Official Publication of PHAPCares Foundation, Affiliate of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines Vol I No 3 January-December 2013
Reaching Out, Giving Hope, Touching Lives
Members donate record P110 M worth of medicines, vaccines for Yolanda
A time to rise, recover and hope
M
illions of people who lived on the destructive path of
super typhoon “Yolanda” are struggling to rebuild
their lives in the aftermath of the world’s fiercest tropical cyclone at landfall. Close to 6,000 people died while about 1,800
others are still reported missing when the powerful typhoon
made six vicious landfalls starting with Guian, Eastern Samar
in the morning of November 7. Packed with maximum sustained winds of 195mph equivalent to a category 5 hurricane,
the typhoon wreaked havoc in 44 provinces and 57 cities when
storm surge reached five to six meters high in many coastal
communities.
Through Presidential Proclamation 682, eight provinces were
placed under state of calamity while Tacloban City was declared under state of emergency, prompting curfews and price freeze on basic
commodities. Several days after Yolanda swept through the country,
countless survivors are yet to recover from the trauma of having to
lose loved ones, their homes and livelihood.
Each day, survivors are forced to confront loneliness, hunger,
homelessness and health risks to continue living amidst the destructions. Being true to its mission of “reaching out, giving hope and
touching lives,” the PHAPCares Foundation launched a campaign
focusing on the health of typhoon victims. The PHAPCares Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), received
P110 million worth of medicines and vaccines donations from members for use of the typhoon victims.
A bulk of the medicines and vaccines were turned over to the
Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Center
for Health Development of the Department of Health both in
Central and Eastern Visayas. PHAP members have also launched
their individual campaigns to help Yolanda survivors. In a survey
by PHAP, member companies donated a separate PhP100 million
worth of medicines, vaccines, cash and relief items to government
partners as well as international and national humanitarian organizations.
Along with international humanitarian missions, the PHAPCares Foundation flew to the Mactan Airbase in Cebu City to oversee the medicine and vaccine donations from its member companies.
The Mactan Airbase served as the staging ground for massive humanitarian and relief operations in Leyte and Samar as airports in
Eastern Visayas provinces were severely damaged by the typhoon.
Led by its managing director, Dr. Edgar L. Posadas, PHAPCares airlifted about 2.4 tons of medicines to Tacloban City via the Republic
of Korea Air Force C-130 Hercules. Due to the bulk of relief items
being processed at the Mactan Airbase, PHAPCares relied on its
partners to help them immediately transport needed medicines and
supplies to the city leveled off by the typhoon. From Tacloban City,
the PHAPCares contingent headed south to Palo in Leyte, a thirdclass municipality that reported at least 130 deaths due to “Yolanda”. Also as devastated were Tolosa, a fifth class municipality, and
Tanauan, which is a coastal municipality, leveled to the ground by
the typhoon.
As the number of tetanus cases continues to rise, thousands
of anti-tetanus vaccines were also transported to the disaster areas.
Through the PHAPCares Foundation, thousands of needed anti-tetanus vaccines were donated to disaster areas. The Foundation’s role
was crucial in the proper handling of vaccines from Manila to areas
that were left without electricity. The donated vaccines required cold
chain management to protect vaccine integrity. The tetanus vaccines
were handed over to the Eastern Visayas Region Medical Center and
the Dona Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation.
Continued on page 3
2
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
The Typhoon Yolanda Aftermath and Our Humanitarian Missions
NORTHERN ILOILO
PHAPCares during our call on Mayor Rene Cordero at
the heavily damaged municipal building in the town of
Estancia in Northern Iloilo with Dir. Rose Cabrera, RD,
OCD-RDRRMC6 and Dr. Maricor Quinon, representative
of Ilolilo, Provincial Health Office.
Camp watering hole made by the Canadian
Armed Forces so that the victims and their
families could have clean potable water in
their temporary shelters.
PHAPCares at the “No Mask, No Entry” area as
strictly implemented by the PNP in what used
to be a habitated community before the oil spill.
The Municipality of Estancia is one of the hardest
hit communities by the “double” disaster caused
by Yolanda when it made landfall in the nearby
Municipality of Concepcion.
PHAPCares and partners visit the Tent City in the Municipality of Estancia established as relocation site for the
victims of an oil spill from a power barge as a consequence of Yolanda.
WESTERN VISAYAS
Turn over of medicines with Governor Joven Miraflores
with the municipal mayors of areas hardest hit by
Yolanda in the province of Aklan.
PHAPCares Foundation donated P4.9 million worth of
medicines for the typhoon Yolanda victims in Northern
Iloilo towns. The group also turned over 210 packs of
relief goods.
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
Extending Humanitarian Aid to Quake-Ravaged Bohol, Cebu
T
he Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), through the
PHAPCares Foundation, initiated a three-day humanitarian mission in the province of Bohol following a
powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Central Visayas.
During the mission in October, about P4 million
worth of relief items and quality essential medicines
were provided to the victims of the destructive earthquake. Another batch of medicines was turned over
to the Province of Bohol and the Office of Civil Defense-Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Cebu City.
The said humanitarian mission was conducted in
coordination and partnership with the OCD-RDRRMC
7 in Central Visayas headed by Director Minda Morante, the Department of Health- Health Emergency
Management Staff (DOH-HEMS) 7, the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7, the
Bohol Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Provincial
Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Turn over
The PHAPCares Team personally turned over the donation of medicines
appropriate for the initial phases of post-disaster response at the Operations
Center of OCD-NDRRMC7 located at the Governor’s Mansion in Bohol.
The donation was documented by the PSWDO under PSWD Officer Carmen
Tecson situated at the Tagbilaran City Sports Complex. Meanwhile, donations
for Cebu were also coursed through OCD-RDRRMC7 in Central Visayas.
At the PHO Earthquake Operations Center, Dr. Greg Sudusta of the
Bohol PHO HEMS, welcomed the team and gave a comprehensive briefing
on the current health status and needs of the victims of the earthquake. The
concerns of the PHO included water, sanitation, hygiene, medicines, portable
toilets and post-disaster stress debriefing for the victims, among others.
The PHAPCares Team also visited nearby but equally affected areas such
as Baclayon, Dauis, Loboc and Maribojoc.
Aftermath
On October 15, 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Central Visayas,
particularly Bohol and Cebu, and claimed the lives of at least 190 people and
injured more than 600 others.
The earthquake affected more than 500,000 families in Central Visayas,
more than 73,000 of which were displaced. Structural damages in Bohol and
Cebu amounted to close to P900 million.
The worst hit municipalities were the ones located at the northwestern
side of the province facing Cebu, with the Municipality of Loon being among
the worst hit.
The epicenter of the quake was at Barangay Anonang in the Municipality
of Inabanga where locals and experts discovered a wall-like structure more
than three meters high and about a kilometer in length. The earthquake was
also believed to have sunk three small islands in the northwestern side of the
province.
The PHAPCares Team in Bohol and Cebu experienced strong aftershocks during the mission. As of October 22, 2013, PHIVOLCS has recorded
2,384 aftershocks, 57 of which were felt.
from page 1
Thousands of anti-tetanus vaccines as well as anti-flu
medications have been donated by members and dispatched to priority disaster areas. Beyond medicines and
vaccines, the Foundation also brought with them relief
items from members and the PHAP/ PHAPCares Secretariat. The PHAP/ PHAPCares Secretariat canceled their
yearned gathering for their own relief efforts. Member
companies have also launched internal fund-raising campaigns. Some members raised funds by salary deduction or
colleague matching fund.
