October 2 (Saturday) as designated by the United Nation and mandated by law
shall recognize the “International Year of Older Persons (IYOP)”
These celebratory events will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City, 3 p.m. till
midnight
4 Target Population
Since the walk event promotes healthy ageing there is NO SPECIFIC TARGET
POPULATION. Everybody (All ages) are encouraged to participate in the walk. There is NO
competitive aspect to the event that people at all levels of physical
activity is encouraged to take part. The primary aim is to promote intergenerational exchanges.
R.A. 7432 (AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO
NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES)
AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION
BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policies and Objectives – Pursuant to Article XV, Section 4 of the
Constitution, it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may
design programs of social security for them. In addition to this, Section 10 in the Declaration of
Principles and State Policies provides: “The State shall provide social justice in all phases of
national development”. Further, Article XIII, Section II provides: “The State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There
shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.”
Consonant with these constitutional principles the following are the declared policies of this Act:
a) To motivate and encourage the senior citizens to contribute to nation building;
b) To encourage their families and communities they live with to reaffirm the valued
Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens.
In accordance with these policies, this act aims to:
1) Establish mechanism whereby the contribution of the senior citizens is maximized;
2) Adopt measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the
community as a whole;
3) Establish a program beneficial to the senior citizens, their families and the rest of the
community that they serve.
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term “senior citizen” shall mean any
resident of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old, including those who have retired from both
government offices and private enterprises, and has an income of not more than Sixty thousand
pesos (P60,000.00) per annum subject to review by the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) every three (3) years.
The term “head of the family” shall mean any person so defined in the National Internal Revenue
Code.
SECTION 3. Contribution to the Community. – Any qualified senior citizens as determined by
the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) may render his/her services to the community which
shall consist of but not limited to any of the following:
a) Tutorial and/or consultancy services;
b) Actual teaching and demonstration of hobbies and income generating skills;
c) Lectures on specialized fields like agriculture, health, environmental protection and the
like;
d) The transfer of new skills acquired by virtue of their training mentioned in Section 4,
paragraph (d)
e) Undertaking other appropriate services as determined by the Office for Senior Citizens
Affairs (OSCA) such as school traffic guide, tourist aid, pre-school assistant, etc.
In consideration of the services rendered by the qualified elderly, the Office for Senior Citizens
Affairs (OSCA) may award or grant benefits or privileges to the elderly, in addition to the other
privileges provided for under Section 4 hereof.
SECTION 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. – The senior citizens shall be entitled to the
following:
a) The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to utilization
of transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishment, restaurants and recreation
centers and purchase of medicines anywhere in the country: Provided, that private establishments
may claim the cost as tax credit;
b) A minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by theaters,
cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure,
and amusements;
c) Exemption from the payment of individual income taxes: Provided, that their annual
taxable income does not exceed the poverty level as determined by the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) for that year;
d) Exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs undertaken by the OSCA as part of
its work;
e) Free medical and dental services in government establishment anywhere in the country, subject
to guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health, the Government Service Insurance System
and the Social Security System;
f) To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and privileges given
by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS) and PAG-
IBIG, as the case may be, as are enjoyed by those in actual service.
SECTION 5. Government Assistance. – The Government shall provide the following assistance
to those caring for and living with the senior citizen:
a) The senior citizen shall be treated as dependents provided for in the National Internal
Revenue Code and as such, individual taxpayers caring for them, be they relatives or not shall be
accorded the privileges granted by the Code insofar as having dependents are concerned.
b) Individuals or non-governmental institutions establishing homes, residential communities
or retirement villages solely for the senior citizens shall be accorded the following:
1) Realty tax holiday for the first five (5) years starting from the first year of operations;
2) Priority in the building and/or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to the
aforesaid home, residential community or retirement village.
SECTION 6. Retirement Benefits. – To the extent practicable and feasible retirement benefits
from both the Government and the private sectors shall be upgraded to be at par with the current
scale enjoyed by those in actual service.
SECTION 7. The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). – There shall be established in
the Office of the Mayor an OSCA to be headed by a Counselor who shall be designated by the
Sanguine Bayan and assisted by the Community Development Officer in coordination with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development. The functions of this office are:
a) To plan, implement and monitor yearly work programs in pursuance of the objectives of
this Act;
b) To draw up a list of available and required services which can be provided by the senior
citizens;
c) To maintain and regularly update on a quarterly basis the list of senior citizens and to issue
nationally uniform individual identification cards which shall be valid anywhere in the country;
d) To serve as a general information and liaison center to serve the needs of the senior citizens.
SECTION 8. Municipal Responsibility. – It shall be the responsibility of the municipality
through the Mayor to ensure that the provisions of this Act are implemented to its fullest.
SECTION 9. Penalties. – Violation of any provision of this Act for which no penalty is
specifically provided under any other law, shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding one
(1) month or a fine not exceeding One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or both.
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of Social Welfare and
Development jointly with the Department of Finance, the Department of Tourism, the Department
of Health, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Interior
and Local Government shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the objectives
of this Act.
SECTION 11. Appropriation. – The necessary appropriation for the operation and maintenance
of the OSCA shall be appropriated and approved by the local government units concerned. The
National Government shall appropriate such amount as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of laws, orders, and decrees, including rules
and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall be held to be
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 14. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15 days following its publication
in one (1) national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,
(SGD.) RAMON V. MITRA
Speaker of the House of Representatives

(SGD.) NEPTHALI A. GONZALES

President of the Senate

This bill, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill Nos. 835, 1435 and House Bill No. 35335, was
finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 7, 1992.

(SGD.) CAMILO L. SABIO

Secretary General
House of Representatives

(SGD.) ANACLETO D. BADOY, JR.

Secretary of the Senate

Approved: April 23, 1992

(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

President of the Philippines
GUIDELINES ON THE ISSUANCE OF THE NATIONALLY UNIFORM IDs OF SENIOR
CITIZENS AS PER R.A. 7432
The national I.D. of Senior Citizens as per provision of RA 7432 is to be provided by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for free. A senior citizen who has an
income of P60,000.00 and below per annum shall be granted the benefits per Section 4 of RA
7432. The process of securing the ID is as follows:
1. A Senior Citizen shall enlist at the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) established at the
Office of the Mayor in his/her city or municipality;
2. The OSCA shall determine the eligibility of the senior citizen. All eligible senior citizens shall
provide OSCA two (2) ID pictures taken within the year of enlisting at OSCA. One ID picture
shall be attached to the OSCA registration form to be kept by the said office. The other picture
shall be for the ID card;
3. The OSCA shall prepare the list of Senior Citizens to be certified by the local office of the
Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local Civil Registrar’s office;
4. Duplicate copy of the certified list of senior citizens shall be submitted by OSCA to the DSWD
filed office;
5. The Bureau of Disabled Persons Welfare, DSWD shall send to the 14 DSWD Field Offices
number of IDs needed by the Elderly of the region;
6. The DSWD Field Office shall release the IDs to the respective local OSCAs;
7. The OSCA shall issue the ID cards duly signed by the municipal/city Mayor to the qualified
senior citizens;
8. The OSCA shall issue the nationally uniform ID card without cost to the Senior Citizen.
In case the ID is lost, it must be reported to the local OSCA. Replacement shall be issued upon
request by OSCA with corresponding cost. The cost per ID shall be determined by DSWD. The
payment shall remain at OSCA as part of its funds. No ID cards of senior citizens shall be issued
directly by the DSWD Central Office or its field offices.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Resolution No. 1 (Series 1993)
Approving the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 7432 Maximizing the Contribution
of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Privileges
Whereas, the Philippine Constitution recognizes the duty of the family to take care of its elderly
members with the state designing programs of social security for them, and the need for the state
to promote social justice in all phases of national development, by making available essential social
services to the priority groups such as the sick, elderly, disabled, women and children;
Whereas, RA 7432 has been enacted to motivate and encourage senior citizens to contribute to
nation building and to mobilize their families and the communities they live with to reaffirm the
valued Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizen;
Whereas, the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 1993-1998 aims to pursue a
better quality of life for all Filipinos particularly the disadvantaged sectors by providing focused
basic services to allow them to manage and control their resources, as well as benefit from
developmental interventions;
Whereas, the draft IR on R.A. 7432 was formulated by an Inter-Agency Committee headed by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and participated in by the Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Tourism (DOT), Transportation and Communications
(DOTC), Health (DOH) and Finance (DOF), including the National Federation of Senior Citizens
Association of the Philippines (NFSCAP).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Chairman
and the members (of the NEDA, Board’s Social Development Committee (SPC) Cabinet level, to
approve the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 7432.

(Sgd.) Honorable Nieves R. Confesor

Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment
Chairman, Social Development Committee

(Sgd.) Honorable Cielito F. Habito, Jr.

Secretary for Socioeconomic Planning
Co-Chairman, Social Development Committee

(Sgd.) Hon. Corazon Alma G. De Leon

Acting Secretary
Department of Social Welfare and Development

(Sgd.) Hon. Roberto S. Sebastian

Secretary
Department of Agriculture

(Sgd.) Hon. Ernesto D. Garilao

Secretary
Department of Agrarian Reform

(Sgd.) Hon. Juan M. Flavier

Secretary
Department of Health

(Sgd.) Hon. Rafael M. Alunan, III

Secretary
Department of Interior and Local Government

(Sgd.) Hon. Armand V. Fabella

Secretary
Department of Education, Culture and Sports

(Sgd.) Hon. Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr. Secretary Office of Executive Secretary

RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RA 7432, THE ACT TO
MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING,
GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RULE I
TITLE, PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION
Article 1. Title – These Rules shall be known and cited as the Rules and Regulations implementing
the Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and
Special Privileges and for Other Purposes.
Article 2. Purpose – These Rules are promulgated to prescribe the procedures and guidelines for
the implementation of the Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to National
Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes in order to facilitate the
compliance therewith and to achieve the objectives thereof.
Article 3. Construction – These Rules shall be construed and applied in accordance with and in
furtherance of the policy and objectives of the law. In case of conflict and/or ambiguity, which
may arise in the implementation of these rules, the concerned agencies shall issue the necessary
clarification. In case of doubt, the same shall be construed liberally and in favor of the
beneficiaries.
RULE II
DECLARATION OF POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES, SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Article 4. Declaration of Policies and Objectives – Pursuant to Article XV, Section 4 of the
Constitution it is the duty of the family to take care to its elderly members while the State may
design programs of social security for them. In addition to this, Section 10 in the Declaration of
Principles and State Policies provides: “The State shall provide social justice in all phases of
national development.” Further, Article XIII, Section II provides: “The State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There
shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.”
Consonant to these constitutional principles, the following are the declared policies of this Act:
a) To motivate and encourage senior citizens to contribute to nation building;
b) To encourage their families and the communities they live with to reaffirm the valued
Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens;
In accordance with these policies, the Act aims to:
a) Establish mechanisms whereby the contribution of the senior citizens is maximized;
b) Adopt measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the
community as a whole;
c) Establish a program beneficial to the senior citizens, their families and the rest of the
community that they serve.
Article 5. Definition of Terms – As used in these rules, the following terms shall be defined as
follows:
5.1 Senior Citizen – any resident citizen of the Philippines, at least sixty (60) years old,
including those who have retired from both government offices and private enterprises and has an
income of not more than sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00) per annum subject to review by the
National Statistics Coordination (NSCB) every three (3) years.
Senior Citizens earning sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00) per annum may be tapped as resource
persons to provide transfer technology and consultancy services or other services in the
community. Those without income are necessarily covered by this definition.
5.2 Resident Citizen – refers to Filipino Citizen who establishes to the satisfaction of the
Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) the fact of his physical presence in the Philippines
for at least 183 days with a definite intention to reside therein.
5.3 Benefactor – shall mean any person whether related to the senior citizen or not who
takes care of him or her as dependent.
5.4 Head of the Family – shall mean an unmarried or legally separated man or woman with
one or both parents or with one or more brothers or sisters or with one or more legitimate,
recognized, natural or legally adopted children and/or with one or more senior citizen living with
and dependent upon him for their chief support where brother/s or sister/s or children are not more
than twenty one (21) years of age unmarried and not gainfully employed or where such children,
brother/s or sister/s, regardless of age are incapable of self-support because of mental or physical
defect.
5.5 National Identification Cards – are the ID cards provided for initially for free by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development and issued through the Office for Senior Citizens
Affairs (OSCA).
5.6 Office for Senior Citizens Affairs – otherwise known, as the OSCA shall be established
in the Office of the Mayor as prescribed in the Act.
5.7 Department of Social Welfare and Development – otherwise known as DSWD in this
rule, shall mean the national office located at Batasan Complex, Quezon City and its field offices
in the fourteen regions of the country.
5.8 Municipal/City Federation of Senior Citizens – an organization of senior citizens in
the locality which is affiliated with the National Federation of Senior Citizens’ Associations of the
Philippines (NFSCAP). In the absence of such organization, any organization of senior citizens in
the locality duly accredited by the Sangguniang Bayan/Panglungsod.
5.9 Air Transportation Service – shall mean as the carriage of passenger by air.
5.10 Hotel – shall mean the building, edifice or premises or a completely independent part
thereof, which is used for the regular reception, accommodation, or lodging of travelers and
tourists and the provision of services incidental thereto for a fee.
5.11 Lodging Establishment – shall mean any of the following:
a. Tourist Inn – a lodging establishment catering to transients which does not meet the
minimum requirement of an economy hotel.
b. Apartel – any building or edifice containing several independent and furnished or semi-
furnished apartments, regularly leased to tourists and travelers for dwelling on a more or less long-
term basis and offering basic services to its tenants, similar to hotels.
c. Motorist Hotel – any structure with several separate units, primarily located along the highway,
with individual or common parking space, at which motorists may obtain lodging and in some
instances, meals.
d. Pension House – a private, or family-operated tourist boarding house, tourist guest house or
tourist lodging house, employing non-professional domestic helpers, regularly catering to tourist,
and/or travelers, containing several independent lettable rooms, providing common facilities such
as toilets, bathrooms/showers, living and dining rooms and/or kitchen and where a combination of
board and lodging may be provided.
The term lodging establishment shall include lodging houses, which shall mean such
establishments as are regularly engaged in the hotel business, but which, nevertheless, are not
registered, classified and licensed as hotels by reason of inadequate essential facilities and services.
5.12 Restaurant – shall mean any establishment, duly licensed by the local government units
(LGUs), offering to the public, regular and special meals or menu, cooked food and short orders.
Such eating-places may also serve coffee, beverages and drinks.
RULE III
CREATION OF THE OFFICE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS
Article 6. Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) – There shall be established in the office of
the Mayor and OSCA to be headed by a councilor who shall be designated by the Sangguniang
Bayan/Panglungsod in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) and the Municipal/City Federation of Senior Citizens.
Article 7. The Functions of OSCA – The OSCA shall perform the following functions:
a) To plan, implement and monitor yearly work programs in pursuance of the objectives of this
Act;
b) To mobilize the different local agencies to identify activities within their programs which can
be undertaken by the senior citizens;
c) To draw up a list of available and required services which can be provided by the senior citizens;
d) To maintain a regular update on a quarterly basis a list of senior citizens;
The regular quarterly update of the list of senior citizens shall be made on the first week of the first
month of every quarter.
e) To issue nationally uniform individual identification cards which shall be valid anywhere in the
country;
It shall the responsibility of the local Social Welfare Development Officer or any other officer
performing such functions to review and process all applications
f) To serve as a general information and liaison center to respond to the needs of the senior citizens,
the OSCA shall:
f.1 assist any complainant or aggrieved senior citizen in filing the appropriate action with the
Office of the Public Prosecutor or with the concerned Agency/Department until same is finally
terminated or resolved, and;
f. 2 assist the National Government in putting up the necessary appropriate notices of the
mandatory elderly discount privileges/benefits under RA 7432, which shall be posted at a
conspicuous place in all establishments.
This shall be made as a requirement in the renewal of business licenses annually.
The Municipal/City Federations of Senior Citizens shall assist OSCA in the foregoing functions:
8.1 to provide the initial nationally uniform identification cards which shall be issued through the
OSCA.
The nationally uniform individual identification cards shall contain the following information:
a) Control Number, Date of Issue
b) Name
c) Address
d) Age, as supported by a certified birth certificate from the Office of Civil Registrar; Birth date
e) Annual income, as supported by a certificate of exemption from payment of income tax issued
by the local office of the Bureau of internal Revenue (BIR)
f) Picture
g) Signature of senior citizen
A senior citizen whose income is P60,000.00 and below annually shall be issued a national ID
card, which contains the mandatory elderly, discount privileges/benefits under RA 7432.
This shall be duly signed by the mayor of the senior citizen’s locality, the Secretary of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Secretary of the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG). This shall be non-transferrable.
8.2. to assist in developing the standards of programs and services of OSCA.
8.3. to provide technical assistance and monitor services and projects to be undertaken by the
OSCA.
RULE IV
CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
Article 9. Contributions of Senior Citizens to the Community. Any qualified senior citizen as
determined by the OSCA may render his/her services to the community, which shall consist of,
but not limited to any of the following:
a. tutorial and/or consultancy services;
b. actual teaching and demonstration of hobbies and income generating skills;
c. lectures on specialized field like agriculture, health, environmental protection;
d. transfer of new skill acquired by virtue of their training mentioned in Section 4 of paragraph (d)
of the Act;
e. undertake other appropriate services as determined by the OSCA such as school traffic guide,
tourist aide, pre-school assistance, etc.
In consideration of services rendered by the qualified elderly, the OSCA may award or grant
benefits/privileges to the elderly, in addition to the other privileges provided for under Section 4
of the Act.
In the absence of resources, OSCA shall mobilize resources of the community to provide awards
or incentives.
Financially able institutions desiring to acquire services of the elderly shall be mobilized to provide
a reasonable compensation e.g. transport, food, etc. for the duration of the senior citizen’s services.
Senior citizens earning above sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00) annually can be granted some
awards or benefits by the OSCA for services rendered to his community e.g. consultancy services,
transfer of new technology, etc.
RULE V
PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS OF SENIOR CITIZENS
A senior citizen shall be granted twenty per cent (20%) discount from all establishments relative
to utilization of transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and
recreation centers and purchases of medicines, anywhere in the country.
A. Transportation Benefits
A. 1 Public Water Transportation – Every senior citizen who is a passenger of any public water
transportation service as this term is understood under the Public Service Act, as amended, shall
be entitled to a discount in the amount of not less than twenty per cent (20%) of the fare charged
or authorized, including discount of twenty per cent (20%) on purchases of meals or food items
from the restaurant either operated by concessionaire or the carrier and medicines on board vessels.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is hereby directed to issue corresponding circulars
or directives to the shipping industry for the implementation of these guidelines to ensure
compliance herewith, as well as requirements to ship operators/ship owners to disseminate, by
posters, handbills or pamphlets, the information about senior citizen on board vessels to maximize
the benefits of the senior citizens.
A senior citizen, unless his/her physical appearance shows that he/she undoubtedly 60 years old
or above, may prove his/her age by any of, but not limited, to the following documents or papers:
a. Official Identification Card from the OSCA of the LGUs, SSS/GSIS ID (old or new);
b. Driver’s License or Birth Certificate;
c. Voter’s ID or Voter’s Affidavit;
d. Residence Certificate (old or new);
e. And other public/official record or document, from relevant government agencies.
A.2 Public Land Transportation – every senior citizen who is a passenger of any public land
transportation services stated below, shall be entitled to a discount in the amount of not less than
twenty per cent (20%) of the fare authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The public land transportation referred to are the following:
a. Bus (pub) b. Jeepney (puj)
c. Taxi
d. Shuttle Bus
e. Tourist Bus
f. Other modes of passenger land transportation devoted for public use and for a fee with general
or limited clientele.
The LTFRB is hereby directed to issue corresponding circular or directives to the public land
transport sector for the implementation of these guidelines to ensure compliance herewith, as well
as requirements to these operators to disseminate, by posters, handbills or pamphlets, the
information about senior citizens on board their vehicles to maximize the benefits of the senior
citizens.
Every senior citizen is entitled to a grant of twenty per cent (20%) discount on the use of Light
Rail Transit (LRT) System.
Senior citizens who would wish to avail of the discount privileges on LRTC shall be guided by the
following procedures/conditions:
a) Senior citizens shall personally apply for the issuance of discount tickets (in booklet form) at
the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTC) or METRO, Inc. with office at the Administration
Building, LRTA Compound, Aurora Boulevard, Pasay City or at designated outlets at the LRT
system by presenting their ID card issued by the OSCA.
Discount tickets will be printed with control numbers and will allow a senior citizen to purchase
LRT tokens at a twenty per cent (20%) discount.
b) A senior citizen shall personally surrender to any LRT token teller on duty at any LRT
station/terminal where he/she will board, a discount ticket for every token he/she will purchase.
Upon surrender of the discount ticket and presentation of the national ID card by a senior citizen,
he/she shall pay for the LRT token at twenty per cent (20%) discount. (A senior citizen is entitled
to purchase only one (1) LRT token at discounted price every time he/she avails of the LRT
System.)
To avoid untoward incidents, senior citizens are discouraged from riding the LRT during peak
hours from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. due to the volume of rider
ship.
Twenty per cent (20%) discount for LRT tokens are available only at LRTC stations/terminals.
Discounted token are not available from off-station token vendors.
A.3. Domestic Air Transportation – Every senior citizen who is duly certified by the OSCA is
entitled to twenty per cent (20%) discount from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved and
published airline rates for domestic air transportation services.
This Act shall cover individuals, partnership, or corporations and all other entities engaged in the
carriage of passengers by air.
The following are the conditions required of a senior citizen to be able to avail of the twenty per
cent (20%) discount on air transportation services:
a. The senior citizen should present his/her identification card duly issued by OSCA in securing a
passage ticket;
b. He/She should personally secure the passage ticket;
c. The passage ticket shall be non-transferable.
B. Hotels/Lodging Establishments Benefits – the twenty per cent (20%) discount privileges of
the senior citizen from hotels/establishments shall be limited to room accommodation only.
The DILG shall issue the necessary circulars or directives to tourism establishments for the
implementation of these guidelines and to ensure compliance herewith.
Likewise, the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall issue the corresponding Administrative Order
to DOT accredited establishments. v
C. Recreation Center Benefits – A senior citizen is entitled to a minimum of twenty per cent
(20%) discount on all admission fees charged by the theatres, cinema houses and concert halls,
circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement.
D. Purchases of Medicine Benefits – A senior citizen is entitled to a minimum of twenty per cent
(20%) discount in the purchase of medicine for his personal use and according to his personal
needs.
In the purchase of medicine, a senior citizen or his doctor or the latter’s duly authorized
representative should always present the national identification card duly certified by the OSCA
together with the doctor’s prescription in case of prescription drugs. If over-the-counter, the
number of drugs purchased shall be commensurate to the elderly person’s needs.
These discount privileges shall be limited and exclusive for the benefit of the senior citizen.
E. Income Tax Benefits/Tax Credits – For purpose of claiming tax credits, private establishments
are required to keep a separate record of sales made to senior citizens which shall include the name,
identification number, gross sales, discount and date of transaction.
A senior citizen whose annual taxable income does not exceed the poverty level as determined by
NSCB shall be exempted from payment of individual income tax. Provided that:
a) A senior citizen whose annual taxable income exceed the said poverty level shall be liable to
the individual income tax for the full amount of his/her taxable income net of personal and
additional exemptions;
b) Annual taxable income shall refer to the annual gross compensation, business and other incomes
as defined in Section 28 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) other than income subject
to tax under paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 21 of the NICR which include certain passive
incomes, capital gains from sale of shares of stock and capital gains from sale of real property;
c) The senior citizen is a resident citizen;
d) NEDA shall inform the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in writing and publish in a
newspaper of general circulation the estimated poverty threshold.
F. Training Fee Benefits – A senior citizen is exempted from training fees for socio-economic
programs undertaken by or in coordination with the OSCA as part of its work.
G. Medical/Dental Benefits – A senior citizen is entitled to free medical and dental services in
government establishments anywhere in the country subject to guidelines to be issued by the
Department of Health (DOH), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social
Security System (SSS).
G.1 The DOH shall direct the government establishments in the entire country to provide free
medical and dental services to senior citizens.
a. The term “free” shall mean free of charge on medical/dental services where capability and
facility for such services are available,
b. The term “medical services” shall refer to services pertaining to the medical care/attendance and
treatment given to senior citizens. It shall include health examinations, medical/surgical
procedures within the competence and capability of DOH establishments/hospitals/units and
routine/special laboratory examinations and ancillary procedures as required.
c. The term “dental services” shall refer to services pertaining to dental care/attendance and remedy
given to senior citizens. It shall include oral examination, curative services like permanent and
temporary fillings, extractions and gum treatment.
d. Professional services – shall refer to services rendered or extended by medical, dental and
nursing professionals, which shall also include services rendered by surgeons, EENT practitioners,
gynecologists, urologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and other allied specialists.
e. Counseling services – shall refer to advices given by health professional, e.g. psychologists,
psychiatrists, nutritionists, nurses and other allied health professionals in support to specific
treatment of illnesses.
Provision of all of the above-mentioned services shall be subject to availability of appropriate
facilities and trained manpower expertise of the receiving establishment.
f. Government establishments shall refer to and limited to DOH hospitals, which shall include
general hospitals, medical centers and regional hospitals directly under the full control and
supervision of the DOH.
g. The term “anywhere in the country” shall be construed to mean health privileges senior citizens
may avail of from any hospital in the Philippines, as defined in these guidelines, irrespective of
their place of residence/locality, subject to availability of facilities and manpower/technical
expertise of the receiving establishment.
The following are the health services that may be availed of for free in any government
establishments, subject to availability of facilities and manpower/technical expertise of the
receiving government establishment:
a. Medical and dental services
b. Out-Patient consultations
c. Available medicines in all public health programs
d. Available diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
e. Use of operating rooms, special units and central supply items
f. Accommodations in the charity ward
g. Professional and counseling services
To be able to avail of the aforementioned services, the following mechanics are stipulated:
a. A senior citizen may obtain the benefits from any government establishment.
b. He/she shall present his/her national ID card issued by the OSCA to the medical and social
services or Medical Social Worker designated who shall determine the validity of his/her ID card.
c. Non-presentation of the national ID card shall be sufficient reason for denial of free hospital
benefits.
d. In case of emergency, the medical benefits shall be accordingly provided by the receiving
hospital even if the ID is not available. However, the national ID card should be presented within
a reasonable time. Non-presentation of the national ID card shall be sufficient ground for charging
the service already given and denial of further availment of the benefits.
e. Should the senior citizen choose to be admitted to a private room/pay ward or be transferred
from a free room to a pay room, the amount equivalent to the rate of a free room should be
discounted from that of the pay room/ward.
f. As regard referral or transfer of senior citizen-patient to another government establishment, the
receiving hospital shall provide the full benefits under this rule. In case of transfer/referral between
the DOH hospitals, procedures shall be based on the DOH Network Guidelines.
The responsibilities of the government establishment are as follows:
a. Provide all available medical and dental services, as defined in these guidelines that may be
deemed necessary in the promotion of the health of senior citizens;
b. Establish a system by which all senior citizens in dire need of health serve shall be given priority
and utmost consideration;
c. Establish and maintain a recording/reporting system which data may be used as inputs for
program/project planning and evaluation; and
d. Strengthen their competence and capability to evaluate and manage geriatric cases through
continuing education.
The responsibilities of senior citizens who are entitled to health benefits and privileges as indicated
and certified by valid national identification cards issued by the OSCA, are as follows:
a. Adhere to rules and regulations relative to the implementation of this program;
b. Recognize that the government establishments have limitations and constraints in providing
health services and not demand for services that are not available and beyond the level of their
competence;
c. Secure on their own payable services that are not covered by their health benefits and privileges
stipulated herein; and
d. Safeguard the integrity of their identification card and shall not allow their misuse and abuse.
To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and privileges shall be
given to senior citizens by the GSIS, SSS and PAG-IBIG as the case may be as are enjoyed by
those in the actual service.
G.2 Benefits extended to senior citizens who are retirees of the GSIS are as follows:
a. Life Insurance
If a retiree opts to maintain his life insurance policy with the System, he may convert his
compulsory life insurance into an optional insurance by paying directly to the System the monthly
premiums due thereon (personal plus government share), up to its maturity date. Amount of
monthly premiums shall be determined by the System. He will be entitled to receive benefits as
enumerated below:
1. maturity benefit – retiree will receive the total face value of the policy, less any indebtedness
thereon.
2. policy loan – loanable amount will not exceed 90% of the cash value of his insurance at the time
of application.
3. death benefit – when the retiree dies while life insurance membership is in force prior to maturity
date, the designated beneficiaries’ double indemnity.
b. Retirement
1. Retirees under PD 1146 or RA 660 shall resume receiving their basic monthly pension (BMP)
for life after the lapse of the 5-year guaranteed period.
2. Upon death of a pensioner who retired under PD 1146 or RA 660, the primary beneficiaries
(legal spouse and minor children) shall receive a basic survivorship pension (BSP) equivalent to
50% of the BMP plus dependent’s pension (DP) equivalent to 10% of the BMP for every minor
child, if any, but not exceeding five. The spouse shall receive the BSP for life until she/he
remarries. The minor children shall continue receiving DP until emancipated by marriage, gainful
employment or upon reaching 21 years of age. A mentally or physically incapacitated child,
however, shall receive DP for life.
3. Funeral Benefit – payable upon death of the retirees, pensioner or gratuitant, the latter must have
retired with at least 20 years of service to be entitled to the benefit.
c. Medicare
Coverage: Employees who retired from the service before age 60 may opt to continue their
membership within 6 months from date of retirement by contributing both personal and
government shares of their Medicare premiums until their 60th birthday.
However, a government employee who retires under RA 1616, PD 1146 or PD 1184 at age 60 or
above or under RA 660 (regardless of age) are covered without paying contributions pursuant to
PD No. 408. Effective January 1, 1992, their legal dependents are also extended Medicare benefits.
Legal Dependents:
1. The legal spouse who is not a Medicare member.
2. The unmarried and unemployed children, including legitimated, acknowledged, legally adopted
and step children below 21 years of age;
3. Children 21 years old or above with disability acquired before the age of 21.
Benefits under the Medicare Act consist of:
1. Allowance for room and board
2. Allowance for drugs and medicines
3. Allowance for x-ray/laboratory examinations/others (“others” means items such as syringes,
gloves, vaco sets, butterfly, contrast media and other agents used in establishing correct diagnosis).
4. Surgeon’s fee
5. Medical Practitioner’s fee
6. Anesthesiologist’s fee
7. Operating room fee
8. Allowance for sterilization procedures
Types of Non-Compensable Treatments
1. Cosmetic surgery or treatment
2. Optometric services
3. Psychiatric services
4. Services which are purely diagnostic
d. Employees Compensation (PD 626)
Only employment-connected injury or sickness resulting in disability or death is compensable. It
therefore presupposes the existence of an employee-employer relationship at the time the
contingency occurs. The legal and/or medical evaluation to determine compensability is lodged
solely with the System.

