2 Department of Health Center for Health Development Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CHD-CAR) Mission To lead the country in the development of a productive, resilient, equitable and people centered health system. Vision Filipinos are among the healthiest people in Southeast Asia by 2022, and Asia by 2040. Content Director’s Message............................................................................................................................ Tacadang Unlocked........................................................................................................................... Conner District Hospital Handog Pamasko Program 2018............................................................ GAWAD KALUSUGAN 2018............................................................................................................... Health Screening cum Health Promotion activity held in Bontoc.................................................. Let’s Talk HIV, TB, VAWC.................................................................................................................. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) System..................................... Galleria de Cordillera......................................................................................................................... Page 3 4 7 9 12 14 16 20 F1 Plus Strategic Goals Better Health Outcomes, More Responsive Health System, and More Equitable Healthcare Financing Strategic Pillars • Financing • Service Delivery • Regulation • Governance • Plus - Performance Accountability Health Voice Consultants: • Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan, OIC-Director IV, DOH-CHD-CAR • Dr. Janice Z. Bugtong, OIC-Director III, DOH-CHD-CAR Contributors: • Charis I. Taguibos, Licensing Officer III, DOH-CHD-CAR • Beverly P. Danao, AO III, Conner District Hospital • Vincent Ingen, Nurse III, DOH-CHD-CAR • Patrick P. Pineda, HEPO III, DOH-CHD-CAR • Kelly L. Kengay, HEPO II, Conner District Hospital • Melanie June Pucay, Nurse V, DOH-CHD-CAR Layout/Design/Photography: • Patrick P. Pineda, HEPO III, DOH-CHD-CAR • Ruthanna S. Uy, HEPO II, DOH-CHD-CAR • Diana D. Palangchao, Planning Officer II, DOH-CHD-CAR • Karl Aldrail C. Sam, HEPO I (Job Order), DOH-CHD-CAR Health Voice Cover: DOH-CHD-CAR’s Rapid Response during the Typhoon “Ompong” headed by OIC-Director Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan

3 HEALTH VOICE Greetings! The past two years we have seen impressive changes and these changes have been influenced by individuals which has had a lot of impacts on lives of the people across the region. One of them was Dr. Lakshmi I. Legaspi, who has shared her life, culture and passion to us, Cordillerans. Public Health Programs of the Department of Health-CHD-CAR are made available to our constituents from every corner of the region where the community encompass every socioeconomic, marital status, race, religion and denomination, age and lifestyle. We help prevent epidemics and the spread of diseases, help protect against environmental hazards, and encourage healthy behaviors and overall health through health education and promotion. DRRM-H/HEM which were virtually a few chairs operation has changed into sprawling areas with attention to every detail. DRRM-H/HEM now have teams that respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery, partnering with like-minded organizations and other government agencies. Reaching Out, Touching Lives is the theme of Cordillera Health Voice. We hear so much these days about caring for our world and its resources. In this issue, we have shared the journey of our frontliners and supporters. What drives them to go forth and deliver the services our constituents need is their passion to serve. To gain the trust and confidence of the community, our people on the field should be relevant and responsive to the needs of families, women, children and elderly. We know we can give the best services if we do it together. Every people has a story to tell and every journey involves struggle, setback and tragedy that are beyond our expectations and control. It is the plight of every individual’s journey and we can’t change it because only the Creator is bound to change it all. We believe that in the midst of the storm, hope exist. We just have to seek every opportunity to find the hope that is just around the corner because there is HOPE in every story. Together we can create an amazing support group who will go on to influence and change the world around us, for a Healthy Cordillera.

