30/07/2026
๐๐ข๐-๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ด๐๐ถ๐ผ ๐๐ฆ๐ข ๐จ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐
The Department of Health Center for Health Development - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) in collaboration with the Baguio Health Services Office, DOH-Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, and World Health Organization-Philippines, commemorated World Hepatitis Day on July 28, 2026 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, gathering City Health Services Office officials and representatives, city officials, government agencies, barangay health workers, development partners, and civil society organizations to reaffirm the regionโs commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Carrying the global theme โHepatitis: Letโs Break It Down,โ the event introduced the National Health Sector Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis and the launch of the Regional Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Cordillera Administrative Region, reinforcing a unified approach to prevention, early detection, treatment, and quality care.
City Vice Mayor, Faustino Olowan shared his personal sentiment, stressing that Hepatitis B and C are preventable and treatable, particularly through timely vaccination, early diagnosis, and appropriate medical care. Echoing the campaign theme, he encouraged everyone to "break down" the barriers that prevent people from seeking healthcare including stigma, misinformation, fear, and discrimination.
Nympha Elisa M. Sia, Public Health Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, presented the Global Hepatitis Report 2026. She emphasized that viral hepatitis continues to affect millions worldwide and urged stronger collaboration among governments, healthcare workers, communities, and partner organizations to expand access to hepatitis services.
Meanwhile, DOH-CAR Regional Program Manager for Viral Hepatitis, Darwin Babon expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their continued commitment to the Viral Hepatitis Program. He stressed that achieving a hepatitis-free Cordillera requires sustained collaboration and localized strategies to strengthen prevention, expand community-based testing, improve access to treatment, and build responsive local health systems tailored to the unique needs of the region.
Lastly, Dr. Celia Flor C. Brillantes, Baguio City Health Officer, highlighted that viral hepatitis remains a major but often overlooked public health concern, noting that many people living with the disease remain undiagnosed and untreated. She highlighted the importance of strengthening case-finding efforts through proactive patient assessment, expanded screening, and appropriate laboratory diagnostics to ensure early detection and timely treatment. Brillantes also underscored the need to continuously build the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver quality, compassionate, and evidence-based care, stressing that the success of the Viral Hepatitis Program depends on the collective efforts of local government units, healthcare providers, partners, and communities.
The activity concluded with an Oath of Commitment led by DOH-CAR Regional Director Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan, where all stakeholders pledged to promote hepatitis awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, expand access to testing, treatment, and care, and combat stigma and discrimination. The pledge reaffirmed stakeholders' commitment to supporting the implementation of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis and working together toward a hepatitis-free Cordillera and Philippines.
To foster engagement, DOH-CAR also held raffle draws during the event, providing attendees with an opportunity to win prizes while fostering a more interactive and memorable celebration of World Hepatitis Day.