Type of Disability Benefits

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
1. daily income benefit of not less than P10,00 nor more than P90.00 for a period not exceeding
120 days and in severe cases up to 240 days.
2. medical and/or related services (for work-connected injury or sickness) consisting of:
2.1 hospitalization room and board supplies, x-ray, medicines, laboratory, professional fee.
2.2 ambulatory/domiciliary care, services for hospitalization except room and board
2.3 reimbursement of medicines (in case of non-confinement)

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

1. monthly income benefit (MIB) for the designated number of months of not less than P250.00 or
more than P3,240.00.
2. medical and/or related services (for work-connected injury or sickness) (refer to 2.1 2.2 and 2.3)

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

1. monthly income benefit (MIB) of not less than P250.00 nor more than P3,240.00 plus 10%
increment for each minor child not exceeding five starting from the youngest without substitution
payable for life and guaranteed for 5 years.
2. medical and/or related services (refer to 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)
3. rehabilitation services – consist of medical/surgical management, necessary appliances and
supplies such as artificial leg and arm, wheelchair, crutches, etc. and vocational training and
assistance for placement.
DEATH
A. Death of the Employee
1. MIB the same as in PPD (plus 10% thereof for each dependent child, not exceeding five) payable
to:
a. primary beneficiary/ies for life and/or as long as qualified
b. secondary beneficiary/ies (in the absence of primary beneficiary/ies) for a period not to exceed
60 months
B. Death of a PTD Pensioner
1. MIB due to death (80% of the MIB after the 5-year guaranteed period) payable to:
a. primary beneficiary/ies for life and/or as long as qualified
b. secondary beneficiary/ies (in the absence of primary beneficiary/ies)
MIB excluding dependent’s pension of the remaining balance of the 5-year guaranteed period.
2. Funeral benefit of P3,000.00 payable upon the death of a covered employee or PTD pensioner
to the person who can show incontrovertible proof that he shouldered funeral expenses.
G.3 The SSS provides medical and dental services to its retirees and their dependents through the
Medicare Program without the need for additional contributions. However, the Medicare Program
does not cover the entire cost of hospitalization.
The SSS medical staff in the regional offices render free consultation to SSS pensioners.
The SSS regularly evaluates the level of pension of the retirees.
The SSS involvement in this Act is limited only to its retirees since the SSS funds are held in trust
for the exclusive benefits of the private workers and their beneficiaries. Usage of such funds for
other purposes is not allowed under SSS charter.
G.4 Membership in the PAG-IBIG Fund shall be open to all senior citizens who opt to continue
with their provident savings in the Fund, even after their retirement from their employment or upon
reaching the age of sixty (60) years.
a. Senior citizens who wish to enlist with the PAG-IBIG Fund for the first time may do so upon
proof of gainful employment, or of being self-employed, or of membership in trade/service
cooperative (e.g. farmer’s cooperatives, fishermen’s cooperative, loom weaver’s association,
handicraft maker’s organization, and the like) and upon payment of the monthly minimum
contribution rate as may be set up by the PAG-IBG Fund from time to time.
b. PAG-IBIG members of good standing shall be entitled to avail themselves of PAG-IBIG loan
privileges subject to the customary guidelines on loan availments. For PAG-IBIG housing loans,
the loan availments. For PAG-IBIG housing loans, the loan period shall not be more than twenty-
five (25) years but in no case, shall it exceed the difference between the present age reckoned from
the borrower’s nearest birthday and his seventieth (70th) year; in the case of a joint and several
loans, the loan period shall be based on the age of the youngest of the co-borrowers.
RULE VI
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Article 10. Personal Tax Exemption for Benefactor – A senior citizen shall be treated as
dependent provided for in the NIRC and as such, shall be accorded the privileges granted by the
Code insofar as having dependent are concerned. In determining personal exemptions allowable
to individuals under Section 29 (k) (l) of the NIRC, a senior citizen may be granted as a dependent.
For this purpose, the definition of the term Head of the family under the said Section shall be
deemed amended to refer to the condition under Article (5) of this implementing rules and
regulations. The OSCA shall require the senior citizen to declare his benefactor who will be
granted the exclusive right to claim him as dependent and issue an identification thereof. The said
certification shall be presented by the benefactor to the BIR for purposes of determining personal
exemptions.
The personal tax exemption shall take effect January 1992.
Article 11. Property Tax Exemptions and Privileges for Individuals and Non-Government
Institutions. Individuals or non-government institutions establishing homes, residential
communities or retirement villages solely for the senior citizen shall be accorded the following:
a. One per cent (1%) property tax exemption for the first five years starting first year of operation:
b.
(1) The exemption is automatically withdrawn effective on the year after the institution ceases its
operation before the end of the fifth year of operation. The owners of the properties shall thereafter
be liable for the realty taxes applicable thereon.
(2) The first year of operation shall be reckoned from the date the institution was granted a mayor’s
permit to operate the establishment.
(3) The exemption shall apply prospectively. Establishments which are beyond their fifth year of
operation shall not be entitled to refund of their payments or condonation of their realty tax
delinquencies during their first five years of operation. However existing establishments which
have been operating for less than five years shall be entitled to the exemption in the remaining of
the five years.
c. Priority in the building and/or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to the
aforesaid home residential community or retirement village.
Provided that: in both cases, said exemption and priority shall apply only when said homes
residential communities or retirement villages are non-stock, no-profit as such which shall be
presented to the Assessor’s Office of the LGUs concerned.
RULE VII
PENALTY PROVISIONS
Article 12. Penalties. Any person who willfully refuses to grant the privileges provided for by RA
7432 or violates any provision thereof and for which no penalty is specifically provided for by any
existing law, shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) month or a fine not
exceeding One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) or both.
Any organization, private government establishment and government
department/bureau/agency/institution who willfully refuses to grant the privileges given to senior
citizens or violates any provision of RA 7432 shall be administratively dealt with by any of the
agency/department concerned including, but not limited to the cancellation of permit/s or
franchise/s to operate to a business establishment or institution or public service.
RULE VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 13. Implementation, Supervision, Monitoring and Technical Assistance.
a. Municipal Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of every municipality, through its chief
executive, to ensure that the provisions of RA 7432 are operationalized and implemented to the
fullest within its jurisdiction.
b. The DILG, having been designated by the President to exercise general supervision over LGUs,
by virtue of the Local Code, rule XI, shall ensure the compliance of LGUs with this Act. It shall
likewise institute the necessary interventions aimed at enhancing the capacities of the LGUs in
implementing the above-mentioned provisions.
c. On a national scale, the DSWD, by virtue of its monitoring and technical assistance function
shall ensure the viability and standard of the programs and services that are implemented, while
the DILG shall ensure compliance of LGUs.
Article 14. Appropriation. The municipality, through its Sangguniang Bayan shall appropriate
funds on a yearly basis for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the OSCA to
incorporate in the annual budget.
The concerned provincial/municipal government agency shall likewise mobilize other sources of
funds particularly those that are made available for local development activities by the national
government, the legislature and the private sector.
Article 15. Separatibility Clause, If, for any reason/s, any part or provision of this Implementing
Rules and Regulations shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Article 16. Effectivity Clause. This Implementing Rules and Regulations shall take effect fifteen
(15) days following its publication in one (1) national newspaper of general circulation.

ADDENDUM
REVENUE REGULATIONS NO. 2-94
(August 23, 1993)
SUBJECT:
Republic Act No. 7432 otherwise known as an Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior
Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes.
To: All Internal Revenue Officers and Others Concerned.
Section 1. SCOPE – Pursuant to Section 245 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) as
amended, in relation to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7432, these regulations are hereby
promulgated to (1) implement the provisions of Section 4 and 5 (a) of the said Act granting tax
exemption and other privileges to senior citizens, and (2) prescribe the guidelines for the availment
thereof.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. – For purposes of these regulations:
A. Act – refers to Republic Act No. 7432.
B. Senior citizen – means any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old,
including those who have retired from both government offices and private enterprises, and has an
income of not more than sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00) per annum subject to review by the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) every three (3) years.
The term “qualified senior citizen” shall refer to a resident Filipino citizen who meets the statutory
requirements of Section 2 of the Act and Section 2(b) of these regulations.
C. Resident citizen – refers to a Filipino citizen with permanent/legal residence in the
Philippines, and shall include those, who, having migrated to a foreign country, have returned to
the Philippines with a definite intention to side therein, and whose immigrant visa has been
surrendered to the foreign government.
D. Dependent – a qualified senior citizen whether or not related to a benefactor with whom he
lives and who takes care of him/her.
E. Head of the Family – an unmarried or legally separated man or woman, with one or both
parents, or with one or more brothers or sisters, or with one or more legitimate, recognized natural
or legally adopted children, living with and dependent upon him/her for their chief support, where
such brothers or sisters or children are not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, unmarried and
not gainfully employed or where such children, brothers or sisters, regardless of age are incapable
of self-support because of mental or physical defect.
The term ‘head of family’ includes an unmarried or legally separated man or woman who is the
benefactor of a qualified senior citizen as defined in Section 2 of the Act and these regulations.
The term “qualified senior citizen” shall refer to a resident Filipino citizen who meets the statutory
requirements of Section 2 of the Act and Section 2(b) of these regulations.
F. Benefactor – any person whether or not related to the senior citizen who takes care of the
latter as a dependent.
G. OSCA – refers to the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs.
H. Income/Annual Taxable Income of a resident Senior Citizen shall refer to the annual gross
compensation, business and other income received during each taxable year from all sources as
defined in Section 28 of the NIRC, which shall not exceed the poverty level of P60, 000 or such
amount as may thereafter be determined by the NEDA.
However, income derived by a qualified senior citizen from the following sources:
1. Interest income from Philippine currency bank deposits, yield and other monetary benefit
from deposit substitutes, trust fund and similar arrangements; royalties, prizes and winnings (Sec.
21 (c), NIRC);
2. Capital gains from sales of shares of stock (Sec. 21 (d), NIRC); and
3. Capital gains from sales of real property (Sec.21(e), NIRC).
shall not be included in the determination of his income/annual taxable income’ which should not
exceed the poverty level of P60,000 or such amount as may thereafter be determined by the NEDA
for a certain taxable year inasmuch as income from such sources shall be subject to the
corresponding income tax rates prescribed under Section 21 (c), (d) and (e) of the NIRC as
amended.
I. Tax Credit – refers to the amount representing the 20% discount granted to a qualified senior
citizen by all establishments relative to their utilization of transportation services, hotels and
similar lodging establishments, restaurants, drugstores, recreation centers, theaters, cinema houses,
concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement, which
discount shall be deducted by the said establishments from their gross income for income tax
purposes and from their gross sales for value-added tax or other percentage tax purposes.
Sec. 3. INCOME TAX BENEFIT AND PRIVILEGES FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS. –
Senior citizens qualified as such by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or his duly authorized
representative who, for purposes of these regulations, is the Regional Director of the Revenue
Region having jurisdiction of the city or municipality where they are permanent residents shall be
entitled to the following tax benefit and privileges:
A. Exemption from the payment of individual income tax provided that their annual taxable
income does not exceed the poverty level of P60,000.00 or such amount as may be determined but
the NEDA for a certain taxable year.
B. A 20% discount from all establishments relative to utilization of transportation services,
hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation center, and on purchases of
medicine anywhere in the country.
C. A minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema
houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure, and
amusement.
Sec. 4. RECORDING/BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATE
ESTABLISHMENTS. – Private establishments, i.e., transport services, hotels and similar
lodging establishments, restaurants, recreation centers, drugstores, theaters, cinema houses,
concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture leisure and amusement, giving
20% discounts to qualified senior citizens are required to keep separate and accurate record of
sales made to senior citizens, which shall include the name, identification number, gross
sales/receipts, discounts, dates of transactions and invoice number for every transaction.
The amount of 20% discount shall be deducted from the gross income for income tax purposes
and from gross sales of the business enterprise concerned for purposes of the VAT and other
percentage taxes.
Sec. 5. AVAILMENT OF INCOME TAX EXEMPTION. – A senior citizen who shall avail of
the exemption from income tax is required to submit the following documents to the Revenue
District Officer (RDO) of the place where he is a permanent resident, who shall make the necessary
verification and report for purposes of the income tax exemption to be issued by the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue or his duly authorized representative:
A. Certified true copy of his Birth Certificate/Baptismal Certificate or in the absence thereof, a
certification from the National Statistics and Census Bureau or an affidavit by two (2) disinterested
credible persons who know personally the senior citizen.
B. If he has a benefactor as defined in Section 2 (f) of these Regulations, Certification as to the
name, address, occupation, Office or business address (office/business) and TIN of his benefactor;
C. If employed, a copy of his withholding tax statement (BIR Form W-2) for the preceding
taxable year;
c. 1 A senior citizen who derives taxable (fixed) compensation income from only one
employer in an amount not exceeding P60,000 per annum shall be exempt from income tax and
consequently from the withholding tax prescribed under Section 72 Chapter 10, Title II of the
National Internal Code, as amended.
D. If self-employed, (i.e., practice of profession, or in business as single proprietorship) a copy
of his income tax return (ITR) for the preceding taxable year together with the annual license or
permit issued by the city or municipality where he has his principal place of business, supported
by a copy of his declaration of sales or income.
 d.1 A senior citizen who derives taxable compensation income from two (2) or more
employers, or who receives mixed income from employment and from business shall still file an
income tax return.
The RDO concerned shall transmit his verification report/recommendation to the said Regional
Director, as duly authorized representative of the Commissioner, for issuance of the certificate of
income tax exemption to the senior citizen.
For purposes of applying for the OSCA ID Card, the duly stamped income tax return and or the
BIR Certification shall be honored.
Sec. 6. TAXABILITY OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO OTHER INTERNAL REVENUE
TAXES.
A. A senior citizen whose annual taxable income exceeds the poverty level of P60,000 or such
amount as may thereafter be determined by the NEDA for a certain taxable year shall be liable to
the individual income tax in the full amount thereof on his taxable income net of allowable
deductions.
B. Regardless of the amount of taxable income, a senior citizen who derives income from self-
employment, business and practice of profession shall be subject to other internal revenue taxes
which include but are not limited to the value-added tax, caterer’s tax, documentary stamp tax,
overseas communications tax, excise taxes, and other percentage taxes. He shall therefore, file the
corresponding business tax returns in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
C. He shall be subject to the 20% final withholding tax on, interest income from Philippine
Currency bank deposit, yield and other monetary benefit from deposit substitutes, trust fund and
similar arrangements; royalties, prizes (except prizes amounting to P3,000 or less which shall be
subject to income tax at the rates prescribed under Section 21, paragraph (a) or (f), NIRC) as the
case may be, and winnings (except Philippine Charity Sweepstakes winnings).
D. Capital gains from sales of shares of stock (Sec. 21 (d), NIRC).
E. Capital gains from sales of real property (Sec. 21 (e), NIRC).
Sec. 7. BASIC PERSONAL EXEMPTION ONLY FOR BENEFACTOR -.
A qualified senior citizen living with and taken care of by a benefactor whether related to him or
not, shall be treated as a dependent and his benefactor shall be entitled to the basic personal
exemption of P12,000 as head of the family, as defined in Section 2 (e) of these regulations.
For purposes of claiming personal exemptions as head of family with dependent senior citizen, the
identification card number issued by the OSCA shall be indicated in the ITR to be filed by the
benefactor. The senior citizen shall indicate in a certification to be submitted to the RDO and the
OSCA his benefactor who will be granted the exclusive right to claim him as dependent for income
tax purposes.
Caring for a dependent senior citizen shall not, however, entitle the benefactor to claim the
additional exemption allowable to a married individual or head of family with qualified dependent
children under Sec. 29 (1) (2) of the NIRC, as amended.
Sec. 8. REPEALING CLAUSE. – All existing rules, regulations and other issuances or portions
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of these regulations are hereby modified, repealed or
revoked accordingly.
Sec. 9. EFFECTIVITY. – These regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation whichever comes first and shall apply
to income earned beginning January 1, 1992.

(Sgd.) ERNESTO LEUNG

Acting Secretary of Finance

RECOMMENDED BY:
(Sgd.) LIWAYWAY VINZONS-CHATO
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER PERSONS
Rationale
The proportion of older persons is expected to rise worldwide. In the 1998 World Health Report,
there were 390 million older people and this figure is expected to increase further (WHO). This
growth will certainly pose a challenge to country governments, particularly to the developing
countries, in caring for their aging population. In the Philippines, the population of 60 years or
older was 3.7 million in 1995 or 5.4% of total population. In the CY 2000 census, this has
increased to about 4.8 million or almost 6% (NSCB). At present, there are 7M senior citizens
(6.9% of the total population), 1.3M of which are indigents.
With the rise of the aging population is the increase in the demand for health services by the
elderly. A study done by Racelis et al (2003) on the share of health expenditure of Filipino elderly
on the National Health Account, the elderly is “relatively heavy consumers of personal health care
(22%) and relatively light consumers of public health care (5%).” From out-of-pocket costs, the
aged are heavy users of care provided by medical centers, hospitals, non-hospital health facilities
and traditional care facilities.
Cognizant of the growing concerns of the older population, laws and policies were developed
which would provide them with enabling mechanisms for them to have quality life. RA 9257 or
the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 (predecessor of RA 9994) provided for the expansion
of coverage of benefits and privileges that the elderly may acquire, including medically necessary
services. Parallel to this objective is the Department’s desire to provide affordable and quality
health services to the marginalized population, especially the elderly, without impeding currently
pursued objectives and alongside health systems reform.
One of the provisions of RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens act of 2010 is for the DOH to
administer free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal diseases for indigent
senior citizens. The DOH in coordination with local government units (LGUs), NGOs and POs for
senior citizens shall institute a national health program and shall provide an integrated health
service for senior citizens. It shall train community – based health workers among senior citizen’s
health personnel to specialize in the geriatric care and health problems of senior citizens.

Interventions/Strategies Implemented by DOH

1. Creation of a National Technical Working Group on the Health and Well-being of Older
Persons (DPO. No. 2011- 3578 dated June 29, 2011 Chaired by NCDPC- Director III.
2. Planning Meeting for the Senior Citizens Immunization Program
3. Consultative Planning and Finalization of Immunization Guidelines for Indigent Senior
Citizens
4. Provision of Pneumococcal and Flu Vaccines to Indigent Senior Citizens aged 60 years
old and above using the NHTS of the DSWD including GO – NGO shelter homes in 2011
5. Conduct annual “Summer Camp ni Lolo at Lola “
6. Support the annual “Walk for Life” for the elderly every October

Status of Implementation / Accomplishment

1. The total pneumococcal and influenza vaccines delivered to all CHD’s for the CY 2011
were 197,000 and 173,000 respectively including the sub-allotment per region for HWOP
activities.
2. Training and Orientation of Pneumo and Flu Vaccines for HWOP Coordinators
 3. Signed Guidelines to Implement the Provisions Relevant to Health of RA 9994 or the
Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
4. Summer Camp ni Lolo at Lola 2012 held at Davao, City.
5. Support World Health Day April 12, 2012 with the theme “Ageing and Health “in
coordination with NCHP and WHO

Future Plan / Action

1. Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccines for CY 2012 still with COBAC
2. Support to Walk for Life Activity on October 2012.
3. Summer Camp nina Lolo at Lola 2013

Program Manager:
Ms. Remedios Guerrero
Department of Health-Non-Communicable Disease Office (DOH NCDPC-DDO)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 1750-1752
INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING (IYCF)
I. Profile/Rationale of the Health Program
A global strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) was issued jointly by the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2002, to
reverse the disturbing trends in infant and young child feeding practices. This global strategy was
endorsed by the 55th World Health Assembly in May 2002 and by the UNICEF Executive Board
in September 2002 respectively.
In 2004, infant and young child feeding practices were assessed using the WHO assessment
protocol and rated poor to fair. Findings showed four out of ten newborns were initiated to
breastfeeding within an hour after birth, three out of ten infants less than six months were
exclusively breastfed and the median duration of breastfeeding was only thirteen months. The
complementary feeding indicator was also rated as poor since only 57.9 percent of 6-9 months’
children received complementary foods while continuing to breastfed. The assessment also found
out that complementary foods were introduced too early, at the age of less than two months. These
poor practices needed urgent action and aggressive sustained interventions.
To address these problems on infant and young child feeding practices, the first National IYCF
Plan of Action was formulated. It aimed to improve the nutritional status and health of children
especially the under-three and consequently reduce infant and under-five mortality. Specifically,
its objectives were to improve, protect and promote infant and young child feeding practices,
increase political commitment at all levels, provide a supportive environment and ensure its
sustainability. Figure 1 shows the identified key objectives, supportive strategies and key
interventions to guide the overall implementation and evaluation of the 2005-2010 Plan of Action.
The main efforts were directed towards creating a supportive environment for appropriate IYCF
practices. The approval of the National Plan of Action in 2005 helped the Department of Health
(DOH) and its partners, in the development of the first (1st) National Policy on Infant and Young
Child Feeding. Thus, on May 23, 2005, Administrative Order (AO) 2005-0014: National Policies
on IYCF was signed and endorsed by the Secretary of Health. The policy was intended to guide
health workers and other concerned parties in ensuring the protection, promotion and support of
exclusive breastfeeding and adequate and appropriate complementary feeding with continued
breastfeeding. (1)

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The IYCF Strategic Plan of Action upholds the following guiding principles:
1. Children have the right to adequate nutrition and access to safe and nutritious food, and both are
essential for fulfilling their right to the highest attainable standard of health. (5)
2. Mothers and Infants form a biological and social unit and improved IYCF begins with ensuring
the health and nutritional status of women. (5)
3. Almost every woman can breastfeed provided they have accurate information and support from
their families, communities and responsible health and non-health related institutions during
critical settings and various circumstances including special and emergency situations. (5)
4. The national and local government, development partners, non-government organizations,
business sectors, professional groups, academe and other stakeholders acknowledges their
responsibilities and form alliances and partnerships for improving IYCF with no conflict of
interest.
5. Strengthened communication approaches focusing on behavioral and social change is essential
for demand generation and community empowerment.
GOAL, MAIN OBJECTIVE, OUTCOMES AND TARGETS
GOAL:
Reduction of child mortality and morbidity through optimal feeding of infants and young children
MAIN OBJECTIVE:
To ensure and accelerate the promotion, protection and support of good IYCF practice
OUTCOMES:
By 2016:
 90 percent of newborns are initiated to breastfeeding within one hour after birth;
 70 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life; and
 95 percent of infants are given timely adequate and safe complementary food starting at
6 months of age.
TARGETS:
By 2016:
 50 percent of hospitals providing maternity and child health services are certified MBFHI;
 60 percent of municipalities/cities have at least one functional IYCF support group;
 50 percent of workplaces have lactation units and/or implementing nursing/lactation
breaks;
 100 percent of reported alleged Milk Code violations are acted upon and sanctions are
implemented as appropriate;
 100 percent of elementary, high school and tertiary schools are using the updated IYCF
curricula including the inclusion of IYCF into the prescribed textbooks and teaching
materials; and
 100 percent of IYCF related emergency/disaster response and evacuation are compliant to
the IFE guidelines.

II. Target beneficiaries of the program are infants (0-11 months) and young children (12 to
36 months’ years old or 1 to 3 years old)
III. Action/Work Plan

KEY INTERVENTION SETTINGS AND SERVICES

STRATEGIES, PILLARS AND ACTION POINTS

STRATEGY1: Partnerships with NGOs and GOs in the coordination and implementation
of the IYCF Program
1.1 Formalize partnerships with GOs and NGOs working on IYCF program coordination and
implementation
a. Strengthen the TWG to allow it to effectively coordinate the GOs and NGOs working for the
IYCF Program
The national TWG will remain but will be strengthened. It shall be constituted by: NCDPC as
Chair, FHO as secretariat and representatives from NCDPC, FHO, NCHP, FDA, DJFMH,
DSWD, CWC, NNC, ILO, WHO and UNICEF. This time, members of the TWG will be tasked to
focus participation to the intervention setting where it is most relevant.
The TWG shall be reporting regularly to the Service Delivery Cluster Head. At the Regional
level, the Regional Coordinators from the above offices shall
collaborate in the implementation of the IYCF Program. To ensure that GO and NGO
IYCF partners work together, the composition of the TWGs and AD Hoc committees shall be
made up of representatives from the government and non-government sectors and the Ad Hoc
Committees shall be chaired by the relevant agency where the intervention setting belongs.
At the provincial, municipal and barangay levels the existing Coordinating Committees which
has an interagency composition shall be the coordinating arm of the IYCF Program. This is where
the participation of non-government entities will be facilitated. Mechanisms for coordination shall
be devised to build a strong foundation for partnership between the LGU, the Coordinating
Committees and local NGOs or private entities.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) shall be executed between DOH and other agencies invited
to become members of the TWG.

b. Organize functional Intervention Setting Committees (this is the same as the ad-hoc committee)

The years covered by this action plan will be marked with many developmental activities
in all the intervention settings. The TWG shall create a committee for each of the intervention
setting. The committees shall be chaired by the relevant agency/ office. Other government and
non-government agencies will be invited to the committees relevant to their mandate.

c. Return the MBFHI responsibility from NCHFD to NCDPC

The National Policy on IYCF created in 2005 has affirmed the MBFHI responsibility to NCHFD.
Since MBFHI is now under the umbrella of the IYCF Program, it is in a better position to
consolidate efforts towards MBFHI compliance. Thus, the return of the MBFHI responsibility
from NCHFD to NCDPC shall be pursued. The collaboration of NCHFD is still needed though as
it has a direct hand on health facility development. At NCDPC the integration of IYCF in the
MNCHN Action Plan shall be worked out in all aspects of the program and at the different levels
of implementation.

d. Augment human resource complement of NCDPC- FHO, IYCF program

NCDPC-FHO as the secretariat of the TWG and supervising and supporting the IYCF Program
will not be able to effectively carry out the technical, management and administrative roles and
responsibilities without additional human resource. Funds shall be allotted for job orders for this
purpose.

e. Programmed contracting out of activities to organizations outside of DOH

To achieve the objectives and targets of the IYCF program, it shall be implemented
simultaneously in the different intervention settings and at a faster pace. This is a gargantuan task
considering the extent of the developmental work, the management requirements, and the
mobilization of the IYCF network and the sourcing of funds for implementation.
Organizations and consultants that possess the expertise and the commitment to the IYCF program
will be contracted out for complex activities that require time and effort beyond the capacity of
the TWG and the Ad Hoc committees. These contracts shall be arranged based on need and
awarded based on merit.

STRATEGY 2: Integration of key IYCF action points in the MNCHN Plan of

Action/Strategy

2.1 Institutionalize the IYCF monitoring and tracking system for national, regional and LGU
levels

a. Institutionalize the collection of PIR Data and generate annual performance report

The established IYCF data set that are being collected during PIRs shall be further reviewed,
revised as appropriate and institutionalized through a Department Circular and in collaboration
with the other programs in the FHO.

An IYCF Program annual performance report shall be generated at the end of every year based on
the PIR data, the consolidated data from the unified monitoring and related data coming from
research and studies as appropriate. Reports on the performance of developmental activities shall
be collected as part of the data base and to be reported as needed to the Service Delivery Cluster
Head.

b. Maximize the use of the unified monitoring tool

The CHDs through its Regional Coordinators shall be required to use and consolidate the unified
monitoring tool. A simple data management program shall be developed to facilitate the
consolidation of data extracted from monitoring. Reports shall be required two weeks after the
end of every quarter.

c. Collaborate with the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) and Information Management
Service (IMS) regarding IYCF data

The current records and reports being collected by the DOH Field Health Information System will
remain as the main source of data from health facilities. However, collaboration with NEC and
IMS to improve data quality and include data on complementary feeding is essential.

2.2 Participation of the IYCF Focal person in MNCHN planning and monitoring activities

a. Designate the IYCF Focal Person as a regular member of the team working for the
development and implementation of the MNCHN Strategy

The IYCF Focal Person shall ensure that the IYCF action points become an agenda of the
MNCHN Strategy and thus ultimately the IYCF services forms a part of the integrated services for
mothers and children. In the MNCHN planning and monitoring, the IYCF Focal Person shall help
ensure that in the multitude of activities, critical IYCF action points and indicators are not
overlooked.

STRATEGY 3: Harnessing the executive arm of government to implement and enforce the
IYCF related legislations and regulations (EO 51, RA 7200 and RA 10028)

3.1 Consultation mechanism with the IAC and DOJ for the enforcement of the Milk Code and with
other relevant GOs for other IYCF related legislations and regulations

a. Devise and implement a consultation mechanism to bring together the IAC, DOJ and other
relevant GOs for IYCF related legislations and regulations

The Committee for Industry Regulation shall devise and implement a consultation mechanism to
facilitate the implementation and enforcement of IYCF related laws and regulations. This will
require participation of higher levels of authority in the GOs.

The goal of the consultation mechanisms is to develop activities that will focus on facilitating the
process of monitoring of compliance and enforcement of IYCF related laws and regulations not
only at the national level but also at regional and local levels and in the five IYCF intervention
settings.

3.2 Support Civil Society in the implementation and enforcement of IYCF related laws and
regulations

a. Institutionalize enforcement of MBFHI compliance in the regulatory function of the DOH

The inclusion of the MBFHI requirements in the unified licensing/accreditation benchmarks of the
BHFS and the Licensing Offices shall be pursued more vigorously in collaboration with BHFS
and the Licensing offices of the CHDs. These offices are in a better position to enforce compliance
in relation to their regulatory function and in their power to promulgate penalties for violations.

b. Review and improve the processing of reports on violations on the Milk Code

The handling of reports on violations shall be reviewed for thoroughness and timeliness from the
time a report is submitted up to the final decision rendered on a case. Problematic areas and
bottlenecks shall be identified and threshed out. Measures to ensure that all reports on violations
are acted upon shall be devised.

To ensure speedy resolution of cases, it is necessary to set deadlines on the processing of reports
on violations.
c. Invite the Professional Regulatory Board as a resource agency of the IAC

Apart from companies who are actively marketing breastmilk substitutes, health professionals who
have direct access and influence on pregnant and postpartum women are also among the most
common violators of the law. The PRC as the legal authority that regulates the practice of the
medical and allied professions can contribute to the development and enforcement of the IAC’s
regulatory function.

d. Augment human resource of FDA as secretariat of the IAC

The current load of violations cases being processed and the fulfillment of other responsibilities
with regards to the Milk Code at FDA require a full time legal officer who will also assist the
CHDs. Furthermore, the strengthened monitoring of compliance to the Milk Code will result in
a surge on violation reports. FDA should be prepared to process such reports. An additional full
time legal officer and an administrative/ clerical staff is required to facilitate and help speed up the
process.

e. Engage professional societies to come-up with measures for self-monitoring and regulation

Monitoring of overt advertisements and marketing of breast milk substitutes is a persistent

challenge. Monitoring of compliance to the Milk Code among health workers and medical and
allied professional organizations is much more difficult. Promotion of breast milk substitutes is
more personal and concealed.

The medical and allied professional societies are strong and active bodies that foster organizational
development and discipline among its members. An advocating stance over a punitive approach
may be the more prudent initial approach in this environment. There will be dialogue, negotiations
and forging of agreements to push the Milk Code and other policies on IYCF. The professional
societies will be engaged to participate in the development of the monitoring scheme within their
ranks and in health facilities. They are a good resource in the development of schemes for MBFHI
and related technical matters. Working arrangements/contracts may be forged to seal
responsibilities and partnerships.

Representatives from the professional societies will constitute the Speaker’s Bureau which will be
organized for the information dissemination/awareness campaign on the Milk Code, the Expanded
Breastfeeding Promotion Act and the Policies on IYCF.

STRATEGY 4: Intensified focused activities to create an environment supportive to IYCF

practices

4.1 Modeling the MBF system in the key intervention settings in selected regions

a. Set up Models of MBFHI and MNCHN implementation in key strategic hospitals and referral
networks
Regional Hospitals and selected private hospitals shall be developed as models of MBFHI
and MNCHN implementation to help create an impact and to serve as showcases for other health
facilities.

If these hospitals are currently training facilities for

obstetrics and pediatrics residency program, the MBFHI environment will certainly add value
to the training.

An itinerant team will facilitate the development of the hospital models. The team will be
composed of an Obstetrician with training/background on MNCHN, Pediatrician with
training/background on Lactation Management/Essential Newborn Care, Nurse trainer for
breastfeeding counseling, Senior IYCF Program person with administrative background who can
deal with arrangements and coordination with hospitals and local governments and who can be a
trainer and an administrative assistant who will facilitate administrative matters. The team will
facilitate the activities leading to the organization and maintenance of the MBFHI in the hospitals.
This shall include planning, setting up of operational details and physical structures when
needed, training/coaching of personnel, keeping records and completing reports and self-
assessment.

Regional hospitals shall be developed for IYCF capacity building. Trainings at Regional
Hospitals shall be conducted in collaboration with the CHDs. This is so that training is de-
centralized and monitoring and evaluation can be done more frequently at the provincial and
municipal levels.

b. Establish protocols/standards on how to set-up and maintain MBF workplaces and integrated
in the standards for healthy workplace

The IYCF Program shall focus on the enforcement of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act
of 2009 which mandates workplaces to establish lactation stations and/or grant breastfeeding
breaks. Guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of MBF workplace shall be developed.
It will learn from lessons of already established and successful MBF workplace. In as much as
standards for the healthy workplace are already established, the MBF guidelines shall be integrated
into those standards.

The establishment of MBF workplaces initiated in factories shall be scaled up and efforts shall be
expanded to include government and private offices in line with Expanded Breastfeeding Act. The
current collaboration partners in the workplace setting may also need to be expanded to promote
the establishment of the MBF workplace in government and private offices. With the multitude
of workplaces scattered throughout the country, the expansion may require outsourcing of
organizations to continue the MBF workplace efforts.

c. Enhance the primary, secondary and tertiary education curricula on IYCF

The enhancement of the primary, secondary and tertiary education curricula on IYCF shall be
pursued. If necessary, a review of the curriculum will be done prior to the enhancement. Apart
from the curriculum enhancement, training materials, books and teachers’ guide shall also be
updated.