After Leyte, the Foundation prepared to travel to
Coron, Palawan to turnover needed medicines to the island province that was also pummeled by Yolanda before
heading Vietnam. Beyond Eastern Visayas, the Foundation also visited Western Visayas provinces that were also
affected by the typhoon. PHAPCares traveled to Iloilo,
Aklan, Capiz and Antique together with the Regional Risk
Reduction and Management Council 8. PHAPCares and
the RDRRMC 8 are partners in a disaster preparedness
campaign dubbed as Pakikibuylog sa Pagpangaman that
seeks to make Western Visayas a more disaster resilient
region.
In the weeks to come, it is also expected to head to
Central Visayas that experienced the wrath of “Yolanda”
when it made two landfalls in the region. International humanitarian teams are expected to leave the disaster areas
in the coming days. Survivors are anxious about the huge
vacuum that will be created the pullout of the international community. With the continued commitment and support of PHAP and its members, Yolanda survivors would
have more reason to rise, recover and hope.
3
4
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
Mu Relief: Bohol Quake and Typhoon Yolanda by Aldric Cristobal Reyes
I
n response to the recent calamities brought about by the
7.2-magnitude Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda, the
service arm of the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity - Mu Relief - was again
mobilized to attend to the needs of our affected countrymen. Following the usual practice of Mu Relief, donations including food,
water, clothing and other basic necessities were rapidly distributed
to the affected areas. Aside from these, the Fraternity was also able
to provide drugs, in partnership with Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
Association of the Philippines, and vaccines, particularly tetanus toxoid vaccines, to the different communities in Visayas.
Project H2O
However, the devastation caused by these recent occurrences
were so severe that even the facilities that usually provide immediate but temporary help were destroyed. Included in these are the
infrastructures responsible for providing sanitary drinking water. To
address this lack of water supply, another innovative project was
started by the Fraternity, under the guidance of Brod Pipo Bundoc
‘86, entitled Project H2O: Help to Others.
Under this program, the Fraternity, in partnership with Sawyer
Products Inc. and Manly Plastics, was able to provide water filtration
units to the severely affected areas. Through the help and donations
from generous people, a great number of filtration units were assembled and delivered through the Mu Sigma Phi brothers and sisters
near the affected areas. Other organizations such as UP Pahinungod,
Rotary Club of Makati - Business District, and Nickel Asia also extended their assistance in shipping and distributing the said filtration
units.
Instead of relying on such limited supply of bottled water, people gained access to a sustainable source of clean, potable water.
With proper distribution and implementation, these units offered a
direly needed solution to the growing incidence of water-borne diseases in devastated communities like Tacloban City, Leyte.
Since the advent of this project, the Fraternity has already been
able to assemble and distribute over 350 units of H2O filtration system to the different parts of the Visayas region. With the help of
various donors, organizations and even media personality, the reach
of this project has exceeded expectations. Currently, 600 units of
Sawyer Filtration System are still in the possession of the Fraternity
and are waiting to be distributed to the other affected regions of the
country.
Medical Mission
In response to the rapidly deteriorating health status in the affected communities, various medical and surgical missions were organized within days from the tragedy. Putting their own safety aside,
the brothers of the Mu Sigma Phi braved the chaos to be able to deliver much needed medical assistance. In coordination with various
government and non-government institutions, they created teams of
medical doctors and health professionals which were sent to different sites in order to accurately assess and manage the health situation
in provinces such as Tacloban, Samar and Capiz.
Gawad-Kalinga
As most of the infrastructures in the affected provinces, particularly in Leyte, were destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda, the Gawad-Kalinga Foundation has proposed a plan to rehabilitate the
communities by building up to 20,000 houses for the affected families. The Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity, being long time partners with
Gawad-Kalinga, has volunteered to actively participate in the health
rehabilitation part the GK program.
Continuing Efforts
Arguably the most severe devastation the country has experienced in the past few decades, the result of these two calamities
has pushed the Service arm of the Fraternity to another level. Despite the overwhelming efforts of different local and international organizations, the rehabilitation and rebuilding of communities
like Tacloban is still far from over. As such, the Mu Relief is on a
continuous effort, day in and day out, to extend help, in whatever
form possible. With this in mind, the Fraternity is also on a constant
ordeal, exhausting whatever resource available, in order to ease the
suffering of our fellow Filipinos.
All for the Glory!
OCD-RDRRMC and PHAPCares Foundation step up disaster
risk reduction drive in Western Visayas
I
loilo City, 25 July - More communities in isolated and disaster
prone provinces in Western Visayas will soon benefit from an
expanded public-private partnership that aims to better prepare the
people in the region in times of calamities.
The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), through its corporate social responsibility arm, the
PHAPCares Foundation, is once again partnering with the Office of
Civil Defense-Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council in
Western Visayas for the Phase II of “Pagpakigbuylog sa Pagpangaman” Project that focuses on preparing people’s health in the event
of disasters.
PHAPCares and OCD-RDRRMC VI earlier launched phase
one of its partnership called “Pagpakigbuylog sa Pagpangaman” to develop the capacities of the local government, specifically the
local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) on
participatory risk assessment, contingency planning on disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation.
“Natural disasters impact human development. Apart from
losses in lives, properties and important infrastructure, calamities
also take a toll on people’s health,” said PHAPCares Foundation
CEO Teodoro B. Padilla.
Continued on page 19
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
A helping hand to the sieged city of Zamboanga
T
he armed conflict between government troops and Moro
National Liberation Front made Zamboanga City inaccessible to the outside world but the PHAP, through the PHAPCares
Foundation, found a way to extend their help during a three-day humanitarian mission on September 18 to 20.
The risky mission was made possible through close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (OCD-NDRRMC) as well as the regional and provincial disaster risk reduction and management offices
in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Del Norte.
With their help, the PHAPCares Foundation found its way to
the war-torn city using the Dipolog City route.
The Zamboanga City International Airport was closed for commercial flights to help ensure the safety of the public. Entering the
city via the Port of Zamboanga was also restricted due to the tight
military cordon to prevent any possible spillover of violence to nearby provinces.
Government partners at the OCD-RDRRMC IX and the
PDRRMO of Zamboanga del Norte facilitated a safe but long land
travel to the beleaguered southern city at the height of the security crisis.During the nine-hour travel to Zamboanga City, the Foundation passed through several military and police checkpoints in
Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. Prior to the team’s
arrival in Zamboanga City at midnight, PHAP member-partner Zuellig Pharma Corporation paved the way for the initial donation of
medicines via Dipolog City.
Challenges
Not only was the path to the Zamboanga City challenging, even
finding a safe place to stay proved to be a difficult task. The OCDRDRRMC IX and the Task Force Zamboanga assisted the PHAPCares Team in finding a secured area for the team during the mission.
The first day of the humanitarian mission began at the Zamboanga
City Health Department Office where the City Health Officer, Dr.
Rodel Agbulos, provided a health assessment of the thousands of
people in evacuation centers. Forced evacuations were enforced in
Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio-Hondo, Mampang, Talon Talon and
Mariki. There were 32 evacuation with more than 100,000 evacuees
in the siege that left more than 200 people dead 250 others wounded. No less than President Aquino and his national security Cabinet
cluster managed the crisis situation from Zamboanga City.
Through generous donations, PHAP members have responded
to the medicine requirements of the evacuees. However, more work
is to be done as there are still other pressing health, sanitation and
hygiene issues that need to be addressed.
