Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit - Region XII

22/07/2025

𝐃𝐎𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐗 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐇𝐒𝐈𝐒 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭

The Department of Health – Epidemiology Bureau (Monitoring and Evaluation Division), led by Dr. Alfonso Miguel R. Regala conducted the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) Policy and Process Audit on July 14–18, 2025, at Savannah Resort Hotel, Angeles City, Pampanga.

The five-day activity brought together key representatives from the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Regional and Local FHSIS Coordinators, and Data Managers nationwide to evaluate and strengthen health data collection and reporting systems.

The initiative aligns with Executive Order No. 87, s. 2025, which updates the Systems of Designated Statistics (SDS) to promote evidence-based decision-making. As the DOH’s official statistical activity under the SDS, the FHSIS is guided by Department Memorandum No. 2025-0104, outlining the protocols for health data collection, reporting, management, and dissemination.

𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒕:
- Clarification of indicator definitions and proper use of denominators;
- Identification of data duplication issues across information systems;
- Calls for standardizing data sources and reporting pathways to avoid inconsistencies;
- Recognition of logistical and operational challenges affecting program coverage;
- Recommendations for improved metadata definitions, aligned numerators and denominators, and enhanced data quality tools.

Participants underscored the need for ongoing system evaluation and standardized reporting protocols—key to advancing the DOH’s 8-Point Action Agenda and the Universal Health Care Act. The DOH reaffirmed its commitment to data integrity, responsive governance, and strong stakeholder collaboration to ensure the FHSIS remains a cornerstone of effective health policy and program development.

Representing DOH–CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region were Myla P. Mapait, Enrica Erlind P. Fernandez, and Jan Kenron V. Panerio.

13/06/2025

23/04/2025

In this episode of Kapatid Mo, Idol Raffy Tulfo, catch RITM Virology Department's Dr. Carren Anne Bocaling and Dr. Lea Necitas Apostol explain about poliovirus in the context of how the said illness changed the life of national paralympic athlete Jerrold Pete Mangliwan.

RITM houses the National Reference Laboratory for Polio and Other Enteroviruses (NPL). Since 1991, NPL plays a vital role in the surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in the Philippines, under the Department of Health National Plan of Action for Poliomyelitis Eradication. NPL is also designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the Inter-Country Reference Laboratory (ICRL) for Environmental Surveillance (ES) for poliovirus in the Western Pacific Region (WPR).

Watch Dr. Bocaling's interview here: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx28jWDXoW9LgjroJFiZrULjuWz7oJRleB?si=TXtQtrUUxhlG9dwi

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxhghnHyu81mcTP8jKj0j3CC8aEdiBXDz5?si=mb9f_2H3V4ZKN23f

Watch Dr. Apostol's interview here: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx24Tx5fJiY3m2NgzMRFus9OiiSZQkOegZ?si=ZiWA13WRx-V-acr3

Link to full episode: https://youtu.be/eMGhS4WMi7c?si=g8F1W6mI8lnJDGLO&t=910

Bangkay ng babeng isang linggo nang nawawala, natagpuan sa loob ng isang maleta sa ilog! Kilalanin din ang atletang nagbibigay sa bansa ng karangalan sa kabi...

04/04/2025

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), conducted an Outbreak Response Tabletop Exercise for Provincial, City, and Municipal Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (PESU/CESU/MESU) from General Santos City, Sarangani Province, Sultan Kudarat Province, South and North Cotabato. The exercise was held at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City, on March 25-26, and at Agua Frio Garden Resort, Inc., Koronadal City, on March 27-28, 2025.

Dr. Dyan Zubelle R. Parayao, head of the RESU, spearheaded the event, emphasizing the importance of evaluating current outbreak response strategies, coordination mechanisms, and decision-making processes to align with national and international standards, including the International Health Regulations (IHR).

The primary objective of the exercise was to fortify the ESUs' ability to detect, verify, and respond to public health events by integrating the 7-1-7 framework within the regional outbreak response system. Specifically, the framework aims for: the detection of a suspected outbreak within 7 days of its emergence; notification of public health authorities within 1 day of detection; and initiation of an effective response within 7 days of notification.

Participants engaged in discussions on training objectives and methodologies reviewed 2024 ESR summary reports, and received a virtual presentation on the 7-1-7 framework from the US CDC. Moving forward, the region will utilize the insights gained from the exercise to refine its outbreak response protocols, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and ensure the timely implementation of the 7-1-7 framework, ultimately enhancing the protection of public health within SOCCSKSARGEN.