The initial collaboration for the enhancement of the primary, secondary and tertiary education
curricula shall take place at the central office of DepEd (Bureau of Elementary Education and
Bureau of Secondary Education) and TESDA. The enhanced curriculum, training materials, books
and teacher’s guide shall be field tested province-wide in three selected provinces, evaluated and
further enhanced before a national implementation.

d. Develop policy on IYCF in emergencies (IFE) and guidelines on the management of

malnutrition, and IYCF in special medical conditions for the community

A clear policy on IYCF is necessary to allow the program to define the guidelines that can be easily
followed by GOs, NGOs and LGUs once such situations arise. The policy/guidelines shall address
among others the issue of milk donations. Guidelines on the Community Management of
Malnutrition, IYCF in special medical conditions such as errors of metabolism or HIV positive
mothers shall also be developed for implementation.

Camp managers and organized local nutrition clusters shall be oriented on the IFE guidelines.

Disaster prone areas will be prioritized in the orientation. Training/orientation shall be a

collaborative effort between the IYCF Program, HEMS and the NDCC.

4.2 Creation of a Regional and National incentive and awarding systems for the most outstanding
IYCF champions in the different sectors of society

a. Review and update the existing awarding system

The current awarding system shall be reviewed. The search protocol shall be further refined to
allow a wider search. The organization of the search committees in the local and national levels
shall be formalized. Funds for the awards shall be ensured.

b. Establish a recognition system for health facilities complying with EO51, RA10028 and the
MBFHI National Policy

Set up an annual recognition system for facilities, establishments complying with relevant IYCF
legislations and regulations. The benefits provided for by the Milk Code to compliant health
facilities shall be reviewed and improved/established parallel with the development of the
incentive scheme for the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act. Procedures for claiming benefits
shall be established and made accessible in collaboration with PhilHealth, BIR and other relevant
government offices.

4.3 Allocate/Raise /Seek resources for IYCF Research activities that document best practices in
the Philippines
a. Carry out an inventory of best practices on IYCF Identify best IYCF practices by allowing
every province
in the country to identify exemplary or creative activities
on IYCF that boosted program services/performance. Validate the reports through CHDs and
select the best practices for documentation and publication.

b. Allocate resources and conduct IYCF related researches focusing on the documentation and
measure of impact of noble experiences and interventions

The documentation of IYCF best practices is considered a critical area that allows the development
of models/ references for appropriate IYCF protocols and guidelines for implementation. Field
personnel who are able to establish and provide successful models of IYCF services are often
deficient in resources and skills to document the efforts. Resources to conduct IYCF related
researchers, focusing on the documentation and measure of impact of noble experiences and
interventions, will have to be allocated.

STRATEGY 5: Engaging the Private Sector and International Organizations to raise funds
for the scaling up and support of the IYCF program

5.2 Setting up of a fund-raising mechanism for IYCF with the participation of

International Organizations and the Private Sector

a. Set-up the fund-raising mechanism

The development and sustainability of IYCF activities partly depends on the availability of
resources. At the national level, where many developmental activities will take place, the
regular sources of funds are not sufficient. At the local levels, the poorer more problematic areas
have the least resources to promote, protect and support good IYCF practices. It is critical for the
IYCF Program to determine and actively source budgetary and other resource requirements. The
availability of resources will guide the scale and prioritization of IYCF activities in the annual
operational planning.

To augment the funds for the IYCF program, a funding mechanism/body that will serve as a fund-
raising arm for the elimination of child malnutrition shall be established.

The effort should be able to explore and proceed with the development of a funding mechanism
that can encourage public-private partnership and ensure resources to initiate and sustain critical
interventions nationwide. The arena of fund raising is not within the expertise of DOH, and it will
be important to discuss with the international and national partners on the most suitable mechanism
that can help attain such important goal.
PILLAR 1: Capacity Building

Capacity building shall take different forms and intensity in accordance to the requirement of the
intervention settings.

In health facilities, training on Lactation Management and Counseling shall continue. A system
for regular in- service or refresher training to address the fast turnover of health staff in hospitals
and to provide necessary program updates shall be put in place. Staggered training and self-
enforcing programs may also be devised to improve access to training when warranted. Periodic
evaluation shall be incorporated into the system to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the
trainings.

The Milk Code monitors at FDA, CHDs and local levels shall be trained on the latest guidelines
to help ensure that provisions on regulation and enforcement in the RIRR of the Milk Code are
closely adhered to. The monitors should be prepared to handle incidents of actual violation of the
code during inspection/monitoring. The local monitors shall be equipped with user friendly
monitoring tools.

The competencies of teachers and administrators to teach the new IYCF updated curriculum and
to appreciate the importance of MBF environment shall be enhanced. A training/seminar program
on IYCF for teachers/ administrators will be developed. A core of teacher trainers in every region
will be developed and organized to conduct the training/seminars nationwide.

IV. Status of the Program

A REVIEW FROM 2005 TO 2010

Objectives and Targets set in 2005- Status of

Remarks
2010 Achievement
OBJECTIVE 1: TO IMPROVE,
PROTECT AND PROMOTE
APPROPRIATE INFANT AND
YOUNG CHILD FEEDING
PRACTICES CHILD FEEDING
PRACTICES

- 70% of newborns initiated to 40.7%(NDHS

53.5% (NDHS 08)
breastfeeding within 30 minutes 1998)
- 80% of 0-
33.5%(NDHS
6 months infants are exclusively 34% (NDHS 2008)
2003)
breastfed
- 50% of
16.1%(NDHS
infants are exclusively breastfed for 22.2% (NDHS 2008)
2003)
6 months
- median duration of breastfeeding 15.1months (NDHS 13 months
is 18 months 2008) (NDHS 1998)
- 90% of 6- <10 months infants are
57.9%(NDHS
given timely, adequate and safe 58% (NDHS 2008)
2003)
complementary foods

76% (NDHS
2003)
NDHS 2008
and 2003 data
- 95% of children 6 months to
75.9% (NDHS 2008) refers to those
59 months received Vitamin A
that received
vitamin A in
the past 6
months from
the interview
37% of children age 6-
59 months received
iron supplements in
72.8% of 6-59
the seven days before
months
the survey
- 70% of low birth weight babies and received iron
(NDHS 2008)
iron deficient 6 months to less than 5 drops /
years received complete dose of iron syrup (not
78.3% of children 6-
supplements specified if
59 months consumed
complete dose,
foods rich in iron in
MCHS 2002)
the past
24 hours from the time
of the survey
- 80% of pregnant women have at least 67.5% (MCHS
77.8% (NDHS 2008)
4 prenatal visits 2002)
82% (not
- 80% of pregnant women received specified if
82.4% (NDHS 2008)
complete dose of iron supplements complete dose,
MCHS 2002)
44.6% (NDHS
2003) NDHS
2003 and 2008
data represents
- 80% of lactating women received the % of
45.6% (NDHS 2008)
vitamin A capsule women that
received
Vitamin A dose
during post-
partum
38%,
- 80% of household using iodized salt 41.9% (NDHS 2008)
household
 81.1% household using iodized
positive for iodine in salt and
salt (NDHS 2008) 56.4%
household
positive for
iodine in salt
(NNS 2003)
OBJECTIVE 2: TO INCREASE
POLITICAL COMMITMENT
AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT,
INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS, NON-
GOVERNMENT
ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE
SECTOR, PROFESSIONAL
GROUPS, CIVIL SOCIETY,
COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
IYCF Policy approved
- Approved and widely disseminated
May 25, 2005 and
National Infant and Young Child
disseminated to all
Feeding Policy
Regions and LGUs.
- Approved multi-sectoral National IYCF Plan of Action
IYCF Plan of Action 2005-2010 approved.
AO 2007-0017:
Guidelines on the
Acceptance and
Processing of Local
- IYCF policy enhancement for and Foreign
emerging issues Donations During
Emergency and
Disaster Situations
was signed May 28,
2007.
Active
New groups were
organizations
active in supporting
include Latch,
activities on IFE
La Leech
- Increase number of organizations mostly during the
League, Save
actively involved in IYCF post-Ondo
the Children,
interventions and in
Plan
relation to
International
breastfeeding support.
and Aruban.
 Additional
funds for IYCF
were secured
since April
2007, the start
From 1 million pesos
of the AHMP
in 2005 to 20 million
with intensive
pesos in 2010.
IYCF training.

September
Additional funds were
2009, signing
secured by the Joint
of the JP for
- Increase budget for IYCF program on MDG-F,
Ensuring Food
wherein UN Agencies
Security and
(Unisex, FAO, ILO
Nutrition for
and WHO) with NNC
Children 0-24
and DOH, started
months in the
implementing key
Philippines,
IYCF interventions.
funded by the
Government of
Spain through
the MDG
Achievement
Fund.
OBJECTIVE 3: PROVIDE
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
THAT WILL ENABLE PARENTS,
MOTHER, CAREGIVERS,
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
TO IMPLEMENT OPTIMAL
FEEDING PRACTICES FOR
INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILD
PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
National TWG active
and 11/12 Data as of Dec
Regions confirmed 2009, Although
having established a the national
TWG. TWG is
- Functional IYCF Program authority considered
and responsibility flow at the national, active, the
regional and LGU level At the LGU level 7/80 collaboration
provinces, between
9/120 cities and agencies can be
175/1425 considered
municipalities have deficient.
passed a
 resolution/ordinance
in support of IYCF.
- Existing local committees functioning No available
as IYCF committees data
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
AO 2007-0026:
Revitalization of the
MBFHI in Health
Within 2 years
Facilities with
after the
Maternity Services
issuance of
was signed and
COC, 0/47
endorsed on July 10,
hospitals
2007.
- 1,426 currently certified applied for
MBF hospitals sustained 10 steps accreditation to
become MBF
PhilHealth Circular
based on the
No. 26 S-2005:
new standards
Requirement for
and
Accredited Hospitals
requirements.
to be “Mother- Baby
Friendly” was issued
on October 11, 2005.
Only 47/1487 have
- 300 additional hospitals/lying-in
received a COC
certified as MBF
since 2007
- 100% of hospitals rooming–in their No available
newborns data
RA 10028: Expanded
RA 10028 set
- All offices of government agencies Breastfeeding
the standards to
who are members of the IYCF IAC will Promotion Act of
becoming
be MBF 2009 was enacted on
MBF.
March 16, 2010.
6/16 Regions reported
- At least one model workplace per that there are at least
province/city certified as MBF 88 breastfeeding
friendly workplaces.
- At least one model IYCF resource
No resource center
center 1 province and 1 city in each
established
region
10/16 Regions
reported that there are
- At least 3 IYCF model barangay/ at least 2159
municipality per province and city breastfeeding support
groups at the barangay
level.
 RA 10028
Milk bank is
encourages
functional in 3
- Functional milk bank in all medical other Medical
Medical
centers Centers to set
Centers: PGH,
up their own
DJFMH and PCMC
milk bank.
IMPROVING SYSTEMS
- 100% of national, regional and LGU Based on monitoring
No available
health facilities have integrated IEC on visits and reports from
data on private
IYCF into regular MCH services with CHDs, public health
health
clearly stated protocols on how to facilities have ensured
facilities.
provide key IYCF the integration.
Only 4/13 Regions
reported some sort of
Milk Code monitoring
activities.

- Functional and effective Milk Code At the FDA, from

Monitoring system 2007 to 2009, there
were 67 reports of
violations and only
3/13 Regions reported
filing a complaint for
the alleged violations.
Draft tool developed
and used in two key
- Institutionalize facility IYCF MIS
instances. No
system in place by end of 2009
institutionalization
yet.
28,063/34,298 staff NCDPC and
-Improving skills of health manpower were trained on NNC combined
IYCF Counseling. report
16/17 Regions
- Available national / regional IYCF
reported conduct of
trainers
training on IYCF.
No available
- Active IYCF Speakers’ Bureau
data
28,063/34,298 staff NCDPC and
- Available IYCF counselors in 50%
were trained on NNC combined
of health facilities
IYCF Counseling. report.
- At least 10 Filipino health
DOH focused on
professionals internationally accredited With the
capacitating health
as breastfeeding counselors by the support of
workers on
International Board of Lactation NNC.
Counseling and
Consultants Examiners
 Lactation
Management.
9/13 Regions reported
having trained a total
of 1485 hospital based
health workers on No
- A lactation specialist is available in
Lactation denominator
tertiary hospitals
Management with the available.
support of DJFMH,
NCDPC, CHDs and
NNC.
In June 2010, a
workshop on
integration/updating
The process of
- Improved curricula for IYCF of of good IYCF practice
integration is
medical / nursing / midwifery schools into the medical,
on-going.
nursing, midwifery
and nutrition curricula
was conducted.
RA 10028 was
RA 10028: Expanded
enacted on
Breastfeeding
- Inclusion of breastfeeding in March 16,
Promotion Act of
elementary education 2010. The IRR
2009 mandates the
is yet to be
integration.
signed.
As of Dec
10/16 Regions 2009,
reported that there are
at least 2,159 RA 10028 will
- Community level support systems
barangay level BF help boost the
and services
support groups and number of
more than 40 BF breastfeeding
friendly public places. friendly public
places.
- 100% of target communities with
No available
functional community level monitoring
data
system of IYCF practices and changes
10/16 Regions
- At least 50% of city and oblation reported that there are
municipalities with adequate number of at least 2,159 BF
trained IYCF peer counselors support groups at the
barangay level.
- At least one functional BF / IYCF 10/16 Regions
support group in oblations and selected reported that there are
communities at least 2,159 BF
 support groups at the
barangay level.

OBJECTIVE 4: ENSURE
SUSTAINABILITY OF
INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE,
PROTECT AND PROMOTE
INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD
FEEDING
- Functional self-assessment health
Tool Drafted. Not yet
facility tools for IYCF in certified
institutionalized.
MBFH and main health centers
- Annual progress reports of status of
implementation of Milk Code, 1st IYCF PIR: 2007
Rooming in and Breastfeeding Act,
ASIN Law, Food Fortification and 2nd IYCF PIR: 2009
ECCD Law / IYCF Policy
Key result of
integration was
IYCF integrated in
- IYCF integrated into Philippine Plan the intensive
PPAN 2005-
of Action for Nutrition and annual training on
2010. PIR was
planning and health monitoring IYCF
conducted last quarter
systems at all levels Counseling in
of 2010.
AHMP target
areas.
Regular Presentations
are offered by DOH
- Periodic feedback of IYCF status
on IYCF status (2005:
during annual conventions of health
1st presentation
professionals/Leagues of Provinces/
during National
Cities/Municipalities and Barangays
Convention Liga Ng
Barangay)

V. Program Manager
VICENTA E. BORJA, RN, MPH
Supervising Health Program Officer
Family Health Office
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Department of Health
Telephone no. 7329956
E-mail Add: vicentaborja@hotmail.com

Partner Organizations/agencies

NGO Partners:
Local:
 Employers Confederation of the Philippines
 Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
 Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding
 ARUGAAN
 Action for Economic Reforms
 Save Baby e-group
 Philippine Pediatric Society
 Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology Society
 Philippine Academy of Family Physicians Inc.
 Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine
 Philippine Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology
 Philippine Neonatology Society
 Philippine Society of Obstetric Anesthesiologist
 Philippine Academy of Lactation Consultant
 Perinatal Association of the Philippines
 Philippine Medical Association
 Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines
 Maternal and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines
 Philippine Nurses Association
 National League of Philippine Government Nurses Inc.
 Malls: SM, NCCC
 Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
 CODHEND

Government Partners:
 Department of Labor and Employment
 Department of Social Welfare and Development
 Department of Justice
 Department of Trade and Industry
 Department of Local Government
 Food and Drug Administration
 National Nutrition Council
 Council for the Welfare of Children
 Department of Education
 Commission on Higher Education
 Nutrition Council of the Philippines
International Organizations:
 World Health Organization
 UNICEF
 PLAN International
 Helen Keller International
 Save the Children-US
 World Vision
INTER LOCAL HEALTH ZONE
An ILHZ is defined to be any form or organized arrangement for coordinating the operations of
an array and hierarchy of health providers and facilities, which typically includes primary health
providers, core referral hospital and end-referral hospital, jointly serving a common population
within a local geographic area under the jurisdictions of more than one local government.

ILHZ, as a form of inter-LGU cooperation is established in order to better protect the public or
collective health of their community, assure the constituents access to a range of services necessary
to meet health care needs of individuals, and to manage their limited resources for health more
efficiently and equitably.

For these to happen, existing ILHZs in the country must strengthen their operations and sustain
their functionality. Regardless of the organizational nature of each ILHZ, whether these are
formally organized, informally organized or DOH-initiated, the overall aim is to make each ILHZ
functional in order to perform its abovementioned purposes and tasks.
It must be recognized that a good inter-LGU coordination in health is one that secures health
benefits for the people living in LGUs that are coordinating with one another. A functional ILHZ
therefore is to be viewed as one that provides health benefits to its individual residents and to the
zone population as a whole.

The ILHZ functionality is defined mainly by observable zone-wide health sector performance
results in terms of:
(i) improved health status and coverage of public health intervention of the zone population;
(ii) access by everyone in the zone to quality care; and
(iii) efficiency in the operations of the inter-local health services.

Replication of Exemplary
Replication: Sharing Good Practices and Practical Solutions to Common Problems
By virtue of Administrative Order No. 2008-0006, dated January 22, 2008, the DOH has adopted
the integration of replication strategies in its operation.
Replication is learning from and sharing with others exemplary practices that are proven and
effective solutions to common and similar problems encountered by local government units, with
the least possible costs and effort. The underlying principle of replication is to avoid reinventing
the wheel and benefiting from already tested solutions.
LGUs can share lessons learned from practices that work, as well as share experiences
systematically. A structured organized process of replicating, including proper dissemination
of validated exemplary practices and making Lakbay Arals more meaningful and useful, help
ensure the chances of achieving best results. Replication makes learning more interesting and
exciting as one gets to see the model and its benefits firsthand.
Criteria for Selecting Exemplary Health Practices 3. Simple and doable so that they can be
1. LGU-initiated solutions initiated to address one replicated within one year and a half or less.
or more health issues or problems encountered. 4. Cost effective and cost efficient
2. High level of sustainability  Mobilization and utilization of
 Consistent with existing health policies indigenous resources
 LGU support  Minimal support from external sources
 Had been in place for more than three ears 5. Positive results on the beneficiaries and
 Widely participated and supported by the communities.
communities Other important factors to consider:
 Adopted as a permanent structure  Consistency with the thrusts or
or program with regular budgetary support priorities of the Department of Health
 Adopted as a permanent structure or  Willingness of the Host LGU to share
program with regular budgetary support its practice to others
 Community representation in decision  Demand for the practice from other
making bodies and committees LGUs
HIV/STI PREVENTION PROGRAM
Objective:
Reduce the transmission of HIV and STI among the Most at Risk Population and General
Population and mitigate its impact at the individual, family, and community level.

Program Activities:
With regard to the prevention and fight against stigma and discrimination, the following are the
strategies and interventions:
1. Availability of free voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Service;
2. 100% Condom Use Program (CUP) especially for entertainment establishments;
3. Peer education and outreach;
4. Multi-sectoral coordination through Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC);
5. Empowerment of communities;
6. Community assemblies and for a to reduce stigma;
7. Augmentation of resources of social Hygiene Clinics; and
8. Procured male condoms distributed as education materials during outreach.

Program Accomplishments:
As of the first quarter of 2011, the program has attained particular targets for the three major final
outputs: health policy and program development; capability building of local government units
(LGUs) and other stakeholders; and leveraging services for priority health programs.
For the health policy and program development, the Manual of Procedures/ Standards/ Guidelines
is already finalized and disseminated. The ARV Resistance surveillance among People Living with
HIV (PLHIV) on Treatment is being implemented through the Research Institute for Tropical
Medicine (RITM). Moreover, both the Strategic Plan 2012-2016 for Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission and the Strategic Plan 2012-2016 for Most at Risk Young People and HIV
Prevention and Treatment are being drafted.
With regard to capability building, the Training Curriculum for HIV Counseling and Testing is
already revised. Twenty-five priority LGUs provided support in strengthening Local AIDS
councils. as of March 2011, there were already 17 Treatment Hubs nationwide.
Lastly, for the leveraging services, baseline laboratory testing is being provided while male
condoms are being distributed through social Hygiene Clinics. A total of 1,250 PLHIV were
provided with treatment and 4,000 STI were treated.

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in achieving the goal of the National HIV/STI
Prevention Program:
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)
 Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
 STI/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SCCL)
 World Health Organization (WHO)
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Pinoy Plus Association
 AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP)
 Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI)
 Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVES)
 Affiliation Against AIDS in Mindanao (ALAGAD-Mindanao)
 AIDS Watch Council (AWAC)
 Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
 Free Rehabilitation, Economic, Education, and Legal Assistance Volunteers Association,
Inc. (FREELAVA)
 Philippine NGO council on Population, Health, and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC)
 Leyte Family Development Organization (LEFADO)
 Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF)
 Social Development Research Institute (SDRI)
 TLF share Collectives, Inc.
 Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Katipunang Manggagawang Pilipino
 Health Action Information Network (HAIN)
 Hope Volunteers Foundation, Inc.
 KANLUNGAN Center Foundation, Inc. (KCFI)
 Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay, Inc. (KGPP)
ILIGTAS SA TIGDAS ANG PINAS

A Door-to-Door Measles-Rubella (MR) Immunization Campaign Vaccinating All Children,

9 months to below 8 years old From April 4 to May 4, 2011
The Philippines has committed to eliminate measles in 2012, the target year agreed upon with the
other countries in the Western Pacific Region. Three (3) mass measles immunization campaigns
were conducted in 1998, 2004 and 2007, achieving 95% coverage in each round. In contrast, the
annual coverage for routine measles vaccination given to infants’ ages 9-11 months never reached
the target of at least 95%. The highest coverage ever attained is 92% and the lowest coverage was
67% (1987 DOH EPI Report).
The lower the coverage, the faster is the accumulation of unimmunized susceptible infants,
resulting in measles outbreaks in different areas of the Philippines. Laboratory confirmed measles
cases continued to be reported all over the country, which indicates uninterrupted circulation of
measles virus transmission resulting to illness and deaths among children.
Mass measles immunization campaigns provide a “second opportunity” to “catch missed
children”, but these are done every 2-3 years’ interval and therefore not enough to prevent seasonal
outbreaks from occurring in areas with low immunization coverage. The administration of a 2nd
dose of measles containing vaccines on a routine schedule will provide this “second opportunity”
at an earlier time and ensure the protection against measles of infants/children who failed to be
protected during the first dose.
As a response to interrupt the transmission of the measles virus and prevent a potential large
measles outbreak to occur, there is an urgent need to conduct a measles supplemental
immunization activity this April 2011. All children ages 9-95 months old nationwide should be
given a dose of measles-rubella vaccine through a door-to-door vaccination campaign. Unlike
previous campaign, a measles-free certification will be issued to city/province meeting all the
criteria of (1) all barangays passed the RCA with no missed child and 95% and above house
marking accuracy; (2) there are no measles cases for the next 3 months after the campaign and (3)
measles surveillance indicators have met the national standards
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS (IMCI)
One million children under five years old die each year in less developed countries. Just five
diseases (pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles and dengue hemorrhagic fever) account for nearly
half of these deaths and malnutrition is often the underlying condition. Effective and affordable
interventions to address these common conditions exist but they do not yet reach the populations
most in need, the young and impoverish.
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness strategy has been introduced in an
increasing number of countries in the region since 1995. IMCI is a major strategy for child
survival, healthy growth and development and is based on the combined delivery of essential
interventions at community, health facility and health systems levels. IMCI includes elements of
prevention as well as curative and addresses the most common conditions that affect young
children. The strategy was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
In the Philippines, IMCI was started on a pilot basis in 1996, thereafter more health
workers and hospital staff were capacitated to implement the strategy at the frontline level.

Objectives of IMCI
 Reduce death and frequency and severity of illness and disability, and
 Contribute to improved growth and development
Components of IMCI
 Improving case management skills of health workers
11-day Basic Course for RHMs, PHNs and MOHs
5 - day Facilitators course
5 – day Follow-up course for IMCI Supervisors
 Improving over-all health systems
 Improving family and community health practices

Rationale for an integrated approach in the management of sick children

Majority of these deaths are caused by 5 preventable and treatable conditions
namely: pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles and malnutrition. Three (3) out of four
(4) episodes of childhood illness are caused by these five conditions
Most children have more than one illness at one time. This overlap means that a single
diagnosis may not be possible or appropriate.

Who are the children covered by the IMCI protocol?

Sick children birth up to 2 months (Sick Young Infant)
Sick children 2 months up to 5 years old (Sick child)

Strategies/Principles of IMCI
 All sick children aged 2 months up to 5 years are examined for GENERAL DANGER
signs and all Sick Young Infants Birth up to 2 months are examined for VERY SEVERE
DISEASE AND LOCAL BACTERIAL INFECTION. These signs indicate immediate
referral or admission to hospital
 The children and infants are then assessed for main symptoms. For sick children, the
main symptoms include: cough or difficulty breathing, diarrhea, fever and ear
infection. For sick young infants, local bacterial infection, diarrhea and jaundice. All sick
 children are routinely assessed for nutritional, immunization and deworming status
and for other problems
 Only a limited number of clinical signs are used
 A combination of individual signs leads to a child’s classification within one or more
symptom groups rather than a diagnosis.
 IMCI management procedures use limited number of essential drugs and encourage active
participation of caretakers in the treatment of children
 Counseling of caretakers on home care, correct feeding and giving of fluids, and when to
return to clinic is an essential component of IMCI

BASIS FOR CLASSIFYING THE CHILD’S ILLNESS (please see enclosed portion of the
IMCI Chart booklet) The child’s illness is classified based on a color-coded triage system:
PINK- indicates urgent hospital referral or admission
YELLOW- indicates initiation of specific Outpatient Treatment
GREEN – indicates supportive home care

Steps of the IMCI Case Management Process

The following is the flow of the IMCI process. At the out-patient health facility, the health
worker should routinely do basic demographic data collection, vital signs taking, and asking the
mother about the child's problems. Determine whether this is an initial or a follow-up visit. The
health worker then proceeds with the IMCI process by checking for general danger signs, assessing
the main symptoms and other processes indicated in the chart below.
Take note that for the pink box, referral facility includes district, provincial and tertiary
hospitals. Once admitted, the hospital protocol is used in the management of the sick child.

THE INTEGRATED CASE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

KNOCK OUT TIGDAS 2007

Knock-out Tigdas Logo

“Knock-out Tigdas 2007” is a sequel to the 1998 and 2004 “Ligtas Tigdas” mass measles
immunization campaign. All children 9 months to 48 months old (born October 1, 2003 – January
1,2007) should be vaccinated against measles from October 15 - November 15, 2007, door-to-
door. All health centers, barangay health stations, hospitals and other temporary immunization
sites such as basketball court, town plazas and other identified public places will also offer FREE
vaccination services during the campaign period.

Other services to be given include Vitamin a Capsule and deworming tablet.

Knockout Tigdas for the period of the Barangay and SK Elections

Executive Order No. 663
Promotional materials

What is “Knock-out Tigdas (KOT) 2007?

“Knock-out Tigdas 2007” is a sequel to the 1998 and 2004 “Ligtas Tigdas” mass measles
immunization campaigns. This is the second follow-up measles campaign to eliminate measles
infection as a public health problem.

What is the over-all objective of the Knock-out Tigdas?

The Knock-out Tigdas is a strategy to reduce the number or pool of children at risk of getting
measles or being susceptible to measles and achieve 95% measles immunization coverage.
Ultimately, the objective of KOT is to eliminate measles circulation in all communities by 2008.

What does measles elimination mean?

Measles elimination means:

1. Less than one (1) measles case is confirmed measles per one million population.

2. Detects and extracts blood for laboratory confirmation from at least 2 suspect measles cases per
100,000 populations.

3. No secondary transmission of measles. This means that when a measles case occurs, measles is
not transmitted to others.

Who should be vaccinated?

All children between 9 months to 48 months old (born October 1, 2003 – January 1,2007) should
be vaccinated against measles.

When will it be done?

Immunization among these children will be done on October 15-November 15, 2007.

How will it be done?

Vaccination teams go from door-to-door of every house or every building in search of the targeted
children who needs to be vaccinated with a dose of measles vaccines, Vitamin A capsule and
deworming drug.

All health centers, barangay health stations, hospitals and other temporary immunization sites such
as basketball court, town plazas and other identified public places will also offer FREE vaccination
services during the campaign period.

My child has been vaccinated against measles. Is she exempted from this vaccination campaign?

No, she is not. A previously vaccinated child is not exempted from the vaccination campaign
because we cannot be sure if her previous vaccination was 100% effective.
Chances are a vaccinated child is already protected, but no one can really be sure. There is 15%
vaccine failure when the vaccine is given to 9 months old children. We want to be 100% sure of
their protection.

What strategy will be used during the campaign?

It is a door-to-door strategy. The team goes from one-household to another in all areas nationwide.

My child had measles previously, is he exempted in this campaign?

There are many measles-like diseases. We cannot be sure exactly what the child had, especially if
the illness occurred years ago, Anyway, the vaccination will not harm a child who already had
measles. The effect will also be like a booster vaccination. The previously received measles
immunization has formed antibodies, with the booster shot it will strengthened the said antibodies.

Is there any overdose, if my child receives this booster immunization?

Antibodies in the blood which provide protection against disease decrease as the child grows older.
Booster vaccinations are needed to raise protection again. Measles vaccination during the said
campaign will be a booster vaccination for a previously vaccinated child. The child’s waning
internal protection will increase. The child will not harm because there is no vaccine overdose for
the measles vaccine. The measles vaccine is even known to enhance overall immunity against
other diseases.

What will happen to my child after receiving the measles immunization?

Normally, the child will have slight fever. The fever is a sign that the child’s vaccine is working
and is helping the body develop antibodies against measles.

The best thing to do when the child has fever is to give him paracetamol every four (4) hours. Give
him plenty of fluids and breastfeed the child. Ensure that the child has enough rest and sleep.

What will happen after the “Knock-out Tigdas 2007”?

To interrupt measles circulation by 2008, ALL children ages 9 months will continue to routinely
receive one dose of the measles vaccine together with the vaccines the other disease of the
childhood like polio, diphtheria, pertussis, etc. All children with fever and rashes have to be listed
and tested to verify the cause of the infection.

ALL 18 months old children will be given a second dose of measles immunization to really ensure
that these children are protected against measles infection.

What other services will be given?

Vitamin A capsule will be given to all children 6 months to 71-month-old and deworming tablet
to 12 months to 71 months old nationwide.
Additional messages:

Once the child is vaccinated, the posterior upper left earlobe will be marked with gentian violet,
so do not try to remove for the purpose of validation.

Houses will also be marked, so do not erase.

“I heard that there are cases where the child who was vaccinated who became seriously ill or died.
Is this true?

Measles vaccine is very safe. Minor reactions may occur such as fever but in an already immunizes
child, this may not occur. The most serious and RARE adverse event following immunization is
anaphylaxis which is inherent on the child, not on the vaccines.
LEPROSY CONTROL PROGRAM
Vision: Empowered primary stakeholders in leprosy and eliminated leprosy as a public health
problem by 2020
Mission: To ensure the provision of a comprehensive, integrated quality leprosy services at all
levels of health care
Goal: To maintain and sustain the elimination status

Objectives:
The National Leprosy Control Program aims to:
 Ensure the availability of adequate anti-leprosy drugs or multiple drug therapy
(MDT).
 Prevent and reduce disabilities from leprosy by 35% through Rehabilitation and
Prevention of Impairments and Disabilities (RPIOD) and Self-care.
 Improve case detection and post-elimination surveillance system using the WHO
protocol in selected LGUs.
 Integration of leprosy control with other health services at the local level.
 Active participation of person affected by leprosy in leprosy control and human
dignity program in collaboration with the National Program for Persons with Disability.
 Strengthen the collaboration with partners and other stakeholders in the provision of
quality leprosy services for socio-economic mobilization and advocacy activities for
leprosy.