While in Zamboanga City, the Foundation visited the biggest
evacuation center in the city, the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports
Complex. The 57,500 square meters sports complex which was used
in the 1992 Palarong Pambansa (National Games) became the temporary homes of thousands of internally displaced persons.
During the mission, the coastal barangays nearby were still experiencing intermittent gunfires and ongoing fires. Since the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) was located right in the middle
of the fight, the hospital’s patients were moved to Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Gym and the Central Mindanao
Sanitarium.
Together with the OCD9 team, PHAPCares team checked on
the patients at the WMSU Gym.
The ZCMC’s Chief, Dr. Romeo Ong, and DOH-HEMS Hospital Coordinator, Dr. Puch Gimena, extended their heartfelt gratitude
for the much-needed and valued medicine donations from PHAP
members. Moreover, the existing cooperation, though not yet official, between PHAPCares and ZCMC enabled the patients in the
UHC communities in the region and in nearby island provinces to
receive assistance and medical treatment from the hospital.
Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar expressed her gratitude for the valuable donations and medicines from
PHAPCares Foundation members, which were handed over to Dr.
Agbulos.
Donations of relief items from the members along with a batch
of specialized medicines are on standby for the people of Zamboanga, however, PHAPCares is still accepting any kind of donation, in
cash or in kind. More challenges such as food and nutrition, the presence of children in the evacuation centers, prevention of the spread
of infections, have turned this humanitarian mission into one of the
most difficult and overwhelming challenges ever. 5
6
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
Boosting the capacity of MMDA to care for Metro Manila
A
s the PHAPCares Foundation reaches out to far-flung and
remote communities around the country, a partnership
was forged to help boost disaster resilience of Metro Manila.
Home to PHAP and majority of its member companies, Metro
Manila is also the center of governance, commerce, communication
and transportation.
In a study by reinsurer Swiss Re released in September this year,
it named Tokyo-Yokohama region as the riskiest area among the 600
cities around the world. Manila and the Pearl River Delta in China
came in second and third among nations that are most vulnerable to
earthquake, storm, storm surge, tsunami and river flooding.
In response to the need to better prepare the region with 17 cities, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and
the PHAPCares Foundation sealed a Memorandum of Agreement
that will augment the agency’s campaign to prioritize the health of
Metro Manila residents in times of disasters and emergencies.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and PHAPCares Foundation President Thomas Weigold signed an agreement that will pave
the way for a public-private partnership in health through the donation of P3 million worth of life-saving medicines for use of victims
and responders during calamities.
The medicine donations will also help agency front liners as
they go about their rescue missions in other parts of the country in
times of emergency.
For instance, the MMDA has responded to the call for rescue
missions in flood-hit Zambales particularly in barangay Wawandue in
Subic. At least 30 people were reported killed in separate landslides
in Zambales due to heavy monsoon rains in September. In October,
MMDA teams were also dispatched to help in the rescue and relief
operations in Jaen, Nueva Ecija following typhoon “Santi”.
Meanwhile, a 42-man contingent was deployed to help in the
search and rescue of people who may have been trapped under collapsed structures in Bohol which was struck by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake also in October.
Rapid deployment search teams were also sent by the agency
to Tacloban City, Ormoc City and Borongan in Eastern Samar after
super typhoon Yolanda made several landfalls and killed more than
5,000 people.
In all these, the health of emergency responders must be
strengthened to help them go about their difficult task of helping
others in times of calamities.
The PHAPCares-MMDA Agreement
The three-year medicine donation program seeks to augment
government resources as well as support the MMDA in its task of
implementing policies and programs that would help ensure the resiliency of Metro Manila residents from natural disasters and other
emergencies.
The agreement is envisioned to assist the MMDA to immediately and aptly respond to the medical needs of disaster victims as well
as agency front liners, service providers and responders.
The MMDA-PHAPCares Foundation partnership recognizes
that disasters pose an enormous threat to the lives and health of the
12 million people living in Metro Manila and other densely populated
cities.
“This public-private partnership is part of our disaster risk
reduction efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on the
health of the people. We at PHAPCares, also join the MMDA in caring for the agency’s responders who often risk their lives for others,”
Mr. Weigold said.
OCD-DRRMC Partnerships
Serving the Victims of Pablo with a Human Touch
W
ith the widespread devastation caused by typhoon
“Pablo” in many parts of Mindanao and the Visayas
on December 4, 2012, PHAPCares carried out its humanitarian
mission to the victims well into January 2013. The Foundation was
one of the first organizations to assist the OCD-NDRRMC and its
agency partners in disaster response. An initial donation amounting
to Php4.7 was immediately flown to the disaster-stricken areas of
Davao provinces and Surigao del Sur. In total, the Foundation
donated 20M worth of medicines and other items to Pablo victims.
On its first visit, Foundation representatives led by Managing
Director Dr. Edgar Posadas traveled with representatives of
partner agencies to Davao City and Laak, Compostela Valley to
view firsthand the extent of the damage and see what else could
be done for the displaced families. The Office of Civil DefenseRDRRMC11, DOHCHD11, operating units of the AFP Eastern
Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) and AFPRESCOM
provided the needed security escort to PHAPCares and staff of
radio station DWDD’s social action program, “Serbisyong Bayani”.
Regional Director Liza Mazo and Department of Health authorities
were on hand at the staging area to receive the donations.
Laak in Compostela Valley bore the brunt of the storm when
“Pablo” lingered for three straight hours over the municipality, nearly
wiping out all structures in three isolated barangays, killing 11 residents, and injuring many others. It also destroyed the central school
covered court. Rough access roads leading to the municipality were
further damaged, while security issues arose to hamper the conduct
of relief and humanitarian activities.
On its second return visit to Mindanao, the Foundation staff,
accompanied by member company AztraZeneca Pharma and its regional representatives visited the municipalities of Monkayo, Compostela Valley and Cateel, Davao Oriental from February 4 to 7, 2013
to extend critically-needed humanitarian assistance to the affected
communities. The PHAPCares-AZ mission joined members of a
post disaster needs assessment team composed of national and regional members of the DRRMCs. They were received by Officer in
Charge-OCD11 Susan Madrid and her technical staff at the regional office where the Foundation turned over its donation of quality medicines and boxes of relief items from employees and staff
of PHAPCares members. The team was shown the extent of the
damage, the public-private partnerships that were formed, and the
progress of rebuilding and recovery efforts with the view of finding
other areas of assistance.
The first stop was the Incident Command Post of Monkayo
where the mission was briefed on the post-disaster health profile
of the people and informed about the need for Anti-Tetanus Ig
vaccine for wounded victims. Monkayo Mayor Manuel Brillantes,
Jr. showed how the response and rebuilding mechanisms were installed to normalize the delivery of basic services, notably health and
shelter. Monkayo was battered by “Pablo” for two hours during its
passage, destroying 85% of the homes and properties of its 96,000
population.
The next stop was Cateel, Davao Oriental, a third-class municipality directly facing the Pacific Ocean that renders 16 barangays
open to landfalls. The coconut plantations on which around 85%
of the people traditionally thrive were almost completely destroyed.
The mission turned over its donations to Cateel Mayor Camilo Nunez at the roofless RHU. Although initial rebuilding was started by
agencies such as the United Nations, work was impeded by scant
resources and the untenable peace and order situation.
The PHAPCares-AZ tandem returned to Monkayo and Cateel
on a third sortie to deliver Php1.1M worth of GI sheets needed
by the people, as borne out by the post assessment of the OCDNDRRMC. Th is time around the Foundation moved out of the
box to address a need beyond health services. This is the outcome
of its desire to adapt to the changing needs of the communities that
renders its presence and assistance more relevant and meaningful.
