PLENARY SESSION I

A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

IN THE PHILIPPINES

TEOOORA V. TIGLAO
Professor Emeritus
Institute of Public Health
Uiliver.l'ity of the Philippines, J000 Manila

What is Public HeaIth

"Public Health is ecological in perspective, multisectoral in scope and

collahorative in strategy. It aims to improve the health of communities through an
organized communi~v effort:
Puhlic health i1~rrastructures need to reflect that it is an interdisciplinaty
pursuit with a commitment to equity, puhlic participation, sustainahle develop-
ment andfreedomfi'om war. As such it is part ofa global commitment and strategy".

- Ilona Kickbush

Let us first have a bird's eye-view of the current health scenario in the
Philippines. (fyou look back, as the year 1997 dawned on us, we were greeted by such
dismal news as the measles outbreak. typhoid in Manila jail, lead in our water,
increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases, hepatitis outbreak at U.S.T., ebola virus in
monkeys, the poor condition of the water supply, TB on the upsurge, etc. This grim
picture seems to dominate the public health scenario today. Have we really not made
any headway in the status of public health in the Philippines? Allow me to take you
on a flight to the past, "back to the future" to view how the real situation is. Our first
stop is the pre-American occupation.

7
8 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Pre-American Occupation

The Americans did not establish public health in a vacuum. When Spain came
to introduce occidental civilization in the country, she had withal to make use of the
type of hygiene and preventive medicine then understood and practiced in the
Iberian peninsula. She undeliberately prepared the grounds on which the Americans
later launched the public health program and it would be unpardonable to ignore her
contributions. As historian E.G. Boumestated in PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 1494-1898,
the Philippines and Manila in particular were ahead of other English colonies with
regard to provision for the sick and invalids.
Public health work during the Spanish regime inauspiciously began at the
portera of the old Franciscan convent in Intramuros where a friar Fr. Juan Clemente
put up a dispensary in 1577 for treating the indigents in Manila. This eventually
became the San Juan de Dios Hospital (1659). When the Americans occupied the
Philippines, there were already in operation:

Five General Hospitals

* The San Juan de Dios Hospital (1659)
* Chinese General Hospital ( 1891 )
* Hospicio de San Jose in Cavite (1611 )
* Casa de la Caridad in Cebu
* Infirmaries de Sta. Cruz in Laguna (i 870)

Four Contagious Hospitals

* San Lazaro Hospital (1577)
* Hospital de Palestina in Camarines Sur
* Hospital de Leprosos in Cebu
* Hospital de Argencina in Man.ila for smallpox and cholera

Two Military Hospitals

* Hospital Militar de Manila
* Hospital Militar de Zamboanga

Two Naval Hospitals

* Hospital dela Marie in Canacao, Cavite
* Hospital de Basilan in Basilan

Other Hospitalsl Asylum

* Hospicio de San Pascual Baylon in Manila
* Asylum ofSt. Vincent de Paul in Manila for poor girls (1885)
* Founding Hospital of San Jose for orphaned children and mentally
ill (1782)
 Teodora V. Tiglao 9

Real public health work started wit the creation of the Board ofYaccinators in
1806 to prevent smallpox. Later, the office of "Medicos titulares" (health officers) was
created together with a Board of Health with a priest as president. Maritime quaran-
tine was instituted (1885). Spain can also be credited for the construction of the
Carrie do waterworks (1876); for founding the first medical school, University of
Santo Tomas (1872); a school of midwifery in 1879, a public health laboratory (1883)
and "medicos forense" (forensic medicine) in 1892.
It may be worth mentioning the noble figure of Don Francisco de Carriedo as a
benefactor of the City of Manila. He willed the amount of PI 0,000 to the city in 1733 to
be invested in gainful trade and when the accumulated capital was sufficient, to
employ it for the construction of waterworks. This provided Manila with piped water
which served as an effective prevention of water borne diseases.

The American Military Government (1895-1907)

Our next stop is the American occupation in 1898 during the Military and
Commission form of Government (1898-1907). At the outset, the unsettled state of
a tfairs demanded the attention of the Commission in areas deserving priorities other
than public health. However, a Board of Health, was established and Dr. Guy Edi was
appointed as first Commissioner. He was unable to report immediately as he con-
tracted typhoid.
The early pre-occupation of the Americans witnessed the control of epidemics-
cholera, smallpox and plagues; the fight against other communicable diseases -
leprosy, diarrhea, malaria as well as beri-beri; the establishment of a health organiza-
tion and administration and general sanitation. These activities were undertaken
during this period that underscores these concerns:

* establishment of garbage crematory (1899)

* first sanitary ordinance and rat control (190 I)
* established technologically that contaminated water and unclean veg-
etables are important factors in the control of amoebic dysentery while
Anopheles minimus was first pointed out as the vector of malaria (1904)
* cholera vaccine was first tried (1905) followed by compulsory vaccina-
tion of school children
* confirmation of the theory that plague in man comes from infected rats
(1905)
* opening of the leper colony in Culion and compulsory detection oflepers
(1906)
* founding of the Manila Medical Society and the Philippine Island Medi-
cal Association (1902 & 1903).
* opening of the College of Medicine U.P. with Preventive Medicine as one
the departments ( 1907)
10 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Medical education was one of the concerns of the Insular Board of Health not
only because of the intimate relationship of medicine to sanitation but because of the
scarcity oflocal physicians. The only existing medical school was the University of
Sto. Tomas.
Of outstanding importance to public health was the establishment of the
Bureau of Science in 1905. Working in close collaboration with the Philippine General
Hospital and the University of the Philippines, it became an active center for scientific
instruction and research and madc valuable contributions to public health.

Philippine Assembly (1907-1916)

We arrive at our next stop, the period of the Philippine Assembly (1907-1916), a
step towards Filipinization. While most of the executive departmcnts were placed
under Filipinos, the Bureau of Health remained under American administration. The
public health program started to take off.
Major developments in public health took place. The period was marked with
several "first".

1908

* first institution of the search for germ carriers

* the new waterworks in Manila was inaugurated first using gcneral
chemical disinfection as emergency measure against cholcra
* first recruitment of nursing students who began studies as the Philip-
pine Normal School sponsored by business firms in Manila
* passing of the Employers Liability Law which made employers liable for
injury and death of employees

1909

* inclusion of Hygiene and Physiology in the curriculum ofpuhlic elemen-

tary schools
* start of anti-tuberculosis campaign with P35,OOO appropriation from the
government
* conduct offirst sanitary survey of rural community
dissemination of the results of first nutrition survey

1910

* organization of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society

* opening of Pasteur Prophylaxis treatment against rahies
* recognizing that Beri-beri as associated with eating white polished rice
* opening of the Philippine Gcneml Hospital with the P 1,000,000 appropria-
tion from the government
 Teodora V. Tig/ao II

1911

* First demonstrated the eradication ofberi-beri among Philippine scouts

by means of simple change in the diet.
The first epidemic ofberi-beri was described by Koeniger in 1882. It was
claimed that 60% of infant mortality was due to infantile beri-beri. The results of
the researches of Fraser and Stanton, Aron and Hocson, Cromwell and
Concepcion advanced the theory that the etiology of beri-beri is food defi-
ciency especially diet consisting mainly of rice. This theory was endorsed by
the Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine in 1910. The credit for the
discovery of a specific treatment for the disease, tiqui-tiqui extract belongs to
Chamberlain of the Army Board for the study of Tropical Diseases and two
Filipino physicians: Dr. Joaquin Quintos and Dr. Manuel S. Guerrero. In 1914,
Congress passed a law allowing free distribution of tiki-tiki to indigent mothers.
The control and prevention of beri-beri is a distinct triumph of modern
medicine. Some practitioners, however, discount the existence of the disease.