Beneficiaries:
The NLCP targets individuals, families, and communities living in hyperendemic areas and those
with history of previous cases.
Universal Health
NLCP Strategy
Global Strategy Care
(2011-2016)
(2006-2010) (Kalusugang
MDG& NOH
Pangkalahatan)
 Provision of
 Sustain leprosy control in Quality Leprosy  Governance
all endemic countries services at all for Health
levels
 Strengthen routine &  Health System  Service
referral service Strengthening Delivery
 Capability
building of an
 Ensure high quality
efficient,
diagnosis, case  Policy,
effective,
management, recording Standards &
accessible
& reporting in all Regulations
human and
endemic communities
facility
resources
  Develop
policies/
 Establish the guidelines/
 Human
Sentinel Surveillance sentinel
Resources
System to monitor Drug sites/referral
for Health
Resistance centers (Luzon,
Visayas &
Mindanao)
 Develop procedures/
tools that are
 Collaborate
home/community- based,
with  Health
integrated and locally
NEC/RESU/ Information
appropriate for Self-
PESU / MESU
Care/POD, rehabilitation
services (CBR)
 Health
 NLAB, NCCL
Financing
 RA 7277-
Rights of PWD
& Caregivers
 BP 34-
Accessibility &
Human Rights
Law
 PhilHealth
Insurance
Package

Program Manager:
Dr. Francesca C. Gajete
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
LGU SCORECARD
The performance indicators in the LGU Scorecard are a subset of the Performance Indicator
Framework (PIF) of the ME3. The performance indicators measure basic intermediate outcomes
and major outputs of health reform programs, projects and activities (PPAs).
There are 46 performance indicators in the LGU Scorecard categorized in two sets (Set I and Set
II). The two sets of performance indicators are the following:
Set I is composed of 27 outcome indicators mostly representing intermediate outcomes that can be
assessed every year (See Annex 1: Data Definitions for Set I Indicators in LGU Scorecard). Set II
is composed of 27 output indicators representing major thrusts and key interventions for the four
reform components of service delivery, regulation, financing, and governance. They are mostly
composed of health system reform outputs. These indicators are assessed only every 3-5 years,
since these require more time and more resources to set up. The equity dimensions of these
indicators are not measured (See Annex 2: Data Definitions for Set II Indicators in LGU
Scorecard).
Set I performance indicators of the LGU Scorecard are standardized as to numerators,
denominators, multipliers and data sources. The definition of performance indicators is consistent
with the Department of Health FHSIS data dictionary. The other references used in defining
performance indicators in the LGU Scorecard are PhilHealth data definitions and WHO definitions
of indicators. The standardization of performance indicators guarantees consistency of data across
various LGUs and across years of implementation. It also facilitates the automation of the LGU
Scorecard collection and publication of results.
The sources of data utilized for the LGU Scorecard are the institutional data sources in the
Department of Health. The availability of data on an annual basis was an important consideration
for inclusion of Set I performance indicators in the LGU Scorecard.
LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS
UNDERTAKEN BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
I. Mandates
Presidential Decree No. 856 “Code of Sanitation of the Philippines”
 Massage Therapists

Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing
Massage Clinics and Sauna Bath Establishments”
 Embalmers
Administrative Order No. 2010-0033 “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing
Disposal of Dead Persons”

Committees
The Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) and the Committee of Examiners for
Undertakers and Embalmers (CEUE) were created by the DOH to regulate the practice of massage
therapy and embalming to ensure that only qualified individuals enter the profession and that the
care and services to be provided are within the standards of practice.

II. Application Procedure

A. Who can apply
 Any high school graduate
 At least 18 years old at the time of the examination

B. How to apply
Application Requirements:
a. Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate (at least 18 years old at the time of the examination)
b. Certificate of Good Moral Character from barangay captain of the community where the
applicant resides
c. Certification or clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or provincial fiscal
that he/she is not convicted by the court in any case involving moral turpitude.
d. Medical Certificate from a government physician
e. Certified True Copy of Diploma or Transcript of Record (at least high school graduate)
f. Submit Marriage Contract for female married applicant
g. Certification from any DOH accredited training institution/ provider that he/she has received
basic instructions in five (5) subjects based on Program Curriculum
h. Certification from any DOH accredited training institution/provider that he/she has skillfully
embalmed at least 10 cadavers within one year period under his/her supervision
i. Filled up application form (1 copy)
j. 1 ½ X 1 ½ size photograph taken within the last 6 months (3 copies)

When is the licensure examination?

Massage Therapist – every 1st week of June and December
Embalmers – every 1st week of March and September
MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAM
Malaria is a parasite-caused disease that is usually acquired through the bite of a female Anopheles
mosquito. It can be transmitted in the following ways:
(1) blood transfusion from an infected individual;
(2) sharing of IV needles; and
(3) transplacenta (transfer of malaria parasites from an infected mother to its unborn child).
This parasite-caused disease is the 9th leading cause of morbidity in the country. As of this year,
there are 58 out of 81 provinces that are malaria endemic and 14 million people are at risk. In
response to this health problem, the Department of Health (DOH) coordinated with its partner
organizations and agencies to employ key interventions with regard to malaria control.
Vision: Malaria-free Philippines
Mission: To empower health workers, the population at risk and all others concerned to eliminate
malaria in the country.
Goal: To significantly reduce malaria burden so that it will no longer affect the socio-economic
development of individuals and families in endemic areas.
Objectives:
Based on the 2011-2016 Malaria Program Medium Term Plan, it aims to:
1. Ensure universal access to reliable diagnosis, highly effective, and appropriate treatment and
preventive measures;
2. Capacitate local government units (LGUs) to own, manage, and sustain the Malaria Program in
their respective localities;
3. Sustain financing of anti-malaria efforts at all levels of operation; and
4. Ensure a functioning quality assurance system for malaria operations.

Beneficiaries:
The Malaria Control Program targets the meager-resourced municipalities in endemic provinces,
rural poor residing near breeding areas, farmers relying on forest products, indigenous people with
limited access to quality health care services, communities affected by armed conflicts, as well as
pregnant women and children aged five years old and below.

Program Strategies:
The DOH, in coordination with its key partners and the LGUs, implements the following
interventions:
1.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment
Diagnostic Centers were established and strengthened to achieve this strategy. The utilization
of these diagnostic centers is promoted to sustain its functionality.
2. Vector control
The use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, complemented with indoor residual spraying,
prevents malaria transmission.
3. Enhancement of local capacity
LGUs are capacitated to manage and implement community-based malaria control through
social mobilization.
Program Accomplishments:
For the development of health policies, the Malaria Medium Term Plan (2011-2016) is already in
its final draft while the Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Plan is being drafted.
The Malaria Program is being monitored in six provinces as the Philippine Malaria Information
System is being reviewed and enhanced.
In strengthening the capabilities of the LGUs, trainings are conducted. These include: series of
Basic and Advance Malaria Microscopy Training; Malaria Program Management Orientation and
Training for the rural health unit (RHU) staff; and Data Utilization Training. Also, there are the
Clinical Management for Uncomplicated and Severe Malaria and the Malaria Epidemic
Management.
Lastly, health services are leveraged through the provision of anti-malaria commodities.

Partner Organization/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in achieving the goals of Malaria Control Program:
 Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc, (PSFI)
 Roll Back Malaria (RBM); World Health Organization (WHO)
 Act Malaria Foundation, Inc
 Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation, Inc. (FETPAFI)
 Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM)
 University of the Philippines-College of Public Health (UP-CPH)
 Philippine Malaria Network
 Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
 Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN)
 Malaria Elimination Group (MEG)
 Local Government Units (LGUs)
MICRONUTRIENT PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Liberty Importa
Telephone Nos.:
651-7800 loc. 1726-1730
Micronutrient deficiencies can cause inter-generational consequences. The level of health care and
nutrition that women receive before and during pregnancy, at childbirth and immediately post-
partum has significant bearing on the survival, growth and development of their fetus and newborn.
Undernourished babies tend to grow into undernourished adolescents. When undernourished
adolescents become pregnant, they in turn, may give birth to low-birth weight infants with greater
risk of multiple micronutrient deficiencies.
Micronutrient deficiencies have considerable impact on economic productivity, growth and
national development. Widespread iron deficiency is estimated to decrease the gross domestic
product (GDP) by as much as 2% per year in the worst affected countries. Conservatively, this
translates into a loss of about Php 172 per capita or 0.9% of GDP. Productivity losses for anemic
manual laborers have been documented to be as high as 9% for severely stunted workers and 5%
and 17% for workers engaged in moderate and heavy physical labor respectively (Micronutrient
Supplementation Manual of Operations)
Mandate: AO 36, s. 2010
Aquino Health Agenda (AHA): Achieving Universal Health Care for All Filipinos– Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan
Goal of Micronutrient:
Achievement of better health outcomes, sustained health financing and responsive health system
by ensuring that all Filipinos especially the disadvantaged group (lowest 2 income quantiles)have
equitable access to affordable health care.
Objectives:
1. Contribute to the reduction of disparities related to nutrition through a focus on population
groups and areas highly affected or at risk to malnutrition
2. To provide vitamin A capsules, iron and iodine supplements to treat or prevent specific
micronutrient deficiencies
3. Go to scale with key interventions on micronutrient supplementation, food fortification, salt
iodization and nutrient education.
4. Revive, identify, document and adopt good practices and models for nutrition improvement.
5. Build Nutrition human resource in relevant departments/ agencies.

Scenario:
1. Child Under nutrition
The 2008 National Nutrition survey, FNRI-DOST showed a significant decline in the prevalence
of underweight-for-age under five children since 1990. However, the overall decline was not fast
enough. In 2008 a 20.6% prevalence rate was recorded which is equivalent to an average annual
percentage point decrease of 0.37%, however, it is lower than the targeted 0.55 annual percentage
point reduction from 2000 to achieve one of the targets of Millennium Development Goal I. In
addition, stunting (32.2%) among under fives (an indication of prolonged deprivation of food and
frequent bouts of infections) and wasting indicative of a lack of food or infection or both on the
hand, remained at bout the 6% from 2003 to 2008.
1. Maternal Under nutrition
For the past 10 years, the nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women gradually decreased since 1998,
with an average change of 0.44% per year. (FNRI National Nutrition surveys 2008)
2. Micronutrient Deficiencies
The 2008 National Nutrition Survey reported significant gains as levels of Vitamin A deficiency
among 6-months infants to 5 years old children, pregnant and lactating women but still is a public
health problem based on WHO cut off 15%. Furthermore, the prevalence rate of Iron deficiency
anemia among children decreased significantly. However, percentage levels of IDA among infants
6 years old (55.7%) and pregnant women (42.5%) remain at levels that are considered high as per
WHO classification of <40% public health problem.
Iodine Deficiency is a public health problem among pregnant and lactating women. In 2008, the
median UIE among 6-12 year old children was 132/ug/L, indicating adequate iodine status and
only <20% of the children had UIE less than 50 ug/L. The elimination of iodine deficiency has
been sustaines from 2003-2008.
Among pregnant women, the median UIE was 105 ug/L represents insufficient iodine intake.
Iodine deficiency in this group persists. While lactating women the median UIE was 81 ug/L
represents mild iodine insufficiency.
INTERVENTIONS/ STRATEGIES EMPLOYED OR IMPLEMENTED
1. Micronutrient Supplementation- is the provision of pharmaceutically prepared vitamins &
minerals for treatment or prevention of specific micronutrient deficiency.
2. Food Fortification- the addition of essential micronutrients to widely consumed food product
at levels above its normal state.
3. Improving diet/ dietary diversification- the adoption of proper food and nutrition practices
thru nutrition education food production & consumption.
4. Growth monitoring and promotion- is an educational strategy for promoting child health,
human development and quality of life through sequential measurement of physical growth and
development of individuals in the community.
STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION/ ACCOMPLISHMENT
The following policies were formulated and implemented:
 AO No. 2010-0010: revised Policy on Micronutrient Supplementation to support
achievement of 2015 MDG Targets to reduce under-five and maternal deaths and
micronutrient needs of other population groups
 AO No. 2007-0045: Zinc Supplementation and reformulated Oral rehydration salt in the
Management of diarrhea among children
 ASIN Law- R.A. 8172, “An act promoting salt iodization nationwide and for other
purposes”, signed into law on Dec. 20, 1995
 Food fortification law, R.A. 8976, “An act establishing the Philippine Food Fortification
Program and for other purposes” mandating fortification of flour, oil and sugar with Vit
A and flour and rice with iron by November 7, 2004 and promoting voluntary
fortification through the SPSP, signed into law on November 7, 2000
 Department Memorandum No. 2011-0303 “Micronutrient powder supplementation for
children 6-23 months”
 Micronutrient supplementation manual of operations was developed to guide local,
regional and national managers and implementers in providing good quality
micronutrient supplementation services to targeted populations nationwide
Accomplishment
· Vitamin A Supplementation 2011 Coverage
FUTURE PLAN / ACTION
1. Focus on population groups and areas affected or at-risk to micronutrient malnutrition
2. Scale up with key interventions such as micronutrient supplementation, food fortification 7
dietary diversification through food based approach
3. Development & formulation of strategic plan 2012-2016
OTHER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION
Micronutrient supplementation is a crucial for child survival, it significantly reduces:
1. The risk from mortality by 23-34%
2. Deaths due to measles by about 50%
3. Deaths due to diarrhea by about 40%
NATIONAL PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS PROGRAM
Government Mandates and Policies :
 Administrative Order No. 179 s.2004: Guidelines for the Implementation of the National
Prevention of Blindness Program
 Department Personnel Order No. 2005-0547: Creation of Program Management
Committee for the National Prevention of Blindness Program
Subcommittees: Refractive Error/Low Vision, Childhood Blindness, Cataract
 Proclamation No. 40 declaring the month of August every year as “Sight Saving Month”
Vision: All Filipinos enjoy the right to sight by year 2020
Mission: The DOH, Local Health Unit (LGU) partners and stakeholders commit to:
1. Strengthen partnership among and with stakeholder to eliminate avoidable blindness in the
Philippines;
2. Empower communities to take proactive roles in the promotion of eye health and
prevention of blindness;
3. Provide access to quality eye care services for all; and
4. Work towards poverty alleviation through preservation and restoration of sight to indigent
Filipinos.
Goal: Reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the Philippines through the provision
of quality eye care.
The program has the following objectives:

General Objective No. 1: Increase Cataract Surgical Rate from 730 to 2,500 by the year
2010
Specific:
1. Conduct 74,000 good outcome cataract surgeries by 2010;
2. Ensure that all health centers are actively linked to a cataract referral center by 2008;
3. Advocate for the full coverage of cataract surgeries by Philhealth;
4. Establish provincial sight preservation committees in at least 80% of provinces by 2010;
5. Mobilize and train at least one primary eye care worker per barangay by 2010;
6. Mobilize and train at least one mid-level eye care health personnel per municipality by
2010;
7. Improve capabilities of at least 500 ophthalmologists in appropriate techniques and
technology for cataract surgery;
8. Develop quality assurance system for all ophthalmology service facilities by 2008; and
9. Ensure that 76 provincial,16 regional and 56 DOH retained hospitals are equipped for
appropriate technology for cataract surgery.

General objective no 2: Reduce visual impairment due to refractive errors by 10% by the
year 2010
1. Institutionalize visual acuity screening for all sectors by 2010;
2. Ensure that all health centers are actively linked to a referral center by 2008;
3. Distribute 125,000 eye glasses by 2010;
4. Ensure that the hospitals and of health centers have professional eye health care
providers by 2010;
5. Ensure establishment of equipped refraction centers in municipalities by 2008; and
6. Establish and maintain an eyeglass bank by 2007.
General objective no 3: Reduce the prevalence of visual disability in children from 0.3% to
0.20% by the 2010
1. Identify children with visual disability in the community for timely intervention;
2. Improve capability of 90% of health worker to identify and treat visual disability in
children by 2010; and
3. Establish a completely equipped primary eye care facility in municipalities by 2008.

Burden of Blindness and Visual Impairment : Global Facts

The Philippines is a signatory in the Global Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: Vision
2020 – The Right to Sight. The Vision 2020 was initiated by the International Agency for
Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Christian Blind
Mission (CBM), Vision 2020 aims to develop sustainable comprehensive health care system to
ensure the nest possible vision for all people and thereby improve the quality of life.
According to WHO estimates :
 Approximately 314 million people worldwide live with low vision and blindness
 Of these, 45 million people are blind and 269 million have low vision
 145 million people's low vision is due to uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness,
far-sightedness or astigmatism). In most cases, normal vision could be restored with
eyeglasses
 Yet 80% of blindness is avoidable - i.e. readily treatable and/or preventable
 90% of blind people live in low-income countries
 Restorations of sight, and blindness prevention strategies are among the most cost-effective
interventions in health care
 Infectious causes of blindness are decreasing as a result of public health interventions and
socio-economic development. Blinding trachoma now affects fewer than 80 million
people, compared to 360 million in 1985
 Aging populations and lifestyle changes mean that chronic blinding conditions such as
diabetic retinopathy are projected to rise exponentially
 Women face a significantly greater risk of vision loss than men
 Without effective, major intervention, the number of blind people worldwide has been
projected to increase to 76 million by 2020

Burden of Blindness and Visual Impairment : Local Facts

 Number of blind people: 592,000 (based on 2011 estimated population of 102M & 2002
blindness prevalence of 0.58%)
 Number of persons with moderate or severe visual impairment: 2 million (2011 popn.
& 2002 prevalence of 2.04%)
 Number of blind due to cataract: 367,000 (62%)
 Number of blind due to EOR: 59,000 (10%)
 Number of blind from cataract below poverty line: 92,000 (25%, NSCB 2009 figures];
figure est. doubled to include first & second quintiles
 RP Prevalence of Blindness (%), 2002
Caraga 0.16
National Capital Region 0.19
Cordillera Autonomous Region 0.2
Central Mindanao 0.4
Ilocos Region 0.5
Western Visayas 0.51
Eastern Visayas 0.53
Southern Luzon 0.56
National Figure 0.58
Northern Mindanao 0.61
Central Visayas 0.62
Bicol Region 0.71
Western Mindanao 0.74
Central Luzon 0.79
Autonomous Region of Mislim Mindanao 0.8
Cagayan Valley 0.87
Southern Mindanao 1.08

RP Prevalence of Low Vision (%), 2002

Caraga 0.6
National Capital Region 0.81
Cordillera Autonomous Region 0.87
Central Luzon 1.21
Central Mindanao 1.53
Western Mindanao 1.59
Southern Mindanao 1.71
Central Visayas 1.76
Western Visayas 1.91
National Figure 1.98
Northern Mindanao 2.17
Ilocos Region 2.43
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao 2.43
Bicol Region 2.52
Eastern Visayas 2.56
Southern Luzon 3.71
Cagayan Valley 4.07
RP Prevalence of Visual Impairment (%) , 2002
Caraga 0.76
National Capital Region 1
Cordillera Autonomous Region 1.07
Central Mindanao 1.93
Central Luzon 2
Western Mindanao 2.33
Central Visayas 2.38
Western Visayas 2.42
National Figure 2.56
Northern Mindanao 2.78
Southern Mindanao (blindness) 2.79
Ilocos Region (Low Vision) 2.93
Eastern Visayas (Low Vision) 3.18
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao 3.23
Bicol Region 3.23
Southern Luzon (Low Vision) 4.27
Cagayan Valley 4.94

Interventions/Strategies employed or Implementation by the DOH

1. Advocacy and Health Education
This includes patient information and education, public information and education and
intersectoral collaboration on eye health promotion and the nature and extent of visual impairments
particularly its risk factors and complications and the need/urgency of early diagnosis and
management.
2. Capability Building
This component shall focus on ensuring the capability of national and local government health
facilities in delivering the appropriate eye health care services especially to the indigent sector of
the population. Program shall provide training for coordinators at regional and provincial levels;
will ensure the availability of and access to training programs by program implementers. It shall
include strengthening treatment/management capabilities of existing personnel and operating
capabilities of facilities conducting cataract operations etc., taking into outmost consideration basic
quality assurance and standardization of procedures and techniques appropriate to each
facility/locality.
3. Information Management
The program shall develop an information management system for purposes of reporting and
recording. As far as practicable, this system shall consider and will build on any existing
mechanism. The system shall be national in scope, although the mechanism shall consider the
regional and local needs and capabilities.
4. Networking, Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization
An important component of the program is networking and partnership building to ensure that
services are available at the local level. This shall include public-private and public-public
partnership aimed at building coalition and networks for the delivery of appropriate eye health care
services at affordable cost especially to the indigent sector. This component shall also focus on
ensuring that the highest appropriate quality services are made available and accessible to the
people.
5. Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation
The Program shall be coordinated by a national program coordinator from the Degenerative
Disease Office of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Department of Health.
The national program coordinator shall oversee the implementation of program plans and activities
with the assistance of the regional coordinators from the Centers for Health Development.
A system of monitoring program plans and activities shall be developed and implemented taking
into consideration the provision of the local government code as well as the organic act of Muslim
Mindanao, and any similar issuances/laws that will be passed in the future.
A program review shall be conducted as needed. Result of program evaluation shall be used in
formulating policies, program objectives and action plans.
6. Research and Development
The program shall encourage the conduct of researches for purposes of developing local
competence in eye health care and for other purposes that may be necessary. The development and
dissemination of clinical practice guidelines for eye health shall form part of the research agenda
of the program.
The program shall support researches/studies in the clinical behavior (KAP) and
epidemiological (trends) areas. It also aims to acquire information that is utilized for continuing
public health information and education, policy formulation, planning and implementation.
7. Service Delivery
Service delivery for the prevention of Blindness Program shall be covered by the principle of
best practice. In collaboration with the local government units and stakeholders, the program shall
develop systems and procedures for the integration and provision of services at the community
level. This means primary eye prevention concentrating on health education, advocacy and
primary eye interventions; Secondary prevention; screening/early detection/basic management/
counseling, referral and/or definitive care and tertiary prevention: management of complications,
continuing care and follow up including rehabilitation. The following areas will be the priority
areas for services to be provided by the National Prevention of Blindness Program:
a. Cataract Surgeries
b. Errors of Refraction
c. Childhood Blindness
Activities for the Vitamin A Deficiency Disorder, for practical purposes, shall be led by the Family
Health Office also of the NCDPC.
A Referral System shall form part of services delivered by the program. This is to ensure that all
patients receive quality eye health care at appropriate levels of health care delivery system. All
rural health units should be linked to an eye care referral center.
Cataract
Cataract, the opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye, is the most common cause of
blindness worldwide. It is the cause in 62% of all blindness in the Philippines and is found mostly
in the older age groups. The only cure for cataract blindness is surgery. This is available in almost
all provinces of the country; however there are barriers in accessing such services. Interventions
will therefore consist of increasing awareness about cataract and cataract surgery; as well as
improving the delivery of cataract services. The parameter used worldwide to monitor cataract
service delivery is the Cataract Surgical Rate.
Errors of Refraction
Errors of refraction is the most common cause of visual impairment in the country (prevalence is
2.06% in the population). Errors of refraction are corrected either with spectacle glasses, contact
lenses or surgery. The services to address the problem of EOR are provided mainly by
optometrists. However, the provision of the eyeglasses or lenses (who should provide, how is it
provided, etc.) has to be addressed.
Childhood Blindness
The prevalence of blindness among children (up to age 19) is 0.06% while the prevalence of visual
impairment in the same age group is 0.43%. The problem of childhood blindness is the highly
specialized services that are needed to diagnose and treat it. However, screening of children for
any sign of visual impairment can be done by pediatricians, school clinics and health workers.

Future Plan/Action:
 Development of Service Package for Prevention Blindness Program
 Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prevention Blindness Program
 Development of Strategic Framework and a Five Year Strategic Plan for Prevention
Blindness Program (2012-2016)
 Continue conduct of promotion and advocacy activities and partnership with National
Committee for Sight Preservation, Specialty Societies and other stakeholders on PBP
 Creation of PBP Registry System
 Ensure the implementation of the National Prevention of Blindness Program

Status of Implementation/Accomplishment:
 Department of Health supports prevention of blindness and vision impairment
o Signatory of all World Health Assembly resolution on Vision 2020 and blindness
prevention.
o National Prevention on Blindness Program under Non-Communicable Disease Cluster.
o Funded 3 national surveys of blindness 1987, 1955 and 2002.
o Planning workshop 2004 crafted 5 year development plan for eye care 2005-2010 assisted
by IAPB / ICEH.
o AO 179 issued on Nov. 2004 by Sec. Dayrit creating “Guidelines for Implementation of
the National Prevention Blindness Program (NPBP)” which set-up the Program Management
Committee (PMC)
o Blindness prevention and rehabilitation of persons with irreversible blindness are
incorporated in the health program for persons with disability of DOH

 The following programs/projects are included in the Maternal and Child Care Program
of DOH:
o Expanded Program for Immunization (includes vaccination for diseases that causes
blindness)
o Vitamin A provision for pregnant mothers and children to prevent vitamin A deficiency
o Comprehensive newborn care includes prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum
o Newborn screening includes screening for galactosemia which cause congenital cataract

 Several activities in the PBP

o Consultative and Planning Workshop on PBP, October 2011
 o National Eye Summit, Manila Grand Opera Hotel, Manila last October 2009
o Strategic Planning Workshop on the National Sight Preservation and Blindness Program
2008
o Training of Trainors of Primary Eye Care conducted 2007

Other Significant information:

 Available Human Resources:
Ophthalmologists - 1,573 registered PAO members as of January 27, 2011
- 95% is in private practice
Optometrists - 10,266 registered with Philippine Board of Optometry
as of July 2010

 Financial Resources
o DOH provides funds largely for technical assistance for training, capacity building activities,
and augmentation of funds for local program implementation.
o Philippine Health Insurance Corporation covering personal eye care services (hospital based)

 Partner Organizations:
Aside from the collaborating divisions in the DOH, the following institutions partake
in the program:
 Local Government Units (LGUs)
 National Committee for Sight Preservation (NCSP)
 Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology
 Philippine Information Agency
 Optometric Association of the Philippines
 Rotary International
 Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists
 Foundation for Sight
 Helen Keller International
 Lions Club International
 Tanggal Katarata Foundation
 UP - Institute of Ophthalmology
 Christian Blind Mission
 Resources for the Blind
 SentroOfthalmologico Jose Rizal
 World Health Organization
Sources: Files and Links:
Administrative Order No. 179 s. 2004
World Health Organization

Program Manager:
Ma. Cristina Raymundo
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-
NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 locals 1750-1752
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Nelson Mendoza
GOAL: Quality Mental Health Care

OBJECTIVE: Implementation of a mental health program strategy

The National Mental Health Policy shall be pursued through a mental health program strategy
prioritizing the promotion of mental health, protection of the rights and freedom of persons with
mental diseases and the reduction of the burden and consequences of mental ill-health, mental and
brain disorders and disabilities.

STAKEHOLDERS

To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the National Mental Health Program, certain
committees and teams were organized.

1. National Program Management Committee (NPMC) – it is chaired by the Undersecretary of

Health of the policy standards development team for service delivery and co-chaired by the
Director IV of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC)

FUNCTIONS:

· Oversee the development of mental health measures for sub-programs and components.

· Integrate the various programs, project and activities from the various program development
and management groups for each sub-program.

· Manage the various sub-programs and components of the national mental health program.

· Oversee the implementation of prevention and control measures for mental health issues and
concerns

· Recommend to the Secretary of Health a master plan for mental health aligned with the
mandates and thrusts of various government agencies.

2. Program Development and Management Teams (PDMT)- under NPMC, PDMT shall be
established corresponding to the four sub-programs of the National Mental Health Program.

FUNCTIONS:

· Formulate and recommend policies, standards, guidelines approaches on each specifics sub-
program on mental health.
· Develop a plan of action for each specific sub-program in consultation with mental health
advocates and stakeholders.

· Develop operating guidelines, procedures, protocols for the mental health sub-program.

· Provide technical assistance to other mental health teams according to sub-program funds.

3. Other Partners and Stakeholders

· Ensuring the availability of competent, efficient, culturally and gender-sensitive health care
professionals who will provide mental health services.

· Identifying mental health needs of the population and refer findings to the appropriate mental
care provider

· Promoting and advocating for the implementation of the program within their respective
areas of responsibility.

INTERVENTIONS / STRATEGIES EMPLOYED/IMPLEMENTED BY DOH

1. Health Promotion and Advocacy

Enrichment of advocacy and multimedia information, education and community (IEC) strategies
targeting the general public, mental health patients and their families.

2. Service Provision

Enhancement of service delivery at the national and local levels will enable the early recognition
and treatment of mental health problems.

3. Policy and legislation

The formulation and institutionalization of national legislations, policies, program standards and
guidelines shall emphasize the development of efficient and effective structures, systems and
mechanisms that will ensure equitable accessible, affordable and appropriate health services for
the mentally ill patients, victims of disaster and other vulnerable groups.

4. Encouraging the development of a research culture and capacity

The program shall support researches and studies relevant to mental health, with focus on the
clinical behaviour, epidemiology, public health treatment options and knowledge management.

5. Capacity building
Training shall be conducted on psychosocial care, the detection and management of specific
psychiatric morbidity and the establishment of mental health facilities.

6. Public-Private Partnership

Inter-sectoral approaches and networking with other government agencies, non-government

organizations, academe and private service providers shall be pursued to develop partnership and
expand the involvement of stakeholders.

7. Establishment of database and information system

This is needed to determine the magnitude of the problem to serve as basis for shifting the program
for being institutional and treatment focused on being preventive, family focused and community
oriented.

8. Development of model programs

Best practices for prevention of substance abuse and risk reduction for mental illness can be
replicated in different LGUs in coordination with other agencies involved in mental health and
substance abuse prevention programs.

9. Monitoring and evaluation. Results of program monitoring and evaluation shall be used in
formulating and modifying policies, program objectives and action plans to sustain the mental
health initiatives and ensure continuing improvement in the delivery of mental health care.

Major Activities/Celebrations:

Celebration Date
Autism Consciousness Week Every 3rd Week of January
National Mental Retardation Week February 14 to 19
National Epilepsy Awareness Week Every 1st Week of September
National Mental Health Week Every 2nd Week of October
National Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness Week Every 3rd Week of
October
Substance Abuse Prevention & Control Week Every 3rd Week of November

FUTURE PLAN/ACTION

2 Batches of training on promotion mental health in the communities

1 Batch of training on psychosocial intervention
Series of lecture on suicide prevention in different schools and colleges.
Mental Health summit in celebration of World Mental Health Day.
Partner Organizations/Agencies:

The following organizations/agencies partake in achieving the vision of the program:

Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA)

Suite 1007, 10th flr. Medical Plaza Ortigas Condominium

San Miguel Ave. Ortigas Center Pasig City

# (632) 635-98-58.

- Dr. Constantine Della

President

Contact no. 0922-8537949

Email Add.: constantine.della@dlsu.edu.ph

- Dr. Romeo Enriquez

Vice President

Contact no. 0933-5794140/ 0920-9053041

Email add: pnasop@yahoo.com

National Center for Mental Health (NCMH)

Nuevo de Pebrero St. Mauway, Madaluyong City

# (632) 531-90-01

-Dr. Bernardino Vicente

Medical Center Chief

Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)

No. 18 East Avenue, Quezon City 1100
# (632) 921-49-58; (632) 921-49-59
-Ms. Regina De Jesus

National Executive Director

Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM)

Unit 604, Alabang Business Tower

1216 Acacia Avenue, Madrigal Business Park

Alabang, Muntinlupa City 178

# (632) 807-85-86; (632) 807-85-87

-Mr. Willy Reyes

Contact no. 0905-4142608

Program Managers:

Mr. Melson Mendoza

Email: nelmend2000@yahoo.com

Ms. Remedios Guerrero

Email: jing_s_guerrero@yahoo.com

Ms. Ditas Purisima Raymundo

Email: ditasturiano@yahoo.com

Department of Health-Non Communicable Disease Office (DOH-NCDO)

Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 1750-1752

NEWBORN SCREENING
Republic Act 9288

Newborn screening (NBS) is a public health program aimed at the early identification of infants
who are affected by certain genetic/metabolic/infectious conditions. Early identification and timely
intervention can lead to significant reduction of morbidity, mortality, and associated disabilities in
affected infants. NBS in the Philippines started in June 1996 and was integrated into the public
health delivery system with the enactment of the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 (Republic Act
9288). From 1996 to December 2010, the program has saved 45 283 patients. Five conditions are
currently screened: Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia,
Phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

Current Status of NBS Implementation in the Philippines

Newborn Screening Legislation

NBS was integrated into the public health delivery system with the enactment of Republic Act
9288 or Newborn Screening Act of 2004 as it institutionalized the ‘National NBS System’, which
shall ensure the following: [a] that every baby born in the Philippines is offered NBS; [b] the
establishment and integration of a sustainable NBS System within the public health delivery
system; [c] that all health practitioners are aware of the benefits of NBS and of their
responsibilities in offering it; and [d] that all parents are aware of NBS and their responsibility in
protecting their child from any of the disorders. The highlights of the law and its implementing
rules and regulations are:

1. DOH is the lead agency tasked with implementing this law;

2. Any health practitioner who delivers or assists in the delivery of a newborn in the
Philippines shall prior to delivery, inform parents or legal guardians of the newborns the
availability, nature and benefits of NBS;
3. Health facilities shall integrate NBS in its delivery of health services;
4. Creation of the Newborn Screening Reference Center at the National Institutes of Health
and establishment and accreditation of NSCs equipped with a NBS laboratory and
recall/follow up program;
5. Provision of NBS services as a requirement for licensing and accreditation, the DOH and
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)
6. Inclusion of cost of NBS in insurance benefits

Currently, there are four Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs) in the country: NSC-National
Institutes of Health in Manila; NSC- Visayas in Iloilo City; NSC-Mindanao in Davao City; and
NSC-Central Luzon in Angeles City. The four NSCs provide laboratory and follow up services for
more than 3000+ health facilities.