4 TACADANG UNLOCKED by: Charis I. Taguibos, Licensing Officer III, DOH-CHD-CAR The existence of Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) has always been one of the factors that make the Cordillera unique. The peculiarities of our region lie on its people and topography further translated into its culture. As a person who grew up and is a native of the mountains of Benguet, I can say that I am aware about the hardships of living in a GIDA. I heard several accounts of the plight of these hard to reach areas. How you have to carry your rations for miles before reaching your home. How my grandfather has to use his horse to teach. How children hike in their slippers to reach their schools. Awareness, however, debunks reality. It is a massive difference from seeing it firsthand. Among all the birthing home facilities that our office monitors, I can say that Kibungan has one of the hardest to reach areas. The sitios of Barangay Tacadang alone are separated by rocky and rugged mountains, only accessible by foot. And others are connected by unpaved one-way roads, prone to landslides. Last year, Dr. Janice Bugtong and I had the opportunity to visit one of its sitios, Culiang. If I say that was a difficult trek, it was nothing compared to some of its other sitios. Not to belittle the challenge of climbing what I dubbed as the seemingly endless “stairway to heaven” and the countless makeshift bamboo walkways on the side of those big boulders. With only small portions chipped off to pass through. Some with no handrails to protect people from falling. I asked how many times a year they change the bamboos & my teenage guide told me only when they’re destroyed. It was alarming how natural it is for them to constantly face danger just to reach their homes or purchase their supplies. It was fortuitous that the October weather brought overcast skies on our way up which made the scorching heat bearable. However, rains in the afternoon nearly drenched us. Thankfully, we are near our destination and my waterproof jacket gave the muchneeded protection since I had to lend my umbrella to my guide. Why do we go to such lengths to see these facilities? As part of regulation, the Regulations, Licensing and Enforcement Division (RLED) targets birthing facilities to monitor the standards set by our Department to ensure access to safe and quality health services to pregnant mothers. Looking at the big picture, these Barangay Health Stations (BHS) are but a speck in our accomplishment. But we understand that these areas may have a small population but they are fairly unreached by medical assistance which makes them more vulnerable and needs more attention. Primary health care is a must and not providing basic health care is a disservice to the community. As such, we are obliged if not humane to see to it that at least minimum standards are met. This year, I volunteered to join the monitoring team to Tacadang Proper and Batangan. I was joined by Engr. Braille Cawis and Mr. Jude Layugan in this annual sojourn. Since I already went to Culiang and I have secondhand information on what this journey was like, I can say that I was mentally prepared to take on the challenge. Alas, the

5 HEALTH VOICE quote “the mind is willing but the flesh is weak” proved to be true. Although I have hiked a fair number of mountains, I say that this is indeed one of the most challenging. Not because of the distance but of the terrain. From the jump off point at Tanap, our group hiked to Tacadang proper for five and a half hours. The first part was a breeze but when we started the ascent, I thought my lungs were going to burst. With profuse sweat and leaden legs, I refused to give up. And it was an unending “uphell” battle. We climbed on this steep rock which the guide dubbed as the “bastos way” because according to him if you’re wearing a skirt, everything is bared for all to see. For those behind you at least. (Who would be crazy to wear a skirt climbing a mountain? But I guess that’s his humor talking.) However, the awe-inspiring views made the experience worthwhile. There are no words to describe the magnificent gift of God’s creation. The majestic rocky mountains meeting the skyline, green meeting azure. The natural wave of the big rocks creating undulations of grey and white. Water cascading between gorges. Tadpoles swimming in the fields. Sunlight filtering on trees. The scent of fresh air. Little things you cannot appreciate in the hustle and bustle of the city. Reaching the BHS of Tacadang proper, I have never been so happy to see the HFEP (Health Facility Enhancement Program) orange color. With all the happy faces of the barangay officials and health workers meeting us, it certainly made us feel welcome. We also chanced upon two municipal links of the DSWD and it seemed that the hike was just a breeze to them. So I was curious why they were going so fast and it turned out that it was a monthly visit. I would not be able to handle that! Transporting patients using the Kopa or Dagui Photo credit: RHM