1912

* initial use of anti-typhoid vaccine

* use of hypochlorite of lime for the first time for treating Manila water
supply
* initial study on vitamin deficiency as cause ofberi-beri which ultimately
culminated in the isolate of Vitamin Biothiamine

1913

* use of etiology of amoebic dysentery in the detection of carriers and mild

cases
* first use of dry vaccine against smallpox with successful results with
potency for two months versus one week of glycerinated lymph vaccine
* first offering of graduate courses in hygiene and tropical medicine at the
UP College of Medicine.

1914

* manufacture and free distribution of tiki-tiki for treatment ofberi-beri

* inauguration of first "clean up week"
Rise of non-government health organizations, such as: Gota de Leche,
later named La Protection de la Infancia for the protection and care of
infants; La Liga Nacional Filipinos Para la Protecion de la Infancia;
Associacion de Damas Filipinas to help poor women and children; Settle-
ment House - for the temporary shelter of destitute women and children;
and Women's clubs.
12 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Definitely, public health has gained momentum and one could view the impor-
tant cornerstones upon which the public health program could be erected. Techno-
logical advances were visible and the epidemiology of common communicable dis-
eases- tuberculosis, rabies, typhoid and beri-beri had been defined and control
measures instituted such as immunization, environmental sanitation and proper
nutrition, smallpox, cholera and plague were gradually brought under control. These
measures were supported by the education of health personnel, budgetary alloca-
tion, and partnership with non-government organizations, foremost among which is
the Philippine Tuberculosis Society that pioneered in TB work.

The Jones Law (1916-1936)

The next leg of our flight is the period from 1916-1936 covering three decades
from the enactment of the Jones law until the Philippine Commonwealth. The take off
was characterized by some turbulence but it was able to recover altitude and fly
smoothly later on. There was a shift in administration in Washington. The Democrats
were able to wrest control from the Republicans. The appointment of Francis Burton
Harrison as GovernorGeneralled to the enactment of the Jones Law which promoted
further Filipinization. This was done rather hurriedly resulting in the Civil Service
being increasingly riddled with politics. However, the Department of Public Instruc-
tion where education and the health services were located, still remained under an
American leadership, while the rest of the departments became nationalized.
Hayden reports that the Harrison administration was one retrogression rather
than progress in so far as health is concerned. Crude death rate and infant mortality
rate rose. Deaths from smallpox, cholera, typhoid, malaria, beri-beri and tuberculosis
increased. Even Governor Harrison admitted that the health record of 1919 was a
disappointment.
By 1921, the Republicans regained control of the White House and Governor
General Leonard Wood, a physician, an administrator, a sanitarian and a humanitarian
assumed office. Governor Wood had a militaristic orientation. He re-energized the
health service and encouraged effective supervision. He had a profound effect on
the public health service. It was recognized however, that whatever accomplishments
the Wood administration made could not be attributed solely to him. A good deal was
contributed by the Filipinos who manned the health services supported by necessary
legislation and budgetary outlay.
Governor Wood was succeeded by four other governors until the Common-
wealth: Henry Stimson (1928-29); Dwight F. Davies (1929-32); Theodore Roosevelt
(1932-33); and Frank Murphy (1933-35). To the Roosevelt administration could be
attributed improvement in the organization of the government. The semi-militarized
Philippine Health Service was transformed again into a Bureau of Health and together
with the Bureau of Public Welfare formed the Office of the Commission of Health and
Welfare (Reorganization Act of 1932).
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 13

Public Health under the American period from 1898-1935 prior to the Common-
wealth was marked by the performance ofthree men who helped advance the frontiers
of public health and welfare in the country. The first was Dean C. Worcester (1898-
1914), member of the Philippine Commission, later Secretary of Interior under which
was the Bureau of Health under Director Victor Heiser. Worcester, a scientist, had the
creativity and the driving force that put through the revolutionary health program in
the new American colony. The second was Governor Leonard Wood (1921-1927);
and the third was Governor General Frank Murphy who launched a public health and
social welfare programs well designed to raise the health level of the Filipino people
through a comprehensive program including maternal and child health, slums, unem-
ployment,latrine, nutrition, recreation and leprosy. His technical adviser was Major
George C. Dunham, U.S. Army Medical Corps, whose personal qualifications are
distinctive of a great public health official, having graduated from the School of
Hygiene and Public Health, John Hopkins and the London School of Tropical
Medicine coupled with a vast experience of public health and welfare work in the
Philippines.
The following were the outstanding contributions during the period:
1916 A Committee was appointed to study the cause and prevalence of
typhoid fever.
1913-34 Thecomposition, value and vitamin distribution of many Philippine
foods were studied. This is part of the drive for better nutrition.
1919 Schick test was first used on a large scale to determine the suscep-
tibility of Filipino children to diphtheria.
1921 Rockefeller Foundation extended cooperation. Government and
Rockefeller fellows were sent abroad to develop a corps of compe-
tent public health men who could assume leadership roles. Among
these were Dr. Jacobo Fajardo, Director of Health, and Dr. Jose
Fabella who became first secretary of Health and Welfare. Dr.
Hilario Lara, Dean, Institute of Hygiene. Yaws was found control-
lable. Yaws clinic for administration ofsalvarsan opened.
1922 Campaign against hookworm was launched. Anti-dysentery vac-
cine as first tried locally. Role of seafood in transmission of cholera
and of pollution of fishing sector to typhoid were studied.
1923 First training course for sanitary inspector Sewage of Manila puri-
fied by hypochlorite oflime Women and Child Labor Law - Act No.
3071 was conducted.
1924-26 Mechanism of transmission through Aedes Egypt of dengue fever
was studied successfully.
1925 Construction ofNovaliches dam started.
1926 Success of the first rapid sand treatment to purify water of swim-
ming pool constructed at state university was attained.
Legislation was passed for the establishment of School of Hygiene
and Public Health with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.
14 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

1927 Conceived in 1927, the National Research Council of the Philip-

pines was officially organized in 1934 to promote comprehensive
projects of research in the basic sciences of which health and
medical research were areas of concern.
1928 B.S. in Education, major in health education was offered in U.P.
1929 Compulsory notification and inoculation for reportable disease
was effected.
1930 Law was enacted to establish civil registry. Tuberculosis Commis-
sion was created.
1932 Free Emergency Medical Treatment for Laborers was offered. In-
dustrial Hygiene and Sanitation were initiated. Philippine Public
Health Association was organized.
Building of School Hygiene and Public Health (Donation of
Rockefeller Foundation) was constructed. First Child Health Day
observed.
1933 Reorganization Act - consol idating public health and welfare ac-
tivities under the Commission of Health and Welfare was promul-
gated.