DOH, its partners and major stakeholders remain aggressive in identifying strategies to intensify
awareness in the communities and increase coverage among home deliveries. Among the recent
efforts to increase the newborn screening coverage are appointment of full-time Regional NBS
Coordinators; opening more G6PD Confirmatory Laboratories; partnership with midwives
organizations; and production of information materials targeting different groups of health workers
and professionals.

Key Players in the Implementation

Organizational chart for the national implementation of Newborn Screening

Newborn Screening Statistics

As of December 2010, there are 2,389,959 babies that have undergone NBS and based on these
data, the incidences of the following disorders are: CH (1: 3,324); CAH (1: 9,446); PKU (1:
149,372); Gal (1: 108,635) and G6PD deficiency (1: 52). The program has saved the following
numbers of newborns from complications and/or death: 719 from CH, 253 from CAH, 22 from
Gal, 16 from PKU and 44 273 from G6PD deficiency.

Coverage
As of December 2010, the coverage of NBS is at 35%.

DIRECTORY OF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTERS

National Center for Disease Prevention and Control –Family Health Office
Program Manager
Dr. Juanita A. Basilio
Dr. Anthony P. Calibo

National Newborn Screening Coordinator:

Ms. Lita Orbillo
San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Telephone: (02) 7359956
litaorbillo_rn@yahoo.com

Newborn Screening Reference Center

Director: Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla
National Institutes of Health
Building H, UP Ayala Land Technohub
Complex,Commonwealth Avenue, Brgy. UP Campus
Diliman, Quezon City
Email: info@newbornscreening.ph
www.newbornscreening.ph

Newborn Screening Centers

For Regions I, II, III & CAR

Unit Head: Dr. Florencio Dizon
Newborn Screening Center – Central Luzon
Angeles City University Foundation Medical Center
MacArthur Highway, Barangay Salapungan, Angeles City
Telephone: (045) 6246502-03; Email: nsc@aufmc.org

For Regions IV, V & NCR

Newborn Screening Center– National Institutes of Health
Unit Head: Ms. Ma. Elouisa Reyes
Building H, UP Ayala Land Technohub
Complex,Commonwealth Avenue, Brgy. UP Campus
Diliman, Quezon City
Email: nbsadmin.ihg@gmail.com

For Visayas
Newborn Screening Center– Visayas
Unit Head: Dr. J Winston Edgar Posecion
West Visayas State University Medical Center
E. Lopez St., Jaro, Iloilo City
Telefax: (033) 329-3744; Email: wvsumc_nsc@info.com.ph

For Mindanao
Newborn Screening Center– Mindanao
Unit Head: Dr. Conchita Abarquez
Southern Philippines Medical Center
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
Telephone: (082) 226-4595 / 224-0337
Telefax (082) 227-4152; Email:nscmindanao@gmail.com

Centers for Health Development

NBS Regional
CHD Mailing Address Business Phone
Coordinator
CHD 1 - (072) 2425315; Clarita B.
San Fernando, La Union
Ilocos (072) 2424773 Lewis, RN
CHD 2 - (078) 3046585; Leticia T.
Cagayan Tuguegarao City (078) 8446585; Cabrera, MD,
Valley (078) 8446523 MPA
CHD 3 - (045) 4552324;
Adelina
Central San Fernando, Pampanga (045) 9617649;
Cabrera, RN
Luzon (045) 9617654
CHD 4-A QMMC Compound, Project Maria Luisa M.
(02) 4403372
Calabarzon 4, Quezon City Malana, RN
CHD 4-B Quirino Hospital (02) 9134650; Ma. Teresa
Mimaropa Compound, Quezon City (02) 9115025 Castillo, MD
 Carla A.
First Park Subdidivion, (052) 4830840 Orozco, MD,
CHD 5- Bicol
Daraga, Albay loc 517/516 MPH
MS III
CHD 6 -
Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Renilyn P.
Western (033)3210364
Iloilo City Reyes, MD
Visayas
CHD 7 - Nayda P.
Central Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City (032) 4187633 Bautista,MD,
Visayas MPH
CHD 8-
Lilibeth
Eastern Candahug, Palo , Leyte (053)3235025
Andrade, MD
Visayas
CHD 9 -
Upper Calarian, Nerissa B.
Zamboanga (062)9830314-15
Zamboanga City Gutierrez, RN
Peninsula
CHD 10 - Ellenietta HMV
J.V. Seriña St., Carmen,
Northern 088-22- 727400 N. Gamolo,
Cagayan de Oro City
Mindanao MD, MPH
CHD 11 - Ma. Clarose M.
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao (082) 3051907;
Davao Mascardo, RN,
City (082) 2214011
Region MPH
CHD 12 - ARMM Compound, Gov.
(064) 4217436;
Central Guttierez Ave, Cotabato Lucy Decio, RN
(064) 4218053
Mindanao City
Glynna B.
CHD Pizarro St. cor. Narra Rd.
(085) 3411452 Andoy, MD,
CARAGA Butuan City
MPH
BGHMC Compound, (074) 4428096; Nicolas R.
CHD CAR
Baguio City (074) 4445255 Gordo, Jr, MD
Welfareville Compound,
(02) 7183097; Ma. Paz P.
CHD NCR Brgy. Addition Hills,
(02) 5354521 Corrales, MD
Mandaluyong City
ORG Compound, Cotabato Dayan
CHD ARMM (064) 4217703
City Sangcopan, MD
ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Dr. Manuel F. Calonge
Email Address:
mfcalonge@yahoo.com
Telephone Nos.:
651-7800 loc. 1727-1730
Oral Health Program cuts across all life-cycle programs (child, maternal, adolescent, older,
person, etc) of the Family Health Office, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
1. Problem
 The main oral health problems are dental caries (tooth decay) and peridontal disease (gum
disease). These two oral diseases are so widespread that 87% of our people are suffering
from tooth decay and 48% have gum disease. (2011 NMEDS Survey)
 The combined ill effects of these two major diseases (except oral cancer) weaken bodily
defense and serve as portal of entry to other more serious, potentially dangerous and
opportunistic infections overlapping other diseases present. Such will incapacitate a young
victim as in crippling heart conditions arising from oral infection that may end in death.
 The individual so affected with such handicap also has disturbed speech, becomes
withdrawn and avoids socializing with people and so lessen his opportunities for
advancement. More critical however is the effect of poor or defective teeth to overall
nutrition to maintain good general health, that begins with the first bite and chewing the
food efficiently.
2. Program Objectives/ Indicators/ Parameters
General:
Reduction on the prevalence rate of dental caries and periodontal diseases from 92%
in 1998 to 85% and from 78% in 1998 to 60%, respectively, by end of 2016 among general
population.
Specific:
a) To increase the proportion of Orally Fit Children (OFC) under 6 years old to 12% by 20%
by 2020
b) To control oral health risks among the young people
c) To improve the oral health conditions of pregnant women by 20% and older persons by
10% every year till 2016.
3. Target Priorities
Pre-school children, Adolescents, Mothers, Elderly
4. Strategies and future Plans/ Actions
1. Formulate policy and regulations to ensure the full implentation of OHP
a. Establishment of effctive networking system (DepEd, DSWD, LGU, PDA, Fit for School,
Academe and others)
b. Development of policies, standards, guidelines and clinical protocols
- Fluoride Use
- Toothbrushing
- other preventive measures
c. Upgrading of Dental Services Unit all levels
2. Ensure financial access to essential public and personal oral health services
a. Develop an outpatient benefit package for oral health under NHIP of the government.
 b. Develop financing schemes for oral health applicable to other levels of care (fee for
service, cooperatives, network with HMOS)
c. Restoration of oral health budget line item in the GAA of DOH CO.
3. Provide relevant, timely and accurate information management system for oral health
a. Improve existing information system/ data collection (reporting and recording dental
services and accomplishments)
- Setting essential indicators
- Development of IT system on recording and reporting oral health
services accomplishments and indices- Integrate oral health in every family health
information tools, recording books/manuals
b. Conduct regular epidemiological dental surveys- every 5 years
4. Ensure access and delivery of quality oral health care services
a. Upgrading of facilities, equipment, instruments, supplies
b. Develop packages of essential care/services for different groups (children, mothers and
marginalized groups)
- Revival of the sealant program for school children
- Tooth brushing program for pre-school children
- Outreach programs for marginalized groups
c. Design and implement grant assistance mechanism for high performing LGUs
- Awards and incentives
- Funding grants for priority programs/activities
d. Regular conduct of consultation meetings, technical updates and program implementation
reviews with stakeholders
5. Build up highly motivated health professionals and trained auxiliaries to manage and
provide quality oral health care
a. Provision of adequate dental personnel
b. Capacity enhancement programs for dental personnel and non-dental personnel
5. Status of Implementation / Accomplishments
· Outpatient Dental Health Care Finance Package – Being advocated for inclusion under
PhilHealth outpatient packages. The best scheme is through Capitation wherein a certain amount
will be provided for these dental services for indigent patients to certain health facilities including
RHUs.
· Capacity Enhancement Program (CEP) for Public Health Dentists- This training program
was designed with the public health dentists (PHDs) as the main recipients of the Basic Course on
the Management of Oral Health Program. The training is expected to provide an in-depth
understanding of the different roles and functions of the PHDs in the management and delivery of
Public Health Services. For the last two years (2010-2011) 10.2 Million pesos were sub-allotted
to all CHDs for this purpose. To date almost 87% of all PHDs are trained. NCDPC is proposing to
develop Skills Training (Oral and Maxillo-facial surgery) for Hospital dentist as continuation to
the CEP.
· Oral Health Survey – The Department of Health (DOH) has been conducting nationwide
surveys every five years (1977, 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1998) to determine the prevalence of oral
diseases in the Philippines. In 2011, the NCDPC with a 5 Million pesos budget conducted the
National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey (NMEDS) through the UP-National Institute
of Health (UP-NIH).
· Orally Fit Child (OFC) Campaign- In 2009 the DOH launched the OFC campaign for 2-6
years old children (pre-school children) in day care centers. Orally Fit child is a child who meets
the following conditions upon oral examination and /or completion of treatment a.) caries-free or
all carious tooth/teeth must be restored either temporary or permanent filling materials
b.) have healthy gums
c.) has no oral debris
d.) no dento-facial anomaly that limits oral cavity’s normal function.
NCDPC have allotted 8.5 million pesos each year to implement the programin day care centers.
Activities include both tooth brushing activities, training of day care workers, awards, IEC
materials among others. The DOH is hoping to attain 12% OFC in 2016 and 20% in 2020. To date
more or less 3.20% pre-schoolers are OFC.
· 2013 Budget (23.6 million)
-Commodities (Dental Sealant and ART Filing materials for pre-school children) = 20 million
· 2014 Budget (35 million)
6. Other Significant Information
Policy/ Standards/ Guidelines formulated/ developed:
 AO 101 s. 2003 dated October 14, 2013- National Policy on Oral Health
 AO 2007-0007 dated January 3, 2013 - Guidelines in the Implementation of Oral Heaalth
Program for Public Health Services in the Philippines
 AO 4 s. 1998 - Revised Rules and Regulations and Standard Requirements for Private
School Dental services in the Philippines.
 AO 11-D s. 1998 - Revised Standard Requirements for hospital Dental services in the
Philippines.
 AO 3 s. 1998 - Revised Rules and Regulations and Standard Requirements for
Occupational Dental Services in the philippines
 AO 4-A s. 1998 - Infection Control Measures for Dental Health Services
Existing Working Group for Oral Health:
National Technical Working Group (TWG) on Oral Health (DPO 2005-1197)
Member Agencies: Department of Health (NCDPC, HHRDB, NCHP
DOH-Center for Health Development for NCR, Central Luzon and Calabarzon
Philippine Dental Association
Department of Education
UP - College of Public Health
Department of Interior and Local Government
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Local Government Units (Makati, Quezon City)
Print Materials:
- Leaflets (Malakas and dating Buo ang Ngipin) for Children, Adolescent, Pregnant Women, and
Older Persons
- Training Module on Basic Course on Management of Oral Health Program
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
I. Background/Description
The program addresses the incidence of occupational diseases and work-related diseases and
injuries among workers through health promotion and protection in all workplaces. It initially
focuses on public health workers and informal sector workers including, but not limited to those
in agriculture, transport, and small-scale mining. It aims to improve workers’ access to basic
occupational health services at the local level.

II. Vision
“Healthy Filipino Workforce”

III. Mission
 Direct, harmonize and converge all efforts in occupational disease prevention and control;
and
 Ensure equitable, accessible and efficient health services to workers
 Establish dynamic partnership, shared advocacy, responsibility and accountability

IV. Objectives/Goals
By 2022, reduce the number of occupational diseases and injuries by 30% from the 2015 baseline
as identified in the Occupational Health and Safety Profile of the Philippines.

V. Program Components
1. Policies / Guidelines / Standards Development
2. Capacity Building
3. Technical Assistance
4. Research
5. Communication and Promotion
6. Advocacy and Lobbying
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
8. Human Resource Development
9. Information Management

VI. Target Population/Client

 Informal Sector Workers (ISW) consisting of Agricultural Workers, Small-scale Miners,
and Transport Group
 Public Health Workers (PHW)

VII. Area of Coverage

Nationwide

VIII. Partner Institutions

 Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH)
- Occupational Health Sector
- Toxic and Hazardous Substances Sector
 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC)
- Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC)
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
- Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB)
 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
 Department of Energy (DOE)
- Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB)
 Civil Service Commission (CSC)
 UP College of Public Health
 UP-PGH National Poison Management Control Center
 Philippine College of Occupational Medicine
 Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Phils.

IX. Policies and Laws

 1961, Administrative Order No. 63 “Industrial Hygiene Code”
 1975, Presidential Decree No. 856 Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (Chapter VII –
Industrial Hygiene)
 1987, Philippine Constitution of 1987 (Article II, Section 15)
 2008, Joint Administrative Order between DTI-DENR-DA-DOF-DOH-DILG-DOLE-
DOTC No. 01 “The Adoption and Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”
 2012, DOH Administrative Order No. 2012-0020 “Guidelines Governing the Occupational
Health and Safety of Public Health Workers”
 2013, DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0018 “National Occupational Health Policy
for the Informal Mining, Transport and Agricultural Sectors”
 2013, DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0009 “National Chemical Safety Management
and Toxicology Policy
 2013, DOH Department Personnel Order No. 2013-3584 “Designation of Undersecretaries
and Assistant Secretaries as Heads of Technical and Operations Cluster for Kalusugang
Pangkalahatan, the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the Department of
Health and other Attached Agencies” and its Reconstitution DPO No. 2014-2282 and 2014-
2282-A “Reconstitution of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the
Department of Health and other Attached Agencies”

X. Strategies and Action Points

Environmental and Occupational Health Strategic Plan 2017-2022

XI. Program Accomplishments/Status

 Framework on the National Program on Chemical Safety Management and National Action
Plan (2012)
  National Action and Implementation Plan for the National Chemical Safety Management
Program (2013)
 Posting in DOH Website Emergency Hotlines for Poisoning Cases/Incidents
 Technical Assistance in the establishment of Poison Control and Information Centers in
DOH-retained and specialty hospitals (i.e. East Avenue Medical Center, Rizal Medical
Center, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Bicol
Medical Center, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Western
Visayas Sanitarium, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Zamboanga Medical
Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, and Southern Philippines Medical Center)
 Technical assistance and funding support on the following publications:
- Implementing Rules and Regulations on Chapter VII – Industrial Hygiene of the Sanitation Code
of the Philippines, Amending Administrative Order No. 111 s. 1991
- Standard Treatment Guidelines for Occupational Poisoning (1997)
- Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Poisoning in Geothermal Operations
(1998)
- Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Pesticide Poisoning (1998)
- Policies and Guidelines on Effective and Proper Handling, Collection, Transport, Treatment,
Storage and Disposal of Health Care Wastes, Joint Administrative Order No. 02 Series of 2005
- Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (2007)
- Manual of Technical Guidelines in the Management of Toxic Substance Exposures at the Field
Level (2009)
- Training Module on Occupational Health and Safety for Hospital Workers (2009)
- National Profile on Chemical Management (2011)
- Standard Treatment Guidelines and Algorithms in the Management of Metal Intoxication (2012)
- National Asbestos Profile (2013)
- Lason Sa Ginto (2015)
- Occupational Health and Safety Profile of the Philippines (2015)

XII. Timeline/Calendar of Activities

 Every May 7 – Health Workers’ Day (Republic Act No. 10069)
 Every 4th Week of June - National Poison Prevention Week (Proclamation No. 1777, series
of 2009)

XIII. Statistics and Reports

 ONEISS and PCC submitted reports for poisoning case
 2015 baseline OH profile (leading occupational diseases)

XIV. Program Managers Contract Information

Dr. RODOLFO ANTONIO M. ALBORNOZ

Medical Officer V
Division Chief, Occupational Diseases Division
Dr. VALERIANO V. TIMBANG JR.
Medical Officer IV
Focal Person : Occupational Health for Informal Sector Workers

Engr. RENE N. TIMBANG

Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Occupational Health for Public Health Workers

Engr. ELMER G. BENEDICTOS

Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Industrial Hygiene

Engr. JOCELYN C. SORIA

Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Chemical Safety and Toxicology
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
I. Background/Description
The program addresses the incidence of occupational diseases and work-related diseases and
injuries among workers through health promotion and protection in all workplaces. It initially
focuses on public health workers and informal sector workers including, but not limited to those
in agriculture, transport, and small-scale mining. It aims to improve workers’ access to basic
occupational health services at the local level.

II. Vision
“Healthy Filipino Workforce”

III. Mission
 Direct, harmonize and converge all efforts in occupational disease prevention and control;
and
 Ensure equitable, accessible and efficient health services to workers
 Establish dynamic partnership, shared advocacy, responsibility and accountability

IV. Objectives/Goals
By 2022, reduce the number of occupational diseases and injuries by 30% from the 2015 baseline
as identified in the Occupational Health and Safety Profile of the Philippines.

V. Program Components
1. Policies / Guidelines / Standards Development
2. Capacity Building
3. Technical Assistance
4. Research
5. Communication and Promotion
6. Advocacy and Lobbying
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
8. Human Resource Development
9. Information Management

VI. Target Population/Client

 Informal Sector Workers (ISW) consisting of Agricultural Workers, Small-scale Miners,
and Transport Group
 Public Health Workers (PHW)

VII. Area of Coverage

Nationwide

VIII. Partner Institutions

 Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH)
- Occupational Health Sector
- Toxic and Hazardous Substances Sector
  Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC)
- Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC)
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
- Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB)
 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
 Department of Energy (DOE)
- Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB)
 Civil Service Commission (CSC)
 UP College of Public Health
 UP-PGH National Poison Management Control Center
 Philippine College of Occupational Medicine
 Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Phils.

IX. Policies and Laws

 1961, Administrative Order No. 63 “Industrial Hygiene Code”
 1975, Presidential Decree No. 856 Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (Chapter VII –
Industrial Hygiene)
 1987, Philippine Constitution of 1987 (Article II, Section 15)
 2008, Joint Administrative Order between DTI-DENR-DA-DOF-DOH-DILG-DOLE-
DOTC No. 01 “The Adoption and Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”
 2012, DOH Administrative Order No. 2012-0020 “Guidelines Governing the Occupational
Health and Safety of Public Health Workers”
 2013, DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0018 “National Occupational Health Policy
for the Informal Mining, Transport and Agricultural Sectors”
 2013, DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0009 “National Chemical Safety Management
and Toxicology Policy
 2013, DOH Department Personnel Order No. 2013-3584 “Designation of Undersecretaries
and Assistant Secretaries as Heads of Technical and Operations Cluster for Kalusugang
Pangkalahatan, the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the Department of
Health and other Attached Agencies” and its Reconstitution DPO No. 2014-2282 and 2014-
2282-A “Reconstitution of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the
Department of Health and other Attached Agencies”

X. Strategies and Action Points

Environmental and Occupational Health Strategic Plan 2017-2022

XI. Program Accomplishments/Status

 Framework on the National Program on Chemical Safety Management and National Action
Plan (2012)
 National Action and Implementation Plan for the National Chemical Safety Management
Program (2013)
 Posting in DOH Website Emergency Hotlines for Poisoning Cases/Incidents
  Technical Assistance in the establishment of Poison Control and Information Centers in
DOH-retained and specialty hospitals (i.e. East Avenue Medical Center, Rizal Medical
Center, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Bicol
Medical Center, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Western
Visayas Sanitarium, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Zamboanga Medical
Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, and Southern Philippines Medical Center)
 Technical assistance and funding support on the following publications:
- Implementing Rules and Regulations on Chapter VII – Industrial Hygiene of the Sanitation Code
of the Philippines, Amending Administrative Order No. 111 s. 1991
- Standard Treatment Guidelines for Occupational Poisoning (1997)
- Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Poisoning in Geothermal Operations
(1998)
- Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Pesticide Poisoning (1998)
- Policies and Guidelines on Effective and Proper Handling, Collection, Transport, Treatment,
Storage and Disposal of Health Care Wastes, Joint Administrative Order No. 02 Series of 2005
- Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (2007)
- Manual of Technical Guidelines in the Management of Toxic Substance Exposures at the Field
Level (2009)
- Training Module on Occupational Health and Safety for Hospital Workers (2009)
- National Profile on Chemical Management (2011)
- Standard Treatment Guidelines and Algorithms in the Management of Metal Intoxication (2012)
- National Asbestos Profile (2013)
- Lason Sa Ginto (2015)
- Occupational Health and Safety Profile of the Philippines (2015)

XII. Timeline/Calendar of Activities

 Every May 7 – Health Workers’ Day (Republic Act No. 10069)
 Every 4th Week of June - National Poison Prevention Week (Proclamation No. 1777, series
of 2009)

XIII. Statistics and Reports

 ONEISS and PCC submitted reports for poisoning case
 2015 baseline OH profile (leading occupational diseases)

XIV. Program Managers Contract Information

Dr. RODOLFO ANTONIO M. ALBORNOZ

Medical Officer V
Division Chief, Occupational Diseases Division

Dr. VALERIANO V. TIMBANG JR.

Medical Officer IV
Focal Person : Occupational Health for Informal Sector Workers
Engr. RENE N. TIMBANG
Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Occupational Health for Public Health Workers

Engr. ELMER G. BENEDICTOS

Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Industrial Hygiene

Engr. JOCELYN C. SORIA

Supervising Health Program Officer
Focal Person: Chemical Safety and Toxicology
PROVINCE-WIDE INVESMENT PLAN FOR HEALTH (PIPH)
A five year medium term plan prepared by F1 convergence provinces using the Fourmula One for
Health framework to improve the highly decentralized system; financing, regulation, good
governance and service delivery
The five year province-wide investment plan for health is an important evidence-based platform
for local health system management and a milestone in DoH engagement at the local level.
PIPH was adopted on a pilot basis by 16 provinces in 2007, followed by 21 more in 2008, including
six provinces from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In 2009, 44
provinces and eqight cities have completed their own five year plans.
PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TOURISM PROGRAM
Vision:
"The global leader in providing quality health care for all through universal health care"
Mission:
To ensure that the Philippines is globally competitive through implementation of quality standards
in both public and private sector.
Goal:
1. The local Global Health Care industry will contribute a noticeable and quantifiable amount to
the Philippine economy and improvement in the quality of life.
2. Increase the number of institutions offering advanced medical services suitable for Global
HealthCare, the generation of jobs in the Medical Services industry and other related industries,
thereby increasing the productivity of the workforce and enabling it to expand and upgrade.
3. Attract increased numbers of visitors from other countries availing of medical services and at
the same time ensure that quality of those currently offering services suitable for Global Health
Care is on the same level as with globally-recognized standards, and making these services
equitably available for both Medical Travellers and local patients.

Objectives:
1. To increase competitiveness by compliance to recognized bodies that implement national and
international healthcare organization accreditation
2. Institutionalize policies and enact legislation for high level quality healthcare and patient safety
standards in all health facilities
3. Continue collaboration with national government agencies, LGUs, private sector organizations
and academe involved in quality healthcare and patient safety, international medical travel and
wellness services, retirement, trade and tourism
4. Continue advocacy in all regions of the country on quality healthcare and patient safety,
international medical travel and wellness services, retirement, trade and tourism through quad
media approach, capacity building activities and collaborative participation in international forum
and conferences

Stakeholders/Beneficiaries:
Private clinics/centers, Public and Private Hospitals, National Government Agencies, Private
Specialty Clinics/Centers providing Dermatology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dental
medicine, Geriatric and Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers for substance abuse

Partner Organizations/Agencies:
 Department of Tourism (DOT)
 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
 Department of Interior Local Governments (DILG)
 Department of Justice (DOJ)
 Department of Finance (DFA)
 Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
 DTI - Board of Investments (BOI)
  DTI - Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA)
 DOT - Tourism Infrastructure Enterpise Zone Authority (TIEZA)
 DOJ - Bureau of Immigration (BI)
 DOF - Bureau of Customs (BoC)
 Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
 Clark Development Corporation (CDC)
 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
 Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)
 Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC)
 Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP)
 National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
 Commission on Higher Education Development (CHED)
 Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
 Public Private Partnership Center (PPPC)
 Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines
 European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP)
 American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ACCP)
 Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
 Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ANZCHAM)
 Japanese Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (JCCP)
 Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (KCCP)
 Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc.
(PAMURI)
 Professional Regulations Commission (PRC)
 Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
 Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)
 Philippine Hospital Association (PHA)
 Philippine Council for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (PCAHO)
 International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQUA)
 Joint Commission International (JCI)
 National Accrediting Body for Hospitals (NABH - India)
 TUV Rheinland
 Private Sector
 Health and Wellness Alliance of the Philippines (HEAL Philippines)
 Health Core and HIM Communications
 Retirement and Healthcare Coalition (RHC)
 Spas and Wellness Association of the Philippines (SAPI)
 Philippine Dental Association (PDA)

Program Manager:
Emmanuel A. Tiongson, MD
2ndflr, Bldg16, San Lazaro Compound, Department of Health Compound, Sta. Cruz, Mla
6517800 local 2024-2025 fax 7110871
Email: butchiongson@yahoo.com
PROVISION OF POTABLE WATER PROGRAM (SALINTUBIG
PROGRAM - SAGANA AT LIGTAS NA TUBIG PARA SA LAHAT)
I. PROFILE/ RATIONALE OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM
Provision of safe water supply is one of the basic social services that improve health and well-
being by preventing transmission of waterborne diseases. However, about 455 municipalities
nationwide have been identified by NAPC as waterless areas that are having households with
access to safe water of less 50% only. As a result, diarrhea and other waterborne diseases still rank
among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. The incidence rate for
these diseases is high as 1,997 per 100,000 population while mortality rate is 6.7 per 100,000
populations. The Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat Program (SALINTUBIG) is one of the
government’s main actions in addressing the plight of Filipino households in such areas.
The program aims to contribute to the attainment of the goal of providing potable water to the
entire country and the targets defined in the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 Millennium
Development Goals (MDG), and the Philippine Water Supply Sector Roadmap and the Philippine
Sustainable Sanitation Roadmap. To attain this objective, One Billion and Five Hundred Million
Pesos (Php 1,500,000,000) is appropriated to the DOH through Item B.I.a of the 2011 General
Appropriations Act (GAA). The appropriation is a grant facility for LGU to develop infrastructure
for the provision of potable water supply.

A. OBJECTIVES
1. To increase water service for the waterless population
2. To reduce incidence of water-borne and sanitation related diseases
3. To improved access of the poor to sanitation services
B. TARGETS
1. Increased water service for the waterless population by 50%
2. Reduced incidence of water-borne and sanitation related diseases by 20%
3. Improved access of the poor to sanitation services by at least 10%
4. Sustainable operation of all water supply and sanitation projects constructed, organized
and supported by the Program by 80%.

II. ABOUT THE STAKEHOLDERS/ BENEFICIARIES

The program is designed to be implemented by DOH, NAPC and DILG. The NAPC will perform
as the lead coordinating agency, the DOH will provide the funding and ensure the implementation
of various water supply projects and the DILG will be in-charge of the capacity building of LGUs.
The implementing guidelines define the specific roles of each agency.
The DOH, NAPC and DILG used the data from the National Household Targeting System for
Poverty Reduction for identification of the target municipalities which compose of the following:
 115 Waterless Municipalities
 Waterless Areas based on the following thematic concerns:
Poorest waterless barangays with high incidence of water borne diseases
Resettlement areas in Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Albay
Health Centers without access to safe water
III. PROGRAM COMPONENT/ACTIVITIES
A. Rehabilitation/expansion/upgrading of Level III water supply systems including appropriate
water treatment systems.
B. Construction/rehabilitation/expansion/upgrading of Level II water supply systems.
C. Construction/rehabilitation of Level I water supply systems in areas, where such facilities are
only applicable.
D. Provision of training for existing or newly organized water users associations/ community-
based organizations.
E. Support for new and innovative technologies for water supply delivery and sanitation systems.
F. Training, mentoring, coaching and other capacity development assistance to LGU on
planning, implementation and management of water supply and sanitation projects.

IV. STATUS OF THE PROGRAM

Summary of Physical and Financial Status Report
2012
 January 2012
 February 2012
 March 2012
 April 2012
 May 2012
 June 2012
 July 2012
 August 2012
 September 2012
 October 2012
 November 2012
 December 2012
2013
 January 2013
 February 2013
 March 2013
 April 2013
 May 2013
 June 2013
 July 2013
 August 2013
 September 2013
 October 2013
 November 2013
 December 2013
Monthly Status Report per Site
2011 & 2012
 October 2011
 January 2012
 February 2012
 March 2012
  April 2012
 May 2012
 June 2012
 July 2012
 August 2012
 September 2012
 October 2012
 November 2012
 December 2012
2013
 January 2013
 February 2013
 March 2013
 April 2013
 May 2013
 June 2013
 July 2013
 August 2013
 September 2013
 October 2013
 November 2013
 December 2013
Administrative Issuances
 Department Order # 2011-0090
 Department Order # 2011-0091
 Department Order # 2011-0091-A
 Department Order # 2011-0091-B
 Memorandum of Agreement of the National Poverty Commission, Department of Health
and Department of Interior and Local Government
 Implementing Guidelines of the Salintubig Program

V. PROGRAM MANAGER(S)
A. FULL NAME(S) OF PROGRAM MANAGERS
1. ENGR. JOSELITO M. RIEGO DE DIOS
2. ENGR. MA. SONABEL S. ANARNA
3. ENGR. LUIS F. CRUZ
4. ENGR. GERARDO S. MOGOL
5. ENGR. ROLANDO I. SANTIAGO
6. ENGR. CATHERINE J. OLAVIDES

B. PARTNER ORGANIZATION/ AGENCIES AND THEIR CONTACT DETAILS

1. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG)
Francisco Gold Condominium II, EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines 1100
Contact No.: Tel. No. 925-0330 / 925-0331; Fax No. 925-0332
 2. NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION (NAPC)
3rd Floor, Agricultural Training Institute Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines1101
Trunklines: 426-5028 / 426-5019 / 426-4956 / 426-4965
Facsimile: 927-9796 / 426-5249
Email: napc.gov@gmail.com

3. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Environmental and Occupational Health Office Division
Bldg. 14, San Lazaro Coumpound, Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003
Tel.: 732-9966 local 2324 to 2326
Fax: 711-7846
Email: litoriego@yahoo.com, masonabel@yahoo.com, louiedpogi@yahoo.com, roilayas
antiago@yahoo.com
PHILIPPINE CANCER COTROL PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Franklin C. Diza, MD, MPH

Cancer is predicted to be an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in the next
few decades, in all regions of the world. The challenges of tackling cancer are enormous and when
combined with population ageing -increases in cancer prevalence are inevitable, regardless of
current or future actions or levels of investment.