6 Our trek going to Batangan was infested with leech. After the non-stop bleeding of my leg from a bloodsucker the day before, I did not want a repeat performance. They were persistent and luckily, we had salt and alcohol. The challenge with this part of the trip was the heat. After mostly foliage and fields, the mountain going up Batangan was mostly a huge sheet of rock. The intensity of the sun beating on us and reflecting on the stone was a lot to take on without cover. It took us two and a half hours to reach the BHS. We can appreciate the difficulty in bringing construction materials to these areas. I was informed that one bag of cement costs about PhP 600 – 800 just to be brought to the area. No wonder there are structural problems observed. Because it is more pragmatic to return via La Union, our group started early to battle the downhill. After hearing the anecdotes, I heard from the locals, I was a little nervous facing the “spiderwalk”. The steepness of the mountain going down to Licungan was a sheer drop which in my mind was almost a 90-degree angle. It may be an exaggeration but it feels like it is when you can see how high you are up the mountain and looking down, the emptiness seems to be pulling you in its jaws. They said we were lucky because the handrails were recently installed not to help you but will support you if you fall. I asked Engr. Cawis to walk ahead of me since I can hear his footsteps behind and cringe every time he slips. I was so afraid that if he falls, he will drag me to the abyss. My tiny self bouncing along the precipice is not a distant possibility, plummeting into the uncertain. From a continuous ascent in Tacadang, I thought my knees will fail me going down. Thankfully, I still had some juice left to battle the descent. At first, I was not sure if it is safer to walk down facing the mountain, not looking at the drop. Or risk falling on my face or on my bottom by facing front. I took the more scenic view and lucky to not have fallen at all. Our little guides cum porters (they were just teenagers) were like rabbits to us turtles speed wise. I think they had to wait for over an hour for us to hurdle that steep, rocky, uneven and sometimes slippery trail. Maybe they even slept and watched us while thinking why we are taking so long. It took us almost six hours to reach Santol, La Union. The rest of the way was easier but a killer to the knees. I was amazed when we met a blind lad carrying a sack of supplies only led by his instincts, experience and common sense. It was so hot that we had to stop multiple times, taking cover when we can. We would not have made it if we had no porters to carry our travel essentials. It was a visceral and a physical challenge for us but is an everyday reality for the residents. I felt victorious to have finished the trek unscathed but with a sense that there is more work to be done. Their circumstances are far from ideal however, balancing what should be and what is available leads me to think of how responsive are we to the plight of these areas. I applaud all the health workers, especially those not from the area, who dedicate their lives to serve Kibungan and other GIDA communities. I pray that they keep their fortitude and that they continue to deliver the necessary care to the local constituents. It is a privilege to have seen up close their dedication and hard work. We hope for more health workers who can carry the torch and continue what have been started by all who have tread before them. SALUTE!!! Until our next visit…

7 HEALTH VOICE Conner District Hospital Handog Pamasko Program 2018 by Beverly P. Danao, AO III, Conner District Hospital As the Christmas rolled in, each one at the Conner District Hospital (CDH) felt the breeze of love, kindness and generosity. Everybody is excited for the yearly “Handog Pamasko” program which started last December 2016. The employees volunteered to donate and share anything to a chosen barangay, be it money, used clothes, in kind goods and others. All the collected items will be packed and will be distributed to the barangay folks. This year the lucky barangay is one of the most far flung area in the Municipality of Conner- the Barangay Nabuangan. On December 18, 2018, the CDH team with the full support of the Chief of Hospital, Dr. Nelson O. Rigor, journeyed for more than three hours to reach the target barangay. The team have to hike through the slippery mountainside and battle the challenging weather since the vehicles can’t push through due to the unstoppable rain. Upon reaching the site, the team was welcomed by the children through a cultural presentation to show the team their gratitude for visiting their barangay. The activity started with a short program, followed by a consultation; medical and dental check-up, minor surgery, information and education on various health programs of CDH, HIV counseling to testing and other social services. At the end of the day, a total of 292 patients were served.