The Commonwealth (1936-1942)

Public health has weathered the turbulence after the Jones Law period and is
now in the process of gaining and maintaining altitude. The epidemiology of addi-
tionallife threatening diseases was studied - diphtheria, yaws and dengue. Health
research was promoted. The U.P. School of Public Health was established for the
training of public health leaders. The consolidation of welfare and public health
activities was ensured. The health of laborers was addressed and the sanitation of
the environment pursued. However, with the initial phase of the Commonwealth
period, some turbulence once more occurred. Later, this was overcome and public
health gained headway up to the Japanese Occupation.
The Jones Law ceased to be m operation and the Filipinos came in control of
the executive branch of the govemment. The rallying cry of President Quezon was
social justice to ensure the well-being and security of all people.
The responsibility of the Commonwealth became the preparation of the Philip-
pines for the difficult task ahead. There were many problems to be hurdled, foremost
of which were political, economic, and social security. However, President Quezon
gave attention to public health as attested by a gradual increase given to health
appropriation. An additional PI9,ISO,OOO was made for specific projects for the
construction of additional leprosaria, of provincial hospitals, for the construction
and rehabilitation of the Philippine General Hospital, and for the drilling of artesian
wells, waterworks, public market and slaughter houses. In 1936, the National Assem-
bly appropriated P500,OOO,OOO for the construction of three regional leprosaria in
Cebu, Luzon and Culion. Four Filipinos gained international three recognition for
their contribution to the scientific study ofleprosy.
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 15

The Phi lippine Charity Sweepstakes was equally generous, appropriating around
P2 million for the Philippine TB Society for the operation and maintenance of the
sanitaria and the construction of the Quezon Institute. The thrust of the period was
research in and control of Tuberculosis, Malaria, Leprosy, Yaws and Maternal and
Child health.
In 1939, Commonwealth Act No. 430 provided for the creation of the Depart-
ment of Public Health and Welfare, with Dr. Jose Fabella as the first secretary. Thus,
public health administration was removed from the Dept. of Public Instruction to
include the Bureau of Quarantine, health departments of chartered cities, provincial,
city and municipal hospitals, dispensaries and clinics, public markets, slaughter
houses and health resorts and charitable and relief agencies.
The Bureau of Census and Statistics was created in 1940; therefore vital
statistics was transferred from the Bureau of Health to this new Bureau.
In spite of the advances made in facilities and manpower, the nagging problem
was still the inequitable distribution of health facilities and resources. It was noted
that 80% ofthose who die never received medical attention. Death rate remained high,
the terrible havoc of tuberculosis remained unaborted; malaria, beri-beri and intesti-
nal disease claimed their undiminished toll.
In response to this situation, the establishment of charity clinics supported by
the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes marked one of the significant developments
during the period. The plan called for the establishment of charity clinics in towns
and cities with less than 8,000 inhabitants where there were no private hospitals or
government physicians. These were placed under the Bureau of Health and eventu-
ally under the Bureau of Hospitals. This was an attempt to have equitable distribution
.ofhealth facilities and human resources and to reach the periphery.
Maternal and Child Health, School Health, Health Education of the public,
Public Health Nursing, Public Health Dentistry, Hospital and Laboratory services
were all strengthened.
By the end of 1939, the state of health was fairly satisfactory. Only one case of
smallpox and no cholera case was reported. The Commonwealth government acquit-
ted itself well of its responsibility in public health. Hayden reported "The Filipinos
continued the general health and welfare policies and agencies which had been
developed during the period when final control lay in American hands. They adhered
to and carried forward the modem long-time inclusive program initiated during the
last years of the American regime. They kept public health and welfare administration
out of politics and in the hands of highly trained permanent personnel.. ..... ".

Japanese Occupation
The bright public health landscape that we had viewed suddenly turned into
one of gloom.
The Japanese occupation practically paralyzed the activities. Public health and
sanitation were set back a quarter of a century. Hunger, disease and epidemic stalked
the land and health and other social services were in a large measure a shambles.
16 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Bureau of Health continued to function but the activities were directed
towards the handling of emergencies; the prevention of the occurrence of epidemics
especially malaria, which was ravaging the Japanese military; regulations for slaugh-
tering of cattle, hogs and carabaos and the creation of the Board of Nutritional
Research in 1943.
There were no available reports on health status during the period.

Post World War II To Martial Law (1946-1972)

After five years of this grueling experience came Liberation. Slowly public
health tried to pick up the debris and rise from the ruins. A U.S.P.H.S. post war survey
of public health conditions showed that the incidence of TB, YO and malaria had
reached a new high; over 5,000 leprosy cases were dispersed; there was widespread
evidence of malnutrition and beri-beri; general sanitation had been reduced to a level
to constitute a national hazard; there was widespread destruction of quarantine
installation and laboratory; and imminent chances of the introduction of cholera,
plague, smallpox and other epidemics. A one million dollar emergency measure was
passed by U.S. Congress to assist the Commonwealth government in the reestablish-
ment of its public health activities and facilities.
Given priority in this emergency program were disease control (YO, TB, malaria,
leprosy, malnutrition and immunization), general sanitation, maternal and child health,
school health, health education, hospitals and public health laboratories.
Still reeling from the ravages of the war, the Philippines was given its indepen-
dence in 1946 with Manuel A. Roxas as president. The tragic evidence of the war still
stared at the country from the broken ruins of the city. Whereas, the Philippines were
a land of comparative plenty, the brutal hand of war blotted its progress toward
economic development (M. Roxas). The Republic was confronted with grave prob-
lems of rebuilding the nation's economy, restoring peace and order, coupled with
facing the challenges and responsibilities of a newly attained independent nation-
hood.
Many agencies came to the rescue of the Department of Health sueh as the
PCAU (Philippine Civil Affair Unit), an agency of the Anny of Liberation, the
U.S.P.H.S. under its Phil. Rehabilitation program and lateron such other agencies as
the U.S. Mutual Security Agency (MSA), UNICEF, WHO, etc .. The sad note was that
in the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. demanded parity rights, i.e. the same rights as the
Filipinos enjoy in the exploitation of resources in the country.
On 17 July 1946, a joint cooperative agreement was signed by representatives
ofU .S.P.H.S and the Philippines Secretary of Health and Welfare which provided for
programs related to eommunicablediseasecontrol (malaria, TB, YO, leprosy) general
sanitation; MCH, Nutrition, Health Education, Public Health Training Centers, Reha-
bilitation of Public Health Laboratories and of the Philippines Quarantine Service.
 Teodora V. Tiglao 17

Among the highlights ofthis period are:

• research on DDT saw dust as a larvacide and DDT residual spraying of

horses in the control of malaria.
• construction of the National Chest Center, establishment of a control
case registry for TB. Mass case fmding surveys and mass BCG immuniza-
tion for TB control.
• inauguration of an industrial hygiene laboratory
• the Bataan Enriched Rich Project which amply demonstrated the efficacy
of enriched rice in the eradication ofberi-beri and iron deficiency anemia.
• introduction of one - infection method for gonorrhea with penicillin
which established a routine procedure in all VD clinic.
• creation of a Central Health Laboratory of Philippine under the newly
organized Department of Health.
• reorganization of government offices in 1947 resulting in the transfer
from the Dept. of Health and Public Welfare of the Bureau of Public
Welfare to assume the name of Social Welfare Administration, and the
creation of the Bureau of Hospitals and Quarantine under the Dept. of
Health.
• creation of the Institute of Nutrition - 1948 which was charged with the
duty of unifying, centralizing and coordinating all nutrition research and
activities. The Institute of Nutrition was transferred to the newly created
Bureau of Research and Laboratories through Reorganization of 1958. In
1959, with the passage of Science Act of 1958, the Institute was trans-
ferred to the National Institute of Science and Technology and renamed
Food and Nutrition Research Center - later named Food and Nutrition
Research Institute.