GOAL: Reduce morbidity, mortality and disability due to common preventable cancers

OBJECTIVES:
1. To reduce the exposure of population to risk related factors primarily smoking, unhealthy
diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol, cancer related infections, chemical and ultra
violet rays exposure.
2. To increase the number of patient given appropriate screening, diagnosis and treatment of
cancer.
3. To increase the number of patient given appropriate pain relief and support care services with
cancer.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, POLICIES AND MANDATES

· International Policies and Mandates
ØWHA58.22 cancer prevention and control
ØWHA57.12 on the reproductive health strategy, including control of cervical cancer screening
ØWHA57.16 on health promotion and healthy lifestyles
ØWHA57.17 on the Global Strategy on diet, physical activity and health
ØWHA56.1 on tobacco control
· International Support
In 2011, the UNFPA had donated three (3) units of cryotherapy machines for use in the treatment
of pre-cancerous lesion in the cervix. This partner also provided funds in the development of the
Training Module on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control together with the support of
Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project II.

INTERVENTIONS/ STRATEGIES EMPLOYED OR IMPLEMENTED BY DOH

Packages of Services
· Free cervical cancer screening provided every year in 58 DOH Hospitals done during the
month of May to screen women ages 30-45 years of age.
· Free adjuvant chemotherapy for women diagnosed stage 1 to 3A breast cancer in 4 pilot
hospitals (Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Rizal Medical
Center, UP-PGH) funded by NCPAM
· Free chemotherapy for acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) among children with cancer funded
by NCPAM
Strategies
· Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle
 ØIncrease avoidance of the risk factors
 ØVaccinate against human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B (HBV)
 ØControl occupational hazards
 ØReduce exposure to sunlight
· Improve screening/ diagnosis and treatment
· Improve rehabilitation and palliative care
· Improve cancer registry
FUTURE PLAN/ ACTION
1. Strengthen the implementation of an Integrated Lifestyle related disease control program for
the promotion of healthy lifestyle and avoid population risk exposure.
2. Maintain the operation of an integrated chronic non-communicable disease registry system in
all health facilities.
3. Development of service package for cancer control program
4. Development of clinical practice guidelines for cancer control program.
5. Development of strategic framework and five year strategic plan for cancer control program
OTHER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION WORTH MENTIONING
Vision: Improve quality of life for all Filipinos
Mission: To provide quality, effective and accessible services for the prevention and control of
cancer.
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATE DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM
(PHADP)
I. Background/Description
The overall goal of Universal Health Care or Kalusugan Pangkalahatan is to improve health
outcomes, provide financial risk protection and provide quality access to health services especially
to the poor. With this, the Department of Health (DOH) through its Deployment of Human
Resources for Health (HRH) Program deploys doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and other health
professionals as a strategy in support to the attainment of Universal Health Care. While the DOH
deployed HRH and rural health based health workers are intense in providing public health and
clinical services, there is also a need to strengthen the other administrative and managerial
concerns in the rural health unit such as operational health planning, researches, disease
surveillance, staff capability building and program management. As such, the DOH has designed
the Public Health Associate Deployment Project (PHADP) which deploys Public Health
Associates (PHAs) assigned in RHUs and work alongside with other HRH focusing on the
implementation of DOH programs and health plans.

PHADP is a two-year project to employ PHAs that are assigned in areas identified by the DOH,
giving priority to municipalities under the 43 provinces identified by the Department of Budget
and Management as Focus Geographical Areas. Deployment of PHAs nationwide started on 2015.

II. Objectives

The PHA Deployment Program aims to:

a. Augment the workforce in the rural health units from identified municipalities of needed public
health associates;
b. Improve performance of health systems in the Rural Health Units;
c. Provide work experience and employment for public health graduates in rural areas and
underserved communities; and
d. Enhance the competencies of the public health associates aligned with the demand in the work
environment.

III. Functions of PHAs

a. Participate in the development of health related programs and strategies;

b. Assist in the preparation of project proposals, plans, health promotion and communication
materials and other related documents;
c. Assist in the collection and validation of health related data/information; and
d. Participate in the analysis of health related data/information.
e. Assist in the encoding/updating of data/information in the established DOH information
Systems.
f. Submit health reports/data/information to DOH Regional Office and Central Office.
g. Coordinate with different stakeholders for the submission of national health data reports.
IV. Minimum Qualification Standards
Education: Graduates of any four year health-related courses

V. Target Population/Client
a. All 1,634 municipalities and cities nationwide

b. National Government Priority Areas

- 44 Focus Geographical Areas (FGA) with 1,045 Municipalities
- Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty (ASAP) municipalities
- Whole Nation Initiative (WNI) municipalities
- Areas with Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) programs
- Geographic location and socio-economic classification of the area (GIDA, ICC/IP areas, national
priority areas
for poverty reduction)

VI. Salaries and Benefits

 Salary- 19,940.00/month
 GSIS- 500.00/year
 PHIC- 200.00/month

VII. Policies and Laws

Department Memorandum No. 2015-0383

VIII. Program Accomplishments/Status

 In 2015, a total of 834 PHAs were deployed nationwide.
 As of May 2016, a total of 884 PHAs were deployed nationwide.

IX. Updates
Hiring of additional 928 PHAs for deployment on July to December 2016. (Refer to Department
Memorandum No. 2015-0383-A)

X. Program Coordinator Contact Information

Ms. Janette S. Cruz

HRMO III, HHRDB-DOH
Tel No. 02-743-1776, or 02-651-7800 local 4227
PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS PROGRAM
Government Mandates and Policies :
 Administrative Order No. 179 s.2004: Guidelines for the Implementation of the National
Prevention of Blindness Program
 Department Personnel Order No. 2005-0547: Creation of Program Management
Committee for the National Prevention of Blindness Program
Subcommittees: Refractive Error/Low Vision, Childhood Blindness, Cataract
 Proclamation No. 40 declaring the month of August every year as “Sight Saving Month”
Vision:
All Filipinos enjoy the right to sight by year 2020
Mission:
The DOH, Local Health Unit (LGU) partners and stakeholders commit to:
1. Strengthen partnership among and with stakeholder to eliminate avoidable blindness in the
Philippines;
2. Empower communities to take proactive roles in the promotion of eye health and
prevention of blindness;
3. Provide access to quality eye care services for all; and
4. Work towards poverty alleviation through preservation and restoration of sight to indigent
Filipinos.
Goal:
Reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the Philippines through the provision of quality
eye care.
The program has the following objectives:

General Objective No. 1: Increase Cataract Surgical Rate from 730 to 2,500 by the year
2010
Specific:
1. Conduct 74,000 good outcome cataract surgeries by 2010;
2. Ensure that all health centers are actively linked to a cataract referral center by 2008;
3. Advocate for the full coverage of cataract surgeries by Philhealth;
4. Establish provincial sight preservation committees in at least 80% of provinces by 2010;
5. Mobilize and train at least one primary eye care worker per barangay by 2010;
6. Mobilize and train at least one mid-level eye care health personnel per municipality by
2010;
7. Improve capabilities of at least 500 ophthalmologists in appropriate techniques and
technology for cataract surgery;
8. Develop quality assurance system for all ophthalmology service facilities by 2008; and
9. Ensure that 76 provincial,16 regional and 56 DOH retained hospitals are equipped for
appropriate technology for cataract surgery.

General objective no 2: Reduce visual impairment due to refractive errors by 10% by the
year 2010
1. Institutionalize visual acuity screening for all sectors by 2010;
2. Ensure that all health centers are actively linked to a referral center by 2008;
3. Distribute 125,000 eye glasses by 2010;
 4. Ensure that the hospitals and of health centers have professional eye health care
providers by 2010;
5. Ensure establishment of equipped refraction centers in municipalities by 2008; and
6. Establish and maintain an eyeglass bank by 2007.

General objective no 3: Reduce the prevalence of visual disability in children from 0.3% to
0.20% by the 2010
1. Identify children with visual disability in the community for timely intervention;
2. Improve capability of 90% of health worker to identify and treat visual disability in
children by 2010; and
3. Establish a completely equipped primary eye care facility in municipalities by 2008.

Burden of Blindness and Visual Impairment : Global Facts

The Philippines is a signatory in the Global Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: Vision
2020 – The Right to Sight. The Vision 2020 was initiated by the International Agency for
Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Christian Blind
Mission (CBM), Vision 2020 aims to develop sustainable comprehensive health care system to
ensure the nest possible vision for all people and thereby improve the quality of life.
According to WHO estimates :
 Approximately 314 million people worldwide live with low vision and blindness
 Of these, 45 million people are blind and 269 million have low vision
 145 million people's low vision is due to uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness,
far-sightedness or astigmatism). In most cases, normal vision could be restored with
eyeglasses
 Yet 80% of blindness is avoidable - i.e. readily treatable and/or preventable
 90% of blind people live in low-income countries
 Restorations of sight, and blindness prevention strategies are among the most cost-effective
interventions in health care
 Infectious causes of blindness are decreasing as a result of public health interventions and
socio-economic development. Blinding trachoma now affects fewer than 80 million
people, compared to 360 million in 1985
 Aging populations and lifestyle changes mean that chronic blinding conditions such as
diabetic retinopathy are projected to rise exponentially
 Women face a significantly greater risk of vision loss than men
 Without effective, major intervention, the number of blind people worldwide has been
projected to increase to 76 million by 2020

Burden of Blindness and Visual Impairment : Local Facts

 Number of blind people: 592,000 (based on 2011 estimated population of 102M & 2002
blindness prevalence of 0.58%)
 Number of persons with moderate or severe visual impairment: 2 million (2011 popn.
& 2002 prevalence of 2.04%)
 Number of blind due to cataract: 367,000 (62%)
 Number of blind due to EOR: 59,000 (10%)
 Number of blind from cataract below poverty line: 92,000 (25%, NSCB 2009 figures];
figure est. doubled to include first & second quintiles
 RP Prevalence of Blindness (%), 2002
Caraga 0.16
National Capital Region 0.19
Cordillera Autonomous Region 0.2
Central Mindanao 0.4
Ilocos Region 0.5
Western Visayas 0.51
Eastern Visayas 0.53
Southern Luzon 0.56
National Figure 0.58
Northern Mindanao 0.61
Central Visayas 0.62
Bicol Region 0.71
Western Mindanao 0.74
Central Luzon 0.79
Autonomous Region of Mislim Mindanao 0.8
Cagayan Valley 0.87
Southern Mindanao 1.08

RP Prevalence of Low Vision (%), 2002

Caraga 0.6
National Capital Region 0.81
Cordillera Autonomous Region 0.87
Central Luzon 1.21
Central Mindanao 1.53
Western Mindanao 1.59
Southern Mindanao 1.71
Central Visayas 1.76
Western Visayas 1.91
National Figure 1.98
Northern Mindanao 2.17
Ilocos Region 2.43
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao 2.43
Bicol Region 2.52
Eastern Visayas 2.56
Southern Luzon 3.71
Cagayan Valley 4.07
RP Prevalence of Visual Impairment (%) , 2002
Caraga 0.76
National Capital Region 1
Cordillera Autonomous Region 1.07
Central Mindanao 1.93
Central Luzon 2
Western Mindanao 2.33
Central Visayas 2.38
Western Visayas 2.42
National Figure 2.56
Northern Mindanao 2.78
Southern Mindanao (blindness) 2.79
Ilocos Region (Low Vision) 2.93
Eastern Visayas (Low Vision) 3.18
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao 3.23
Bicol Region 3.23
Southern Luzon (Low Vision) 4.27
Cagayan Valley 4.94

Interventions/Strategies employed or Implementation by the DOH

1. Advocacy and Health Education
This includes patient information and education, public information and education and
intersectoral collaboration on eye health promotion and the nature and extent of visual impairments
particularly its risk factors and complications and the need/urgency of early diagnosis and
management.
2. Capability Building
This component shall focus on ensuring the capability of national and local government health
facilities in delivering the appropriate eye health care services especially to the indigent sector of
the population. Program shall provide training for coordinators at regional and provincial levels;
will ensure the availability of and access to training programs by program implementers. It shall
include strengthening treatment/management capabilities of existing personnel and operating
capabilities of facilities conducting cataract operations etc., taking into outmost consideration basic
quality assurance and standardization of procedures and techniques appropriate to each
facility/locality.
3. Information Management
The program shall develop an information management system for purposes of reporting and
recording. As far as practicable, this system shall consider and will build on any existing
mechanism. The system shall be national in scope, although the mechanism shall consider the
regional and local needs and capabilities.
4. Networking, Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization
An important component of the program is networking and partnership building to ensure that
services are available at the local level. This shall include public-private and public-public
partnership aimed at building coalition and networks for the delivery of appropriate eye health care
services at affordable cost especially to the indigent sector. This component shall also focus on
ensuring that the highest appropriate quality services are made available and accessible to the
people.
5. Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation
The Program shall be coordinated by a national program coordinator from the Degenerative
Disease Office of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Department of Health.
The national program coordinator shall oversee the implementation of program plans and activities
with the assistance of the regional coordinators from the Centers for Health Development.
A system of monitoring program plans and activities shall be developed and implemented taking
into consideration the provision of the local government code as well as the organic act of Muslim
Mindanao, and any similar issuances/laws that will be passed in the future.
A program review shall be conducted as needed. Result of program evaluation shall be used in
formulating policies, program objectives and action plans.
6. Research and Development
The program shall encourage the conduct of researches for purposes of developing local
competence in eye health care and for other purposes that may be necessary. The development and
dissemination of clinical practice guidelines for eye health shall form part of the research agenda
of the program.
The program shall support researches/studies in the clinical behavior (KAP) and
epidemiological (trends) areas. It also aims to acquire information that is utilized for continuing
public health information and education, policy formulation, planning and implementation.
7. Service Delivery
Service delivery for the prevention of Blindness Program shall be covered by the principle of
best practice. In collaboration with the local government units and stakeholders, the program shall
develop systems and procedures for the integration and provision of services at the community
level. This means primary eye prevention concentrating on health education, advocacy and
primary eye interventions; Secondary prevention; screening/early detection/basic management/
counseling, referral and/or definitive care and tertiary prevention: management of complications,
continuing care and follow up including rehabilitation. The following areas will be the priority
areas for services to be provided by the National Prevention of Blindness Program:
a. Cataract Surgeries
b. Errors of Refraction
c. Childhood Blindness
Activities for the Vitamin A Deficiency Disorder, for practical purposes, shall be led by the Family
Health Office also of the NCDPC.
A Referral System shall form part of services delivered by the program. This is to ensure that all
patients receive quality eye health care at appropriate levels of health care delivery system. All
rural health units should be linked to an eye care referral center.
Cataract
Cataract, the opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye, is the most common cause of
blindness worldwide. It is the cause in 62% of all blindness in the Philippines and is found mostly
in the older age groups. The only cure for cataract blindness is surgery. This is available in almost
all provinces of the country; however there are barriers in accessing such services. Interventions
will therefore consist of increasing awareness about cataract and cataract surgery; as well as
improving the delivery of cataract services. The parameter used worldwide to monitor cataract
service delivery is the Cataract Surgical Rate.
Errors of Refraction
Errors of refraction is the most common cause of visual impairment in the country (prevalence is
2.06% in the population). Errors of refraction are corrected either with spectacle glasses, contact
lenses or surgery. The services to address the problem of EOR are provided mainly by
optometrists. However, the provision of the eyeglasses or lenses (who should provide, how is it
provided, etc.) has to be addressed.
Childhood Blindness
The prevalence of blindness among children (up to age 19) is 0.06% while the prevalence of visual
impairment in the same age group is 0.43%. The problem of childhood blindness is the highly
specialized services that are needed to diagnose and treat it. However, screening of children for
any sign of visual impairment can be done by pediatricians, school clinics and health workers.

Future Plan/Action:
 Development of Service Package for Prevention Blindness Program
 Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prevention Blindness Program
 Development of Strategic Framework and a Five Year Strategic Plan for Prevention
Blindness Program (2012-2016)
 Continue conduct of promotion and advocacy activities and partnership with National
Committee for Sight Preservation, Specialty Societies and other stakeholders on PBP
 Creation of PBP Registry System
 Ensure the implementation of the National Prevention of Blindness Program

Status of Implementation/Accomplishment:
 Department of Health supports prevention of blindness and vision impairment
o Signatory of all World Health Assembly resolution on Vision 2020 and blindness
prevention.
o National Prevention on Blindness Program under Non-Communicable Disease Cluster.
o Funded 3 national surveys of blindness 1987, 1955 and 2002.
o Planning workshop 2004 crafted 5 year development plan for eye care 2005-2010 assisted
by IAPB / ICEH.
o AO 179 issued on Nov. 2004 by Sec. Dayrit creating “Guidelines for Implementation of
the National Prevention Blindness Program (NPBP)” which set-up the Program Management
Committee (PMC)
o Blindness prevention and rehabilitation of persons with irreversible blindness are
incorporated in the health program for persons with disability of DOH

 The following programs/projects are included in the Maternal and Child Care Program
of DOH:
o Expanded Program for Immunization (includes vaccination for diseases that causes
blindness)
o Vitamin A provision for pregnant mothers and children to prevent vitamin A deficiency
o Comprehensive newborn care includes prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum
o Newborn screening includes screening for galactosemia which cause congenital cataract

 Several activities in the PBP

o Consultative and Planning Workshop on PBP, October 2011
o National Eye Summit, Manila Grand Opera Hotel, Manila last October 2009
 o Strategic Planning Workshop on the National Sight Preservation and Blindness Program
2008
o Training of Trainors of Primary Eye Care conducted 2007

Other Significant information:

 Available Human Resources:
Ophthalmologists - 1,573 registered PAO members as of January 27, 2011
- 95% is in private practice
Optometrists - 10,266 registered with Philippine Board of Optometry
as of July 2010

 Financial Resources
o DOH provides funds largely for technical assistance for training, capacity building activities,
and augmentation of funds for local program implementation.
o Philippine Health Insurance Corporation covering personal eye care services (hospital based)

 Partner Organizations:
Aside from the collaborating divisions in the DOH, the following institutions partake
in the program:
 Local Government Units (LGUs)
 National Committee for Sight Preservation (NCSP)
 Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology
 Philippine Information Agency
 Optometric Association of the Philippines
 Rotary International
 Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists
 Foundation for Sight
 Helen Keller International
 Lions Club International
 Tanggal Katarata Foundation
 UP - Institute of Ophthalmology
 Christian Blind Mission
 Resources for the Blind
 SentroOfthalmologico Jose Rizal
 World Health Organization
Sources: Files and Links:
Administrative Order No. 179 s. 2004
World Health Organization
RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM
Rabies is a human infection that occurs after a transdermal bite or scratch by an infected animal,
like dogs and cats. It can be transmitted when infectious material, usually saliva, comes into direct
contact with a victim’s fresh skin lesions. Rabies may also occur, though in very rare cases, through
inhalation of virus-containing spray or through organ transplants.
Rabies is considered to be a neglected disease, which is 100% fatal though 100% preventable. It
is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country but it is regarded as a
significant public health problem because (1) it is one of the most acutely fatal infection and (2) it
is responsible for the death of 200-300 Filipinos annually.

Vision: To Declare Philippines Rabies-Free by year 2020

Goal: To eliminate human rabies by the year 2020

Program Strategies:
To attain its goal, the program employs the following strategies:
1. Provision of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to all Animal Bite Treatment Centers
(ABTCs)
2. Provision of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to high risk individuals and school children
in high incidence zones
3. Health Education
Public awareness will be strengthened through the Information, Education, and
Communication (IEC) campaign. The rabies program shall be integrated into the elementary
curriculum and the Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) shall be promoted. In coordination with
the Department of Agriculture, the DOH shall intensify the promotion of dog vaccination, dog
population control, as well as the control of stray animals.
In accordance with RA 9482 or “The Rabies Act of 2007”, rabies control ordinances shall
be strictly implemented. In the same manner, the public shall be informed on the proper
management of animal bites and/or rabies exposures.
4. Advocacy
The rabies awareness and advocacy campaign is a year-round activity highlighted on two
occasions – March as the Rabies Awareness Month and September 28 as the World Rabies Day.
5. Training/Capability Building
Medical doctors and Registered Nurses are to be trained on the guidelines on managing a
victim.
6. Establishment of ABTCs by Inter-Local Health Zone
7. DOH-DA joint evaluation and declaration of Rabies-free islands

Program Achievements:
The DOH, together with the partner organizations/agencies, has already developed the guidelines
for managing rabies exposures. With the implementation of the program strategies, five islands
were already declared to be rabies-free.
In 2010, 257 rabies cases and 266,200 animal bites or rabies exposures were reported. A total of
365 ABTCs were established and strategically located all over the country. Post Exposure
Prophylaxis against rabies was provided in all the 365 ABTCs.
Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following organizations/agencies take part in attaining the goal of the National Rabies
Prevention and Control Program:
 Department of Agriculture (DA)
 Department of Education (DepEd)
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 World Health Organization (WHO)
 Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC)
 BMGF Foundation
 WHO/BMGF Rabies Elimination Project
1. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
2. World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
3. Medical Research Council (MRC)

Program Manager:
Dr. Raffy A. Deray
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 751-78-00 or 651-78-00 local 2352
Email: raffysj84@yahoo.com
RURAL HEALTH MIDWIVES PLACEMENT PROGRAM (RHMPP)
/ MIDWIFERY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE PHILIPPINES
(MSPP)
Rationale:
The Philippines’ maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates have been marked despite its
efforts to assist local government units for the past decade. An important factor identified was the
lack of trained healthcare providers particularly, in the far flung areas of the country. This hinders
the recognition of basic obstetric needs and delivery of quality health service to the community.
To intensify the country’s capacity in the provision of quality health service to the people, the
Department of Health (DOH) has adopted the facility-based basic emergency obstetric care
strategy. The midwives, being the frontline healthcare providers, have been identified by the DOH
to serve as the link between health service delivery and the community in the reduction of maternal
and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
The RHMPP aims to provide competent midwives to areas that have not performed well in terms
of facility-based deliveries, fully immunized child and contraceptive prevalence rates, hence,
improve facility-based health services. By augmenting health staff to selected government units,
the DOH may improve maternal and child health and attain the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
In order to ensure a constant supply of competent midwives and to deliver their services to the
people in dire need, the DOH created the MSPP that aims to produce competent midwives from
qualified residents of priority areas.
Program Description:
The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that approximately 15% of all pregnant women
develop a potentially life-threatening complication that calls for either skilled care or major
obstetrical interventions to survive. Readily accessible Emergency Obstetric Care may thus reduce
maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
The DOH is restating its commitment towards a health nation through more aggressive safe
motherhood initiatives, hence, the upgrading of obstetric deliveries to strategic facility-based Basic
Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmONC), where these facilities are manned by a team composed of
a licensed physician, public health nurse, and a rural health midwife at the primary level.
Since the rural health midwives are considered as the frontline health workers in the rural areas
and have progressed to become multi-task personnel in the delivery of healthcare services, amidst
migration of other healthcare professionals, the DOH created the Rural Health Midwife Placement
Program (RHMPP) to address the inequitable distribution of midwives and equip them for facility-
based BEmONC practice. In support to the RHMPP, thus, ensure constant supply of competent
midwives, the DOH created the Midwifery Scholarship Program of the Philippines (MSPP).

Career Track/ Return Service Obligation

Upon completion of the MSPP and obtaining the midwife’s Certificate of Registration and license,
the scholars shall render two (2) years of service to the DOH for every year of scholarship granted
as form of return service.
Expected Output:
The MSPP aims to produce and ensure constant supply of competent midwives who are ready to
serve the DOH identified priority areas of the country.
The RHMPP addresses the inequitable distribution of midwives and equip them for facility-based
BEmONC practice. Likewise, it provides competent midwives to areas that have not performed
well in terms of facility-based deliveries, fully immunized child and contraceptive prevalence
rates, hence, improve facility-based health services. The DOH ultimately aims in the attainment of
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Program Status:
For the MSPP, a hundred scholars are currently pursuing the Midwifery Course. On April of this
year, 11 scholars graduated and passed the Board Examination by the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC). These scholars were deployed to DOH identified priority areas starting July
2011. This coming November, 37 other scholars will take the Board Examination.
For the RHMPP, 23 Registered Midwives were already deployed for the first batch (2008-2010).
In addition to that, 175 Registered Midwives (batch 2, 2010-2012) and 11 scholars (batch 3, 2011-
2013) are currently being deployed in the DOH (BEmONC/CCT) identified priority areas.

Partner Schools:
Currently, the MSPP has four partner schools:

Area Partner School Total # of Scholars

Batch 1: 16 scholars
(2008-2010)
Batch 2: 11 scholars
National Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, (June 2009-May 2011)
Capital Region School of Midwifery Batch 3: 21 scholars
(June 2010-May 2012)
Batch 4: 17 scholars
(June 2011-May 2013)
Naga College Foundation, Naga Batch 1: 19 scholars
Luzon
City (June 2011-May 2013)
Batch 1: 37 scholars
University of the Philippines,
(June 2009-May 2011)
Visayas School of Health Science, Palo,
Batch 2: 29 scholars
Leyte
(June 2010-May 2012)
Tecarro College Foundation, Inc., Batch 1: 14 scholars
Mindanao
Davao City (June 2011-May 2013)
The RHMPP has deployed midwives in the different DOH identified priority areas of the country:
Batch/ Year Total Number of Midwives
Batch 1
23 RHMs
2008-2010
Batch 2 175 RHMs
2010-2012 (to include the 16 scholars from MSPP for Return Service)
Batch 3 11 RHMs
2011-2013 Return service of scholars

III. Career Track / Return Service Obligation

Upon completion of the MSPP and obtaining the midwife's Certificate of Registration and license,
the scholars shall render two (2) years of service to the DOH for every year of scholarship granted
as form of return service.

IV. Expected Output

The MSPP aims to produce and ensure constant supply of competent midwives who are ready to
serve the DOH identified priority areas of the country.
The RHMPP addresses the inequitable distribution of midwives and equip them for facility-based
BEmONC practice. Likewise, it provides competent midwives to areas that haver not performed
well in terms of facility based deliveries, fully immunized child and contraceptive prevalence rates,
improve facility-based health services. The DOH ultimately aims in the attainment of the
Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
V. Program Status:
A. MSPP
 11 scholars graduated on April 2011 and passed the Board Examination by the Professional
Regulation Commission will be deployed starting July 2011 to DOH identified priority
areas.
 37 scholars will take the November 2011 Board Examination by the Professional
Regulation Commission
 100 scholars pursuing the Midwifery Course
B. RHMPP
 175 Registered Midwives are currently deployed in the DOH (BEmONC/CCT) identified
priority areas
 Deployment of 11 scholars

Program Manager:
Dr. Josephine H. Hipolito / Ms. Winselle Joy C. Manalo
Program Coordinators
Department of Health-Health Human Resource Development Bureau (DOH-HHRDB)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 4204/4227
Email: hhrdb_doh@yahoo.com
SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROGRAM
Contact Person:
Zenaida Dy Recidoro, RN, MPH
Telephone Nos.:
651-7800 loc. 1727-1730
The Philippines has committed to the Unites States millennium declaration that translated into a
roadmap a set of goals that targets reduction of poverty, hunger, and ill health. In the light of this
government commitment, the Department of Health is faced with a challenge: to champion the
cause of women and children towards achieving MDGs 4 (reduce child mortality), 5 (improve
maternal health) and 6 (combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). Pregnancy and childbirth
are among the leading causes for death, disease and disability in women of reproductive age in
developing countries. The Philippine government commitment to the MDGs is among others, a
commitment to work towards the reduction of maternal mortality ratios by three-quarters and under
five mortality by two-thirds by 2015 at all cost.
Confronted with the challenge of MDG 5 and the multi-faceted challenges of high maternal
mortality ratio, increasing neonatal deaths particularly on the first week after birth, unmet need for
reproductive health services and weak maternal care delivery system, in addition to identifying the
technical interventions to address these problems, the DOH Safe Motherhood Program decided to
focus on making pregnancy and childbirth safer and sought to change fundamental societal
dynamics that influence decision making on matters related to pregnancy and childbirth while it
tries to bring quality emergency obstetrics and newborn care facilities nearest to homes. This move
ensures that those most in need of quality health care by competent doctors, nurses and midwives
have easy access to such care.
Program Objectives
The program contributes to the national goal of improving women’s health by:
1. Collaborating with Local Government Units in establishing sustainable, cost-effective approach
of delivering health services that ensure access of disadvantaged women to acceptable and high
quality maternal and newborn health services and enable them to safely give birth in health
facilities.
2. Establishing core knowledge base and support systems that facilitate the delivery of quality
maternal and newborn health services with special focus in the upgrade of facilities designated to
provide emergency obstetrics and newborn care within the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan framework.
Program Components
Component A: Local Delivery of the Maternal- Newborn Service Package
This Component supports LGUs in mobilizing networks of public and private providers to deliver
the integrated maternal-newborn service package. In each province and city, the following are
currently being undertaken.
1. Establishment of critical capacities to provide quality maternal-newborn services through
the organization and operation of a network of Service of Delivery Teams consisting of:
a. Women’s/ Community Health Teams
b. BEmONC Teams
c. CEmONC Teams
2. Establishment of Reliable Sustainable Support Systems for Maternal-Newborn Service
Delivery through such initiatives as:
a. Essential BemONC Drugs and Supplies and Contraceptive Security
b. Establishment of Safe Blood Supply Network in collaboration with the National Voluntary
Blood Program
c. Behaviour Change Interventions
d. Sustainable financing of local maternal-newborn services and commodities through locally
initiated revenue generation and retention activities.
Component B: National Capacity to sustain Maternal-Newborn services
1. Operational and Regulatory Guidelines
a. Manual of operation
b. Referral manual
c. Essential care practice guide for pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care
(BEmONC Protocol)
d. CEmONC curriculum and protocol for service delivery
e. Maternal death reporting and review protocol
f. Issuance of relevant policies
2. Network of Training Providers
a. Currently, 29 training centers that provide BEmONC skills training are operating in the
country.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Dissemination
II. INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES EMPLOYED
The Department of Health through the National Safe Motherhood Program introduces strategies
to address critical reproductive health concerns ( maternal and newborn health, adolescent health,
family planning and STI prevention) while confronting both demand and supply side obstacle to
access for disadvantaged women of reproductive age. Among the changes, the following have been
systematically mainstreamed into the safe motherhood service delivery network:
· Strategic Change in the Design of Safe Motherhood Services
These changes involve (1) shift in emphasis from the risk approach that identifies high-risk
pregnancies during the prenatal period to an approach that prepares all pregnant for the
complications at childbirth- this change brought about the establishment of the BEmONC-
CEmONC network, which is now part of the MNCHN service delivery network and the inter-local
health zones or the Local Health Area Development Zones; (2) improved quality of FP counselling
and expanded service availability, including the organization of more Itinerant Teams providing
permanent methods and IUD insertion on an outreach basis and (3) the integration of STI screening
into the antenatal care and Family planning protocols.
· An Integrated Package of Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Services
The above changes in the delivery also involved a shift from centrally controlled national programs
(MC, FP, STI and AH) operating separately and governed system that delivers an integrated
women’s health and safe motherhood service package. This service delivery strategy is focused on
maximizing synergies among key services that influence maternal and newborn health and on
ensuring a continuum of care across levels of the referral system.
· Reliable Sustainable Support Systems
Support systems for Maternal-Newborn service delivery include systems for (1) drug and
contraceptive security, through a strategy of contraceptive self reliance (2) safe blood supply; (3)
stakeholder behaviour change, through a combination of advocacy and communication; (4)
sustainable financing, through a diversification of funding sources, principally driven by the
development of client classification scheme so that the poor gets public subsidies and the non-poor
are charged user fees.
· Stronger Stewardship and Guidance from the DOH Program Managers
DOH provides stewardship and guidance through (1) evidence-based guidelines and protocols on
maternal-newborn services (2) a system for accrediting providers of emergency obstetrics and
newborn care (BEmONC and CEmONC) training program and (3) monitoring, evaluation and
research on the maternal;-newborn strategies.
III. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As of December 2012, the program accomplishment is 65%. This accomplishment is based on the
accomplishments vis-a-vis the targets of the programs of 3 indicators. These are: antenatal care,
facility-based delivery and post-natal care. The 2012 target for all indictors is 70%. The below
target accomplishments is brought about by the low post-natal coverage of 52%. Among the
operations issues that delays accomplishments of critical inputs relates to procurement and other
external factors such as LGU organizational structures and priorities.
IV. PLANS FOR 2013
For the current year, the program hopes to pursue the completion of sustainable support systems
to ensure the delivery of quality maternal-newborn health service package by the local health
system. The following have been planned for implementation:
1. Development of Guidelines on EmONC training and amendment the policy on BEmONC
training fees.
2. Development of the BemONC Module for Midwives and pursue the submission of its final
version.
3. Development of a mechanism for EmONC Post Training Evaluation and supportive
supervision of BEmONC Teams.
4. Collaborate with Training Centers on the conduct of BEmONC and CEmONC Skills
Training.
5. Collaborate with Development Partners in the implementation of maternal-newborn
initiative in selected sites.
6. Monitor and evaluate program targets accomplishments and compliance to program
protocols
a. Maternal Death Reporting and Review
b. Training on Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care
c. BemONC provision – BEmONC provision assessment
OTHER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION
· The program participated in the multi-country survey on Maternal and Newborn Near-Miss
Cases organized by the Reproductive Health Research Unit of WHO HQ and with the Program
Manager as country coordinator. The study was published in the Lancet in its May 18, 2013 issue:
Moving beyond essential interventions for reduction of maternal mortality (the WHO Multicountry
Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health): a cross-sectional study.
SCHISTOSOMIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM
Goal: To reduce the disease prevalence by 50% with a vision of eliminating the
disease eventually in all endemic areas
Schistosomiasis is an infection caused by blood fluke, specifically Schistosoma
japonicum. An individual may acquire the infection from fresh water contaminated with larval
cercariae, which develop in snails. Infected yet untreated individuals could transmit the disease
through discharging schistosome eggs in feces into bodies of water.
Long term infections can result to severe development of lesions, which can lead to
blockage of blood flow. The infection can also cause portal hypertension, which can make
collateral circulation, hence, redirecting the eggs to other parts of the body.
Schistosomiasis is still endemic in 12 regions with 28 provinces, 190 municipalities,
and 2,230 barangays. Approximately 12 million people are affected and about 2.5 million are
directly exposed

Objectives:
The Schistosomiasis control Program has the following objectives:
1. Reduce the Prevalence Rate by 50% in endemic provinces; and
2. Increase the coverage of mass treatment of population in endemic provinces.