8 After the consultation, an early Christmas treat followed as the team distributed gift packs to every family containing clothes, kitchen and personal hygiene items. It was a joy to see their happy faces. A sumptuous lunch was shared by the Conner District Hospital team to the people of Barangay Nabuangan. In an interview conducted, one of the participants said, “Agyaman kami unay ti tulong yu kadakami, kangrunaan na ti serbisyo nga inted yu maipangep ti salun-at, sapay kuma ta agtultuloy daytoy nga programa yu”. The Conner District Hospital will sustain its “Handog Pamasko” program in 2019. The program aims to bring the hospital closer to the people especially for difficult to reach areas; contributing to the attainment of better health outcomes among clients as well as to improve the health of Yapayao. This day reminded us of how Christmas is more than just giving gifts. Activities such as this are a great way to bring people together to see their real situation, to serve, share blessings, and to give hope and opportunities to our less-fortunate brethren.

9 HEALTH VOICE GAWAD KALUSUGAN 2018 by Mr. Vincent Ingen, Nurse III, DOH-CHD-CAR Local Government Units (LGUs) play a major role in the provision of basic and quality health services such as primary care and maternal and child care in the grass root level. They had the pillars in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and their commitment and diligence to attain Universal Health Care (UHC) by bringing national health programs to life successfully in the community makes them outstanding in their own way. The Department of Health acknowledges these LGUs and key stakeholders for their outstanding performances on health and commitment and action for leading, mobilizing and encouraging their staff to implement health programs in their respective areas. Through good governance, a wholesome health system is possible. Gawad Kalusugan, an awarding event for LGUs and stakeholders conducted by the DOH, was held on November 16, 2018 at Baguio City. The event aims to recognize the efforts and full support of the LGUs and key stakeholders in the translation of national programs in the locality. DOH expect that through the event, it will further inspire them to continue the good practices towards good governance for health. The activity will further inspire them to be more creative and innovative in addressing their remaining challenges towards the vision of the Fourmula One Plus which is “Filipinos are among the healthiest people in Southeast Asia by 2022, and Asia by 2040.

10 Main Awards includes Most Functional Service Delivery Networks, Best Performing Barangay Health Workers Federation, Purple Ribbon Award (Provincial and Municipal Level), Dugong Buhay, Best Performing TB DOTS Facilities, Leprosy Free Initiatives, Best and Top Performing Provincial, Municipal and Hospital Epidemiology Surveillance Units, Top Provinces with no Human Rabies Cases, Top Performing Municipalities on Rabies, Prevention and Control, Top Performing Animal Bite Treatment Centers, Red Orchid Award, Best Performing Municipalities on Integrated Vector Management, High Performing Health Facility on, National Immunization Program, Champions of Compliance. Special Awards were Recognition of 2018 Malaria Free Province, Recognition of Provinces with Sustained, Malaria-Free Status, Recognition of Retired Family Planning, Coordinators and CSO Partners, Recognition of Typhoon “Ompong” and “Rosita” Response Teams, Recognition of Performing LGUs (based on the LGU Health Scorecard), Recognition of Orally Fit Child, Recognition of Best Performing Newborn Screening Facility, Recognition of Best Performing Mobile, NBS Team. Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan, OIC Director IV of DOH-CHD-CAR welcomed the participants, she said “Health investment, they say, is the cornerstone of development and I am genuinely glad to see that you are there to help us serve our constituents. I will not make this long. To start this awarding ceremony, I welcome everyone with the warmest heart. And even before the awarding proper, I give my sincerest congratulations to all the awardees for a job well done. As the OIC Director for

11 HEALTH VOICE Health, I ask you to continue with what you do because it is by working together to provide quality health services that we are able to respond to the needs of our fellow Cordillerans.” Dr. Maria Francia M. Laxamana, DOH Asec served as the key note speaker, she said “Access to health services ensures healthier people; while financial risk protection prevents people from being pushed into poverty. Therefore, universal health coverage is a critical component of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and a key element to reducing social inequities. Ensuring access to health facilities, workers and medicines in remote, rural areas is also important, as is providing special interventions for stigmatized populations, as well as to the marginalized populations. Universal Health Coverage is not something that can be achieved overnight, each and everyone needs to take action to move more rapidly towards it, or to maintain the gains we have already made.” Dr. Laxamana, congratulated everyone who received the awards, and to quote what she said, we hope that they will serve as an inspiration to other – to be challenged and encouraged to join the fight towards a healthier Philippines. We fervently hope that things will not stop after today, and instead, serve as an impetus, for better things to come. I hope to see you all and more in the years to come.

