“Leaders” in the Health Sector Member Agencies Answer Call for Unity In Responding to Emergencies and Disaster.

Representatives of the 14 Signatory Agencies and Organizations
together with the Department of Health Officials

A multi-sectoral Memorandum of Agreement signing was held at the Heritage Hotel at noontime of July 20, 2011 where each signatory pledged their respective support and cooperation in responding in unity to  emergencies and disasters. They affirmed that their commitment to coordinate will not be driven by necessity but more of an obligation to society. It was well attended by about 300 representatives of various agencies and sub-agencies under them.

Signatories to the MOA were heads of the different agencies and organizations:  the DOH, Phil. Hosp Assn,  DILG, DND, DSWD, DOJ, DOTC, DepED, UP Manila, PRC, Phil Medical Assn, PNA, PLGPMI and PSSEI.

USEC Teodoro Herbosa of the DOH congratulated everyone on their efforts and resolve to be solid in their support for this initiative in disaster containment in order to save lives.  He also said that this is very timely especially that the month of July is declared DISASTER CONCIOUSNESS MONTH by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council with its theme of “MAKIALAM, MAKIISA SA PAGSUGPO NG PANGANIB MAY MAITUTULONG KA”.

The intentions and objectives of this initiative are good but only if proper mechanisms are put into place and followed through. On the part of the Philippine Hospital Association,  President Ruben C. Flores said that it shall coordinate closely with the Department of Health and set forth on a campaign of information dissemination with its over 1,800 hospital members to lay down the expectations from all of them in the events of emergencies and disasters.  The PHA will utilize its networking capabilities and membership with the International Hospital Federation and the Asian Hospital Federation in gaining additional valuable knowledge on their own effective practices in preparing and responding to emergencies and disasters.  It is expected that IHF and AHF members with first hand experiences in major disasters in their respective countries will be able to give valuable contributions in this regard.



The Two Presidents:
Left:  Dr. Ruben Flores-Philippine Hospital Association
Dr. Oscar Tinio-Philippine Medical Association