On this third visit, the team visited Barangay Poblacion in
Monkayo where damages to bridges and homes long after “Pablo”
struck in December 2012 were further aggravated by rising creek
levels. Also visited was the site of the permanent relocation site for
families from low lying barangays. The team proceeded to Cateel and
the EASTMINCOM Hospital where an additional batch of medicines.
In total, the Foundation donated to Php20M worth of medicines and other valuable relief items to the victims of the storm
tragedy in Mindanao. To the members of the Foundation, personal
visits were unique ways of serving with its own human touch.
7
8
CSR Initiatives
4Membership
Membership
CSR Initiatives
Astellas Pharma Philippines’ Yearly CSR Program:
Changing Tomorrows
A staff shares light moments with an EGV elderly.
Free haircuts from APH and Ricky Reyes Foundation. A youngster joyfully hugs the Jollibee mascot.
E
very year, Astellas Pharma Philippines Inc. holds a Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) activity with various NGOs in the
country. This CSR undertaking is called Changing Tomorrow (CT)
– a global volunteer initiative that encourages and motivates Astellas
employees to reach out to their local communities. Astellas affiliates
around the world participate in social action programs related to
health or the environment within the affiliate’s home country.
During its first launch in the Philippines, APH held its first
CT Day activity in October 2010 at the Eco-Park, La Mesa Dam,
Marikina City. This was in line with the global CT day theme to
contribute changes to the environment.
APH management and employees joined hands in a tree
planting activity in an effort to “green” the city environment
and help to reforest the watershed that will help in preventing
the incidence of flooding in the city. Additionally, the APH
management donated cash to boost other reforestation programs
of the La Mesa Eco-Park.
In October 2011, APH marked CT Day at the Elsie
Gatches Village (EGV) in Muntinlupa City. The EGV is the
only government center that provides care and rehabilitation to
abandoned and neglected children with special needs such as
those who suffer from mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy,
epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, and other related illnesses.
Management and staff spent a half-day of fun-filled activity with
the special children.
A post-activity survey revealed that many employees expressed
their appreciation for the CT Day as it brought them closely in
touch with the children who needed attention, understanding
and care. The activity was an eye-opener for many employees who
seemed to have forgetten how blessed they were for having a career,
a family, or for just being able to do things by themselves.
In 2012, the APH CSR theme was The Elderly Citizens in
Aging Society. Thus, APH held its CSR activity at the Hospicio de
San Jose, off Ayala Bridge in Manila. The Hospicio is a charitable
institution that accepts the poorest of the poor and families in
crisis, counting infants, children, adults, and the elderly. The
Hospicio provides them with shelter, food, clothes, education and
health care. The institution also restores them to their own families
whenever possible, and when not possible, harbors them for life
and even buries them upon demise.
Although APH’s involvement was only a half day, employees
made the most of their time by listening to stories of the elderly,
and by dancing, singing, and lunching with them. APH also
provided free haircut services for some of the elderly with the help
of students from the Ricky Reyes School Foundation.
As simple as it was, everyone felt the happiness that shone in
the eyes of those they had touched. If for only a fleeting moment,
the residents of the Hospicio had once more felt the warmth of a
family. 
Special kids enjoy their treats from Astellas Pharma employees.
Tree planting activities at the La Mesa Eco-Park
Membership
CSR Initiatives5
Membership
CSR Initiatives
MSD for Mothers: A Commitment to
a World Where No Mother Should Die
Giving Life
Mothers join HL4M’s Sayuntis - a belly-dancing activity for pregnant women
E
very mother’s death is a human tragedy – and the ripple
effects on her family are enormous: her baby is more likely
to die before the age of two and her other children are 10 times
more likely to leave school, suffer from poor health, and die
prematurely.
True to its mission of saving and improving lives, global
pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD )
has heeded the call to address the increasing rate of maternal
mortality globally through the MSD for Mothers Global Giving
Program.
Launched in September 2011 at the United Nations in
New York, the aim of this very significant initiative is to help
create a world where no woman has to die from pregnancy and
childbirth, and to help reduce the burden of maternal mortality
globally. It is a long-term commitment in which MSD will
apply its scientific and business expertise, human, and financial
resources in delivering life-saving solutions to women.
Commitment to Maternal Healthcare for Filipino Women
“MSD in the Philippines is committed to helping address
maternal mortality” according to Dr. Beaver Tamesis, MSD
President and Managing Director. “Through MSD for Mothers
and Health Leaders for Mothers, MSD reinforces its pledge
to help the world be well by helping the Philippines meet its
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in maternal and child
health.”
BHWs assisting mothers at the Buntis Tipanan
MSD for Mothers in Samar
In the Philippines, 11 mothers die of pregnancy and
pregnancy-related causes daily. As a response to this alarming
statistic, MSD has joined hands with the Zuellig Family
Foundation to reduce maternal deaths in the country through
the MSD for Mothers and ZFF Community Health Partnership:
The Joint Development Initiative.
The initiative will implement the Health Change Model, a
systematic and systemic approach to enhance health leadership
and governance, in 21 geographically isolated and disadvantaged
areas (GIDAs) or municipalities in Samar.
Being the first initiative in Asia of the MSD for Mothers
Global Giving Program, MSD and ZFF entered into a threeyear joint development initiative to help Samar.
“The Health Change Model begins with training the local
government executives and health officers, empowering them
to reform and strengthen local health systems and to build the
capacity of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and midwives to
ensure the quality and delivery of antenatal and obstetric care
services. The empowerment of the LGU and its people is a key
to the sustainability of the program even after the three years we
are there,” explained Prof. Ernie Garilao, President of ZFF. 
9
10 6Membership
CSR Initiatives
Membership
CSR Initiatives
SANOFI Espoir and PCMC
Fight Childhood Cancer in the Philippines
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Cancer survivors from the Philippine Children’s Medical Center toured the Avilon Zoo together with Blue Hands
employee volunteers from SANOFI. The cancer survivors were beneficiaries of the My Child Matters, an initiative
to improve childhood cancer control and management.
The Philippine version of My Child Matters: The Global
Improvement of Childhood Cancer Care aims to galvanize the
support of the public for a national comprehensive childhood
cancer control and management plan. It will help build the
capacity of collaborating hospitals to treat pediatric cancer
patients and organize multidisciplinary treatment teams.
Moreover, it will develop standards for pediatric cancer treatment
facilities and management protocols.
Although there is an improvement in the management of
pediatric cancer in the country, Dr. Lecciones said there is still
much to be done. “What we have achieved this far is reducing
late diagnosis of cancer in children. Our gains in reducing
abandonment of treatment and increasing survival rates are still
fragile and will be lost if we do not involve all sectors of society
to put childhood cancer at the forefront of the national health
agenda”, said Dr. Lecciones.
Improving pediatric cancer management
Moving Forward
Initially implemented in 2006, MCM has provided an
extremely important framework for raising awareness of the
curability of childhood cancer and for building the capacity of
low income households for early diagnosis, treatment and care.
Since then, MCM has improved the management of
childhood cancer in the country. Late diagnosis of cancer was
reduced from 70 percent to 30 percent, treatment abandonment
is now at 10 percent from 80 percent, and survival rates have
increased from 16 percent to 68 percent.
To celebrate these achievements, cancer survivors who
benefited from the MCM program, along with other patients
from the PCMC cancer survivor group, were treated to a tour
of the Avilon Zoo. The children, together with some employee
volunteers from the SANOFI Blue Hands Volunteer Group, were
able to see more than 3,000 species of animals housed at Avilon,
currently the largest zoological institution in the Philippines.