In 1950, at the termination of the joint Department of Health and U.S. Public
Health Program, through the request of the Phil. Government, a survey was carried
out by the U.S. Economic Survey Mission known as the Bell Trade Mission, to look
into the economic and financial situation of the country. One of the six-point recom-
mendations of the mission was to restore the high degree of efficiency ofthe public
health service to help in rural development. An offshoot, the Foster-Quirino Agree-
ment, was signed in Nov. 14, 1950. A mutual assistance and cooperation was forged
between the U.S. Economic Cooperation Agency (ECA) (forerunner of U.S. AID and
the PHILCUSA (Phil. Council of U.S. AID) created by Pres. Quirino. The objective of
the Phil.-American Public Health Program was to provide health services on a
continuing basis to all areas of the country especially the rural areas.
On June 1951, Manila was selected as Headquarters for the Western Pacific
Office. Other international organizations stepped in such as UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO,
ILO. With the assistance of bilateral and international organizations, many projects
sprouted.
18 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Several milestones in public health marked this post-war period.

• Enactment on 19 June 1954 of Republic Act 1082 entitled: An Act Strength-

ening Health and Dental Services in Rural Areas and providing funds
thereof, during the Magsaysay Administration. This concept of an inte-
grated health service was first demonstrated in 81 pilot provinces. The
staffing pattern included I MHO, I nurse, 1 midwife and 1 sanitary
inspector for municipalities with 5000-10,000 population, with those with
less than 5,000 could have no MD; those with over 10,000 will have a
corresponding complement of health personnel.
The RHU program was instrumental in-bringing to the people the basic
health services and has improved the total health picture of the country.
• Reorganization of the DOH in 1958, a step towards decentralization. Eight
regional offices were organized under which were the provincial and
municipal health offices. The national office assumed only staff func-
tions; line functions emanated from the regional offices.
The same period saw the creation of several offices - The Dental Health
Services (1963), the Malaria Education Services (1966), the Disease Intel-
ligence Center (1961), the Division of Nutrition (1960), Food and Drug
Administration (1963), National Schistosomiasis Control Commission,
National Nutrition Program (1968).
• Enactment of R.A. No. 6111 otherwise known as the Philippine Medical
Care Act of 1969, an answer to the long felt need of extending medical
service to as many people as possible.
• Definitive programs were initiated with multilateral assistance such as:
WHO/UNICEF assisted TB and BCG program, the piloting of an inte-
grated TB control program into the basic services of rural health units,
TB sputum case finding by microscopy; Serum and Vaccine production
in Alabang; the Foreign assisted Expanded MCH Program, the Mental
Health Program, WHOIUNICEF School Health Education Program; Train-
ing Program for midwives; strengthening of the graduate public health
program at the Institute of Hygiene (now CPH); the WHO/MSA/
PH ILCUSA assisted health education project at the Dept. of Health, the
setting up of demonstration training centers such as the WHO/UNICEF
Rural Health Demonstration and Training Center in Quezon City and the
U.P Comprehensive Community Health Program in Laguna which served
as laboratories for extra mural activities of the students ofthe I nstitute of
Hygiene and the College of Medicine and of other health allied colleges.
In all these endeavors, coordination with other government sectors-
education, social work, agriculture, welfare, community development,
etc. and NGOs-Phil' Medical Association, PNHA, Phil. Hosp. Associa-
tion, PRRM, PTS, PNRS, Nutrition Foundation of the PhiL, CARE, Catho-
lic Relief Services, Phi I. Business for Progress, I1RR, etc. were promoted.
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 19

• The development of the Family Planning movement. This started as early

as 1957 as a Family Relations Center of the Presbyterian and
Congregational ministers. This gained momentum and in 1965, the Family
Planning Association of the Philippines was organized while the Family
Relation Center served as the nucleus for the Planned Parenthood
Movement of the Phi I. These two organizations .eventually merged to
form the FPOP (Family Planning Organization of the Phil.), an NGO
partially funded by the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
Meanwhile on 15 May 1970, the Commission on Population was created
(Ex. Order 233) an intersectoral body, and on 16 Aug. 1971 R.A. No. 6365
approved the Population Act of the Philippines. Many foreign assis-
tance came in - USAID, IPPF, Pop. Council of New Work, Pathfinder
Fund, Ford foundation, WHO, UNDP, Rockefeller Foundation, Church
World Service.
• Launching of health programs during Secretary Elpidio Valencia's term
from the private sector on a volunteer basis to support on a volunteer
basis to support the government's effort to provide services to the
periphery. Project Helping Hand, Operation Tribal Minority, the Maria
Way (Medical Assistance to Rural Indigent Areas) launched by PMA,
AKAP, and supported by business firms and charitable institutions are
some examples of efforts to attract doctors to doctorless areas.

Of note is the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, (PRRM) another

NGO, which was a potent force in the public health picture. From a handful of
volunteers in 1952, the P RRM has demonstrated the importance of a wholistic and
innovative approach to rural reconstruction, an integrated four-fold program includ-
ing I) livelihood (agriculture, cooperatives and cottage industries); 2) education; 3)
health and; 4) self-government. The seat of the Project was San Leonardo, Nueva
Ecija.
Thre-e of the principal ways in which PRRM works with barrio people in health
improvement are: 1) establishment of barrio health centers; 2) training and activities
of young adults as auxiliary health workers and; 3) planning and canying out
urgently needed education for mothers. The PRRM is ahead of the DOH in establish-
ing health centers at the barangay level which was institutionalized during the
Primary Health Care Movement. PRRM has been utilized as a social laboratory for the
training of public health workers.
Secretary Juan Flavier was honed into a public health man through his vast
experience he accumulated while working as a physician at the PRRM which provided
the materials for his book "Doctors to the Barrios" and his daily parables in the
Philippine Star.
The PRRM was expanded into an international organization - The International
Institute for Rural Reconstruction located in Silang, Cavite, catered to different
countries in the world. Its field of operation covers 200 villages which serve as its
social laboratory and training field.
20 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

• The Rizal Development Project an operation research of the DOH, the

Institute of Hygiene U.P. and WHO led to the restructuring of the Dept.
of Health Rural Health Care Delivery System. Additional responsibilities
were given to nurses; treatment functions for common ailments were
delegated to midwives. Each barrio was provided with a midwife with
expanded role. This research became the centerpiece of the first natior::!l
health plan.
This bright public health picture was marred when Cholera EI Tor lurked its
ugly head together with that of hemorrhagic fever and a new disease of man,
intestinal capillariasis. For the first time, dengue virus was isolated from typical "H"
fever cases in children. Philippine hemorrhagic fever, a new disease of children, was
found to be one of the clinical manifestations of the local dengue virus strain
(Hammon et all. The resurgence of cholera el tor paved the way to test the efficacy of
three different cholera vaccines with Negros Occidental as the site of the study.
These were found ineffective inasmuch as there were different strains of the bacilli.
Proper waste disposal and safe water were found better measures in the prevention of
the disease. Indiscriminate vaccination was stopped and restrictions especially to
travellers were Iifted as they as they were found to be unnecessary and ineffective.
Five antibiotics were tested as it was clear that they shorten the duration of diarrhea
and the excretion of vibrio in the stool. Immunization against cholera was no longer
obligatory.
By the early 70's improved biologicals were produced and widely used which
proved as a breakthrough in public health in the prevention and control of communi-
cable diseases.

