Untitled - DOH

DOH DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ORDER NO. 2011 – 2458:Policy HandbookCreation of Climate Change UnitRepublic of the PhilippinesDepartment of HealthOFFICE OF THE SECRETARYMay 16, 2011DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ORDERNo. 2011 - 2458SUBJECT:Creation of a Climate Change Unit to Oversee and Manage theDevelopment and Implementation of a Climate Change Programat the Environmental and Occupational Health Office, NationalCenter for Disease Prevention and Control.Climate Change (CC) has been brought about by un-abated human degradation of the environment, destructionof natural forests, denudation of mountains, plunder on natural resources, excessive use of non-recyclableequipments/materials and excessive dumping of un-treated toxic wastes to the environment. Climatic changes inthe form of extremely harsh weather conditions such as heat waves, super typhoons, tsunamis, volcaniceruptions, extremely long droughts have brought about changes in disease patterns, both infectious and noninfectiousdiseases. Disease vectors have changed migratory patterns, infecting organisms have adapted so wellto current medical treatment that has become obsolete in managing infections. Newer types of organisms havebecome virulent when these had not been so previously. Disease causing organisms are thriving in areas wherethese have not been found before. Unexpected and erratic temperature/climatic changes have brought aboutextreme physiological, physical and mental pressure on humans especially the elderly and the young.In response to the above, the Department of Health is in the process of Developing the Climate Change Programin support to the National Climate Change and Adaptability Program (NCCAP) and the Climate Change ActionPlan for Health (CCAPH) to address the effects of the Climate Change in both Infectious and Non-InfectiousDiseases. Initially, this needs creation of a Climate Change Unit to oversee the integration of the ClimateChange Agenda and other relevant programs related to climate change to the different activities, projects andprograms of the Department of Health. Thus the Climate Change Unit is hereby created overseen by thefollowing NCDPC technical officers:Unit Leader: DR CECILLE THEODORA MAGTURO – Environmental and Occupational Health OfficeMembers:1. DR MINERVA VINLUAN - Family Health Office2. DR ERNESTO EUSEBIO S VILLALON III - Infectious Disease Office3. MR. NELSON MENDOZA - Degenerative Disease Office4. DR YVONNE CYNTHIA F LUMAMPAO - Infectious Disease OfficeThe Climate Change Unit shall perform the following functions:1. Act as technical advisers/officers, resource persons/speakers representing the NCDPC/DoHCCAPH to stakeholders, inter-agencies, local, international meetings, fora, or conventionson CC;13399