12 Health Screening cum Health Promotion activity held in Bontoc by Mr. Patrick P. Pineda, HEPO III, DOH-CHD-CAR Provision of health screening services and conduct of information, education and communication on Non-Communicable diseases and oral health care are important aspect in reducing mortality on lifestyle related diseases. In Bontoc, Mountain Province, a health screening cum health promotion activity was held on December 28, 2018 to coincide with the Saint Vincent’s School Alumni homecoming. This was spearheaded by the DOH-CHD-CAR Office, in partnership with Provincial Health Office, Mountain Province, Bontoc General Hospital, Bontoc Municipal Health Office, Saint Vincent’s School and Saint Vincent’s Alumni Association. A total of 258 clients were provided with health screening services, IEC on noncommunicable diseases and oral health care services. Program on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases served 204 clients, services rendered were measuring of blood pressure, urinalysis, cholesterol, blood sugar and uric acid testing. They were also given vitamin B complex, multivitamins, ascorbic acid, rubbing alcohol and bar soap. Of the 204 clients, only 118 availed counseling services, 90% have abnormal findings in any or all of the screening tests done. They were advised to visit the nearest health facility in their area immediately. Oral health care clients availed services on oral health consultation, oral prophylaxis and fluoride varnish application and were provided with free kits (bottle of toothpaste, toothbrushes, micronutrient powder and food packs.

13 HEALTH VOICE Information Education Communication through lectures on nutrition, preventing kidney diseases, and cancer was done to instill the importance of preventing occurrence of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer in Mountain Province. A mass CPR demonstration was also conducted to educate clients on the importance of first aid during emergencies especially at home. Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan, OIC Director IV of DOH-CHD-CAR and an alumna of SVS, gave an inspirational message to citizens of Bontoc to be pro active in preventing lifestyle related diseases. She said they invited health personnel from LHMRH, Bontoc RHU for the Service Delivery Network for the clients to have free medicines, medical screening and follow up checkup every month. She said “ this is the first medical screening cum health promotion activities that we conducted”.

14 Let’s Talk HIV, TB, VAWC by Kelly L. Kengay, HEPO II, Conner District Hospital According to World Health Organization (WHO), Adolescents – young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years – are often thought of as a healthy group. Nevertheless, many adolescents do die prematurely due to accidents, suicide, violence, pregnancy related complications and other illnesses that are either preventable or treatable. Many suffer from chronic ill-health and disability. In addition, many serious diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence such as tobacco use, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, poor eating and exercise habits which leads to illness or premature death later in life. With this, Conner District Hospital partnered with Apayao State College (ASC)- Conner campus through their Student Affair Director Ms. Madeline Maslang in conducting an open forum on the causes and preventions of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV), Tuberculosis disease (TB) & Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), dubbed as “Let’s Talk HIV, TB & VAWC”, held at ASC Quadrangle Malama, Conner, Apayao on December 11, 2018. Also, the activity was conducted to commemorate the celebration of the World AIDS day and the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children.” The program proper began with ASC Campus Executive Officer Ms. Jaybee B. Omaweng delivering her opening message. In her speech, she recognized Conner District Hospital for its effort in connecting with their institution on its pursuit to promote healthy living among the youth. She also said that their students were lucky to have the event conducted in their school, to be educated on how to protect their lives by staying healthy. She hoped that this is just the beginning of a good partnership with the hospital in their service to the public. The CDH Team, led by Dr. Oliver D. Lacambra, Medical Specialist II/ Chief of Clinics, started the forum just after a presentation from the ASC dance troop led by Mr. Mac Ornoc Lamao and Ms. Cherry Ramos. Dr. Lacambra, one of the resource speakers during the event discussed the causes and preventions of the disease-Tuberculosis. He deliberately shared his thoughts on the importance of practicing an active healthy lifestyle among students to prevent getting the disease. Dr. Susan Aguirre, OB/Gyne Specialist from CDH gave a lecture on the sexually