The Martial Law Years (1972-1986)

At the height of all these developments in public health came the declaration of
the Martial law on Sept. 21, 1972. The nation was ata state of unrest. The nation was
transformed from a Presidential to a Parliamentary form of government. Declared a
new society, Presidential decrees were issued one after the other. The first decree
created the National Economic Development Authority for economic planning. The
DOH was changed to Ministry of Health with now 12 instead of8 regional offices.
Inspite of the political change, the Ministry of Health continued to function in
accordance with the public health structure previously laid. Acted as Ministers of
Health during this period were Drs. Clemente Gatmaitan, Enrique Garcia and Azurin.
The following highlight the accomplishments of the period:
• Formulation ofa National Health Plan drafted by NEDA and the MOH.
An offshoot of this were the following events:

* Implementation of the Restructured Health Care Delivery system

where the three levels of care was evolved - the primary, the
secondary and the tertiary. The problem of access was addressed
by the establishment of Barangay Health Stations manned by
 Teodora V. Tiglao 2)

midwives. Tertiary Hospitals were constructed - the Philippine

• Heart Center, the Lung Center; the Kidney Center, and the Children's
Hospital (Lungsod n g Kabataan).
* Implementation of Medical Care in 1972:
* The Rural Health Practice Program of the Dept. of Health requiring
graduates of Medicine and Nursing to render service in rural areas.

• The adoption of PHC as an approach to health development in the

Philippines which was eventually launched nationwide on Sept. I I, 1981.
After the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978, the Philippines, being a partici-
pant in the international gathering, introduced to the country the global
goal "Health for all by the year 2000". The LOI 949 dated Oct. 19, 1979
provided the legal basis.
The Philippines has the distinction of being the first country in the
world to implement Primary Health Care nationwide through the Ministry
of Health then under Minister Azurin. In his words, The MOH "has been
able to penetrate the world of lethargy and convert the people to the cult
of self reliance". By early 1984,39,000 barangays have been organized to
carry out PHC with 9,000 midwives, 8,000 nurses and 4,500 physicians
trained to implement the program. The national health program was given
world recognition when it won the first Sasakawa Health Prize in Geneva.
• Operation Timbang, a nationwide nutrition program providing supple-
mentary food for infants and school feeding programs.
• The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO). The brain child of
Minister Azurin came into being which merged public health and hospital
services at the provincial level and the various health units, personnel
and financial resources of the different health programs were integrated.
This is another move towards decentralization which was fully imple-
mented in April 1988 by Dept. Administrative Order 144.
• The Oral Rehydration Therapy for the National Control of Diarrheal
Disease became one of the major thrust of the DOH with the collabora-
tion ofthe DECS, NMPC, Ministry oflnformation, NEDA, U.P, UNICEF,
WHO, USAID, MLGCD, MWSS, LUWA and the PMA - Phil. Pediatric
Society.
• Community-Based Health Programs - (CBHP) This was started in 1973
by three Catholic sisters and one physician nun of the Rural missionar-
ies. The vision was to train lay people and utilize local and indigenous
resources for preventive and curative health care instead of Western-
oriented system. Many other groups have utilized the CBHP approach
IikeAKAP.
• Public Health Research - Breakthroughs in public health are generally
based and supported by research. The Martial law years can be credited
with:
22 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

* Creation of the Nutrition Council of the Philippines in 1974 be-

gan to address the problem of malnutrition. This has significantly
saved millions of lives of mothers and children from this dark
scourge. Now the country is engaged in an aggressive campaign
against micro-nutrients malnutrition. Through research linkages
with the international institutions, the Center is able to contribute
to the strengthening national policies and programs. Some of its
outstanding output are the Vitamin A fortified star margarine.
fortification of wheat flour, salt iodization program, assessing the
health and nutrition status of 10 million school children and en-
listing teachers in the detection and intervention of nutritional
disorder in schools.
* The Research Institute jor Tropical Medicine (RITM) was inau-
gurated on 23 April 1981 as the research arm of the Department of
Health in infectious and tropical diseases. The vision is that ad-
vances in health technologies could have an impact of the sur-
vival and quality of life of millions of people. The research pro-
grams include acute respirator infections (ARI). diarrheal diseases
schistosomiasis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV -AIDS) in-
fection, malaria, viral hepatitis, leprosy, TB, dcngue, rabies. polio-
myelitis and other infectious diseases. Recently, tield studies on
human immune response to recombinant S. japonicus antigens
are being conducted in Leyte. This has promise of discovering
immunization against schisto. The RITM has become the center
of infectious diseases training for doctors and paramcdical staff
of both public and private hospitals, the national reference labo-
ratory for polio eradication program, the coordinating center for
anti-microbial resistance surveillance and reference center for prob-
lematic infectious and tropical diseases. Results of studies from
Hepatitis Study Groups can be credited for the integration of
Hepa B vaccine into the expanded Program of Immunization. It
also showed the affinity of HBV for human liver and causes in-
fection which may lead to liver cancer. The Rabies Research Group
developed strategies for rabies control which have been imple-
mented by local governments. The Virology Laboratory has es-
tablished capabilities for virologic studies including virus iwla-
tion and identification, serologic diagnosis and preparation of
dengue antigens for serologic methods.
* The PCHRD (Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development was created in 1982. Its mandate is to lead, direct
and coordinate science and technology activities in health and
nutrition. It sets the goals of health research in the country; es-
tablishes implementing mechanisms develops/strengthen research
capabilities of institutions through manpower development pro-
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 23

grams or improvement of equipment and laboratories, monitors

and evaluates research and promotes research utilization.

During the latter part of the so-called New Republic of the Marcos Administra-
tion, the nation was in a state of political unrest. This was aggravated by the
assassination ofNinoy Aquino in 1983 which led to a chain of events culminating in
the EDSA Revolution (People Power Revolution) on 24 February 1986. This spelled
the collapse of the dictatorship and the end of the Parliamentary form of government.
Hence, the Ministry of Health was again renamed as the Department of Health.

Post-Edsa Revolution - 1986

A documentary by the Department of Health, titled Panorama of Concerns of
the Department of Health featured the state of the nation's health condition, such as:
increase in life expectancy have slowed down; morbidity and mortality rates from
preventable causes stabilized at high rates; declines in infant and child mortality have
decelerated malnutrition incidence has increased; practice of family planning has
declined; health status of large pocket of disadvantaged sectors further deteriorated.
In short, as the economic status of the nation worsened, advanced in health status
slowed down.