“Through this simple activity, we want to celebrate the
triumph of pediatric cancer patients over their disease,” said Atty.
Darwin Mariano, Director of Public Affairs and Communications
of SANOFI. “We salute their courage and at the same time, we
want to send the message to other cancer patients that there is
hope. That they, too, can be well and live a normal life.”
“We can do so only if we successfully engage the government
as an active partner. Today, we are in that direction already.
The DOH National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and
Management (NCPAM), through its ALL Medicines Access
Program (ALLMAP), has been providing free chemotherapy
drugs to poor patients in government hospitals since 2010. Last
year, the Philhealth Z-package for acute lymphocytic leukemia
expanded the benefit package of reimbursable expenses”.
The PCMC is the reference hospital for childhood cancer
for both the DOH NCPAM’s ALLMAP, and the Philhealth’s
Z-package. PCMC assists 24 collaborating government hospitals
in training and building their capacities for accurate diagnosis
and the effective treatment of the dreaded disease.
With greater access to medicines and pediatric cancer
specialists in many locations in the country, the geographic
and economic inequity experienced by poorer patients will be
eliminated in the shortest possible time. Early achievements in
improving access to care for patients will be leveraged to continue
changing the country’s health policies in support of further
investment in childhood cancer control and management. 
Membership
CSR Initiatives7 11
Membership
CSR Initiatives
Mercury Drug
Gives back through
Operation Bigay Lunas
M
ercury Drug reached out to thousands of Filipinos through Operation
Bigay Lunas (OBL) in not just one site, but in 60 cities and municipalities
nationwide, as it celebrated its 68th anniversary last March 1, 2013.
Running for 15 years, OBL is a lead outreach program of the company through
its corporate social responsibility arm, Mercury Drug Foundation, Inc. (MDFI).
OBL is a tradition of service that reaffirms Mercury Drug’s commitment to bring
health care closer and more accessible to the people.
Thousands of patients availed of free medical services and
medicines in MDFI’s Operation Bigay Lunas.
Thousands of volunteers teamed up with MDFI for this year’s OBL. More than
1,200 doctors from both local government units and the private sector provided free
medical services, with assistance from hundreds of nurse and midwife volunteers.
Nearly 1,000 pharmacy students from Centro Escolar University (Manila,
Makati and Malolos), University of Santo Tomas, Our Lady of Fatima University
(Valenzuela and Antipolo), University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta (Las Piñas
and Biñan), and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (Pangasinan) came to
help in the patient registration and documentation.
Mercury Drug employees and LGU officials worked together to ensure
the smooth flow of the medical mission. Mercury Drug’s business partners
(AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cathay Drug, GlaxoSmithKline, GX
International, InnoGen, Natrapharm, Nestle, Pfizer, Pharex, Sandoz and Unilab)
also provided full support with volunteers, medicines and health information
materials.
LGU volunteer checking vital signs of patient.
Free vitamins and medicines for common ailments were distributed to all
patients. Even patients with chronic diseases also got free medicines. Those who
were diagnosed with bacterial infections were given their full medicine regimen to
ensure complete treatment. Educational leaflets were also distributed and healthy
eating film clips from FNRI were shown in selected sites.
All the data gathered during the OBL were promptly analysed on-site and
actionable health cases were provided to the LGUs to support the government’s
healthcare program. Unused medicines were also turned over to the LGUs for their
health programs. With more than 138,000 beneficiaries in 60 sites, MDFI’s 15th
OBL was another success. As MDFI’s President Vivian Que-Azcona expressed, “It
was a happy day to celebrate our anniversary and share the gift of health.” 
Doctor volunteers providing free medical consultations.
Doctor volunteers providing free medical
consultations
Student and Mercury Drug volunteers attending to the patients’
needs.
Children learning healthy eating tips from FNRI Patients receiving free medicines.
film clips.
12 8Membership
CSR Initiatives
Membership
CSR Initiatives
The DOH-Novartis Task Force for Leprosy:
Meaningful Collaboration and
Harmonizing Action for Leprosy Control
H
ilarion M. Guia was orphaned at the age of three,
and was diagnosed with leprosy as a young child.
Against enormous odds, he went on to acquire a college
degree, and was later elected as the first mayor of Culion
in Palawan. He is now the President of the Coalition of
Leprosy Advocates of the Philippines. All this became
possible largely because of the development of multidrug
therapy (MDT), the cure for leprosy.
Leprosy is an ancient disease of the skin and nerves
that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Today, leprosy can
be cured, and should be treated just like any other curable
disease. Still, the even bigger challenge of the present is to
combat not only the illness itself, but also the prejudice and
discrimination that continue to accompany it.
The Philippines currently ranks highest in the
Western Pacific Region, in terms of new case detection
for leprosy. But because priorities and resources are now
shifting away from leprosy and towards other diseases and
programs, multi-stakeholder participation has become
vital in helping sustain the fight against leprosy.
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Novartis
Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD) have
partnered to form a Task Force designed to help develop
sustainable strategies and innovations that can be more
effective in current times.
The Task Force has actively engaged with key
stakeholders from the government and the private sector,
including support groups for persons affected by leprosy.
Currently, there is a move to develop mobile health systems
to aid in leprosy management as well as to mobilize other
stakeholder efforts for the shared goal of moving towards a
world without leprosy.
Novartis Healthcare and the Novartis Foundation
for Sustainable Development (NFSD) have a long-term
commitment to leprosy treatment and control. Novartis
donates MDT worldwide since 2000 and has committed
to do so until 2021. 
Membership
CSR Initiatives9 13
Membership
CSR Initiatives
Health Leaders for
Mothers in Quezon City
Taking part in the commitment exercise are the stakeholders for The MSD for Mothers and ZFF Community Health Partnership. Shown from left to right are Patrick
Bergstedt, MSD Asia Pacific president; Under Secretary David Lozada, DOH; former Secretary Esperanza Cabral, ZFF Board of Trustee; Under Secretary Ted Herbosa,
DOH; Ambassador Roberto R. Romulo, ZFF Chairman; Dr. Jacqueline Flores-Kitong, World Health Organization; and Dr. Mary Ann Avalon;, Provincial Health
Officer, Northern Samar.
A
nother maternal healthcare initiative is also being
implemented by MSD together with the Kaya Natin!
Movement, the Health Leaders for Mothers (HL4M) Program
in Quezon City. Now on its second year, HL4M was started
early 2012 with the goal of increasing the capacity of the BHWs
in communicating the importance of maternal health to families,
as well as promoting health facility-based birth delivery among
women.
As the immediate health practitioners in the community,
BHWs and midwives are the primary sources of maternal health
information of pregnant women. The HL4M campaign helps
ensure that they get the right encouragement and information that
will empower them to properly support and assist mothers, through
activities such as BHW Congress, Buntis Tipanan, and Health
Leaders’ Training. “BHWs are the frontline workers who promote
public health in our country. So if you educate them they will be
able to help address the key health issues in their communities,”
said Harvey Keh, Lead Convener of Kaya Natin!
The success of the HL4M in improving the health-seeking
behavior and addressing the indifference of mothers to maternal
healthcare could be attributed to the dedication of health leaders.