15 HEALTH VOICE transmitted infection and HIV giving emphasis on the causes and preventions. She encouraged the students and faculty members to have their FREE HIV counseling and testing in order to know their status. Dr. Cristina B. Betat, Gender and Development focal person of CDH and the last resource speaker discussed the importance of knowing the women’s and children’s human rights to eliminate discrimination against women by respecting, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sectors. The team solicited feedbacks from the students and faculty members regarding the topics discussed and participants were encouraged to send their feedbacks through social media. Their enthusiasm to know more was evident by their overwhelming questions on the official Facebook page of the hospital during the Q and A portion. The speakers ensured that they have satisfied their audience by answering all their queries in a very informative manner. Since the event was an “All-in-One” package deal, CDH conducted a medical, dental, HIV counseling and testing, mother’s class, and bloodletting activity during the afternoon session. It was an exhausting activity for the team, but with the participation of both students and faculty members, all were carried out smoothly. Indeed, the event was a smashing success! Before the event has officially ended , a short interview was conducted. One of the student said, “maganda itong programa kasi nakakatulong sa amin na estudyante lalo na sa aming kalusugan”. Another one said, “sapay kuma ta tuloy- tuloy daytoy nga serbisyo nga naited kinyami ditoy ASC, agyaman kami unay kadakayu.” Conner District Hospital committed to take into account all the feedbacks from the activity. This is to encourage more programs to improve the health and well-being of adolescents.

16 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) System Institutionalization in the Cordillera Administrative Region by Melanie June Pucay, Nurse V, DOH-CHD-CAR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) is an integrated, systemsbased, multisectoral process that utilizes policies, plans, programs, and strategies to reduce health risks due to disasters and emergencies, improve preparedness for adverse effects and lessen adverse impacts of hazards to address needs of affected population with emphasis on the vulnerable groups. (HEM MOP). The Fourmula One Plus strategy ensures that health services delivered through Health Care Provider Networks (HCPN) are available 24/7 even during disasters. This guarantees uninterrupted health services to avert preventable morbidities and mortalities as well as ensure that no outbreaks occur secondary to disasters. In the delivery of these services, gender-sensitive, culturally-appropriate, inclusive approaches are considered. These goals will be achieved by institutionalizing DRRM-H in the health system. The disaster risk reduction measures are planned and implemented for each of the four thematic areas: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery & Rehabilitation. The following are the four thematic areas in relation to priorities: • Prevention and Mitigation provides key strategic actions that give importance to activities revolving around hazards evaluation and mitigation, vulnerability analyses, identification of hazard-prone areas, and mainstreaming DRRM into development plans. It is based on