State of Health Sector

The Government Health Service

• weakened by three years of budgetary strangulation demoralized by a
politicalized reorganization in 1975-1985
• sustained a long tradition of service orientation and professionalism
• retained the basic technological capabilities for tackling infectious and commu-
nicable diseases
• retained a corps of experienced and technically prepared but poorly motivated
middle managers
• stuck in ancient systems and procedures handed down from generation to
generation
• blessed by clearly defined problems and priorities

The Private Health Sector

• provided a parallel network of hospitals and practitioners
• sustained itself from its own efforts and revenues
• weakened by the post-assassination recession
• strengthened by market discipline
• lacked coherence and standardization
24 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

By virtue of Exec. Order 119 Jan. 1987, the DOH was reorganized. Five offices
headed by undersecretaries and assistant secretaries were created. These were the
Office of the Chief of Staff, Public Health, Hospitals and Facilities, Standard and
Regulation and Management. At the lower level, the integrated scheme remained.
The Aquino Administration

The new Constitution of 1987 contained more specific provision on health

making available comprehensive health care and emphasized private sector and NGO
participation. A new office to deal specifically with non-government organization
was created called Community Health Service. Research was strengthened with the
creation of the National Health Research Program.
During the term of Pres. Aquino and Secretary Bengzon foremost among the
legislation and DOH activities influencing the health of the public were:

• The Milk Code Exec. Order 51, 1986 which required the marketing of
breastmilk substitute to promote breast feeding.
• Proclamation No.6, 1986 which committed the government to the goal of
universal child and mother immunization by 1990.
• In 1987, the International Safe Motherhood Initiative was launched to
reduce maternal deaths.
• Passing of RA 6725 in 1989 prohibiting discrimination against women
with respect to terms and conditions of employment.
• Formation of Population and Development Foundation Inc. by the Phil.
Legislator'S Committee with its advocal,;y mission for formulating and
reviewing population legislations.
• Start of the National Epidemic Surveillance System in 1988 under the
Field Epidemiology Training Program in 8 sentinel sites in different
region of the country to track down tht.; occurrence of 14 diseases which
have the potentials of causing outbreaks including HIVI AIDS surveil-
lance. Established in 1986 with the support of US AID, the US Center of
Disease Control, the FETP aims to strengthen the Department's epide-
miological service.
• The National Drug Policy together with the Generic Act of 1988 to ensure
the availability of safe, effective and affordable quality drug identified by
their generic name and to give the patient the first decision in the choice
oftheir drug.
• RA 7160, The Local Government Code of 1991, fully implemented in 1993
which devolved the process, resources and functions of the provincial
and municipal governments from the national to the governors and
mayors.
• RA 7170 - Organ Donation Act of 1991 - Legalizing donation of all or parts
of the body after death for specified purposes.
 Teodora V. Tiglao 25

• The Magna Carta of Public Health workers, RA 7305, dated March 1992
which seeks to promote and improve the social and economic well being
of public health workers. Corollary to this was the passage of the Code of
Conduct to Public Health Workers in 1992 to define the nature and scope
of the duties of public health workers.
• RA 7277 in 1992, The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons providing the
rehabilitation, self development and self-reliance of disabled persons
and their integration into the mainstream of society and other purposes.
It was during the Bengzon years that the onslaught HIV/AIDS emerged. By
August 1988, the Governmentofthe Philippines and the World Health Organization
approved the First Generation Medium Term Plan for the prevention and control of
HIVI AIDS. By 1992 the DOH approved 12 policy statements developed by the
National Program.
One legacy of the Bengzon administration is the face lifting of the DOH - the
construction of four impressive building which greatly improved the image of the
Department.
Significant external cooperation were negotiated with USAID (The Health
Policy Development Project and the Health Finance Development Project) and with
the German Agency for International Cooperation ofthe Federal Republic of Germany
addressing the problem of health and management information system (HAMIS).
In 1986, the newly installed Aquino Administration launched the Community
Employment Development Project (CEOP) as a major pump priming program of the
government. This was an effort to institutionalize "people power" through active
people participation in the process of development.
A survey in 1982 by the Philippine Business for Social Progress listed over
16,000 NGOs throughout the Philippines. Of these 284 are health-oriented NGOs.
Others are welfare organizations, socio-civic and professional organizations, devel-
opmental issue-oriented organizations. The 284 health NGOs are scattered through-
out the different regions. Some ofthese are religious based; some University based,
some internationally funded, TV channel based. They cater to different clientele -
children, mothers, occupational groups, welfare groups of general population or by
urban and rural sector etc. Whatever programs they sponsor will have an impact on
health, no matter how little. Some are very innovative and in general supplement and
complement the DOH programs.

The Ramos Administration

The 1992 election ushered in the Ramos administration with its rallying cry
TOWARDS PHILIPPINE 2000! This was matched by secretary Flavier's slogan
HEALTH IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE and LET'S DOH IT! Being media friendly,
the Flavier years continued to build on the foundations laid by this predecessors but
added a great deal of adornment into it. His appeal was more affective rather than
cognitive.
16 PLENARY PAPER: A CENl1JRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

During the Flavier Administration, the DOH continued to adopt Primary Health
Care as its strategy. Emphasis shifted from curative to preventive and promotive
care; health services were gradually shifted from the Central Office to the local
governments. The Flavier administration in his own words "sought to bring in a fresh
wind of excitement to the existing health program" initiated by his predecessors. All
the health programs carried a special touch best described by the acronym MEDIC
which stands for Media-friendly, Exciting, Doable, Innovative and Current. Let's
DOH it became the national battlecry. The following are among the memorable
initiatives conducted during his administration:

• Nationwide Immunization Day (NID) - While the expanded immuniza-

tion program has already been launched by the Bengzon administration,
there were still some who have not been reached because of peace and
order conditions or were in inaccessible areas. A nationwide call for
"Ceasefire for Children" was aired so people would devote one day for
the immunization of their children against TB, Diphtheria, Tetanus,
Pertusis, Polio and Measles. The response to the call was tremendous.
Non-government and government sectors, religious organizations, civic
groups, local officials, media, private corporations, international organi-
zations and volunteers gave their support. This led to Reaffirming the
Philippine Commitment to the U.N. Goal of Universal Child Immunization
and Proclamation 147 deClaring April 21 and May 19,1993 and every third
Wednesday of January and February thereafter for two years, as Na-
tional Immunization Days. Later RA 746 required compulsory immuniza-
tion against hepatitis for children below 8 years old.
• Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospitallnitialive - In 1992 the Philippines
gained the coveted distinction of being the only country that succeeded
in meeting the UNICEF goal and was conferred an award by Director
James Grant. This strategy ensures the survival and health of children
through breastfeeding. This is supported by RA 7600 - "The Rooming in
and Breastfeeding Act of 1992" •
• Promotiou of Philippine Traditional Medicine - While the DOST and
DOH have been producing and packaging herbal medicine this was
carried a st<:p further towards developing other forms and innovative
packaging. Traditional medicine has been institutionalized with the cre-
ation of the Traditional Medicine Unit at the DOH.
• Hospitals as Centers of WeI/ness - transforming 45 government hospi-
tals from "disease palaces" to "centers of well ness".
Other innovative projects were: Yosi Kadiri (anti-smoking cam-
paign), Araw Sangkap Pinoy to prevent Vitamin A iron and iodine defi-
ciencies, (Micro-Nutrient Campaign) voluntary blood donation, family
planning (Kung sila'y mahal mo magplano) water for life, Oplan Sagipmata,
Oplan Batang Buhay, Doctors to the Barrio, Disaster Management, Ur-
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 27

ban Health and Nutrition Program. Among other significant legislations

passed during this period were:

* RA 7394 - "Consumer Act of the Philippines" An act providing

penalties for manufacture, distribution, sale of adulterated food,
drugs, cosmetics and other devices.
* Ra 7610- Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination act.
* RA 7624 - Integrating drug prevention and control in the intermedi-
ate and secondary curricula.
* RA 7431 - Radiologic Technology Act of 1992 - regulating the
practice of radiologic technology.
* E.O. 39 - Creating the Philippine National AIDS Council as a na-
tional policy and advisory body in the prevention and control of
HIV/AIDS
* RA 7637-Mt. Pinatubo Assistance Resettlement and Development
Fund-An act appropriating the sum of PI 0 B for the aid, relief,
resettlement, rehabilitation and Iivelihood services as well as infra-
structure support for the victims of Pinatubo.
* R.A. 7432 (1992) Senior Citizen's Act - to maximize the contribu-
tions of Senior citizens to national buildings, grant benefits and
Special Privileges for other purposes.
* R.A. 7719 - National Blood Services Act of 1994 - to promote
voluntary blood donation.
* RA 7876 - "Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines." An act
establishing a senior citizens center in all cities and municipalities
of the Philippines and appropriating funds therefore. (Feb. 14,
1995)
* R.A 8172 - "An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)." An act
providing for salt iodization nationwide. Approved 1996 or FIDEL,
Fortified for Iodine Elimination.
These legislations lent sustainability to the above discussed initiatives but the
inte:lse and widespread response and enthusiasm of the people (different sectors,
GOs and NGOs were not sustained.
The fervor with which the programs was carried out antagonized some sectors,
particularly the church and the Pro-Life as exemplified by the resistance to family
planning and the rejection of the tetanus toxoid for pregnant women, allegedly an
abortifacient and the practice of safe sex through condom use for STD/HIV-AIDS
prevention.
One of the issues the marred the enchantment with the Flavier administration,
in so far as the health personnel were concemed, was the implementation of the Local
Government Code or the devolution of the DOH. In 1993, nearly all health personnel,
596 hospitals, and 12,580 health centers and barangay health stations were devolved
28 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

to local government units. The central DOH office was cut off from the peripheral
level and the official link among the health services network became loose. The
IPHOs and district health offices and hospitals are now administratively under the
provincial governors, while the RHU s are under the mayors. What created furor was
the fact that some offices are retained and enjoy the salaries and fringe benefits as
dictated by the salary standardization and the Magna Carta for Public Health Work-
ers whereas those devolved were deprived of these benefits. This demoralized the
devolved personnel plus the fact that security of their position was at stake. The
reporting of health events was disrupted and supervision of health personnel was
greatly reduced. While, theoretically, the move to devolve was sound, it appeared
that the field people were not prepared for its proper implementation resulting in
many disgruntled personnel. The transitional problems cover organizational, fiscal
and operational issues which may adversely impact on the coverage utilization and
effectiveness of public health programs.
When th~ Flavier administration ceased, the. aura he had created simmered
down and the public image of the DOH became hazy. The short lived Ramiro
administration somehow destroyed the credibility of the DOH in the eyes of DOH
staff and the people it served. The solid foundation on which public health services
had been built was shaken and almost collapsed and the Reodica administra~jon had
to wrestle with this problem upon her assumption to office.
The Reodica Administration's first task was to clean up the mess and resurrect
the DOH from the graveyard of scandals. It has waged a plethora of information
campaign focused on seven major health concerns and has adopted the health
slogan "Five for Life in '95"; "Health for all Filipnos by 2000" and "health in the
Hands of Filipinos by 2020" continued to be its guide posts.

Her seven strategy program focuses on.

• Expanded program on immunization (OpJan Alis Disease) to eradicate
polio, eliminate measles and neonatal tetanus.
• Nutrition - Vitamin A, iron, and iodine utilization (Araw ng Sangkap
Pinoy).
• Family Planning (Kung Sila'y Mahal mo, magplano).
• Tuberculosis prevention (Target, stop TB)
• Environmental Sanitation (Tubig, Kubeta, Oresol)
• STD-AIDS awareness and prevention
• Healthy Life style program.

AFP'SCONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH

After the foregoing discussions on the public health developments, it would be

folly to ignore the contributions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to public
health as part of the health system.
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 29

The broad functions ofthe AFP Medical Services include: care of the sick and
injured; education of physicians, nurses, medical technicians and paramedical per-
sonnel; conduct basic and advanced courses for medical corps, nurses corps,
medical administrative corps, veterinary corps and enlisted personnel; prevention of
diseases and promotion of public health; advancement in medical research and
maintenance of medical equipment.
In addition to the usual medical services being provided at the AFP Hospitals
and Dispensaries, wherein the military personnel, their relatives and some civilians
are provided such services, the AFP services are also felt in the community through
the Civil Relations Services (CRS) and various out-reach undertakings. More specifi-
cally, the AFP has greatly contributed to public health through the following activi-
ties.
I. A lay sa Barangay Projecl- the concept of this project involves adopting a
specific barangay, where local residents benefit from people-oriented activities like
medical/dental services, lecture on cooperativism, ·activities which prevent drug
abuse, conduct of values education, vaccination and peace rallies and the like.
2. AFPOplan "lwas Tigdas" - this project was launched to check the spread
of measles in the barangay. This is a yearly operation of the Task Force KANDILI a
team composed of medical and dental staff. They provide medical services, medical
supplies and vehicles for the team composed of staff from DOH, and NGOs in
reaching for flung areas
3. B100dlelling with mostly civilians and soldiers as blood donors. This is
regularly conducted in collaboration with GMA Channel 7, Phil. National Red Cross
and DOH.
4. CRS-REACT - This Regional Emergency Assistance Team (REACT) assist
and support the people in times of emergencies and calamities. This team is consis-
tently sought after in times of various calamities that require prompt and adequate
services that readily alleviate suffering.
The AFP also participates in environmental and livelihood endeavors like tree
planing, forest conservation, and livelihood and skills training on cooperative estab-
lishment. They also provide Human Courses on Maintenance and Operation of
Medical Equipment. The Human Resource Development primarily aims to support
peace process and support the implementation of "Unlad 8ayad" - where personnel
are trained to train the community folks to be always prepared and be vigilant in times
of calamities and to respond and to attend to peculiarities of their region with
consideration of environmental factors. Secondary objective of the HRD program is
to enhance skills on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, disaster management and miti-
gation techniques.
In summary, after the Post War years, there was:
• A rapid decline in mortality and morbidity, but health improvements were
stalled during the late 1970s to mid 80s due to severe economic contrac-
tion during the period. Infant mortality, an important health indicator,
30 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