07/03/2025

🚨Patuloy ang serbisyo ng DOH para sa agarang atensyon sa mga pasyenteng may Dengue. 🚨

Makipag-ugnayan sa mga DOH Hospitals kung saan aktibo ang Dengue Fast Lanes

Tingnan ang UPDATED na listahan ng mga DOH Dengue Fast Lanes hospitals sa buong bansa.

List of hospitals as of March 7, 2025 4:00 PM

01/03/2025

𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘
We are hiring!
Kindly read the instructions carefully.
Vacant Contract of Service positions for DOH -CHD SOCCSKSARGEN region.
We highly encourage and welcome all applications from qualified Persons with Disabilities (PWD), members of indigenous communities, and those from any Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) to submit to the following documents for initial evaluation at the DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region Job Portal, you can access through this link: https://jobs.dohsox.com:
1. Application letter addressed to the Head of Office:
ARISTIDES CONCEPCION TAN, MD, MPH, CESO I!
Director IV
DOH - CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region
Purok San Miguel, Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City
2. Fuly Accomplished Personal Data Sheet (PDS) with recent passport-sized picture (CS Form No. 212,
Revised 2017)
3. Fully Accomplished CSC Work Experience Sheet Form
4. Training Certificates (photocopy)
5. Diploma and Transcript of Records (photocopy)
6. Certificate of employment of previous/current employment.
7. Certificate of Eligibility / PRC (photocopy)

APPLICATIONS WITH INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTS SHALL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.

🚨 Cut-off for acceptance of application will be on March 6, 2025, 5:00pm

23/02/2025

Join our Kapihan with the Media at DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region ☕
Topic: 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
Live Streaming on February 24, 2025, 11:00 a.m..
via official page: DOH -Center for Health Development Soccsksargen Region

17/01/2025

𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄
We are hiring!
Kindly read the instructions carefully.
Vacant PS-Contractual positions for DOH -CHD SOCCSKSARGEN region.
We highly encourage and welcome all applications from qualified Persons with Disabilities (PWD), members of indigenous communities, and those from any Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) to submit to the following documents for initial evaluation at the DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region Job Portal, you can access through this link: https://jobs.dohsox.com:
1. Application letter addressed to the head of office:
Aristides Concepcion Tan, MD, MPH, CESO III
Director IV
DOH- CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region
Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City
1. Application letter addressed to the head of office:
Aristides Concepcion Tan, MD, MPH, CESO III
Director IV
DOH- CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region
Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City
2. Fully accomplished Personal Data Sheet (PDS) with recent passport-sized picture (CS Form No. 212, Revised 2017)
3.Fully Accomplished CSC Work Experience Sheet Form
4.Training Certificates (photocopy)
5.Diploma and Transcript of Records (photocopy)
6.Performance Rating for the last 2 rating periods. (Applying for promotion)
7.Certificate of emplotement of previous/current employment.
8.Certificate of Eligibility /PRC (photocopy)
9.Diplomate Certificate(photocopy)
🚨 Cut-off for acceptance of application will be on January 24, 2025, 5:00pm

08/01/2025

DOH PRESS RELEASE
PR ID NO. 2025-01-08-01

=====================

MALA-TRANGKASONG SAKIT SA PHL MABABA; HINIHIKAYAT NG DOH NA UMIWAS SA SAKIT NGAYONG PANAHON NG AMIHAN
Press Release | 08 Enero 2025

Patuloy na hinihikayat ng Department of Health (DOH) ang publiko na isagawa ang respiratory etiquette tulad ng pagtatakip sa ubo gamit ang siko; pananatili sa bahay kapag may ubo, sipon, o lagnat; at madalas na paghuhugas ng kamay gamit ang sabon at tubig habang nagpapatuloy ang mas malamig na Northeast Monsoon, o panahon ng Amihan. Binigyang-diin ng DOH na ang panahon ng Amihan ay maaaring humantong sa pagtaas ng mga kondisyon sa paghinga tulad ng allergy o respiratory infections.

Update sa Influenza-like Illness (ILI)
Nakapagtala ang DOH Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Surveillance System ng kabuuang 179,227 na mala-trangkasong sakit noong Disyembre 31, 2024, na mas mababa pa rin ng 17% kaysa sa 216,786 na kaso na naitala noong nakaraang taon. Ang pagbabang ito ay maaaring maiugnay sa mas mabuting pag-uugali at gawi sa paghahanap ng kalusugan at mas mahusay na paghahanda ng sektor ng kalusugan.