17 HEALTH VOICE sound and scientific analysis of the different underlying factors which contribute to the vulnerability of the people and eventually, their risks and exposure to hazards and disasters. • Preparedness is one of the key strategic actions that give importance to activities revolving around community awareness and understanding, contingency planning, conduct of local drills, and the development of a national disaster response plan. Risk-related information coming from the prevention and mitigation aspect is necessary for the preparedness of activities to be responsive to the needs of the people and to the situation on the ground. Also, the policies, budget, and institutional mechanisms established under the prevention and mitigation priority area will be further enhanced through capacity-building activities and development of coordination mechanisms. Through these, coordination, complementation, and interoperability of work in DRRM operations and essential services will be ensured. Behavioral change created by the preparedness aspect was eventually measured by how well people responded to the disasters. At the frontlines of preparedness are the local government units, local chief executives, and communities. • Response refers to activities during the actual response operations: from needs assessment and search and rescue to relief operations and early recovery. The success and realization of this priority rely heavily on the completion of the activities under both prevention and mitigation and preparedness aspects including, among others, the coordination and communication mechanisms. On-the-ground partnerships and vertical and horizontal coordination work among key stakeholders will contribute to successful disaster response operations and its smooth transition towards early and long-term recovery work. • Rehabilitation and Recovery cover areas like employment and livelihoods, infrastructure and lifeline facilities, and housing and resettlement, among others. These are recovery efforts done when people are already outside of the evacuation centers. It also covers post disaster analysis and assessment of damages and needs. Assessment of DRRM-H System Institutionalization in the Local Government Units in CAR As of September 2018, accomplishment for the PrExC Indicator Percentage (%) of LGUs with Institutionalized DRRM-H System reflected 0% accomplishment. This led DOH-CHD-CAR HEMS to conduct an assessment activity to evaluate the institutionalization of DRRM-H System in the Local Government Units. In October 2018, DRRHM-H Plan Monitoring, Evaluation and Writeshop including updating and development of DRRM-H Plans for the provinces and municipalities was conducted for the six provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The activity was attended by Provincial Health Office HEMS Coordinators, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers, Municipal Health Officers/ Representatives, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers, and Provincial DOH Office Representatives. Institutionalization of DRRM-H System was evaluated using the prescribed criteria according to DRRM-H guidelines. The activity was conducted in two batches. The first batch was attended by the provinces of Abra, Benguet and Ifugao while Apayao, Kalinga and Mt. Province composed the second batch. Abra was represented with participants from 23 out of 27 municipalities, Benguet was represented by participants from the nine out of 13 municipalities, Ifugao was represented by participants from

18 seven out of 11 municipalities, Apayao was represented by participants from seven out of seven municipalities, Kalinga was represented by participants from five out of eight municipalities while Mt. Province was represented by participants from six out of 10 municipalities. PrexC Report as of September 30, 2018 Criteria for DRRM-H Institutionalisation

19 HEALTH VOICE DRRM-H institutionalization entails the adoption of a policy through the creation of local issuance/s to ensure that all systems are in place; creation of a dedicated unit with a permanent employee as lead; Operations Center (OPCEN) with Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Manual of Operations (MOPs); organized and trained health emergency response team; minimum health emergency commodities and a DRRM-H Plan. PrexC Report as of December 31, 2018 Out of the 84 Provincial and Municipal LGUs, 39 has institutionalized DRRM-H System to be sustained while the LGUs with uninstitutionalized DRRM-H System will be prioritized for the provision of technical assistance. Towards the attainment of the fourmula one plus strategy, one of the ten key features for the establishment of Health Care Provider Networks in the region is the institutionalization of DRRM-H System. This will be the priority activity of the DOH-CHD-CAR Health Emergency Management Section in 2019, implementing the core processes which are DRRM-H Planning and Technical Assistance, Operations and Service Delivery, Resource Mobilization and Management, and Monitoring and Evaluation. The implementation of this is in line with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework’s (NDRRMF) vision of the country to have safer, adaptive and disaster-resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development.

20 DOH-CHD-CAR’s participation in the Response to Natural Disaster in cooperation with other agencies

21 HEALTH VOICE DOH-CHD-CAR’s participation in the Response to Natural Disaster in cooperation with other agencies

22 DOH-CHD-CAR’s participation in the Response to Natural Disaster in cooperation with other agencies

23 HEALTH VOICE DOH-CHD-CAR’s participation in the Response to Natural Disaster in cooperation with other agencies

24 BGHMC Compound, Baguio City 2600 Tel. /Fax Nos. (074) 442-8097 to 98 TRUNK LINE #s: (074) 442-8096, 443-4858, 443-4859, 442-7591 Website: www.caro.doh.gov.ph Facebook Page: DOH CHD CAR Health Promotion Twitter: @dohchdcar Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT Cordillera Administrative Region