Emma Empalmado, a BHW for almost 25 years, shared that at
first it was a challenge to convince expectant mothers to visit the
health centers. HL4M changed their perspective on pre-natal
check-ups. “Sa HL4M, na-enganyo ang mga nanay na pumunta
sa health center dahil bukod sa mayroon consultation sa midwives at
doktor, at buntis kit na nakukuha nila, may mga lecture at activities
din kung saan natututo sila tungkol sa panganganak, nutrisyon at
pagpapahalaga sa kalusugan ng kanilang katawan”
Mothers in the communities have expressed their gratitude
for being part of the program. They appreciated the support and
kindness of their BHWs who accompany them to the activities
of HL4M and who encourage them not to miss their pre-natal
check-ups, as well as provide physical and emotional motivation.
Since its inception, HL4M together with the Ateneo de
Manila University, has engaged and trained 23 health leaders. To
date, the health leaders in turn have facilitated the profiling of
2,727 mothers in seven barangays, initially starting with Pansol
then expanding to Loyola Heights, Soccoro, Silangan, Escopa II,
Project 4 and Bagumbuhay. 
14 10
Membership
CSR Initiatives
Membership
CSR Initiatives
Mercury Drug
2, 000 Walk to Help Stop Heart Disease
A
bout 2,000 walkers joined Mercury Drug Foundation’s
Walk for Heart Disease Awareness last February 17, 2013.
Enthusiastic walkers started assembling as early as 5:30 am at the
start point, Mercury Drug Katipunan Loyola Heights store. As the
sun rose, fitness instructors of Gold’s Gym engaged the walkers in
simple warm-up exercises to prime them for the walk to the finish
point at Mercury Drug Q Plaza-Cainta.
GX International, InnoGen, Interphil, LRI-Therapharma,
Manila Nature, Mead Johnson, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nestle,
Organics Asia, Otsuka, Pfizer, Pharex, RiteMed, Sanofi-Aventis,
Stiefel, Torrent Pharma, Westmont, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute.
The promenade was literally filled to the seams, with more
people joining in to avail of the free awareness services offered by
the Foundation’s healthcare industry partners: Abbott, Bayer, Bell
Kenz, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbridge, Crisdy-na, Geriatrica,
Heart-healthy products were offered free for participants to
try. Learning materials were also distributed. As people waited
for their turn, they listened to a highly interesting lecture on
hypertension, its causes and predisposing factors, the importance
of medical consultation and tips on living a relaxed, stress-free life
given by medical broadcaster Dr. Gary Sy.
Wearing the walk’s official singlet, the walkers actively
promoted the campaign “Walk and Help Stop Heart Disease”
along the way. Executives of Mercury Drug Foundation and
Mercury Drug Corporation warmly welcomed the walkers and led
them to the promenade of the mall, where the rest of the awareness
activities took place.
Free health screenings of blood pressure, blood sugar, ECG,
cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, foot and leg vein were
available for participants who wanted to know if they were at risk
for heart disease. Those who wanted to know more about heart
disease, its risks, and complications consulted with the many
doctors providing free medical consultations. Many sought the
nutrition experts for proper diet and useful tips on low-cholesterol
and sodium-restricted food choices.
All told, the walk and activities definitely raised the bar on
awareness about heart disease. “Through this initiative, we hope we
have helped more Filipinos embrace a healthy lifestyle, and to go
for early screening, good nutrition and regular exercise to prevent
and control heart disease, ” said Vivian Que-Azcona, president of
Mercury Drug Foundation, Inc.
Walk and Help Stop Heart Disease is a signature disease
awareness program of Mercury Drug Foundation, Inc., whose
founder and chairman, Mr. Mariano Que, is a staunch advocate of
promoting health and well-being among Filipinos. 
Patients receiving free
medicines.
Walkers negotiate the
Aurora Blvd U-turn.
Health Screening at the finish point.
Membership
CSR Initiatives11 15
Membership
CSR Initiatives
A. Menarini Philippines, Inc.
partners with Operation
T
rue to its vision of improving the lives of people, A. Menarini
Philippines, Inc. partnered with Operation Smile Philippines on the
Foundation’s 30th anniversary global celebration entitled The Journey Home.
Menarini provided financial support for the reconstructive surgery of 30
children suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities.
A volunteer team of Menarini employees also actively participated in
the surgical mission conducted by Operation Smile on November 27, 2012
at the Sta. Ana Hospital, Manila. The activity was part of a series of surgical
missions carried out in eight different sites throughout the Philippines from
November 8 to 30, 2012. The objective was to give 1,500 children back their
happy smiles.
The volunteers spent one day with kids who underwent cleft
surgery. Their task was to entertain the children about to undergo
cleft surgery and ease away their fears. They brought along toys,
books and coloring materials for the child-patients who queued up
at the pre-surgery screening ward. The waiting-time turned out to be filled
with fun and excitement not only to the children, but also to their parents.
Aside from supporting the cleft surgical operation for the children,
Menarini donated medicine products such as Dermatix and Flammazine
that are used to facilitate proper wound and scar healing. There are plans
that may be carried out in the future to strengthen the partnership with the
help of local plastic surgeons.
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Menarini
vows to continue transforming the lives of indigent Filipino children
suffering from facial deformities. The end in sight is to give them a brighter
future and change their lives with one happy smile at a time.
A. Menarini Philippines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Menarini Asia Pacific
and part of the Menarini Group. The Group is Italy’s largest pharmaceutical
company that ranks 17th among 5,296 companies in Europe and 34th
among 17,771 companies in the world. 
Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between A. Menarini
Philippines, Inc. and Operation Smile Philippines headed by Ms. Ninia
Torres, General Manager, A. Menarini Philippines and Mr. Roberto
Manzano,President and Executive Director,Operation Smile,Philippines.
16
UHC Communities
1st UHC Coummunity, sibutu, Tawi-Tawi:
A heart for Sabah returnees
P
HAPCares Foundation journeyed
to Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi
provinces twice in May 2013 for two compelling reasons. One was to look into the
operations of the Sibutu UHC health structures and the second was to respond to the
urgent health needs of halaws, returnee families fleeing the conflict over a disputed territory in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.
The first stop was the Zamboanga City
Medical Center (ZCMC) where discussions
on ongoing partnership arrangements in
health took place. The ZCMC is a strategic
referral hospital for cases not only from the
Zamboanga peninsula but equally from the
island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. PHAPCares has pledged to help
this tertiary DOH hospital with medicine
requirements.
In Tawi-Tawi, the team checked on
PHAPCares’ first UHC community in Sibutu that serves as a gateway for the returnees. The team called on Integrated Provin-
cial Health Officer Dr. Asri Sukarno to get
updates on the returnee situation and meet
with institutional partners involved in programs for the halaws.
Collaborative endeavors are in place
among partners. DSWD and the Philippine
Marines transported and processed the
returnees. The Mahardika Institute of
Technology-Ilmo Foundation, SinhayasinKowman and DSWD combined to provide
shelter, food, and basic needs. The UNFPA
distributed hygiene kits, while PHAPCares
provided essential medicines for check-ups
and treatment.
In Bongao, PHAPCares came face to
face with some 300 returnees who have
newly disembarked from boats. For want of
medical doctors to check on the new arrivals, Dr. Edgar Posadas himself personally
attended to a pregnant woman in premature labor, and to a demented male patient
who reportedly suffered abuse and maltreatments.
2nd UHC Community, Del Carmen, Surigao Norte: MOA Signing
A
nother milestone was attained on the
Foundation’s 10th anniversary when a
Memorandum of Agreement was signed between
PHAPCares and the municipality of Del Carmen,
Surigao del Norte on June 26, 2013 in Cebu City.