Ang ILI ay nailalarawan sa pamamagitan ng ubo, sipon, at lagnat. Ito ay karaniwang dahil sa mga respiratory virus na may Rhinovirus (1,257/4,921 o 25.5% ng mga positibong sample), Enterovirus (1,140/4,921 o 23.2%), Influenza A (1,072/4,921 o 21.8%), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (560/4,921 o 11.4%), at Adenovirus (527/4,921 o 10.7%) ang nangungunang 5 sanhi ng ILI sa Pilipinas.

Sa labas ng Pilipinas, ang pagtaas ng mga karaniwang acute respiratory infections, kabilang ang Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), ay iniulat ng World Health Organization (WHO) sa Disease Outbreak News nito na may petsang 7 Enero 2025. Inaasahan ang pagtaas sa panahon ng taglamig sa Tsina at iba pang mga bansa sa Northern Hemisphere. Nilinaw din ng mga awtoridad ng China sa WHO na ang healthcare system ng China ay hindi nalulula at walang emergency declaration o response na nangyayari.

Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)
Ang Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) ay hindi isang bagong sakit. Natuklasan ito noong 2001 ng mga Dutch na mananaliksik sa mga sample ng nasopharyngeal aspirate mula sa mga bata na may mga impeksyon sa paghinga na dulot ng hindi kilalang mga pathogen. Sa Pilipinas, sinusuri ang hMPV bilang bahagi ng panel 2 (expanded panel) para sa mga specimen na negatibo ang pagsubok sa panel 1 (para sa Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, at RSV) bilang bahagi ng ating Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) at pagsubaybay sa Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI).

Ika-6 ang hMPV sa mga natukoy na causative agent ng ILI sa Pilipinas para sa 2024. Mula Enero 1 hanggang Disyembre 21, 2024, 284/4,921 (5.8%) ang mga positibong sample ay dahil sa hMPV. Kamakailan lamang, mula Disyembre 1 hanggang 21, 2024, 10/339 (2.9%) ang mga positibong sample ay dahil sa hMPV. Ang hMPV ay paminsan-minsang nakikita, na walang kakaibang clustering o pattern, sa buong taon.

Karamihan sa mga taong nahawaan ng hMPV ay magkakaroon lamang ng banayad na mga sintomas, na kinabibilangan ng ubo, lagnat, pagkabara ng ilong, at halak. Ang mga bihirang malubhang kaso ay maaaring magresulta sa brongkitis o pulmonya, lalo na sa mga sanggol, matatanda at mga indibidwal na immunocompromised. Ang mga may dati nang kondisyon sa baga, tulad ng Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) o emphysema, ay nasa mas mataas na panganib na magkaroon ng malalang resulta.

Pinaalalahanan ng DOH ang pangkalahatang publiko, lalo na ang mga kabataan, immunocompromised, at matatanda, na mag-ingat sa pamamagitan ng madalas na paghuhugas ng kamay, pag-iwas sa matataong lugar kung maaari, at pagkain at pag-inom ng tubig ng maayos. Hinihimok ng DOH ang mga nasa high risk o may mga komplikadong sintomas na humingi ng medikal na pangangalaga sa lalong madaling panahon.

“Hindi bagong virus ang hMPV. Matagal na natin siyang kayang tukuyin. Hindi rin malala ang kanyang sintomas. Tulad ng karaniwang ubo at sipon, gumagaling siya ng kusa basta malakas ang ating resistensya,” said Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. “Palakasin ang ating immune system! Tandaan ang TED - Tamang pagkain, Ehersisyo, at Disiplina sa katawan para lumakas ang resistensya at makaiwas sa mga sakit. Kapag may sakit, manatili na lamang sa bahay. Dalasan ang paghuhugas ng kamay gamit ang sabon at tubig, o gumamit ng alcohol. Voluntary pa rin po ang facemask - para sa mga may sintomas, at para sa mga gustong makaiwas sa hawa,” added the Health Chief.

# # #

RELEASING AUTHORITY

Dr. Albert Domingo
OIC Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson
Department of Health
Email: communication@doh.gov.ph
Mobile: +639273827512 (c/o Ms Arlene Arbas)