Program Strategies:
The Schistosomiasis Control Program employs the following key interventions:
1. Morbidity control: Mass Treatment
2. Infection control: Active Surveillance
3. Surveillance of School Children
4. Transmission Control
5. Advocacy and Promotion

Its enabling activities include; linkaging and networking; policy guidelines and CPGs; institutional
capacity building; competency enhancement of frontline service provider; and monitoring and
supervision.

Program Manager:
Ms. Ruth M. Martinez
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM
Rationale:
The use of tobacco continues to be a major cause of health problems worldwide. There is currently
an estimated 1.3 billion smokers in the world, with 4.9 million people dying because of tobacco
use in a year. If this trend continues, the number of deaths will increase to 10 million by the year
2020, 70% of which will be coming from countries like the Philippines. (The Role of Health
Professionals in Tobacco Control, WHO, 2005)
The World Health Organization released a document in 2003 entitled Policy Recommendations
for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence. This document very clearly stated
that as current statistics indicate, it will not be possible to reduce tobacco related deaths over the
next 30-50 years unless adult smokers are encouraged to quit. Also, because of the addictiveness
of tobacco products, many tobacco users will need support in quitting. Population survey reports
showed that approximately one third of smokers attempt to quit each year and that majority of
these attempts are undertaken without help. However, only a small percentage of cigarette
smokers (1-3%) achieve lasting abstinence, which is at least 12 months of abstinence from
smoking, using will power alone (Fiore et al 2000) as cited by the above policy paper.
The policy paper also stated that support for smoking cessation or “treatment of tobacco
dependence” refers to a range of techniques including motivation, advise and guidance,
counseling, telephone and internet support, and appropriate pharmaceutical aids all of which aim
to encourage and help tobacco users to stop using tobacco and to avoid subsequent
relapse. Evidence has shown that cessation is the only intervention with the potential to reduce
tobacco-related mortality in the short and medium term and therefore should be part of an overall
comprehensive tobacco-control policy of any country.
The Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2009 (DOH, Philippines GATS
Country Report, March 16, 2010) revealed that 28.3% (17.3 million) of the population aged 15
years old and over currently smoke tobacco, 47.7% (14.6 million) of whom are men, while 9.0%
(2.8 million) are women. Eighty percent of these current smokers are daily smokers with men and
women smoking an average of 11.3 and 7 sticks of cigarettes per day respectively.
The survey also revealed that among ever daily smokers, 21.5% have quit smoking. Among those
who smoked in the last 12 months, 47.8% made a quit attempt, 12.3% stated they used counseling
and or advise as their cessation method, but only 4.5% successfully quit. Among current cigarette
smokers, 60.6% stated they are interested in quitting, translating to around 10 million Filipinos
needing help to quit smoking as of the moment. The above scenario dictates the great need to build
the capacity of health workers to help smokers quit smoking, thus the need for the Department of
Health to set up a national infrastructure to help smokers quit smoking.
The national smoking infrastructure is mandated by the Tobacco Regulations Act which orders the
Department of Health to set up withdrawal clinics. As such DOH Administrative Order No. 122 s.
2003 titled The Smoking Cessation Program to support the National Tobacco Control and Healthy
Lifestyle Program allowed the setting up of the National Smoking Cessation Program.
Vision: Reduced prevalence of smoking and minimizing smoking-related health risks.
Mission: To establish a national smoking cessation program (NSCP).

Objectives:
The program aims to:
1. Promote and advocate smoking cessation in the Philippines; and
2. Provide smoking cessation services to current smokers interested in quitting the habit.
Program Components:
The NSCP shall have the following components:
1. Training
The NSCP training committee shall define, review, and regularly recommend training programs
that are consistent with the good clinical practices approved by specialty associations and the in
line with the rules and regulations of the DOH.
All DOH health personnel, local government units (LGUs), selected schools, industrial and other
government health practitioners must be trained on the policies and guidelines on smoking
cessation.

2. Advocacy
A smoke-free environment (SFE) shall be maintained in DOH and participating non-DOH
facilities, offices, attached agencies, and retained hospitals. DOH officials, staff, and employees,
together with the officials of participating non-DOH offices, shall participate in the observance
and celebration of the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) every 31st of May and the World No
Tobacco Month every June.
3. Health Education
Through health education, smokers shall be assisted to quit their habit and their immediate family
members shall be empowered to assist and facilitate the smoking cessation process.
4. Smoking Cessation Services
Below is the National Smoking Cessation Framework detailing Smoking Cessation services at
different levels of care:
LEVEL OF Intervention
STAFFING DRUGS/MEDS EQUIPMENTS
CARE Package
 Risk
assessment/
Risk screening
(Note: Use
Risk
Assessment
Form)
 Assess for  Risk
PRIMARY
Tobacco Use Assessment
LEVEL
BHW  If smoker, do Tool
I. Barangay None
RM Brief  Quit Contract
Health
Intervension
Station
Advice (5 A's)  Referral Form
See Attached
Protocol
 If non-smoker,
Congratulate
and advice
continue
Healthy
 Lifestyle
activity
Above Plus
 Quit Clinic
(Use DOH Protocol or
other suggested
protocols e.g.
Motivational Patient Assessment
Interview, SDA Tool:
Protocol, etc. as  Stages of
available) change
 DOH Protocol  WHO Mental
provides: Health
 Assessment of Checklist
client's  Motivation and
Smoking Confidence to
History, quit
Current  Smoking
Smoking History and
PRIMARY Status and  Use of Current
LEVEL Readiness to Nicotine Smoking
II. RHU stop smoking Replacemen Status
Above Plus
 Planning for t therapy  Self-test for
Nurses Doctor
SECONDAR clients particularly reason for
s and other
Y LEVEL Readiness to Nicotine smoking
health
stop smoking patch and (Horn's
personnel
 Quit day: Nicotine Smoker's Selt-
TERTIARY Pharmacologic Gum is test)
LEVEL , advocated  Fagerstrom
Psychological Nicotine
and Dependencetes
Behavioral t
Interventions  Self-test on
- Identifying and Readiness to
address triggers for stop smoking
going back into  Previous
smoking attempts to
- Dealing with stop smoking
cravings to smoke Form:
- Managing  Quit Contract
withdrawal
syndromes
 Monitoring
and Prevention
of Relapse
Quit Lines
5. Research and Development
Research and development activities are to be conducted to better understand the nature of nicotine
dependence among Filipinos and to undertake new pharmacological approaches.

Partner Organizations:
The following institutions take part in achieving the goals of the program:

LUNG CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

Contact Number: 924-9204

PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIAN

Contact Number:924-6101 to 20

PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL

Contact Number: 554-8400

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Contact Number: 338-7478/ 338-7479

PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS

Contact Number: 844-2135 / 889-8053

PHILIPPINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Contact Number: 929-6366

FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL

Contact Number: 468- 7222

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Contact Number: 453-8257
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
Contact Number: 526-9870/ 526-9871/ 536-1080

PHILIPPINE AMBULATORY PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION

Contact Number:525-1797

PHILIPPINE PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION

Contact Number: 635-9858

METROPOLITAN MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Contact Number: 882-4151

Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)

DEGENERATIVE DISEASE OFFICE
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 1750-1751 and 732-2493
Program Coordinator:
Ms. Frances Prescilla Cuevas
e-mail address:prescyncd@gmail.com, prescyncd@yahoo.com
Smoking Cessation Councilors:
Dr. Franklin Diza
Ms. Frances Prescilla Cuevas
Ms. Remedios Guerrero
e-mail address: jing_s_guerrero@yahoo.com

NOTE: If you need help to quit call 732-2493 for an appointment.

TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL PROGRAM
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobeacterium tuberculosis that is
mainly acquired by inhalation of infectious droplets containing viable tubercle bacilli. Infectious
droplets can be produced by coughing, sneezing, talking and singing. Coughing is generally
considered as the most efficient way of producing infectious droplets.
In 2007, there are 9.27 million incident cases of TB worldwide and Asia accounts for 55% of
the cases. Through the National TB Program (NTP), the Philippines achieved the global targets of
70% case detection for new smear positive TB cases and 89% of these became successfully treated.
The various initiatives undertaken by the Program, in partnership with critical stakeholders,
enabled the NTP to sustain these targets. Nonetheless, emerging concerns like drug resistance and
co-morbidities need to be addressed to prevent rapid transmission and future generation of such
threats. Coverage should also be broadened to capture the marginalized populations and the
vulnerable groups namely, urban and rural poor, captive populations (inmates/prisoners), elderly
and indigenous groups.
Last 2009, the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health
led the process of formulating the 2010-2016 Philippine Plan of Action to Control TB (PhilPACT)
that serves as the guiding direction for the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals
(MDGs). Learning from the Directly-Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) strategy, the eight
(8) strategies of PhilPACT are anchored on this TB control framework. Moreover, these strategies
are also attuned with the Government’s health reform agenda known as Kalusugang Pangkalahatan
(KP) to ensure sustainability and risk protection.
Vision: TB-free Philippines
Goal: To reduce by half TB prevalence and mortality compared to 1990 figures by 2015
Objectives:
The NTP aims to:
1. Reduce local variations in TB control program performance
2. Scale-up and sustain coverage of DOTS implementation
3. Ensure provision of quality TB services
4. Reduce out-of-pocket expenses related to TB care
Strategies:
Under PhilPACT, there are 8 strategies to be implemented, namely:
1. Localize implementation of TB control
2. Monitor health system performance
3. Engage all health care providers, public and private
4. Promote and strengthen positive behavior of communities
5. Address MDR-TB,TB-HIV and needs of vulnerable populations
6. Regulate and make quality TB diagnostic tests and drugs
7. Certify and accredit TB care providers
8. Secure adequate funding and improve allocation and efficiency of fund utilization
Program Accomplishments:
Significant progress has been achieved since the Philippines adopted the DOTS strategy in 1996
and at the end of 2002-2003, all public health centers are enabled to deliver DOTS services.
Because of the Government’s efforts to continuously improve health care delivery, there have been
progressive increases in the detection and treatment success. While a strong groundwork has been
installed, acceleration of efforts is entailed to expand and sustain successful TB control. All
stakeholders are called upon to achieve the TB targets linked to the MDGs set to be attained by
2015. However, with the emergence of other TB threats, more has to be done. Likewise, with the
ongoing global developments and new technologies in the pipeline, constraints will hopefully be
addressed.
The 2010-2016 PhilPACT as defined by multi-sector partners, through broad-based collective
technical inputs, underlines the key strategic approaches towards achieving these targets at both
national and local levels. The Plan aims for universal access to DOTS including strategic responses
to vulnerable groups and emerging TB threats. Nationwide, a wide array of health facilities are
installed and equipped to provide quality TB care to the general population. This involves
participation of private facilities (clinics, hospitals), other health-related agencies or NGOs and
other Government organizations. Coverage for DOTS services, at least in the public primary care
network has reached nearly 100% in late 2002. Eversince, diagnosis through sputum smear
microscopy and treatment with a complete set of anti-TB drugs are given free through the support
of the Government. Training on TB care for different types of health workers is being conducted
through the regional and local NTP Coordinators. The conclusions during the program
implementation review (PIR) done by the DOH of selected public health programs on January
2008 revealed the following:
 Extent and quality of nationwide TB-DOTS coverage have reached levels necessary for
eventual control since 2004 up to present
 NTP continues to add enhancements and improvements to TB care providers for better
delivery of services
Partner Organizations/Agencies:
The following are the organizations/agencies that take part in achieving the objectives of the
National TB Control Program:
 Philippine Business for Social Progress
 Philippine Coalition Against TB
 Holistic Community Development Initiatives (HCDI)
 National TB Ref Laboratory
 Lung Center of the Philippines
 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)
 Bureau of Corrections
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
 Department of Education (DepEd)
 Armed Forces of the Philippines-Office of the Surgeon General (AFP-OTSG)
 PhilHealth
 Research Institute of Tuberculosis/ Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association Philippines, Inc.
(RIT/JATA)
 Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. (PTSI)
 Kabalikat sa Kalusugan
 Samahang Lusog Baga
 National Commission for Indigenous Peoples
 Department of National Defense-Veterans Memorial Medical Center (DND-VMMC)
 Occupational Health and Safety (OSHC); Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC)
 World Vision Development Foundation (WVDF)
 International Committee of Red Cross
 Korea Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH)
 World Health Organization (WHO)
  United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
 Committee of German Doctors for Developing Countries
Program Manager:
Dr. Rosalind G. Vianzon
Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2353
URBAN HEALTH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT (UHSD) PROGRAM
(As contained in Administrative Order No. 2011-0008 dated July 12, 2011)
I. RATIONALE
In developing countries, the rapid rate of urbanization has outpaced the ability of governments to
build essential infrastructure for health and social services. Among many features of urbanization
in developing countries include greater population densities and more congestion, concentrated
poverty and slum formation, and greater exposure to risks, hazards and vulnerabilities to health
(eg. violence, traffic injuries, obesity, and settlement in unsafe areas). The concentration of risks
is seen in the poorest neighborhoods resulting to health inequities.
From the above, it will require more than the provision and use of health services to improve the
health of urban populations. UHSD must help cities address the challenges of rapid urbanization
brought about by the interplay of different social determinants of health.

II. UHSD GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Goals
1. To improve Health System Outcomes Urban Health Systems shall be directed towards
achieving the following goals: (i) Better Health Outcomes; (ii) More equitable healthcare
financing; and (iii) Improved responsiveness and client satisfaction.
2. To influence social determinants of health The DOH must help influence social determinants
of health in urban settings, with focused application on urban poor populations particularly those
living in slums.
3. To reduce health inequities Urban Health Systems Development seeks to narrow the
disparity of health outcome indicators between the rich and the poor.
B. General objective: To address the Urban Health challenge
C. Specific objectives:
1. To establish awareness on the challenges of Urban Health;
2. To initiate inter-sectoral approach to Urban Health Systems Development; and
3. To guide LGUs to develop sustainable responses to the Urban Health challenge

III. Components
The following are the developmental components of the UHSD Program:
1. Programs and Strategies
- Healthy Cities Initiative (HCI): the approach of continuously improving health and social
determinants of health, and continually creating and improving physical and social environments
shall be continued and further strengthened.
- Reaching Every Depressed Barangay (RED)/Reaching the Urban Poor (RUP): a strategy of
going to every depressed barangay to reach the urban poor, vulnerable groups and hidden slums
to increase access to health services.
- Environmentally Sustainable and Healthy Urban Transport (ESHUT) initiatives which
include the development or enhancement of existing projects that improve the policy, design and
practice of an urban transport system and lead to improvement of health and safety of urban
population.
2. Planning Tools and Framework
- Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART): a tool to facilitate
identification of and response to health equity concerns. It is used as a situational assessment,
monitoring and planning tool particularly for Highly Urbanized Cities, in tandem with the Local
Government Unit (LGU) Scorecard
- City-wide Investment Planning for Health (CIPH): a framework for the development of public
investment plans in health covering the utilization, mobilization and rationalization of the city’s
relatively abundant resources, more extensive capabilities and stronger institutions to attain health
system goals.
3. Capability Building
Short Course on Urban Health Equity (SCUHE) is a 6-month course offered to cities and urban
stakeholders that aims to improve the knowledge, practice and skills of health practitioners, policy
and decision-makers at the national, regional and city levels to identify and address urban health
inequities and challenges, particularly in relation to social determinants of health.

IV. General Principles

1. Healthy urbanization. Urban Health Systems (UHS) must promote healthy urbanization so
that cities develop in ways that achieve better health and avoid risks to ill health under conditions
of rapid urbanization.
2. Inter-sectoral action. UHS must be designed through inter-sectoral collaboration with people
and institutions from outside the health sector to influence a broad range of health determinants
and generate responses producing sustainable health outcomes.
3. Inter-city coordination. Inter-city coordination between contiguous cities is important
because a city, particularly if it is not a Highly Urbanized City may not have all the resources,
institutions and capacities to be able to respond to the entire health needs of its constituents, and
may thus benefit from resources, institutions and capacities of other cities through inter-city or
inter-LGU coordination.
4. Social cohesion. Social cohesion is action through core groups.
5. Community participation. Community participation must be integrated in all aspects of the
intervention process, including planning, designing, implementing, and sustaining any
project/program.
6. Empowerment. Empowerment is enabling individuals and communities to have ultimate
control over key decisions involving their wellbeing through strategies such as building
knowledge and purchasing power, and mechanisms to increase client accountability.

The DOH approach in the reform of urban health systems is the management of social determinants
of health in urban settings, with focused application on poor populations, particularly those living
in slum communities/settlements to address equity concerns.
Briefer on the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART)
I. Rationale:
Rapid unplanned urbanization gives rise to urban poverty, health problems, and health inequities
in the cities. Disparities in health system outcomes between the affluent and the poor are becoming
more prominent in highly urbanized areas as government sectors find it hard to cope with the
increasing demands of the fast growing population of urban poor.
To address the above concerns, the Urban HEART or the Urban Health Equity Assessment and
Response Tool was developed by the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan to
assist Ministries of Health of countries in systematically generating evidence to assess and respond
to unfair health conditions and inequity in the urban setting. It was initially launched in Tehran,
Iran on April 2008, and the Philippines along with Iran, Zambia, and Brazil were the pilot sites to
test the Urban HEART in each country.
Seven cities initiated the use of the Urban HEART in the Philippines in 2008-2009, namely:
Paranaque City, Taguig City, Olongapo City, Naga City, Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, and
Davao City. The cities helped develop the tool for applicability in varied urban settings in the
country.
Urban Health Systems need to establish evidence on the status of the disadvantaged population in
the highly urbanized areas in order to develop objective interventions to address inequities.
Department Memorandum No. 2010-0207 dated August 20, 2010 on the “Use of the Urban Health
Equity Assessment and Response Tool in Highly Urbanized Cities” is intended to help Highly
Urbanized Cities (HUCs) generate systematic data on health inequities to guide effective
interventions.
UNANG YAKAP (ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE: PROTOCOL FOR
NEW LIFE)
Unang Yakap: Essential Newborn Care (ENC)
Many initiatives, globally and locally, help save lives of pregnant women and children. Essential
Newborn Care (ENC) is one.
ENC is a simple cost-effective newborn care intervention that can improve neonatal as well as
maternal care. IT is an evidence-based intervintion that
 emphasizes a core sequence of actions, performed methodically (step -by-step);
 is organized so that essential time bound interventions are not interrupted; and
 fills a gap for a package of bundled interventions in a guideline format.
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IMPLEMENTERS PROJECT (UHCIP)
I. Background/Description

In order to bridge the gaps in the Philippine health system and to reduce barriers in accessing health
care services especially among marginalized communities, the Aquino administration launched its
Health Agenda called Universal Health Care (UHC), also referred to as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan
(KP), in 2010. Universal Health Care is defined as the “provision to every Filipino of the highest
possible quality of health care that is accessible, efficient, equitably distributed, adequately funded,
fairly financed, and appropriately used by an informed and empowered public”. Moreover, while
the Philippines is on target for most of its Millennium Development Goals (MDG), it is lagging
behind in reducing maternal and infant mortality. Therefore, strengthening of public health efforts
towards the attainment of UHC and MDGs must be done.

In line with this, the Department of Health (DOH) launched High-Impact Five (Hi-5) last June
2015 which aims to produce major improvements in health outcomes and the highest impact
among the vulnerable population. The Hi-5 strategies focuses on five (5) critical UHC
interventions, namely: reduction of infant mortality rate; lowering under-five mortality rate;
reducing maternal mortality rate; halting Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS); and increasing the service delivery networks in poor
communities. National implementation of the Hi-5 activities involves intensifying and
synchronizing regional operations through a convergence approach in priority poverty program
areas. Thus, the Universal Health Care Implementers Project (UHCIP) was conceptualized to
accelerate the attainment of UHC and Hi-5 strategies. Currently, the project deploys physicians
who focus on localization of UHC policies and sustainable health financing in order to protect
marginalized communities from health financial risks.

II. Objectives

The Universal Health Care Implementers (UHCI) Project aims to:

a. Improve local health systems that will support the country’s attainment of UHC or “Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan;”

b. Provide quality service delivery to marginalized population of the country to accelerate the
attainment of Universal Health Care (UHC); and

c. Foster independence in the community’s health care delivery system.

III. Functions of UHC Implementers

a. Develops local health systems / programs / projects in the locality based on the UHC-HI5
Strategy;
b. Manages the mobilization of resources and projects related to UHC-HI-5 program
implementation in the RHU;

c. Develops / conducts capability building interventions / initiatives / packages for health workers
and other stakeholders in the local government unit relative to UHC-HI5;

d. Develops and implements advocacy projects and strategies for UHC-HI5 programs;

e. Conducts regular medical consultations relative to achieving health objectives of the UHC-HI5
strategy;

f. Manages UHC-HI5 data such as reporting, recording and analysis of data; and

g. Conducts epidemiology investigation whenever necessary.

IV. Minimum Qualification Standards

Education: Doctor of Medicine

V. Target Population/Client

a. (274) 5th and (39) 6th class municipalities

b. National Government Priority Areas

- 44 Focus Geographical Areas (FGA) with 1,045 Municipalities

- Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty (ASAP) municipalities
- Whole Nation Initiative (WNI) municipalities
- Areas with Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) programs
- Geographic location and socio-economic classification of the area (GIDA, ICC/IP areas, national
priority areas for poverty reduction)

c. LGU Hospitals (Level 1 or 2)

VI. Salaries and Benefits

 Salary- 56,000.00/month
 GSIS- 500.00/year
 PHIC- 300.00/month
VII. Policies and Laws

Department Memorandum No. 2015-0383

VIII. Program Accomplishments/Status

As of May 2016, a total of 75 UHC implementers were deployed nationwide.

IX. Updates
Starting FY 2017, the minimum qualification standard for UHC Implementers assistants will be
licensed in any Health Related Profession preferably graduate of Doctor of Medicine. Moreover,
salary grade of UHC implementers will be adjusted from SG 24 to SG 15.

X. Program Coordinator Contact Information

Ms. Janette S. Cruz

HRMO III, HHRDB-DOH
Tel No. 02-743-1776, or 02-651-7800 local 4227

Tags:
Universal Health Care Implementers Project
UHCIP
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
kalusugan pangkalahatan
human resource
VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
Background
The first global study on premature deaths in 2009 (WHO Report) revealed that road crashes,
suicide and violence were among the main causes of death worldwide for people aged 10 to 24
years. In 2011 (WHO Report), injuries were reported to be responsible for 9% of all deaths with
road traffic injuries claiming nearly 3,500 lives each day, making it among the 10 leading causes
of mortality globally. In response to the foregoing, WHO called upon Member States to develop
measures to prevent road traffic injuries and violence. WHO recommended that such policies,
strategies and plans of action be concrete and contain objectives, priorities, timetables and
mechanisms for evaluation.
In the Western Pacific, WHO called on its Member States to take firmer action to reduce the
region's more than 600 suicides per day. At the September 2011 Fifth Milestones in a Global
Campaign for Violence Prevention (GCVP) Meeting in South Africa, the Violence Prevention
Alliance (VPA) developed the plan of action geared towards increasing the priority of evidence-
informed violence prevention, building the foundations for violence prevention, and implementing
violence prevention strategies. Likewise, the United Nations General Assembly adopted
Resolution 64/255 proclaiming 2011–2020 to be a Decade of Action for Road Safety to stabilize
and reduce global road traffic fatalities by 2020.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study conducted in 2010 showed that
interpersonal violence, road injury, drowning, and self-harm (suicide) ranked sixth, 11th, 17th, and
27th, respectively, on the leading causes of premature deaths in the Philippines. Accidents are the
fifth leading cause of mortality for the period of 2005-2010 as reported in the Philippine Health
Statistics of the National Epidemiology Center. The Online National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System (ONEISS) Fact Sheet for 2010-2012 revealed that transport or vehicular crash
was the leading cause of unintentional injuries and interpersonal violence (mauling/assault, contact
with sharp objects, and gunshot) was the leading cause of intentional injuries.
The Department of Health (DOH) shall serve as the focal agency with respect to violence and
injury prevention. As such, it shall design, coordinate and integrate plans, projects and activities
of various stakeholders into a more effective and efficient system geared towards violence and
injury prevention. The Violence and Injury Prevention Program has been institutionalized as one
of the programs of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) formerly, National Center
for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC).
The program was the offshoot of Administrative Order No. 2007-0010 National Policy on
Violence and Injury Prevention which was issued in 2007. After seven years in January 2014, said
AO was further enhanced thru the issuance of AO 2014-0002 Revised National Policy on Violence
and Injury Prevention which serves as the overarching Administrative Order of different policies
concerning violence and injuries and shall include the service delivery mechanism and the well-
defined roles and responsibilities of the Department of Health and other major players. The
program aims to reduce mortality, morbidity and disability due to the following intentional and
unintentional injuries:
1) road traffic injuries
2) interpersonal violence including bullying, torture and violence against women and
children
3) falls
4) occupational and work-related injuries
5) burns and fireworks-related injuries
6) drowning
7) poisoning and drug toxicity
8) animal bites and stings
9) self-harm / suicide
10) sports and recreational injuries

For a comprehensive approach, the program shall coordinate with other programs like the Child
Injury Prevention Program, Violence Against Women and Children Program and other DOH
Offices such as the Health Facility Development Bureau, Health Emergency and Management
Bureau, among others, solicit active representation from public and private stakeholders that are
involved in violence and injury prevention.

VIP Program Objectives

1. To reduce the number of deaths from violence and injuries

2. To reduce disability caused by violence and injury
3. To enhance capacity of CHDs and other stakeholders in the prevention of violence
and injury
4. To develop & implement evidence-based policies, standards and guidelines in the
prevention of violence and injury
5. To strengthen collaboration with stakeholders in the prevention violence and injury
6. To ensure reliable, timely, and complete data and researches on violence and injury
7. To advocate for alternative health financing schemes for trauma care

VIPP Program Strategies

A. Evidence-Based Research and Electronic Surveillance System – Multi-disciplinary
and multi-sectoral interventions shall be developed based on evidence-based research. DOH shall
establish and institutionalize a system of data reporting, recording, collection, management and
analysis at the national, regional, and local levels. An information system, that is, Online National
Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS) and Philippine Network for Injury Data
Management System (PNIDMS), shall be fully operationalized for this purpose.
B. Networking and Alliance Building – DOH shall promote partnerships with and among
stakeholders to build alliance and networks and to generate resources for activities related to VIPP.
C. Capacity Building and Community Participation - DOH shall develop and enhance
the violence and injury prevention capabilities of a wide range of sectors and stakeholders at the
national, regional and local levels.
D. Advocacy – DOH shall advocate to LGUs for ordinance development and lobby to
Congress for enactment of laws.
E. Equitable Health Financing Package – DOH, in collaboration with various
stakeholders, shall advocate to health financing institutions and financial intermediaries, i.e. the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) and insurance companies, the development and
implementation of policies that would be beneficial for the victims of all forms of violence and
injury.
F. Service Delivery – In collaboration with stakeholders, DOH shall institutionalize
systems and procedures for the integration and provision of services at the community level. In
collaboration with various stakeholders, DOH shall undertake advocacy, information and
education, political support, and multi-sectoral action on violence and injury prevention.
Appropriate interventions at all levels of prevention shall be crucially provided.
G. Six (6) E’s. Strategies shall utilize the concept of the six E’s (Education, Enactment /
Enforcement, Empowerment, Engineering, Emergency Medical Service, and Engagement in
surveillance and research) in the prevention of violence and injuries.
1. Education entails wide dissemination of information and communication related
to violence and injury prevention;
2. Enactment / Enforcement of laws and policies related to violence and
injury prevention;
3. Empowerment of all stakeholders in the implementation of VIPP. This also
covers the provision of psychosocial support to the victims of violence and injury to help them
recover from the psychological trauma;
4. Engineering control provides the most effective way of reducing the cause and
impact of violence and injuries. This involves the improvement of facilities and infrastructures to
promote safe environments;
5. Emergency Medical Services prior to hospital care. This is vital in providing
pre-hospital trauma life support to the injured on site at the soonest possible time so as to prevent
needless mortality or long-term morbidity or permanent disability; and
6. Engagement in surveillance and research to promote evidence-based,
substantial, scientific, and systematic approach to VIPP.