The ceremonies were held at the Officers’ Club
of Central Mindanao Command in Lapu-Lapu,
Cebu City. OCD7 and the AFP hosted this historic event that elicited region-wide media coverage.
LGU and national officials who witnessed
the event were Dir. Minda Morante of OCD7
and Dir. Liza Mazo of OCD11, CENTCOM
commanders and their staff, local chief executives, and national agency officials. On the side of
PHAPCares, Board member Mr. Chris Eberle, CEO Teodoro Padilla, Dr. Edgar Posadas, other officers and staff graced the occasion.
A short dialogue and lively forum took place after the signing to
address public inquiries regarding the project.
The partnership aims to build PHAPCares’ second UHC com-
munity in Barangay Mahayahay on Siargao Island. Mahayahay is one
of Del Carmen’s four island barangays that are geographically isolated and depressed areas (GIDA) with a high poverty rate of 67.24%.
Health in these barangays is a critical issue.
The building of a UHC community will help reduce morbidity
and mortality, encourage good health-seeking behavior.
UHC Communities
The day was also marked by the turnover of
donations from PHAPCares member companies
to OCD7. These donations will benefit the victims
of a hurricane that struck the towns of Minglanilla and Talisay, Cebu as well for the victims of
typhoon Gorio that swept Central Visayas. OCD7
has invited the Foundation to the Regional DRRM
Summit for LCEs with public-private partnerships
as theme.
This was a good chance for PHAPCares to
drum-roll its advocacy and community engagements in health.
The MOA signing will jumpstart the building
of a barangay health stations (BHS) and a pharmacy where consultations, treatment, and medicines
can be availed. Likewise discussed between PHAPCares representatives and local officials was the
holding of a health fair in Del Carmen.
3rd UHC Community Eyed in Tondo, Metro-Manila
P
HAPCares is partnering with its corporate members in the
creation of UHC communities, one of these being the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). A meeting took place among Foundation and ZFF managers led by Mr. Christ Eberle to discuss the adoption of ZFF’s cohort community, Tondo, as the third in PHAPCares’
line up of UHC community building initiatives.
In this endeavor, PHAPCares and ZFF will also partner with
the Young Focus for Education and Development (YFED) based
in Barangay Balut, Tondo, Manila. YFED provides education to the
children of garbage collectors and charcoal workers in Sitio Damayan and Smokey Mountain that have lately metamorphosed into a
charcoal production center.
ZFF has established a small medical clinic beside the Barangay
Day Care center that has been operating in the last two years. The
clinic stands in need of a public health doctor who could initiate a
needs appraisal of prospective patients in the community and identify priorities needing prompt attention.
Earlier, PHAPCares made initial donations consisting of assorted essential medicines. The Foundation also recommend Dr. Button
Ricarte to the post of clinic physician. Dr. Ricarte will momentarily
continue the ZFF initiative with the support of YFED, the Founda-
tion, and ZFF. Meanwhile, PHAPCares and ZFF are mapping out
new strategies that would hopefully lead to the formation of a third
PHAPCares UHC community in Tondo.
17
18
Foundation News
In Brief: Linking with ALPS to help more
A
id Line Philippine-Swiss, (ALPS), an aid institution based
in Switzerland, coordinated with PHAPCares to reach out
to typhoon victims in Mindanao. After a series of talks, details of the
engagement were laid out and a sustainability plan was conceived for
I
a community rebuilding program for disaster victims in the region.
PHAPCares coordinated with its partners in Region 11, notably
the OCD-RDRRMC in Davao City. The target LGU was identified
as the 5th-class municipality of Compostela in Compostela Valley
province where some 6,000 households expressed the need for
building materials with which to rebuild their homes.
ALPS donated Php350,000 worth of G.I. sheets to the municipality, with a distribution rate of six sheets per family. According to
Mayor Jessie Bolo, the roofing sheets benefited about 327 households. The sheets were turned over to Mayor Bolo by Mr. Reiner
Gloor for and in behalf of ALPS. PHAPCares, for its part, donated
boxes of quality essential medicines from its members.
The Foundation expressed its gratitude to its public sector partners for paving the way so that the much-needed help from the global institution could reach the people.
PHAPCares takes part in LCF expo
n June 2013, PHAPCares took active part in the two-day Exposition of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) entitled Isang Bansa, Isang Bukas, Sabay sa Pag-Unlad (One Nation, One
Future: Together Towards Progress) held at the SMX Center in Pasay
City. PHAPCares, with Pfizer, MSD, and Zuellig Family Foundation
took part in the first-day session on Health called Kalusugan Para sa
Lahat, Makiisa, Magkaisa (UHC: Get Involved, Be united).
Professor Ernesto Garilao of ZFF cited the importance of engaging and empowering poor communities to care for their health.
Atty. John Basa of PhilHealth announced the insurance agency’s
latest moves to broaden universal health coverage, in particular its
efforts to include new case packages for health financing. New inclusions are coronary bypass and procedures for the treatment of
special and congenital heart conditions such as Tetralogy of Fallot
(TOF) and Ventricular Septial Defect (VSD). DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag spoke on the agency’s health and wellness campaign,
ending his presentation with a dance number.
Other discussions revolved around Inclusive Growth and Partnership, a theme central to PHAPCares’ strategies in disaster prevention and preparedness, volunteerism, and employee engagement.
Responding to Quake victims in Carmen, North Cotobato
When a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the town of Carmen, South Cotabato on June 1, 2013, PHAPCares promptly organized a humanitarian mission
and flew to the scene despite of the continuing aftershocks and flooding. The
Foundation coordinated with the OCD-RDRRMC7 in General Santos City to
reach Carmen where 624 families were severely affected and their homes, badly
damaged. The team was assisted by Dr. Anathy Naquitquitan, Municipal DRRM
Officer.
On June 18, donations of quality medicines were turned over to Carmen
Mayor Rogelio Taliño at the Rural Health Unit. The medicines benefited earthquake victims who were mostly residents of barangays Kimadzil and Kibudtung.
High flooding and security concerns prevented the team from further movement after the last stop at the municipal DRRM Operations Center.
This mission was another rich learning experience for PHAPCares as it
strives to go beyond the boundaries of resources in order to make a difference
in the lives of Filipinos.
Foundation News
Reaching out to
NGOs through PCNC
Training in Pharmaceutical
Management and Good Governnance
or the last five years, PHAPCares Foundation has been
certified as a donee institution by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR).
PHAPCares plays an active role in PCNC activities, with
Managing Director Dr. Edgar Posadas being one of the Council’s trained and accredited volunteer peer evaluators. In this capacity, the Foundation helps other newly-organized foundations
and NGOs from different sectors to become fully compliant
with PCNC standards. PCNC is a quasi-regulatory body attached to the Department of Finance and the BIR.
In March 2014, the Foundation will go through another
accreditation process in anticipation of another five-year certification. This would enable the Foundation to work on programs
and projects with aid and grant-giving institutions. It will likewise be authorized to continue distributing tax reduction certificates to its donors and contributors.
PHAPCares attended PCNC’s 2013 General Assembly at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City as a
sponsor-contributor.
HAPCares Foundation will team up with the Zuelling
Family Foundation in the conduct of training on Pharmaceutical Management and Good Governance. This training
will be rolled out soon in Zamboanga City. The activity targets
participants from LGU health offices and public health facilities, in particular pharmacy assistants and clerks who comprise
the staff of community-based pharmacies.
An on-the-job (OJT) training module for the pharmacy
assistants and clerks has been included, at the close of which
the graduates will be accredited by the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with assistance from the Negros
Occidental Pharmacists Association (NOPA). PHAPCares’
support to this training initiative will be in the form of donated
medicines for the pharmaceutical outlets.