declined but was stalled in the late 1970s and mid 80s but recovered
modestly by late 1980s. However, it had the slowest decline in the Asian
region.
• Steady progress has been made towards the control of infectious dis-
eases, through the introduction of chemotherapy such as the multi-drug
therapy (MDT) introduced in 1985 for leprosy, short course chemo-
therapy, for TB since 1986; praziquantil for schistosomiasis since 1978,
the adoption of rehydration for management of diarrheal diseases, to
name a few. However, important causes of illness and deaths still include
pneumonia, TB, diarrhea, nutrition-related diseases, and measles, with
deaths among infants constituting 15 percent of all reported diseases.
Diseases of the heart and vascular system and malignant neoplasms also
emerged as among the top causes of death. AIDS and HIV infection pose
a potential serious health problem.
• The current status of service delivery infrastructure indicates that pre-
ventive and promotive health programs have not sufficiently covered the
population. The consequences of the recent devolution are still unfold-
ing and there are many recognized deficiencies in the health system. The
proportion of medically attended deaths show that 60% do not have
reliable access to medical care. There are still pockets ofrural/urban areas
unserved or underscored.
• On health programs from the 1980 primary health care strategy focused
on the delivery of maternal and child care services (EPI, COD, CARl,
breast feeding promotion and maternal care), control of prevalent dis-
eases (Schisto, malaria, and TB), nutrition and family planning. To these
were added access to water, household S'linitation, reduced risk to air and
water pollution, and chronic degenerative diseases.
The Expanded Program for immuniiation is the most successful public health
program. High level of coverage of90% has been sustained. However, with devolu-
tion, this high coverage may not be sustained unless LGUs will have the political will
to make the necessary investments for cold chain facilities, replacement and distribu-
tion of vaccines.
The pursuit of disease control facilities has had some degree of success -
malaria, schistosomiasis and TB. Coordination of various facets of the program
would have to be arranged between the DOH and LGUs.
As regards COD and CAR.I, technical infrastructure for delivering case of
effective management interventions have been established across the nation. Clinical
protocols, trained health personnel, drug distribution and monitoring and supervi-
sory systems have been installed. The chall&nge after devolution is to sustain all
these activities.
Women's health and safe motherhood (family planning, breast feeding and
maternal care) have been addressed through training, service delivery policies,
innovative approaches.
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 31

The current health situation creates tremendous burden to households and the
economy in terms of infant and maternal deaths from preventable and curable
diseases, disabilities and ineffective health care services.

Future CbaUenges
In the National Health Plan 1995-2020, the DOH vision is that "All Filipinos will
be able to attain a level of health that will enable them to lead a progressively
improved socially and economically productive life following the momentum of
socio-economic development generated over the years."
Correspondingly, the Philippines will face many challenges that will have an
impact on health.

• Urbanization -It is forecast that by the Year 2020, the urban population
will compromise 65% to 75% of the total population. The chaotic growth
of cities will result in a multitude of economic and social problems. The
rise of slums, of criminality, of disease, of unemployment - all will pose a
major health risk to the population. Overcrowding, inadequate housing
facilities, poor environmental sanitation, a different life style and values
all breed infections as well as non-communicable diseases.
The increase in transportation due to urbanization will result in air
pollution, traffic accidents, traffic problems, stress and unhealthy life
styles such as smoking, promiscuity, alcohol and drug dependence,
sedentary habits, and poor eating habits.
• Industrialization would mean more women joining the working force.
This mayor may not have an adverse effect on the family. Care of
children will be entrusted to caretakers. On the other hand, industrializa-
tion may result in family limitation. Occupational hazards becomes a
major concern. Corollary to this are air, soil and water pollution and the
management of toxic and hazardous waste. Industrialization and urban-
ization will affect agricultural production as more lands will be used for
subdivisions, industrial and recreational centers and for malls or "trade
palaces". More people will work in factories, reducing the number who
work in the farms. Mechanized farming will display many farm hands.
• Environmental Concern. While the Philippine now boasts of having
perked up its economy, this has its tradeoffs. Environmental degradation
caused by deforestation, deterioration of seas and rivers due to indus-
trial waste, dynamite fishing, siltation on-site toilets, domestic waste
waters, indiscriminate garbage disposal and other destructive practices
are problems to be reckoned with. Radical population growth, industrial-
ization and urbanization all contribute to environmental degradation. No
place is too remote or difficult/hazardous for intrepid adventurers, tour-
ists or developers in search of exotic locales for golf courses, plush
subdivisions or tourist resorts. All these lead to ecological imbalance
32 PLENARY PAPER: A CENTURY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

which leads to the emergence of new types of micro-organisms as the

Ebola and the HIV virus.
• "The Revenge of the Germs" - The indiscriminate and over use of
antibiotics has resulted in drug-resistant, bacteria, viruses and parasites,
Staphylococcus and streptococcus have accomplished the feat of peni-
cillin resistance. Super strains of staph that were resistant to huge
numbers of potential drugs existed by 1990. Switching from inexpensive
penicillins to other drugs increases drug treatment costs which is be-
yond the reach of the poor. The same patterns of resistance seen in
staphylococcus and streptococcus were mimicked by other dangerous
microbes; microbacterium leprae, gonococcus, shigella dysentery, sal-
monella, resistance ofP. fa1ciparum to chloroquine, etc.

What will be the future scenario?

The Philippines, will emerge from its image as the 'sick man' of Asia into the
newest economic tiger. It will be one of the significant economic players in the
international arena. It will make a quantum leap forward, it will "poll vault". There will
be a rapid pace of technological advancement, especially in telecommunications and
information technology. It will become a "wired world", an "internet society". This
will be paralleled by advances in bio-medical technology. With more and better
information in their hands, people will be empowered; will have more confidence in
decision-making about their health. Health providers will have to keep pace with the
new developments in the health field lest the people make demands with which they
cannot cope. With advances in the bio-medical field (in molecular biology and
genetic engineering) transplants, cloning, test tube babies will increase. New treat-
ment technologies will be discovered.
Breakthroughs in the health and medical field will take place. Vaccines against
communicable diseases like influenza, schistosomiasis, malaria etc. may be discov-
ered. Correspondingly many ethical and moral issues will have to be resolved.
People will be more mobile due to faster and more efficient transport technolo-
gies. This will allow for more opportunities to gain greater access to health facilities.
The DOH will have to be ready to meet increasing demands on its services. The new
government health insurance scheme will be set in place; health demands would
multiply. The private sectorwill take a greater role in meeting such demands. HMOs
will further sprout; Privatization of the health sector will take place in consonance
with the recent Asia Pacific Economic Conference's recognition of the role of the
private sector as the "engine of growth and the source of innovation". The DOH
then, in addition to its regulatory roles will have to act as a facilitator of private health
initiatives. The shift in emphasis ofH MOs for example, to promotive and preventive
rather than curative roles will have to be encouraged and care will need to be taken to
assure that HMOs do not dictate their terms to the medical profession.
 Teodora V. Tig/ao 33

There will be problems galore but knowledge will be the key to success of
whatever health program is undertaken. As Toffierhas said in his War and Anti-War,
success in future wars will hinge on three factors - lethality, speed and range. Applied
to public health, this means that public health programs must be effective (lethal),
timely and comprehensive/farsighted. If young men have vision and knowledge, then
the dreams of old people will come true!