H. Monitoring and Evaluation – DOH, together with various stakeholders, shall identify
indicators, targets and milestones for program monitoring and evaluation purposes. There shall be
a regular audit and feedback mechanism of all VIPP-related strategies and activities.
ONEISS
As a nationwide undertaking, the DOH requires all health facilities to adhere to all national policies
and guidelines on injury reporting. The DPCB is the central coordinating body for the evaluation,
processing, monitoring, and dissemination of data or information. Each health facility is required
to report on a daily basis all injury related cases through the Online National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System. While the DPCB has no regulatory power over the health facilities, it does
have indirect power thru the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB). The
DPCB as the highest policy making body can make recommendations to the HFSRB for
appropriate actions on erring health facilities.
The general objective of Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS) is to
make efficient and effective the current systems and procedures of reporting injury-related data.
Specifically, ONEISS aims to:
1. Promote efficiency to maximize time and effort in data collection, processing, validation,
analysis and dissemination of injury-related data;
2. Improve accuracy, reliability, integrity and timeliness of injury-related data;
3. Implement the most reliable and effective technology solution to interconnect with the
different agencies and/or beneficiaries/stakeholders of the injury related data; and
4. Enforce standards on inputs, processes and outputs on injury-related data collection,
analysis, report generation and feedback.
ONEISS shall be the standard reporting system for the collection, storage, analysis and reporting
of data pertaining to violence and injury. ONEISS is the information system being implemented
by the DOH in support of the Injury Program.
PNIDMS
The Philippine Network for Injury Data Management System (PNIDMS) is a multi-sectoral
organization which aims to establish and maintain a coordinated data management system that can
link, integrate, or combine injury data from various sources or systems to provide an overall picture
for policy makers and decision makers at the national, regional and local levels. Presently, its
members include more than twenty inter-agencies and multi-sectoral organizations.
Program Management Committee (PMC)
The PMC shall provide direction and technical support on policies and plans pertaining to the
prevention of violence and injury. It shall also provide the forum for coordinating all aspects of
the implementation of the program. It shall be chaired by the Director IV of the Disease Prevention
and Control Bureau (DPCB) with the following members:
a) Chief of the Essential Non-Communicable Disease Division
b) National Focal Person (Program Manager) of VIPP
c) Representatives from CHED, DepEd, DOTC, DPWH, DOLE, DSWD, DILG, MMDA,
and
Philippine National Police.
d) Representatives from specialty societies and other agencies / organizations which can
greatly contribute to the various aspects of violence and injury prevention.
PMC members shall be nominated by the agency / organization that they represent. Their
membership to the PMC shall be on annual basis. Renewal or replacement of membership shall be
the exclusive prerogative of the represented agency / organization.
PMC shall be subdivided into Sub-Committees to undertake more specific policy interventions
and activities in relation to each area of concern. Each Sub-Committee shall have an inter-
disciplinary composition.
The composition of PMC shall be provided in pertinent Department issuances in addition to written
agreements such as Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the involved agencies and stakeholders.
PMC shall have the following functions:
a) Recommend to the Secretary of Health VIPP-related plans, programs, strategies and
activities
b) Ensure the implementation of integrated, comprehensive, sustainable and gender-
responsive community-based VIPP
c) Ensure the collection and analysis of violence- and injury-related data
d) Empower and engage all the stakeholders to participate in the VIPP thru Violence and
Injury Prevention Alliance (VIPA)
e) Monitor and evaluate the VIPP regularly through program implementation review
f) Initiate and undertake inter-agency collaboration through formal and informal modes
g) Endorse support of researches in the clinical, epidemiological, public health and
knowledge management areas as well as evaluate them
h) Others that may be identified and approved by the Secretary of Health

National Focal Person / Program Manager

Dr. Clarito U. Cairo, Jr.
Department of Health - Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DOH-DPCB)
Contact Number: 651 – 7800 loc. 1750, 1752, 1754 / 732-2493 (direct line)
Email: dokclar@yahoo.com
Links
Updated data on the incidence of accidents and injury cases is available quarterly at the DOH
Website:
http://uhmis1.doh.gov.ph/unifiedhmis
http://uhmis2.doh.gov.ph/pnidms

Links:
1. Administrative Order No. 2014-0002 - Revised National Policy on Violence and Injury
Prevention
2. Admiistrative Order No. 2014-0007 - National Policy on the Establishment of Prehospital
Emergency Medical Service System
3. APEC Concept Note
4. Dissecting the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013
5. Road Safety Forum 2014
6. Statistics on Orthopedic-Related Injuries
7. Pillar 1: Improve Road Safety Management
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT
I. RATIONALE
The Philippines has committed to the United Nation millennium declaration that translated into a
roadmap a set of goals that targets reduction of poverty, hunger and ill health. In the light of this
government commitment, the Department of Health is faced with a challenge: to champion the
cause of women and children towards achieving MDGs 4 (reduce child mortality), 5 (improve
maternal health) and 6(combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). Pregnancy and child birth
are among the leading causes of death, disease and disability in women of reproductive age in
developing countries. The Philippine government commitment to the MDGs is, among others, a
commitment to work towards the reduction of maternal mortality ratios by three-quarters and
under-five mortality by two-thirds by 2015 at all cost.
Confronted with the challenge of MDG 5 and the multi-faceted challenges of high maternal
mortality ratio, increasing neonatal deaths particularly on the first week after birth, unmet need for
reproductive health services and weak maternal care delivery system, in addition to identifying the
technical interventions to address these problems, the DOH with support from the World Bank
decided to focus on making pregnancy and childbirth safer and sought to change fundamental
societal dynamics that influence decision making on matters related to pregnancy and childbirth
while it tries to bring quality emergency obstetrics and newborn care to facilities nearest to homes.
This moves ensures that those most in need of quality health care by competent doctors, nurses
and midwives have easy access to such care.

Project Development Objectives and Indicators

The Project contributes to the national goal of improving women’s health by:
1. Demonstrating in selected sites a sustainable, cost-effective model of delivering health services
access of disadvantaged women to acceptable and high quality reproductive health services and
enables them to safely attain their desired number of children.
2. Establishing the core knowledge base and support systems that can facilitate countrywide
replication of project experience as part of mainstream approaches to reproductive health care
within the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan framework.

Project Components
Component A: Local Delivery of the WHSM – Service Package
This component supports LGUs in mobilizing networks of public and private providers to deliver
the integrated WHSM-SP. In such project site, the following are currently being undertaken:
1. Establishment of Critical Capabilities to Provide Quality WHSM Services through the
organization and operation of a network of Service Delivery Teams consisting of:
a. Women’s Health Teams
b. BEmONC Teams
c. CEmONC Teams
d. Itinerant Teams

2. Establishment of Reliable Sustainable Support Systems for WHSM Service Delivery:

a. Drug and Contraceptive Security
b. Safe Blood Supply
c. Behavior Change Interventions
d. Sustainable financing of local WHSM services and commodities
Component B: National Capacity
1. Operational and Regulatory Guidelines (Manual of Operations)
2. Network of Training Providers
3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Dissemination

II. INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES EMPLOYED

The Department of Health through the Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project 2 introduces
new strategies to address critical reproductive health concerns while confronting both demand and
supply side obstacles to access for disadvantaged women of reproductive age. Among the changes
that the Project introduced and has systematically mainstreamed into the current National Safe
Motherhood Program are the following:

 Strategic Change in the Design of Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Services
WHSMP2 brought about strategic changes in the way services are delivered to clients particularly
the disadvantaged and underserved. These changes involve (1) a shift in emphasis from the risk
approach that identifies high-risk pregnancies during the prenatal period to an approach that
prepares all pregnant for the complications at childbirth – this change brought about the
establishment of the BEmONC – CEmONC network, which is now part of the MNCHN service
delivery network; (2) improved quality of FP counseling and expanded service availability,
including the organization of more Itinerant Teams providing permanent methods and IUD
insertion on an outreach basis and (3) the integration of STI screening into the maternal care and
family planning protocols.

 An Integrated Package to Women’s Health Services

The above changes in service delivery will likewise involve a shift from centrally controlled
national programs (MC, FP, STI and AH) operating separately and governed independently at
various levels of the health system to an LGU governed system that delivers an integrated women’s
health and safe motherhood service package. This service delivery strategy is focused on
maximizing synergies among key services and on ensuring a continuum of care across levels of
the referral system. At the ground level, this implies that a woman, whatever her age and specially
if she is disadvantaged, who seeks care from a public health provider for reproductive health
concerns, could expect to be given a comprehensive array of services that addresses her most
critical reproductive health needs.

 Reliable Sustainable Support Systems

Support Systems for WHSM service delivery include systems for (1) drug and contraceptive
security, through a strategy of contraceptive self reliance; (2) safe blood supply; (3) stakeholder
behavior change, through a combination of performance – based grants and advocacy and
communication; (4) sustainable financing, through a diversification of funding sources, principally
given by the development of client classification scheme so that the poor gets public subsidies and
the non-poor are charged user fees.

 Stronger Stewardship and Guidance from the DOH

DOH provides stewardship and guidance through (1) evidence-based guidelines and protocols on
WHSM services, (2) a system for accrediting providers of integrated WHSM – service package
training program; and (3) monitoring, evaluation and research on the new WHSM strategies.
The Project is implemented in LGUs in 2 phases:
Phase 1 (2006-2012): Sorsogon in the Bicol region and Surigao del Sur in the Caraga Region
Phase 2 (2009-2012): Albay, Catanduanes and Masbate

III. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As of December 2011, the project accomplishments via-a-vis its life of project work plan is 71%.
Among the operations issues that delays accomplishments of critical inputs relates to procurement
and other external factors such as LGU organizational structures.
The following summarizes the over-all accomplishment of the project.

Results Matrix:

2011
Baseline (2010) 2011
Outcome Indicators Target
Accomplishments Accomplishments
Values
80% Facility-based
67% 80% 77%
Births
80% of the Women who
gave birth have birth 99% 80% 100%
plans
75% of facility
deliveries are financed 17% 55% 27%
by PHIC
Increase CPR by 10 5% points 3% points increase
36%
percentage points increase 39%
100% of LGUs have
passed an ordinance on
47% 100% 70%
the Contraceptive Self
Reliance
100% of BEmONC have
45% 50% 52%
MCP accreditation
Universal Social Health
72% 75% 100%
Insurance Coverage

Relative to the physical targets, the Project has accomplished the following in the Project sites:
Year Project Milestones Status
Social Preparation of Batch 2 Sites
Organization of Service Delivery Done
2009 Teams Done
Regional Blood Centers equipment Done
upgrade
 73%
Ongoing:
Albay: 90%
2009- Facility upgrade: Infrastructure and
Masbate: 80%
2011 Equipment
Catanduanes: 60%
Surigao del Sur: 53%
Sorsogon: 84%
Currently undergoing
procurement
2009- Training Centers Insfrastructure
13 Training Centers already
2010 and equipment enhancement
provided with equipment and
other training logistics
Ensuring environmental Safeguards
 Organization of EMU in
2009- CEmONCs
Done
2010  Designation of Waste
Management Focal Persons
in BEmONCs
BEmONC Skills: 60%
Sorsogon: 73%
2008- Capability Enhancement: Women's Albay: 103%
2012 Health Teams Catanduanes: 55%
Masbate: 73%
Surigao del Sur: 63%
2008-
BEmONC Teams
2010
2008-
Midwives on BEmONC Skills Module currently being finalized
2010
2011- CEmONC Doctors (non-
Module currently being finalized
2012 specialists)
2010 Provincial Review Teams Done
Behavior Change Interventions
Performance-based Grants:
 Facility based Deliveries
2009-
 Universal Social Health
2013
Insurance Coverage
 Essential Drugs and
Contraceptive Security
Advocacy for Positive Behavior 4 Infomercials produced and aired
2010-
Change in 2011; another 4 being produced
2013
 TV Infomercials for airing in 2012.
52%
2009- BEmONC Facility MCP Albay: 31% (5/16)
2013 Accreditation Catanduanes: 17% (1/6)
Masbate: 62% (13.21)
 Sorsogon: 82% (14/17)
Surigao del Sur: 16% (3/19)
IV. PLANS FOR 2012
The Project intends to propose for an extension of another year to enable it to accomplish important
activities as provided for by the design and loan agreement with the World Bank. These are:
1. Pilot test of an Adolescent Health Program model for the Philippines. This requires 2
years.
2. Study on the Impact of the WHSMP2 Performance – Based Grant on Facility Based Deliveries
is a one-year study.
3. Assessment of BEmONC Functionality is nationwide in scope and requires 1 year.
If the extension is not granted, the Project implementation ends by December 2012. The activities
therefore will be focused on accomplishing the remaining tasks with no new activities, except the
conduct of the end of Project survey to determine its impact at the Project LGUs and its
contribution to the attainment of national goals. Writing of end of project reports will be done in
January to June of 2013.
The project also supported the BEmONC Skills Training Program of the National Safe
Motherhood Program and was instrumental in the –
1. Establishment of 30 Training Centers in the country for the BEmONC Skills Training Course.
Three of these training centers have efficiently partnered with academic institutions.
2. Development of training guidelines.
3. Passage of the Department Order allowing for the collection of training fees for the operation
of the Training Centers.
4. Engagement of Technical Assistance (UP-Manila College of Public Health) for the development
of the CEmONC Training Curriculum and Module.
5. Development of the Harmonized Module for BEmONC for Midwives in cooperation with
UNICEF and UNFPA.
6. Training of BEmONC Teams nationwide; the current accomplishment is 48%.
7. Development and maintenance of a database on BEmONC Training.

V. Other Significant Information Worth Mentioning

1. The Project provided assistance in the development of the Maternal Health Reporting and
Review Protocol in cooperation with the National Safe Motherhood Program and WHO.
2. Publication of the Project Experience (in Sorsogon) in the November 2011 issue of the WHO
Bulletin.

Program Manager:
Ms. Zenaida D. Recidoro
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Telephone Number: 651-7800 locals 1726-1730

(As stated in the Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project 2 Implementation Plan)

Women's Health Safe Motherhood Program 2

Safe Motherhood and Women's Health Project
WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION PROGRAM
I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
The Aquino Health Agenda (AHA): Achieving Universal Health Care for All Filipinos embodied
in Administrative Order No. 2010-0036, dated December 16, 2010 states that poor Filipino
families “have yet to experience equity and access to critical health services.” A.0. 2010-0036
further recognizes that the public hospitals and health facilities have suffered neglect due to the
inadequacy of health budgets in terms of support for upgrading to expand capacity and improve
quality of services.
AHA also states “the poorest of the population are the main users of government health facilities.
This means that the deterioration and poor quality of many government health facilities is
particularly disadvantageous to the poor who needs the services the most.”
In 1997, Administrative Order 1-B or the “Establishment of a Women and Children Protection
Unit in All Department of Health (DOH) Hospitals” was promulgated in response to the increasing
number of women and children who consult due to violence, rape, incest, and other related cases.
Since A.O. 1-B was issued, the partnership among the Department of Health (DOH),
University of the Philippines Manila, the Child Protection Network Foundation, several local
government units, development partners and other agencies resulted in the establishment of women
and child protection units (WCPUs) in DOH-retained and Local Government Unit (LGU) -
supported hospitals. As of 2011, there are 38 working WCPUs in 25 provinces of the country. For
the past years, there have been attempts to increase the number of WCPUs especially in DOH-
retained hospitals but they have been unsuccessful for many reasons.
The experience of these 38 women and children protection units reflect that:
1. Over the last 7 years from 2004 to 2010, all these WCPUs handled an average of 6,224
new cases with a mean increase of 156 percent. The 2010 statistics presented a record high
of 12,787 new cases and an average of 79.86 percent increase from 2009. More than 59
percent were cases of sexual abuse; more than 37 percent were physical abuse and the rest
on neglect, combined sexual and physical abuse and minor perpetrators. More than 50
percent of these new cases were obtained from WCPUs based in highly urbanized areas
across the country. Figures show there is a need to continue to raise awareness on domestic
violence to have more accurate recording and reporting;
2. The National Demographic and Health Survey of 2008 reveals that one in five women aged
15-49 are physically abused and one out of 10 of the same age group are sexually
abused. This figure runs into millions of abused women nationwide who do not seek any
help or assistance;
3. A consistent and adequate budget is necessary to sustain a women and children protection
unit once it is established;
4. The source of budget cited in A.O. 1-B is subjected to multiple interpretations and is
dependent on the priorities of the local chief executive and/or the healthcare facility
management;
5. There is no standard quality of service;
6. Doctors and social workers are reluctant to take on the task due to heavy workload of
women and child protection work, lack of training and feeling of inadequacy, and the
nature of work, which among others requires responding to subpoenas and appearing in
court;
7. All the WCPUs are being managed by part-time personnel who are given add-on
responsibilities and their appointments are not classified as regular plantilla positions;
 8. Women and child protection work is a new field and a pool of professionals must be
recruited and trained to sustain the work; and
9. Women and children protection work has gone beyond being a health advocacy to
becoming an essential health service addressing the needs of victims of violence against
women and children.
The strategies espoused by the AHA, specifically the service delivery network (SDN) and
public-private partnership (PPP), will be utilized in the institutionalization of the women and
children protection program nationwide. A health SDN is composed of a network of health service
providers at different levels of care from levels 1: health centers or women and children’s desks
offering primary services, 2: district health facilities offering secondary care and 3: regional and
national hospitals with tertiary care. An SDN can be as small as an Inter-Local Health Zone or as
large as a regional SDN with a regional hospital serving as the end-referral hospital. The most
efficient system for women and child protection facilities follows the SDN model where a
complete and integrated women and child protection unit is located in a strategic hospital.
The primary goal is to identify where the women and children protection units will be located
across the country and to ensure that there will be at least one in each province. Hospitals, whether
public or private, which do not have a women and child protection unit may be trained to refer the
victims to women and children protection coordinators (WCPCs) and WCPUs in other hospitals
where the staff is trained in recognizing, recording, reporting and referring abuse cases. This will
ensure that all women and children victims of violence who seek medical care have access to health
services provided by trained, competent, and caring health personnel.
II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
GOAL: To institutionalize and standardize the quality of service and training of all women and
children protection units.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Establish at least one women and children protection unit in every province;
2. Ensure that all health facilities have competent and trained gender-responsive professionals
who will coordinate the services needed by women and children victims of violence;
3. Standardize and maintain the quality of health care services rendered by all women and
children protection units;
4. Ensure the sustainability of women and children’s protection unit programs through
appropriate organizational and budgetary support;
5. Create and maintain a centralized and harmonized database for all reports submitted by the
different women and children protection units.
III. SCOPE AND COVERAGE
This issuance shall apply to the entire health sector, including the DOH hospitals, LGU-
supported health facilities, private hospitals, and other attached agencies involved in the
implementation of the AHA.
Health professionals from private hospitals seeing patients who they suspect are victims of
abuse are duty-bound to refer the said individuals to concerned government agencies for
appropriate response in accord with either Republic Act Nos. 7610 [1] or 9262[2].
IV. DECLARATION OF POLICY
This issuance supports the Government Health Reform Agenda, the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,
the Beijing Platform for Action, the Child Protection Law,[3] the Anti-Violence Against Women
and Their Children’s Act of 2004,[4] Anti-Rape Act of 1998,[5] the Rape Victim Assistance and
Protection Act of 1998[6], and the Magna Carta of Women (2009).[7]
The DOH shall thereby contribute to the realization of the country’s goal of eliminating all forms
of gender-based violence and promoting social justice.[8]
V. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
This issuance is governed by the following principles:
1. Rights-based approach. – Identification and treatment of violence against women and children
is anchored on respect for and recognition of the rights of women and children as mandated by the
Philippine Constitution, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Beijing Platform for Action.
2. Best interest of the child. – All actions concerning victims of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment
shall take full account of the children’s best interests. All decisions regarding children shall be
based upon the needs of individual children, taking into account their development and evolving
capacities so that their welfare is of paramount importance. This necessitates careful consideration
of the children’s physical, emotional/psychological, developmental and spiritual needs. Adequate
care shall be provided by multidisciplinary child protection teams when the parents and/or
guardians fail to do so. In cases whether there is doubt or conflict, the principle of the best interest
of the child shall prevail.
3. Holistic service delivery. – Care focused on the whole person addressing the bio-medical,
psycho-social, and legal concerns.
4. Respect for diversity and non-discrimination. – Holistic and appropriate health care delivered
shall be coupled with respect for cultural, religious, developmental (including special needs),
gender and sexual orientation, and socio-economic diversity. All women and children victims of
violence shall have a right to receive medical treatment, care, and psycho-social interventions.
5. Evidence-based interventions and approaches. – Policies and guidelines shall be developed in
accordance with recent data gathered through prevalence surveys, efficacy studies, and other
research done locally and internationally. Recommendations from international organizations may
also be utilized when appropriate.
6. Multidisciplinary approach. – Recognition, reporting, and care management of cases involving
violence against women and children are be best achieved through medical, psycho-social, and
legal teamwork including the mental health intervention and local government unit response and
cooperation, whenever necessary.

VI. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. Committee on Women and Children Protection Program. – The Committee on Women and
Children Protection Program, hereinafter referred to as the “Committee,” shall be primarily
responsible for policymaking, coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing the implementation of this
revised issuance.
2. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of the following:
a. Undersecretary of Health Service Delivery as ex officio Chairperson;
b. Undersecretary for the Local Affairs of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
or his/her authorized representative;
c. Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or his/her
authorized representative;
d. A regional director of the Department of Health;
e. A hospital director of a DOH-retained hospital;
f. Executive Director of the Philippine Commission for Women;
g. Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children;
h. Executive Director of the Child Protection Network Foundation;
i. One representative each from the Philippine Pediatrics Society, the Philippine Obstetrics and
Gynecological Society, Inc., the Philippine Psychiatric Association, the Philippine Psychological
Association, the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, the Philippine College of Surgeons,
and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Inc.
The Chairperson shall appoint a Vice-Chair from among the Committee members who shall
preside over the meeting in the former’s absence.
The Committee shall designate from among its members a program manager who will be
given appointment by the Undersecretary of Health through a Department Personnel Order.
The Committee may create a technical working group, as the need arises, to help it in the
performance of its functions.
3. Term. – The Committee shall hold office for three (3) years and may be reappointed or until
their successors shall have been appointed.
4. Functions. The Committee shall have the following functions:
1. Identify and recommend strategically-located DOH-retained and LGU-supported hospitals
for WCPU establishment using geographical and population ratio criteria;
2. Formulate standard protocols and procedures and the manual of operations for
multidisciplinary care for women and children victims of abuse and violence;
3. Set the policy for criteria and procedure for accreditation of women and children protection
units to be forwarded to the Bureau of Standards and Regulation for appropriate action by
the Department of Health (DOH);
4. Lay down the policy for minimum requirements for training programs that are gender
responsive, such as the Certificates for Women and Child Protection Specialty Program
and other relevant residency programs;
5. Monitor and evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness and sustainability of creation, operations,
and maintenance of WCPUs;
6. Recommend policy reforms and new guidelines anchored on evidence-based interventions
and approaches;
7. Harmonize existing databases and create a central databank for women and children
protection cases; and
8. Perform other functions as may be necessary for the implementation of the revised
issuance.
5. Reportorial Functions. – The Committee shall submit to the Office of the Secretary of Health
its annual report on policies, plans, programs and activities on or before the last working day of
February.
6. Meetings. – The Committee shall meet regularly at least once every quarter. The venue shall
be agreed upon by the members. Special meetings may be requested by the Chairperson or any
Committee member, as the need arises.
The Committee members and program manager shall be entitled to an honorarium for every
meeting.
VII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTNER AGENCIES
A. Department of Health at the National Level
1. The Committee shall be under the direct supervision of the Office of the Undersecretary
for Health Services Delivery.
 2. The specific office/s to be designated by the Undersecretary for Health Services Delivery
shall be primarily responsible for:
a. The overall execution of the revised policy and manual of operations on Women and Children
Protection Program;
b. Accreditation of WCPUs;
c. Generation mobilization of resources for the operations of WCPUs.
B. Philippine Health Insurance Office (PhilHealth)
The PhilHealth shall develop a service package for all WCPU patients that will facilitate the
provision of inpatient and outpatient services.
C. Centers for Health Development
1. Disseminate the policy for adoption and implementation by LGU health systems in the
different localities within their respective regions;
2. Provide technical assistance to LGUs in organizing WCPU activities and developing
relevant technical references and information, education and communication (IEC)
materials;
3. Generate resources to strengthen the implementation of the policy and manual of
operations for WCPUs;
4. Formulate and implement advocacy plans to generate stakeholders’ support, particularly
the local officials;
5. Monitor the implementation of the policy and guidelines in both public and private
hospitals, and in different localities in their respective regions;
6. Undertake regular review with LGUs on the progress of the WCPU policy and guidelines.
D. Local Government Units
1. Provincial / City Health Office
a. Train private and public health workers on the women and children protection program;
b. Advocate with municipalities/cities and other concerned agencies and stakeholders to adopt
and implement the revised policy on the women and children protection program;
c. Generate and allocate resources in support of WCPU provision (e.g., counterpart funds for
training, procurement of additional WCPUs, etc);
d. Require all hospitals to implement the revised policy and its manual of operation as an integral
part of their treatment and care protocols.
2. Regional and provincial hospitals
a. Require all hospitals to implement the revised policy and its manual of operation as an integral
part of their treatment and care protocols;
a. Allocate budget sufficient for the operations of WCPUs;
b. Conduct training and orientation on 4Rs;
c. Maintain an accurate and complete database on WCPU clients.
D. Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc.
1. Provide expertise and technical support for the establishment of WCPUs and the central
database on children’s cases;
2. Extend guidance to the trained physicians and social workers in WCPUs;
3. Coordinate with the Philippine Commission for Women, Council for the Welfare of
Children and non-government organizations (NGOs) regarding matters related to women’s
and children’s health and gender concerns;
4. Participate in the implementation of the WCPU policy including its manual of operations.
E. Philippine Commission on Women
 1. Provide expertise and technical assistance on gender-responsive delivery of services by the
WCPU service providers and the central database on women’s cases;
2. Assist the DOH in monitoring the implementation of the WCPU using the Performance
Standards and Assessment Tools for Services Addressing VAW in the Philippines;
3. Require all hospitals to allocate from their gender and development (GAD) budget the
funds required to create, operate, and maintain WCPUs and to report the use of their GAD
funds to PCW.
VIII. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
PROTECTION UNITS

The Committee shall ensure that all present and future WCPUs comply with the criteria
mandated in this revised policy and its Manual of Operations.
All WCPUS, depending on the number of their personnel, range of services rendered, and annual
budget shall be classified as Levels I, II and III facilities. Minimum criteria for each of these units
are enumerated in the Manual of Operations of this policy.
XI. MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
The Committee on Women and Children Protection Program shall regulate the establishment
and operations of all WCPUs in the Philippines.
I. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL HOSPITALS
A. Training. – The Committee shall require that all hospital personnel undergo training on the
recognition, reporting, recording and referral (4R’s) of cases of violence against women and
children.
B. Women and Children Protection Coordinator. – Hospitals without a women and children
protection unit shall have a women and children protection coordinator (WCPC) responsible for
coordinating the management and referral of all violence against women and children cases in the
hospital.
II. The minimum standard criteria shall be maintained by all WCPUs.
A. Organizational Structure - The WCPU shall:
1. Be an integral part of the hospital;
2. Be under the Office of the Chief of Clinics;
3. Be supervised by a WCPU head who shall have the following responsibilities:
a. Integrate and operationalize the multidisciplinary functions of the WCPU
b. Prepare the annual work and financial plan, including budget preparation,
4. Submit quarterly reports to the Office of the Undersecretary for Health Services Delivery.
5. Have the following minimum staff, preferably with regular plantilla positions, who shall
be primarily responsible to the WCPU:
a. a trained physician and
b. a trained social worker.
B. Facilities - The WCPU shall:
1. Be permanently situated in a designated area, preferably near the emergency room of the
hospital;
2. Be spacious enough to accommodate all the services provided by the facility, such as:
a. A separate room for interviews and crisis counselling
b. A separate room for medical examination;
c. A reception area to accommodate those waiting to be served, including their
companions. The reception area must have culture- and gender-sensitive information materials on
violence against women and children (VAWC)
d. Filing cabinets and other furniture/equipment that will ensure the security and
confidentiality of files and records;
3. Have its own toilet or comfort room;
4. Have the following fixtures:
a. Examination table
b. Desk and chairs
c. Washing facilities with clean running water
d. Light source, and
e. Telephone line
f. Computer and printer
g. Office supplies

5. Have readily available supplies and equipment for medical examination, including:
a. Digital camera
b. Rape kit
c. Speculum of different sizes
d. Blood tubes
e. Syringes, needles and sterile swabs
f. Examination gloves
g. Pregnancy testing kits
h. Microscope slides
i. Measuring devices like rulers and calipers
j. Urine specimen containers
k. Refrigerator for storage of specimens
l. Analgesics, medicines for STI prophylaxis, and emergency contraceptives
m. Labels
n. Medical forms including consent forms and anatomical diagrams
o. Colposcope (Optional)
p. Video camera for recording the forensic interview (optional)
q. Tape recorder (optional)
III. LEVELS OF CARE DELIVERED BY WCPUs
A. Level I WCPU
1. Personnel
 A trained physician, and
 A trained and registered social worker.
2. Services. – A level I WCPU provides
 Minimum medical services in the form of medico-legal examination, acute medical
treatment, minor surgical treatment, monitoring & follow-up
 In the preparation of the medico-legal certificate and report, the WCPU shall utilize the
terminology and the form attached as Annexes “A” and “B,” respectively, to this Manual
of Operations
 A full coverage, 24/7
 Minimum social work intervention such as safety (and risk) assessment, coordination with
other disciplines (i.e., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or the
local social welfare and development office (SWDO), police, legal, NGOs)
  Peer review of cases
 Proper documentation and record-keeping
 Expert testimony in court
 Networks with other disciplines and agencies
3. Training Capability
 Training on 4Rs
4. Research
 Proper documentation of experiences which will serve as inputs for policy research,
formulation and program improvement
B. Level II WCPU
1. Personnel
 A trained physician;
 A trained and registered social worker, also with full-time coverage of duties at the WCPU;
and
 A trained police officer or a trained mental health professional.
2. Services
 Medical services similar to a Level I WCPU including rape kits and surgical intervention.
 In the preparation of the medico-legal certificate and report, the WCPU shall utilize the
terminology and the form attached as Annexes “A” and “B,” respectively, to this Manual
of Operations
 Full coverage, 24/7
 Social work intervention similar to that of a Level I WCPU plus case management and case
conferences
 Additional services in the form of police investigation or mental health care
 Proper documentation and record-keeping using the Child Protection Management
Information System (CPMIS)
 Expert testimony in court
 Peer review of cases
 Availability of specialty consultations (ENT, ophthalmology, surgery, OB-Gyne,
pathology)
 Networks with other disciplines and agencies.
3. Training Capability
 Training on 4Rs
 Residency training
4. Research
 Proper documentation of experiences which will serve as inputs for policy research,
formulation and program improvement
C. Level III WCPU
1. Personnel
 At least two (2) trained physicians;
 At least two (2) trained and registered social workers;
 A registered nurse;
 A trained police officer; and
 A mental health professional
2. Services
 Medical services of a Level 2 WCPU
  In the preparation of the medico-legal certificate and report, the WCPU shall utilize the
terminology and the form attached as Annexes “A” and “B,” respectively, to this Manual
of Operations
 Full coverage, 24/7
 Social work intervention of a Level 2 WCPU capacity plus long-term case management
 Mental health care
 Police investigation
 Nursing services
 Peer review of cases
 Death review
 Proper documentation and record-keeping using the CPMIS
 Expert testimony in court
 Availability of specialty consultations (i.e., ENT, ophthalmology, surgery, OB-gyne,
pathology)
 Other support services (i.e., livelihood, educational)
 Networks with other discipline and agencies
 Availability of subspecialty consultations (e.g., child development, forensic psychiatry,
forensic pathology)
3. Training Capability
 Training on 4Rs
 Competence and facility to run residency training and specialty trainings
4. Research
 Proper documentation of experiences which will serve as inputs for policy research,
formulation and program improvement;
 Conduct of empirical investigations on women and children protection work;
 Publication of such research studies in reputable journals and/or presentation in scientific
conferences or meetings.

IV. TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION

A multi-disciplinary training program will address human resource needs of women and
child protection units and women’s and children’s desk as well as create and sustain a woman- and
child-sensitive hospital environment. The women and children protection program in the central
office will set directions and define a career path for medical and paramedical graduates who might
be interested in professionally pursuing this line of work. This will be made available not only to
hospital personnel but to community and interested organizations that would like to avail of the
training. Training areas may focus on the following:
1. For trainees to acquire/enhance attitudes necessary in the management of acute and
chronic causes of crisis such as sensitivity, compassion, confidentiality and empathy.
2. For the trainees to develop/strengthen their skills in early detection, screening,
interviewing, physical examination, use of appropriate diagnostic procedures,
management, counseling and referral.
3. For the trainees to have additional knowledge on understanding of conditions leading to
crisis, recognition of early sign of crisis identification, analysis of aggravating/contributory
factors including family factors/stresses, understanding of the impact of crisis on the
individual the family and the community management of patients and their families
networking, linkage development and referral.
V. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF A TRAINED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
PROTECTION SPECIALIST
1. Physician
 Six (6)-week Child Protection Specialist Training for Physicians of the Child Protection
Network Foundation or its equivalent
2. Social Worker
 Four (4) -week Child Protection Specialist Training for Social Workers of the Child
Protection Network Foundation or its equivalent
3. Police Officer
 Four (4)-week Child Protection Specialist Training for Police Officers of the Child
Protection Network Foundation or its equivalent

[1] Republic Act 7610: Anti-Child Abuse Law

[2] Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act
[3] Republic Act No. 7610
[4] Republic Act No. 9262
[5] Republic Act No. 8353
[6] Republic Act No. 8505
[7] Republic Act 9710
[8] DOH Performance Standards and Assessment Tools for Services Addressing Violence against
Women in the Philippines, 2008 (ed), at p.9.
Program Manager:
Ms. Norma Escobido
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Phone: 651-7800 locals 1726-1730
Email: norway_es_santos@yahoo.com