The training is expected to benefit communities in the
Zamboanga peninsula, Tawi-Tawi, and Surigao del Norte as it
will supply them with capable health service providers. A meeting was held on June 11, 2013 at the ZFF office in Parañaque to
finalize the training design and modules, training materials, and
the line-up of facilitators.
F
P
from page 4
A recent World Bank report said that Southeast Asia, including
the Philippines, has been identified as a hotspot for increasing risks
due to diseases associated with climate change.
These diseases are air-, water- and vector-borne diseases which
are influenced by climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and air pressure. Poor sanitation, lack of nutritious
food and usuallly congested evacuation centers also make the people
vulnerable to diseases.
Under the partnership, health services such as deworming, immunization, medical and dental missions, and other activities to cope
with health problems and develop a disaster resilient community are
also included in the program.
The PHAPCares Foundation and OCD-RDRRMC VI have
successfully launched the project in the eight provinces and cities of
Western Visayas namely Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Bacolod City. On July 30, the project will be officially launched in Antique to complete Phase I of the partnership.
Both the PHAPCares Foundation and OCD-RDRRMC VI are
now preparing for the Phase II of the project which apart from humanitarian missions, would now include the Pharmaceutical Management and Good Governance Training to make quality medicines
more accessible to the people of Western Visayas.
PHAPCares Managing Director Edgar L. Posadas disclosed that
while all these assistance are happening on the ground, it is time to
expand its coverage to further empower the people in these communities.
“Apart from instituting measures to reduce risks brought by natural calamities, it is equally important to address medicine access by
supporting the government’s Botika ng Bayan. The proposed program, which woud train pharmacy assistants about good medicine
storage and distribution, could benefit more marginalized families in
distant communities. Hence, we are looking at instituting this additional component of our partnership with OCD,” he said.
According to the hazard mapping and assessment report of
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), 25% of barangays in Region VI, which are located along the coast and hinterlands are hazard
prone, depressed and nutritionally at risk.
OCD-6 Regional Director Rosario Cabrera earlier announced that for the town of Calinog, Iloilo, the project will be implemented
in ten pilot barangays namely Barrio Calinog, Cabagiao, Poblacion
Ilaya, Poblacion Delgado, Cahigon, Lampaya, Bamban Pequeno,
Guiso, Dalid, and Badlan Pequeno.
Based on the rapid geohazard assessments conducted from
2006-2010, the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, and Negros Occidental
have the most number of barangays with high vulnerability to landslides.
In Iloilo, the municipalities of Leon, San Joaquin, Tubungan,
Igbaras, Miagao, Lambunao, Calinog, Alimodian, Janiuay, and Concepcion have the most number of high-risk barangays to landslides.
In Antique, eight municipalities topped the most number of
barangays as highly prone to landslides namely San Remigio, Lauaan, Patnongon, Hamtic, Valderrama, Barbaza, Sibalom, and Tobias
Fornier.
The municipalities in Negros Occidental that have the most
number of high risk barangays are La Castellana, Calatrava, Salvador Benidicto, Isabela, Pontevedra, Cadiz City, Murcia, Cauayan, San
Carlos City, and Kabankalan City.
19
20
Communications and Advocacy
PHAPCares-UP-MSP Partnership MOA Signing
2013 PHAPCares
Foundation, Inc.
OFFICERS & TRUSTEES
OFFICERS
President
THOMAS WEIGOLD
President
Novartis Healthcare Phils.
Vice-President
LOURDES MAGNO
President
Hi-Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Treasurer
RAYMUND AZURIN
President and CEO
Zuellig Pharma Corp.
A
s part of the PHAPCares’ 10th anniversary
this year and as one of the 10 meaningful
engagements for 2013, PHAPCares has forged a partnership with the UP College of Medicine’s Mu Sigma
Phi (MSP) that is expected to benefit indigent patients
and victims of disasters.
The PHAPCares Foundation and the UP-MSP
signed a Memorandum of Agreement in June which
aims to enhance a meaningful cooperation between
the two organizations since the “Sine Sabi” Film Exhibition of the UP-MSP Quisumbing Escandor Film
Festival on Health held in time for PHAP’s 65th anniversary in 2011. The said films were compiled in a
handy video library which are being distributed to the
communities we support as part of our visual information and education materials.
The major agreements in the MOA signed were
the provision of manpower, specifically medical doctors, by MSP to the humanitarian missions of PHAPCares in its disaster and humanitarian response initiatives. It will also set off the regular donation of
medicines by PHAPCares, depending on the availability of resources, to MSP’s Drug Bank located at the
UP College of Medicine premises in UP-Manila. The
UP-MSP Drug Bank was established in the 1960s and
still functions up to now to provide essential medicines mostly to out-patient indigent patients at PGH
who go to them for help.
Before the actual signing, UP-MSP gave the
Foundation a walking tour of the Pediatric and
Pediatric ICU wards, Male and Female Adult Internal
Medicine Wards, the OB-GYNE and OB ICU wards
as well as the Out-Patient Department of the UPPGH in Taft Avenue, Manila for us to have actual
glimpse on the state of the healthcare provision in
the hospital. The visit to the wards also provided the
partners a better understanding on the importance
of such cooperation especially in terms of providing
access to quality medicines.
As the PHAPCares Foundation reaches out
to far-flung and remote communities around the
country, a partnershp was forged to help boost disaster
resillience of Metro Manila residents and responders.
To better give the partners present during the
signing a better perspective of what PHAP thru
PHAPCares does in line with its social responsibility
and humanitarian advocacies, the
AVP on our UHC adopted community of Sibutu in Tawi-Tawi was
shown which drew the attention of
doctors and medical students in attendance.
Before the actual signing,
messages were delivered by Mr
Ted Padilla, CEO, PHAPCares, for
and in behalf of the Foundation’s
Trustees, Dr. Joseph Brazal, President, UP-MSP and Dr. Copernico
Villaruel Jr., Consultant Adviser,
UP-MSP.
The UP-MSP has recently
been deployed to the medical caravans of the Teaching, Loving and
Caring of ABS-CBN DZMM.
Chief Executive Officer
TEODORO B. PADILLA
PHAPCares Foundation, Inc.
Managing Director
EDGAR L. POSADAS, MD
PHAPCares Foundation, Inc.
TRUSTEES
REYNALDO DELA CRUZ, JR.
President and General Manager
Elli Lilly Philippines, Inc.
CARLITO REALUYO
General Manager
Sanofi-Aventis Phils. Inc.
CHRISTIAN EBERLE
General Manager
Metro Drug
AHMET GENEL
Country Manager
Pfizer Inc., (Phils.)
FRANCIS DEL VAL
General Manager
Glaxosmithkline Phils.
ESPERANZA CABRAL, MD
HONORARY TRUSTEE
PHAPCARES BEYOND
Vol. 1 No. 3 • January - December 2013
EDITORIAL BOARD
Teodoro B. Padilla
Dr. Edgar L. Posadas
Marian T. Pausanos
EDITORIAL STAFF
Emerson M. Querimit
Jhona O. Ng
CONSULTANT
Mary Anne Barcelona
PHAPCares Beyond is published by
the PHAPCares Foundation, Inc.
with offices at
502 One Corporate Plaza
845 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Phils.
For inquiries, please contact:
Tels. (632) 814-1800, (632) 816-0618
E-mail: info@phapcares.org.ph
Website: www.phapcares.org.ph